Chapter 17: Blood Hunt

Chapter 17: Blood Hunt

The dark forest was like a slumbering beast, lurking with countless dangers in its silence.

Yet beneath the blood moon, a shadow moved swiftly, too fast to be caught by the eye.

Tom lowered his body, his steps light, dashing across the leaf-covered ground and weaving through the towering trees. Every breath he took was sharp and distinct, every rustle in the air captured by his heightened senses. The night felt more vivid than ever—he could even discern the subtle layers of different scents drifting through the air.

Elizabeth followed closely behind. Though her speed was far inferior to Tom's, she pushed herself to keep up. A thought continued to whirl in her mind—Tom had changed too fast. It wasn't natural.

What had he become?

Up ahead, Tom suddenly halted and raised a hand, signaling her to stop.

Elizabeth immediately held her breath, following his gaze.

In the clearing ahead, three werewolves crouched around an ancient stone monument, sniffing at the bloodstains on the ground. Deep, guttural growls rumbled from their throats. They had clearly sensed something and were on high alert.

Tom's lips curled slightly, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

These werewolves were stronger than the ones before.

His fingers curled slightly, claws glinting with a faint cold light. The blood coursing through his veins burned hot, urging him—Hunt!

Yet this time, he did not rush in.

He observed. He waited.

Elizabeth, watching intently from the side, noticed the change in Tom's gaze. The hesitation and fear he once held were gone. Now, his eyes carried a calculated coldness. He was adapting to his new power—no, more than that. He was learning how to kill more efficiently.

A shiver of unease rose in her chest, but this wasn't the time for doubts.

Tom took a slight step back and whispered, "Flank them. I'll draw their attention."

Elizabeth frowned. "You're taking on three of them alone?"

Tom smirked confidently. "They're the prey."

She met his gaze but said nothing. Instead, she silently moved into position while Tom stepped forward and deliberately crushed a dry twig beneath his foot.

Crack—

The three werewolves instantly snapped their heads up. Blood-red eyes gleamed in the darkness, locking onto the lone figure.

"ROAR—!"

A ferocious snarl tore through the forest as all three charged at Tom!

Yet the moment they lunged, Tom exploded into motion. His figure flickered like a shadow—leaping over the first werewolf, landing behind it, and slashing his claws through the air.

Squelch!

Blood splattered. The werewolf howled, struggling, but Tom twisted his wrist with a sharp crack. The massive creature convulsed once before collapsing lifelessly.

(Emotion Value +300)

The remaining two werewolves did not retreat. Instead, they positioned themselves defensively in front of the stone monument, exchanging a glance before circling to flank him.

Tom met them head-on, crimson eyes gleaming with exhilaration. He loved the battle, the hunt—both physically and mentally.

He kicked off the ground, dodging a swipe from the werewolf on the left, then thrust his right hand forward. His claws plunged into the second werewolf's abdomen, tearing a deep, bone-exposing gash.

At that moment, the third werewolf pounced from behind, jaws wide open, aiming to tear into Tom's shoulder!

Bang!

A gunshot rang out.

Elizabeth emerged from the shadows, a short-barreled shotgun in hand. The bullet struck the werewolf's shoulder, blasting away a chunk of flesh!

Tom seized the opportunity, twisting his arm and slashing his claws across the werewolf's throat. A thin red line appeared before blood gushed out. The werewolf's eyes widened in shock as it collapsed, twitching a few times before falling still.

The last remaining werewolf finally realized something was wrong. It let out a low snarl, its eyes flashing with fear as it abandoned its post in front of the stone. Without hesitation, it turned and fled, as if making a final decision—never looking back at Tom.

But Tom wouldn't let it escape.

He advanced step by step, cold eyes locked onto his prey. Then, in a sudden burst, he lunged forward—his claws piercing straight through the werewolf's heart!

The werewolf's body trembled violently. Its eyes widened in disbelief as its lips parted as if to speak. If it could, it would probably say—F*ck.

(Emotion Value +600)

Silence returned.

The three werewolves lay dead, their blood soaking into the fallen leaves.

Standing in the center of the carnage, Tom lowered his gaze to his own hands. His blood-red eyes flickered with a mix of emotions. As the bloodlust faded, his intellect and reason reasserted themselves.

His power… had grown stronger again. But the feeling of losing something important was becoming more intense.

With every hunt, he could sense his bloodline evolving. Something deep within him, long dormant, was awakening.

When he looked at werewolves now, he felt a superior presence within himself—like a predator gazing upon lesser creatures, a natural suppression in his very blood.

Taking a deep breath, he lifted his gaze toward the ancient stone monument the werewolves had been guarding.

The monument was old and weathered, covered in indecipherable runes. In its center was a distinct groove, as if something had once been embedded there.

Elizabeth approached, frowning as she studied the stone. "This… doesn't feel like an ordinary ruin."

Tom remained silent for a moment before slowly reaching out, his fingertips brushing against the surface.

The instant he touched it, a faint pulse of energy rippled through his palm—like a seal loosening, or perhaps… the monument was responding to his blood.

His brows furrowed slightly, eyes deep with thought.

This place… might hold the key to their escape.

The night wind swept past. The blood moon still hung high in the sky, casting its eerie crimson glow.

The Emotion Value System greedily absorbed the moon's energy, its interface flickering faintly.

Elizabeth's long hair fluttered in the wind. Her gemstone-like eyes gleamed with emotions too complex to put into words. Ever since Tom had become a werewolf, their conversations had dwindled.

And the distance between them… had only grown.