Chapter 15: The First True Hunt

The forest was unusually quiet.

Leonidas walked with measured steps, his enhanced sword resting easily on his shoulder. The runes etched into the blade pulsed softly, as though reacting to the magic in the air.

He had gone deep into the woods, far from where Atreus and Faye would wander, and beyond the areas Kratos allowed Atreus to train. This was his hunt—and he knew something was watching him.

His golden eyes, tinged with faint magic, scanned the darkening trees.

Come on… where are you hiding?

As if in response to his thought, a low, guttural growl rumbled through the clearing.

Leonidas turned calmly, heart steady, as three creatures emerged from the shadows.

Corrupted wolves—huge, blackened fur, twisted by dark magic, eyes burning like embers. They dripped dark ichor from gaping jaws filled with jagged teeth.

One wolf alone would be a threat to any man—but three? Together? They were killers.

Leonidas' grip on his sword tightened.

"Good… now let's see if you work."

The first wolf lunged without hesitation, jaws wide, teeth aiming for Leonidas' throat.

He moved like water—sliding to the side and bringing his sword up in a smooth arc.

[Sharpness Rune Activated]

The blade met flesh—and kept going, cutting through the wolf's corrupted body like a knife through paper.

The creature hit the ground in a heap, lifeless before it even realized it was dead.

Leonidas blinked, realizing just how deep the cut had gone—the sword had cleaved straight through bone, muscle, and hide as though they weren't even there.

But there was no time to think—the other two wolves lunged together.

Leonidas stepped forward, his body flowing like a dancer, and swung his blade again, this time angling it to strike at the second wolf.

[Weakness Imitation Rune Activated]

The runes along the sword flared to life, shifting like living fire, reading the wolf's corrupted form in an instant.

As his blade struck, the wolf's body convulsed, its corruption exploding outward as the sword targeted a hidden flaw in the dark magic sustaining it.

The beast collapsed to the ground, its insides ruptured and bleeding black sludge.

Leonidas spun, facing the last wolf.

It circled him warily, having watched its packmates die with ease.

Leonidas raised his sword, the runes pulsing slowly.

"One left."

The wolf lunged—but this time, Leonidas met it head-on, stepping into the attack and driving his sword straight through its open jaws and out the back of its neck.

[Unbreakable Rune Stabilized] — Blade withstands force and impact perfectly.

The wolf twitched once and then collapsed.

Leonidas held the sword steady for a moment longer, ensuring the beast was truly dead. Then, he pulled it free, black ichor hissing as it slid off the flawless blade.

Silence returned to the forest.

Leonidas stood amidst the corpses of the wolves, breathing slowly, his body calm, his eyes sharp.

[System Notification]

Enemies Defeated: 3 Corrupted Wolves

Runic Test Results:

— Sharpness Rune: Success. Efficiency at 100%.

— Unbreakable Rune: Success. No structural damage.

— Weakness Imitation Rune: Success — Detected magical instability in corrupted forms. Strike exploited weakness.

[Template Integration Increased: 75%]

Notes: Further magic stability achieved. Sword-magic synchronization improved. Control over embedded runes stable under live combat conditions.

Leonidas exhaled sharply, a faint grin on his face.

"It works."

Yet, he knew this was only the beginning.

These were beasts, corrupted but ultimately simple. What would happen when he faced something truly dangerous? Something cunning—something that could fight back with its magic?

Still, this was a significant victory. He had forged a weapon worthy of Solomon's knowledge, and for now, that was enough.

He turned away from the corpses and began walking back toward home, the sword resting again on his shoulder, its runes humming like a living thing.

As he walked, his mind burned with thoughts:

"If I can do this now... what else can I build?"

"What other laws can I bend to my will?"

There was so much more to learn. So much more to command.

But for now, he was satisfied to know one thing:

He was ready for what would come next.