Broken Illusion

"HAAAAH?!"

Grinning wildly, Logan laid into the dummy— never letting it land a blow while unleashing his own brutal fury. His pent up frustration was expressed fully as he turned the dummy into a pile of crap.

Deciding to finalize things, he pulled his left arm back while using the other hand to hold it in place then drove his fist right through the dummy's chest— brutally cutting through the metal plates and destroying its core.

Panting heavily, he was finally able to notice the changes on his body. The silver fur coating his arms, the claws protruding from his fingers, and the elongated fangs from his mouth were all new to him and the System message nailed it.

"Wow, a bloodline? That's great. Lycanthrope? Hmm. I think I've heard that before but where?" He spoke his thoughts out loud as he stared at the message before him.

[Bloodline: Lycanthrope]

• Description: A powerful race cursed by the Moon God after he successfully eliminated Fenrir. Their extreme strength and power is flawed by their irrationality during the full moon, making them commit severe crimes and hunted down wherever they are.

"Hah? What the hell? That's stupid. This power..." He said as he flexed his claws, feeling a lethal edge. "Is something anyone would kill for!"

"I wouldn't be so sure." A familiar voice replied to his monologue, startling him since he hadn't noticed the presence.

Turning around, he saw Liam standing a few meters away from him with his hands calmly placed behind him.

'Tch. That jerk!'

Snorting internally, he reassessed him— realizing a few differences. Liam was now more reserved and seemed to be brimming with power. The calmness in his eyes was unnerving— serene, yet piercing.

'Something's changed'

"What the hell are you on about?"

"I was talking about your bloodline. Its risky to have it."

"What? I'm not a Defiled Human so why would I be hunted?"

"The Hawkins exterminated every Lycan family and will kill you the moment they catch wind of this."

Logan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Exterminated?"

Liam looked back at him calmly, unfazed by the slight intimidation.

"Yes. They were wiped out around 15 years ago or so."

...

In a quiet rainforest was a small wooden hut surrounded by a small garden. It looked historical with a simple beauty that was highlighted by the forest. The sound of trees falling at a calculated interval echoed softly— sending tremors through the forest.

"Who are my biological parents, father?"

A young boy with wild silver hair and red eyes asked with a smile as he cut down a tree trunk effortlessly. His small body was ripped— packed with muscles even adults would grow jealous of.

An old man accompanying him smiled at the question but his gaze drifted far—toward a past heavy with silence. He was the adoptive father for Logan and an old friend of the boy's real parents.

"They were not really a powerful couple but they weren't weak either. They had an average position in their clan but were living well."

"Ah? That's awesome." Young Logan grinned foolishly as he wiped down the sweat from his brows.

"I believe I can grow up like them." He cheered, feeling proud of his unknown parents.

"Hmm. However, I hope you grow stronger than them. Far stronger than anyone else." The old man said with a wistful smile. "So you can protect yourself." He added quietly.

...

A memory—half-forgotten—rose to the surface like a ghost as his eyes slowly widened in realization.

'Were they hunted too?'

A quiet whisper echoed in his mind as his eyes lost focus— staring blankly into space.

The warm image he'd always held of his parents shattered and was replaced by two wolves hunted down and killed in the most harrowing way. Their bodies marred with injuries and blood. His thoughts kept spiralling deeper and darker until Liam shook him— snapping out of his daze.

"Were they hunted too?" He asked— his voice cracking slightly.

Liam's expression tightened, feeling a sense of overwhelming sadness for him.

Even though he felt a slight sadness, he could feel his Flaw amplifying it greatly.

Still, he felt sad.

Logan was always a free-spirited guy with no worries and mild irritation. Seeing him break down bit by bit sent a bitter sting in his heart.

"I can't really say— but it's the most plausible outcome." He answered truthfully— knowing that lies would be futile.

Silence.

Logan didn't say anything and continued to look blankly into space. His mind seemed to have frozen up as his body showed visible tension. He seemed to be in a state of self denial and unable to come to terms with the fact that his parents had not lived like he thought.

"I see"

However, unlike what he expected—the guy accepted it calmly. So calm it didn't feel human— it sent a shiver crawling up his spine.

His head was hung low, allowing his bangs to cover his upper face.

Through the shadow effect, Liam could see glowing crimson eyes filled with quiet rage.

After an minute of unsettling silence, he finally raised his head and spoke.

"I just have to grow stronger right?"

Liam looked back at those dark eyes and nodded silently.

"Good." A grin spread across Logan's face as he cracked his knuckles slow, like a promise of pain. "Then I'll do just that."

Unknown to him, his flaw—

[Sacred Ire]

— flashed slightly red before cooling. The message was clear. Blood would spill. It was only a matter of when.