They came down fast — five Guild scouts in obsidian-plated armor, etched with silver runes that hummed with mana. Their boots barely made a sound against the forest floor, but Kiel felt their presence like a storm gathering overhead.
The woman he saved — she hadn't even told him her name — stepped forward with a limp, shielding him slightly.
"He saved me," she called out. "Killed the Crystal Gator alone."
One of the scouts, a tall man with cold gray eyes and a scar slicing through his right brow, gave a humorless chuckle. "So you're saying he did what a whole patrol couldn't?"
"Unless you want to drag my corpse back to headquarters, I'd say yes."
The scout's eyes narrowed as he looked Kiel over.
> [Passive Skill – Apex Insight] Activated.
➤ Analyzing threats…
➤ Target: Lieutenant Daenor – Tier B Combatant. Affiliation: Guild Enforcer Division.
➤ Danger Level: High. Avoid direct confrontation.
"I know you're not one of ours," Daenor said coolly. "You smell like the wild. Rogue, maybe even Feraled."
Kiel didn't blink. "If I was Feraled, your throat would already be in my mouth."
A flicker of amusement, then steel in Daenor's tone. "Brave. But you're treading a dangerous line. Unauthorized hunting of apex-class beasts is grounds for detainment."
Kiel shrugged. "Didn't know I needed a permit to stop someone from being eaten alive."
Behind Daenor, one of the younger scouts spoke up. "Sir… that beast would've killed all of us. And she's alive because of him."
Daenor's jaw clenched. "I didn't ask for your opinion, Cadet."
He turned to Kiel. "We'll report this. And next time, I suggest you keep your claws to yourself."
Kiel gave a mock bow. "Wouldn't want to step on your precious bureaucracy."
Daenor gave a sharp signal, and the scouts retreated, taking the injured woman with them. But as they vanished into the trees, Kiel felt a strange sensation creep over him.
> [Notification: Tracker Planted – Guild Arcane Beacon Marked on Your Aura]
➤ Time before activation: 48 hours
➤ Effect: Location traceable by Guild mages
➤ Countermeasures Required: Arcane disruption, high-grade cloaking skill, or System override
"They're tracking me now," he muttered. "Of course they are."
He sat on a fallen log, thoughts spinning. The Guild wasn't just an organization — it was the infrastructure. Every town, every city relied on their presence. To be on their radar was to be one step away from being declared a public threat.
> [System Interface – New Quest Unlocked]
➤ Quest: Shatter the Chain
➤ Objective: Sever the Guild's beacon before activation.
➤ Reward: Cloaking Module – Predatory Veil (Rare)
➤ Failure Penalty: Full location disclosure to Central Guild Authority.
Kiel sighed.
"Guess I'm not getting any rest after all."
He checked his map. There was an old ruin two miles north — half-swallowed by the jungle, but rumored to be built atop a leyline fracture. Arcane energy ran wild there. If anything could fry a beacon, it was that place.
> [Quest Route Highlighted – Danger Rating: High]
He rose to his feet, rolling his shoulders.
"High danger, high reward. Just how I like it."
As he vanished into the underbrush, a soft voice echoed from a nearby tree.
"You really don't care about making enemies, do you?"
He stopped.
A figure stepped out — tall, lean, hooded. Eyes like liquid gold.
> [Apex Entity Detected – Name: Ashen]
➤ Title: Predator Herald
➤ Threat Level: Unknown
➤ Status: Watching
Kiel didn't move.
"I care about surviving," he replied.
Ashen smiled faintly. "Then you'll need to stop playing by their rules."
And just like that, the figure was gone.
Kiel exhaled.
The predators were circling.
And he was starting to like it.