Kael's body trembled as the system window pulsed before his eyes. His heartbeat thundered, louder, faster, until it drowned out the forest itself. His vision bled red around the edges, and his skin burned like fire.
Then the dam broke.
His bones snapped and reformed with sickening cracks, muscle tearing and stitching back together in an instant. His scream warped into a guttural howl that echoed through the treeline. Fur rippled across his skin, claws burst from his hands, and his jaw split into a muzzle lined with fangs meant to rend steel.
[Transformation Complete]
[Stats increased]
The Sanguin Wolf froze for half a heartbeat then it roared and lunged.
Kael met it head-on.
Their collision shook the forest. Claws clashed against claws, fangs snapped inches from throats.
Kael drove the beast back with raw ferocity, his newfound strength overwhelming. He tore chunks of fur and flesh from its flank, his claws raking deep into the creature's hide.
The beast howled in pain and fury, but Kael didn't relent, he had never felt stronger his whole life. He slammed it against a tree, snapping the trunk in half with the force, then sank his fangs into its shoulder. Hot, bitter blood flooded his mouth.
[Warning!]
[You have attempted to consume Corrupted Blood.]
[Effect: Temporary Stamina Drain]
The taste was ash and venom, burning down his throat. Kael staggered back, gagging, spitting the black ichor into the dirt. His claws trembled, his vision swimming with static for a moment.
The beast's eyes flared, as if it delighted in his weakness.
He roared in frustration, dragging his claws across its face, narrowly missing one glowing eye. The Sanguin Wolf staggered back, bleeding heavily. Kael's chest swelled with primal triumph—he had it. He had it.
But then pride became his downfall.
Kael lunged recklessly for the throat, jaws wide. Too slow. Too careless.
The beast twisted, faster than expected, and its claw hammered across his chest like a torpedo. Kael flew through the air and smashed into the earth, the ground caving beneath the impact. Pain laced through his ribs and his vision dimmed.
[Health Critical!]
Before he could rise, the Sanguin Wolf was on him, pinning him down. Its mismatched eyes burned into his own, its fangs bared, dripping saliva inches from his throat. Kael clawed at its neck, but his arms trembled, his strength was faltering.
It could kill him. Right here. Right now.
...
But it didn't.
The beast froze, its chest heaving. For a long, breathless moment, predator stared into predator. Something flickered in those eyes.
Then, without a sound, the beast released him. It stepped back, muscles rippling under bloodied fur. With one last snarl, it turned and bolted into the shadows, vanishing into the pines as though it had never been there.
Kael lay on the ground, chest heaving, claws still trembling with bloodlust. His wolf form strained for the hunt, to chase, to kill—but the beast was gone.
[Quest Update: Objective Failed]
[Survive — Complete]
[Reward: 3SP, 2Lv, 5StatPoints]
[Level Up! Level Up!]
[+2SP]
* * * *
He emerged from the forest at dawn with blood smeared around his body. He had consumed some wolves in the forest and healed up overnight. After the beast form receded, he decided it was time to leave. He had to report this to the other companions as soon as possible.
The farmer gasped when he saw his bloodied form before Kael gave him a reassuring head nod.
It should be gone... right...?
The farm heaved a long sigh, relief flooding his face. He handed him a coin pouch containing 200 gold and kept showering him words of appreciation.
Kael only gave a tired nod, dragging his spent body towards the city.
When he eventually got to Jorrvaskr, he crashed onto a table.
A few of them craned their necks, checking what the whole commotion was all about.
"You look you just got spit out by a bear." Vilkas grinned.
Kael scoffed.
The bastard only seemed to be in a good mood whenever I've been beat.
"Where the hell is Farkas?! And Skjor. I need to speak with them. Now!"
Vilkas paused for a second before his expression immediately turned serious.
"I'll be back."
With that, he turned and walked towards the living quarters.
Kael needed answers but his gut told him the Circle—the true Circle—would not leave those questions unanswered for long.
* * * *
Skjor and Farkas exchanged glances as Kael laid out his tale. The chamber was heavy with the scent of iron and smoke, the only sound was the crackle of the brazier in the corner.
"You're certain it looked just as you have described?" Skjor's voice was quiet and measured, but Kael caught the hard edge beneath it.
Kael nodded. "This was no ordinary wolf. The blood itself tried to poison me."
Farkas' brow furrowed, his usual bluntness replaced by unease. "Then we need to tell the Circle."
"Aye." Skjor pushed himself to his feet, his hand brushing the scar across his jaw. "But not here. Not where curious ears might listen."
He clapped a heavy hand on Kael's shoulder. "You've done enough for tonight. Rest, brother. Leave this to us."
Kael opened his mouth to protest, but the look in Skjor's eyes silenced him and shook his head.
Farkas lingered as Kael finally relented. "Don't let it eat at you," he muttered, voice softer than Kael expected. "You lived. That's what matters."
With that, the two of them departed.