Asher flexed his numb hand once, then again. The feeling started to return.
"So that's it," Asher said calmly. "You stack bloodlines until your body turns into a weapon."
The werewolf grinned. "Unlike you, I don't need tricks. No fancy transformations. No borrowed strength."
It stepped forward, the ground cracking under its weight.
"I look normal," it said. "But I'm stronger than most monsters."
It lunged.
Asher met it head-on.
Steel claw slammed into sword again. The impact sent sparks flying, and Asher was pushed back several meters this time.
The werewolf swung its other arm, aiming to crush Asher's ribs.
Asher ducked under the blow and struck at the side of the knee again.
Clang.
The blade barely scratched the metal skin.
The werewolf laughed and kicked out.
Asher blocked with his forearm and slid backward across the ground, boots digging in.
"You can't cut steel," the werewolf said. "And you can't use blood."
Asher straightened slowly.
