He pressed himself flat against the rock, heart hammering so loudly it felt like it would burst out of his chest. Sweat poured down his back despite the cold air.
Then, the beast suddenly froze.
Its ears twitched.
"Crap! Did it—?!"
Oliver's stomach dropped.
The bear's head jerked upward, its ears flicking rapidly as if listening. Its body stiffened, standing tall, eyes glowing brighter.
Oliver held his breath.
Then—
"GRUUUAAHHHH!"
The monster roared as another presence revealed itself.
From the shadows ahead, a wolf slinked out—its fur jet-black, its body veined with the same red lines. Its fangs gleamed wet, and behind it… two more wolves emerged, each with three tails swaying unnaturally, sparks of corrupted mana dripping from them like smoke.
The wolves growled, circling the bear. The air trembled with tension as the monsters prepared to clash.
Oliver's grip on his sword tightened.
(…If they fight each other… I might slip past. If not… then I'm fucked.)
