Rael's fight with the Ironhide Fangboar didn't mark the end.
They crossed paths with more of them before leaving the territory, and each time Arden let him take the lead. The more they fought, the more Rael's movements sharpened. By the time the last tusked beast fell, he barely broke a sweat.
Not long after, Arden's gaze flicked to the edge of the trail. "Another one for you," he said.
Rael turned to see a pair of glowing amber eyes watching from the shadows. The sleek, black shape stepped forward soundlessly, its fur drinking in the light.
Gloomstalker Lynx. C-Rank.
It vanished.
"Eyes up," Arden called just as the beast reappeared at Rael's flank. Rael spun, a pulse of lightning flaring around him as claws slashed through where he'd been.
The lynx didn't roar or snarl. It moved with quiet precision, disappearing into a veil of mist before striking again.
