The flames of the destroyed city still painted the horizon red, but Liam didn't turn back. His steps were slow, heavy, and aimless, each one echoing the hollow ache that gnawed at his chest. Around him, sirens wailed and people rushed toward the fire, shouting and panicking, but Liam walked through it all like a shadow slipping through chaos.
His eyes were cold—emotionless. The smell of smoke and burnt flesh clung to his clothes.
He didn't care.
The streets thinned as the noise of civilization faded behind him, replaced by the whisper of leaves and the soft hum of night insects. He wandered until the asphalt gave way to damp earth and towering trees. The forest loomed dark and silent, a quiet that pressed against his thoughts.
Finally, he stopped beneath an old oak and slumped to the ground. The adrenaline that had fueled him since the explosion had long vanished. His body trembled; his breathing was uneven.
"Too… much mana," he muttered, feeling the ache deep in his bones. The faint glow on his skin flickered out.
Exhaustion swallowed him whole. His eyelids drooped, his vision blurred—and darkness took him.
---
When Liam opened his eyes again, he wasn't in the forest anymore.
The world around him shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow. The ground looked like glass mixed with starlight, and the air carried the low hum of unseen energy. This place was familiar—the Dream Realm.
Liam let out a long, tired sigh. "Guess I blacked out again."
He steadied himself, forcing his thoughts to focus. The moment his will sharpened, faint golden letters appeared before him, hovering midair.
> [Quest Generated]
Objective: Eliminate 10 Wind Wolves
Reward: 3,000 EXP + Random Reward
He squinted at the words, his jaw tightening slightly. "A hunt, huh? Fine. Something to get my mind off things."
The landscape shifted as he started walking—rocks forming beneath his feet, mist curling at his ankles, leading him toward the mouth of a dark cave carved into the side of a small cliff.
From inside came the low rumble of growls, deep and animalistic. A thin, cold wind carried the scent of wet fur and blood.
"Wind wolves…" Liam muttered, crouching near the entrance. He could sense them—ten of them, at least, restless and hungry. His mana core still felt faint, sluggish. A soft pulse flickered in his chest as he checked his status.
> [Mana: 14% Remaining]
He grimaced. "Not enough to last long."
He pulled up his inventory and scanned through the faint holographic list until his eyes landed on what he needed.
> [Mana Potion – Small]
Restores 60% mana.
Price: 10 sp
He pressed purchase. A faint blue vial materialized in his hand, glowing like a frozen flame. Without hesitation, he uncorked it and drank.
The potion was bitter and metallic, but power surged instantly through his veins. His body straightened; his vision sharpened. He flexed his fingers, watching faint trails of heat dance over his knuckles.
"What a hassle," he said under his breath.
He stepped into the cave.
The air was cold and stale, the walls glistening with moisture. Every few steps, he could hear the scrape of claws on stone. The deeper he went, the louder the growling became.
Then, a pair of glowing blue eyes appeared in the darkness. Then another. And another.
Ten pairs in total.
The wolves emerged slowly, their forms sleek and ghostly, their fur rippling as if made from the wind itself. Their claws shimmered faintly, razor-sharp, and their breath formed clouds in the cold air.
Liam clenched his fists, small flames licking around his knuckles. "Alright, come on."
The first wolf lunged—fast as a gale. Liam sidestepped and drove his flaming fist into its side. The creature yelped as the fire seared through its ethereal fur, collapsing into smoke and wind.
The others snarled and fanned out, circling him. Liam shifted into a low stance, one fist raised, fire flickering along his forearm.
"Let's see if you're faster than fire."
Two wolves rushed him at once. He ducked under the first, twisting to plant a burning punch into the second's chest. The explosion of heat blew it apart, scattering embers across the cave floor. He pivoted instantly, driving his elbow—wreathed in flames—into the first wolf's jaw. Its head burst into fiery wisps.
Three more leapt from the shadows. Liam's body moved instinctively, fueled by mana and momentum. He dodged left, slammed one into the wall, and spun to kick another midair, his leg trailing fire. The smell of scorched air filled the cave.
Pain flared across his back—a shallow cut. One of the wolves had grazed him with its wind-infused claws. He grunted, spinning around, his knuckles blazing brighter.
"You little—" He punched downward. The ground erupted in a burst of flame, throwing dust and heat into the air.
He stumbled slightly, panting. His mana burned fast; controlling fire through sheer will drained him faster than he expected. His breathing grew ragged, but his eyes stayed sharp.
Four wolves remained. They moved cautiously now, circling, growling low. The air around them shimmered with turbulence—their wind magic intensifying.
Liam cracked his neck. "You're learning."
They attacked all at once. Wind slashed through the air like invisible blades. Liam raised his forearms, coating them with fire to absorb the blows. Sparks flew as heat met pressure, the collision hissing violently.
He ducked low, stepped forward, and let his right fist blaze bright orange. "Burn!"
He drove it into the nearest wolf's chest. The creature exploded into light, its howl echoing as its body disintegrated into mist.
Three remained. They hesitated, whining softly. Liam straightened, his arms trembling slightly, the glow around his fists dimming.
He could feel the fatigue creeping in again. Sweat rolled down his temple, his mana beginning to thin once more. "Come on," he muttered. "Don't go faint on me now."
Then, a low rumble shook the cave.
The remaining wolves stopped, their ears flattening, their tails tucking low. They backed away into the darkness, whimpering.
Liam frowned. "What's wrong? Scared of me already?"
But then he felt it—a pressure. Heavy, cold, primal. The temperature in the cave dropped sharply, his breath turning to mist. The ground trembled beneath his feet as something stirred in the shadows ahead.
Two massive blue eyes opened, brighter and colder than the rest. The air itself bent around the creature as it stepped into the dim light.
It was enormous—twice the size of the others, its fur rippling like a storm cloud, the air around it twisting violently. Each breath it took sent waves of wind sweeping through the cave, scattering pebbles and ash.
The Alpha Wind Wolf.
Liam's fire flickered uncertainly against the wind pressure. He steadied his stance, forcing his flames to hold.
"So you're the boss," he whispered, his tone calm but sharp. His fists ignited again, weaker but steady. "Good. Let's finish this."
The alpha's jaws opened, wind swirling between its fangs like a miniature tornado. Its eyes glowed brighter.
Liam's pulse quickened. Every instinct screamed danger.
He slid one foot back, his fists flaring to life once more, ready to meet the storm head-on.
Then the world went silent—only the sound of the wind roaring in the dark.