The forest floor was slick with dew, but Cain's footsteps were soundless.
Beside him, a pair of burning red eyes floated in the shadows—Hellfang, the Shadow-Hellfire Direwolf. He prowled silently like smoke wrapped in fire, his body shifting in and out of visibility as though the shadows bent willingly around him.
Cain didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
The link between man and beast was more than instinct—it was forged through Synthesis, refined by Shadow Constitution, and tempered through shared battle.
Hellfang was no longer just a companion.
He was a weapon.
And together, they hunted.
Cain crouched behind a tree overlooking a narrow ravine. Below, a den of six Epic Rank Realm beasts—scaled, quadrupedal creatures with crystalline spikes along their backs—rested. Essence Beasts of the earth type, known as Stoneback Carapods. Powerful. Defensive. And slow.
Perfect testing ground.
Cain's fingers twitched. He didn't feel nervous—just eager.
"Hellfang," he whispered. "We start with the left flank."
The shadows stirred.
Hellfang leapt without a sound, vanishing midair.
Moments later, a scream echoed through the canyon as one of the Carapods exploded into flame and shadow, flung into the wall by a massive impact.
The others roared, turning toward the attacker.
Too late.
Cain descended like a viper, lightning crackling across his fists.
His punch struck the second beast square on the skull—amplified by a new ability:
> [Skill Unlocked: Thunder Rupture Palm]
Channel lightning Essence into the hand and release upon impact to create internal damage and shock paralysis.
The beast spasmed violently, smoke pouring from its nostrils. Before it could recover, Cain spun low, ducking under a spike swipe and drove a second, flame-coated elbow into its neck.
> [Skill Unlocked: Infernal Fang Elbow]
A fire-drenched technique that ignores standard defense, dealing internal burn damage and igniting organic tissue.
The beast dropped, twitching, as its throat smoldered.
Cain stood straight as the remaining four turned toward him.
The system chimed again:
══════════════════════════════
TYRANT SYSTEM – STATUS UPDATE
══════════════════════════════
Cain Azaroth
• Strength – 45
• Vitality – 47
• Mind – Infinite (Unlocked Capacity: 32)
• Essence – 560/560
• Cultivation – Low-level Great Warrior Realm
• Companion: Hellfang (Mid Ruler Realm)
• Skills:
– Thunder Rupture Palm
– Infernal Fang Elbow
– Unique Essence Circulation
– Shadow Constitution
– Embodiment of Chaos (3% Unlocked)
══════════════════════════════
══════════════════════════════
COMPANION – HELLFANG
══════════════════════════════
Species: Shadow-Hellfire Direwolf
Realm: Mid Ruler Realm
Skills:
– Shadowstep Blitz: Blink through shadows to attack from multiple angles.
– Infernal Devour: Bite that consumes Essence and burns internal organs.
– Ember Howl: Fear-inducing howl that disrupts enemy focus.
– Flame Cloak: Temporarily wraps body in hellfire, reflecting damage.
══════════════════════════════
Cain's eyes sharpened.
"Hellfang," he murmured. "Shadowstep Blitz."
The shadows bent like water. In an instant, Hellfang appeared behind the third Carapod, claws extended in molten arcs. The beast had no time to defend before its back was shredded open, burning magma sizzling in its exposed flesh.
Cain rushed forward, electricity trailing from his hands.
Together, man and beast danced a storm of destruction.
The fifth Carapod attempted to retreat underground. A mistake.
Cain slammed both hands on the earth and activated Thunder Rupture Palm again—this time enhanced by Essence flow from his Unique Circulation. The ground cracked. Lightning tore through the soil like a whip, piercing the fleeing beast from below.
Sparks erupted through its carapace.
It fell in pieces.
The sixth and final creature, recognizing the overwhelming imbalance, turned to flee.
Cain pointed toward it.
"Hellfang. Infernal Devour."
Hellfang lunged with terrifying speed, biting into the beast's leg. A crimson glow surged from his fangs, draining Essence visibly as if consuming the creature's soul. The Carapod screamed once, then crumbled to ash.
All was still.
Cain wiped blood from his cheek, turning toward the shadow beside him. Hellfang emerged, body smoking slightly but otherwise unharmed. His eyes burned with a flicker of satisfaction.
"Clean," Cain murmured. "Not bad for our first trial."
Laurifer's voice echoed in his mind. "Your synergy is improving. That wolf… he'll become a nightmare on the battlefield."
Cain didn't reply.
Instead, he gazed out across the forest.
Now that his foundation had been established, his Essence controlled and skills honed, he needed direction. This forest was a cage. What lay beyond would either forge him… or kill him.
The Tyrant System chimed again.
> New Quest Available: "Blood and Fire – Enter the Nevrak Valley"
Objective: Reach Nevrak Valley. Face your first Immortal-grade threat.
Reward: Tyrant Skill Scroll ×1, 300 TP, ???
Warning: Recommended Realm – Peak Great Warrior to Ruler Realm
Cain read it silently, then closed the window.
"Looks like the world's finally offering a challenge," he said coldly.
Hellfang growled low in agreement.
And together, they vanished into the trees, toward war and bloodshed.
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