Kin struggled with all his might to break free from the invisible force that had wrapped around his ankle. He kicked, twisted, screamed—but it was as if something unseen was draining his strength, dragging him into darkness.
His mind began to blur… until—
> A distant scream.
Shen's voice.
That one cry snapped Kin back to reality. Gasping, he summoned his pheromone magic with trembling hands and managed to shatter the hold of the demonic energy pulling him in.
Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone and called Vixen.
"Vixen! Please—come quick! Shen… Shen's missing! He was dragged into the jungle—I can't find him!"
Vixen didn't hesitate. He grabbed a bike from the military camp and sped through the foggy trail until he found Kin waiting by the forest's edge—shaken, pale, clutching his arms.
Seeing Kin safe, Vixen released a breath he didn't know he was holding. He pulled Kin into his arms and whispered, "You're safe. I'm here now. Don't worry—I'll find Shen. Just stay close to me."
Kin's voice cracked, "I saw them... the cult. They were performing some sort of ritual. There were candles… blood… and bones."
Vixen's heart sank, holding Kin even tighter. "Then we don't have much time."
They ventured deeper into the forest together, their steps cautious but swift. Kin clung to Vixen's coat, the torchlight bouncing across twisted tree trunks and damp, moss-covered ground.
But Shen was nowhere to be found.
"Shen!" Kin called out, his voice breaking into a sob. "Where are you?! Please!"
The forest didn't answer—only the eerie rustle of leaves and distant hoots of unseen creatures.
And then—
Kin paused, remembering something.
> The Wolf Spirit.
Without a word, he dropped to his knees, closed his eyes, and released a soft, golden hue of pheromone into the air. A cold wind blew. The air thickened.
Suddenly, out of the mist, the Wolf Spirit appeared—majestic, luminous, and silent.
Kin bowed his head respectfully. "Please… help me. My friend is lost. We can't find him. Show us the way."
The Wolf Spirit looked into Kin's eyes for a moment—then slowly turned and began to walk.
Vixen and Kin followed silently through the dense brush until they were led to the base of an ancient tree.
There—under its shadow—lay Shen Seizan.
His clothes torn. His body covered in strange ritualistic cuts. Motionless.
"No…" Kin choked, rushing to him. "No, no, please—Shen!"
He fell to his knees, gently cradling Shen's head. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his voice trembling with guilt and fear.
Vixen knelt beside them, placing a hand on Kin's shoulder. "Don't give up. He's still breathing."
Vixen closed his eyes and pressed his palm to Shen's chest, releasing a divine surge of healing pheromone. Light shimmered between his fingers.
Moments passed.
Then Shen gasped—his chest rising sharply as he coughed and opened his eyes.
Kin cried out in relief, holding Shen tightly. "You're alive! Thank the spirits… you're alive…"
Shen blinked up at them, confused and exhausted. "I… I saw… them…"
"Don't speak now," Vixen said gently. "You're safe. We've got you."
And in the woods behind them, the Wolf Spirit faded into the mist once more.
But the air remained tense. The cult hadn't vanished. They were still out there—watching, waiting.
Continue.....