Northern Continent
Fanged Forest – Eastern Region
A vast forest stretched across the eastern side of the Northern Continent. It was known as the Fanged Forest, a land dominated by three major Beastkin wolf factions: the Silverfang Family, the Frostmanes Clan, and the Fullmoon Wolves. Although each possessed their own traditions and bloodlines, they were all descendants of the original Wolf Clan. As such, within this region of the forest, the Wolfkin reigned supreme.
Among all Beastkin, the Wolfkin were regarded as one of the three most dangerous races, standing alongside the Lion Tribe and the Tiger Tribe. These three races had earned their prestige for one simple reason—outside of them, no other Beastkin race had ever produced Mythical Being's to date.
"Sophie, can you hurry up already?"
Shion shot an irritated glance over her shoulder.
She was beginning to lose her patience with her party member's sluggish pace. Granted, Sophie was a priest, and stamina had never been her greatest strength, but their journey had barely begun. There was no reason for her to already be dragging her feet.
To Shion, this was simply laziness. And she wasn't having it. Sophie let out an exhausted huff as she continued forward with slow, graceful steps.
"How much farther is this so-called City of Wolves? I need a bed... and actual food."
Darek merely chuckled. "You two, calm down already. And we're not entering the city itself. You both know very well we can't."
Shion simply clicked her tongue and continued walking.
The forest's temperature was surprisingly pleasant—neither too warm nor too cold—but they were running dangerously low on food, supplies, and sleep. She was exhausted and she was irritated.
And above all...
She was horny.
A terrible combination. Letting out another sigh, she looked up through the enormous canopy overhead.
"Darek... find us somewhere to camp soon."
He nodded while lazily cutting away the thick undergrowth blocking their path with his sword. "Don't worry. The other parties already established a campsite nearby. We should reach them within an hour or two."
Shion nodded. Beside her, Sophie's expression immediately brightened Food, a bath and a proper bed. Those three thoughts alone seemed to restore half her energy as she suddenly quickened her pace.
Seeing this, Shion couldn't help glaring at her. Sophie laughed awkwardly. "Sorry... if I'd known we were this close, I would've walked faster." Shion merely rolled her eyes. The five continued deeper into the forest in relative silence.
Their attention naturally drifted toward the towering ancient trees surrounding them.
Every trunk was massive enough that several people linking arms couldn't fully encircle one. Their branches stretched as wide as half a house and extended for lengths rivaling entire buildings.
Even after days of travel, the sight remained breathtaking.
Rumor had it the fruits growing within the deeper regions of the forest naturally restored mana, making them invaluable treasures sought after across the continent.
Unfortunately...Those same regions belonged to the Beastkin.
The deeper one ventured into the Fanged Forest, the more fiercely its inhabitants defended their territory. Owning nearly the entire eastern side of the Northern Continent, the Beastkin enjoyed the vast majority of the continent's natural treasures.
As the group approached their destination, Darek smiled. "We're here." Spotting a familiar mark carved into a nearby tree, he swung his sword, clearing away the dense foliage concealing the path ahead.
Finally...The campsite came into view.
Five groups adventuring parties had agreed to establish a temporary camp together before venturing farther into the forest. Including Darek's own party, there should have been roughly fifty adventurers gathered here.
More than enough people that even dangerous magical beasts usually avoided them. Darek smiled. "And here we—"
His words stopped dead. Every muscle in his body froze.
The campsite was silent.
Almost fifty adventurers stood completely motionless. None of them acknowledged the arrival of the newcomers.
Instead... Every single pair of eyes was fixed upward. Darek slowly followed their gazes. High above them—
Nearly 10 stories into the air— A lone Beastkin stood casually upon one of the enormous branches. At first glance, he was barely visible amongst the leaves.
Yet...The moment Darek noticed him... His heart sank"...Fuck."
Shion, having finally caught up, frowned. "What?" She looked between Darek and Sophie, both of whom had become unnaturally pale. Unable to understand what had happened, she stepped forward before looking up herself.
There...Standing effortlessly atop the branch...Was a young Beastkin. He looked no older than eighteen. Silver eyes lazily observed everyone beneath him. His messy ash-grey hair swayed gently with the breeze, while a pair of long, fluffy wolf ears rested proudly atop his head, this included the already existing pair of ears normal like a humans.
He had 4 ears, somehow.
He wore nothing above the waist. His toned upper body was completely exposed, while simple black combat trousers hung loosely from his hips. He stood barefoot. Dark claws extended naturally from both his fingers and toes. One hand remained tucked inside his pocket.
The other idly picked at something lodged between his sharp canine teeth. He looked...Bored, yet strangely curious. As though he were inspecting an unusual group of animals.
The entire camp remained silent. Eventually, one man cautiously stepped forward. The leaders of the other parties glanced toward him before giving subtle nods. None of them wished to provoke the Beastkin.
If someone had to speak... It would be him. The man slowly raised both hands.
"Silverfang..."
He swallowed. "May I know your name?" The young Beastkin looked down at him.
His youthful voice carried an unexpectedly deep, rough quality. "Ragnar." The man secretly released the breath he'd been holding.
He answered... Maybe he's willing to negotiate. My name is Z. We're adventurers from the Hover Empire. We accepted a Guild commission to gather resources. We only came here to collect—"
"The fruits growing within our Fanged Forest?" Ragnar interrupted.
Z immediately fell silent."...Yes."
He forced himself to smile. "We have no intention of causing trouble. We only plan to search the outermost region of the Inner Forest. We bear no ill will toward your tribes or the Beastkin."
Ragnar quietly listened. Then... He simply nodded. Nothing more. Silence descended upon the forest once again. No one moved or even spoke. Even the wind seemed to disappear. Z felt cold sweat run down his back.
The silence was.... worrying
Slowly, he glanced toward the other four party leaders, silently asking for guidance. Each one returned equally tense expressions. None of them knew what to do. Taking a slow breath, Z turned back toward Ragnar.
...
"huh?"
He was gone. Every instinct within his body screamed. His pupils contracted. He spun around frantically—Only to find Ragnar standing directly in front of one of the adventurers. Barely an inch separated them. The Silverfang tilted his head slightly as he quietly studied the man's face.
Then, in the same calm voice as before, he asked, "You're trying to put me to sleep with your skill?"