10 A Dark Night... Fierce Encounter! (1/2)

This night was a dark one; it carried with it a bloody scent that wafted beyond the mountain range, as it stirred the noses of many creatures who adopted the standard of nocturnal hunting. Some of these beasts were already ferocious enough, but once given a stimulus; their manner would amplify by many folds.

Roar! Awuuu!

The cries of rabid bears, sinister wolves, and sly foxes, echoing across the night-time scene, filling all unlucky travelers and 'thrillseekers' with a wave of dread.

At this time, the scene at the location of the middle-aged man's party had died down. If one looked closely, they would only see a variety of corpses strewed about on the open ground. Their blood dyed the earth red, sending off waves of alarm amongst the wild animals of the mountain range.

Yet, what remained odd was that in a single moment, the corpses had vanished. If anyone was here and could peer through the dark, they see the familiar but uncanny scene of a mysterious black substance swallowing all traces of their existence.

Not long after, black substance vanished as if it was contained into something, followed by the appearance of the man with the glasses. His fingers were stained with a few hints of blood, which he eagerly licked off as if savoring the most delicious thing.

”Oh... I can't help myself. So wonderful...” The man said in ecstasy as he grabbed his shoulder and shivered due to his excitement.

However, as he lost himself in his excitement, he was soon awakened by his cell phone. Hearing the ring tone of a popular trending song, the man knew that Alan was the person who was calling.

He promptly picked up the phone and answered, ”Agent Ralph, reporting, sir.”

”Ralph, what have you guys been doing? I've been trying to reach Harry since yesterday, where are you now? What of the mission I gave you two?” Alan said in a tone filled with anger.

Ralph smiled as he spoke in a hesitant tone, ”Ah… that... sir...”

Alan was growing impatient, he yelled, ”Ralph, get on with it. What of the mission I've given you? Where are Agent Harry and that kid Evan?”

Ralph's smile grew wider as she made a loud gulping sound before he spoke, ”Sir Alan, we've done the mission as you've asked and followed the boy called Evan. However, never did we think he would choose to enter the Skyrise Mountain Range. Agent Harry told me to stay at the base of the mountain to set up a temporary camp; he's gone ahead to trail after that boy and find out what he's keeping a secret. I've tried contacting him, but ever since he went inside, there's been some interference.”

Alan was shocked but he soon cursed in anger, ”What? What are you doing in that mountain range? Do you two know just how dangerous that mountain is?”

”Eh? Is there something that I should know about this mountain?” Ralph asked in a baffled tone.

When Alan heard this, his mind couldn't help but recall the information he gathered from his recent encounter. The lists of the three most dangerous awakening points. As he remembered seeing the Death's Fissure on the list, Alan couldn't help but grow even angrier at the two agents.

”You better find Harry and get your asses back here now, also, find that brat and get him out of the mountain range!” Alan said in a huff.

”Eh... ah, I-I will do as the leader suggest!” Ralph said in a flustered tone before hanging up the phone.

The moment he did this, the flustered look faded as he showed a thoughtful expression as he pondered, ”Hmm, is there something the higher-ups weren't telling me about this mountain range? That's impossible; if there is something here, then I would know it. Hmm, maybe once I capture that brat and have him spit the details, I'll have found something to aid in my promotion.”

Ralphs's face changed to one of excitement when he thought to here; he looked towards the dark surroundings hearing the various roars as he licked his lips and muttered with a sly smile, ”Hehe, brat. You're so unlucky, with the mountains this riled up, even if your skilled, there is no place you'll be able to hide from me. Oh dear... this should be quite a fun hunt...”

***

At a location far within the mountains, Evan was currently standing at the top of a large branch. His expression was solemn as he looked below him, focusing his sites onto a small pack of vaguely visible gray wolves. He currently had a strange set of contact lens, which almost made him seem to have green pupils.

These lenses were specialized night vision lens that Evan had bought on his trip shopping with Fatty Joe and Emilia. Although they were curious, they didn't suspect him as it was a common item used by those with a bit of money that loved to do night-time camping.

From a glance, Evan could tell that there were around three wolves in total, a somewhat manageable number if faced by the standard special elite fighter, but what was different about these wolves were their size and fur.

They were each about 93 cm tall and 2.4 meters in length, with thick fur flowing fur covering their bodies as if double the standard amounts. Looking at their tails, one would notice that it had grown to almost half in size as its color began to turn to that of an ordinary metal.

Evan frowned as he spoke, ”Creatures eroded by the nearby rift, these wolves are just one step away from turning into the Level 1 Monster, Iron Tail Gray Wolf. I need to find a way around them, or it will be a troublesome scuffle...”

As he spoke, he was about to try and move, but it was at this time each of the mutated gray wolves howled. They lifted their head, staring at the tree trunk on which he stood as their eyes shone in baleful red lights.