C29 Chapter 28 – Eyes in the Darkness
The Shadow Wolf King slowly stood.
It sniffed the air.
Then it released a low growl.
For the first time...
It had chosen its prey.
And the hunt had finally begun.
---
Aiden suddenly stopped walking.
A cold chill ran down his spine.
His grip on the Bone Spear tightened.
He slowly looked back toward the dark forest.
Nothing.
Only rows of silent trees swayed gently in the evening wind.
"...Am I imagining it?"
The Forest Hopper wasn't.
Its tiny body trembled as it hid behind Aiden's leg.
"Chi... Chi..."
"It sensed something too."
Aiden didn't waste another second.
He quickened his pace and returned to Hope Island before the last ray of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon.
---
The wooden gate closed with a loud thud.
For the first time, Aiden pushed several heavy logs against it.
He wasn't sure if they would stop a large monster.
But they might buy him a few precious seconds.
He checked the camp one last time.
The crops were safe.
The furnace fire was still burning.
The storage rack was organized.
Everything looked normal.
Yet...
He couldn't shake the feeling that danger was getting closer.
---
After cooking fresh goat meat over the fire, Aiden shared a small piece with the Forest Hopper.
The little creature happily accepted it.
"Chi!"
"I guess we've become partners."
The Forest Hopper rubbed its head against his hand.
Suddenly...
Ding!
A blue screen appeared.
---
Companion Affection Increased
Forest Hopper
Affection: 32/100
Relationship:
Trusted Companion
Companion Bonus Unlocked:
Forest Warning (Passive)
When the Forest Hopper senses danger, it warns its partner before hostile monsters enter detection range.
---
Aiden blinked.
"So companions can grant passive abilities?"
That was unexpected.
It also explained why the little creature always reacted before he noticed danger.
"This world has more secrets than I thought."
---
The night grew darker.
The campfire crackled softly.
Instead of sleeping immediately, Aiden opened his notebook.
He drew a rough map of Hope Island.
He marked every location he had discovered.
- Wooden Camp
- Freshwater Pond
- Wheat Field
- Iron Ore Deposit
- Crystal Spring Cave
- Ancient Stone Pillar
- Western Hunting Ground
"There are still large blank areas."
Especially...
The northern forest.
That was where the strange claw marks had appeared.
And where the Shadow Wolf was likely hiding.
"I won't go there until I'm stronger."
---
Just as he was about to close the notebook...
The Island Core inside the hut suddenly emitted a faint blue glow.
The light pulsed once.
Then again.
Aiden quickly walked inside.
The crystal floating above the stone pedestal was brighter than before.
A System notification appeared.
---
Island Core Notice
Hope Island has accumulated enough natural energy.
Island Prosperity: 18
A new function has become available.
Scan Surroundings
Cost:
10 Mana
Would you like to activate it?
Yes / No
---
Aiden hesitated.
Ten Mana wasn't a small amount.
But information could save his life.
"I'll do it."
He selected Yes.
The Island Core released a wave of blue light.
The energy spread across the island like ripples on water.
For several seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then glowing dots began appearing on the System Map.
Green dots.
Blue dots.
Yellow dots.
And...
One terrifying red dot.
Aiden's smile disappeared.
The red dot stood inside the northern forest.
It was much larger than every other mark.
When he focused on it...
The System identified it.
---
High-Risk Target Detected
Shadow Wolf King
Level: 15
Threat Level:
Extreme
Recommendation:
Avoid contact.
Estimated Survival Chance:
0.7%
---
"...Level fifteen?"
Aiden's heartbeat quickened.
"I'm only Level three."
The difference was enormous.
If he met that monster now...
He would die.
Without question.
The Forest Hopper climbed onto his shoulder and quietly looked at the map.
Its ears drooped.
Even it understood the danger.
---
Aiden took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"Panicking won't help."
Instead...
He looked at the green and blue dots.
Most were harmless animals.
Several yellow dots represented monsters around Levels 2 to 5.
Those were his targets.
"They're strong enough to help me grow."
"But not strong enough to kill me instantly."
For the first time...
He had a clear hunting plan.
---
Before closing the System Map, another small notification appeared.
---
Exploration Progress
Hope Island Explored:
21%
Reward at 25% Exploration:
Random Rare Blueprint Chest
---
Only four percent remained.
Aiden smiled.
"So that's my next goal."
Explore more.
Become stronger.
Prepare for the Blood Moon.
Everything was finally coming together.
---
Late that night...
Aiden finally lay down on his wooden bed.
The campfire slowly burned lower.
Outside the fence...
Two pairs of glowing yellow eyes silently appeared between the trees.
They didn't attack.
They simply watched.
Several minutes later...
The Shadow Wolf King emerged from the darkness.
It ignored the camp completely.
Instead...
It walked to a nearby tree.
Its sharp claws carved three deep marks into the trunk.
Then it lifted its head toward the moon.
A long, chilling howl echoed across Hope Island.
Awoooooo!
Inside the hut, Aiden suddenly opened his eyes.
His heartbeat raced.
The Forest Hopper had already jumped onto the windowsill.
Its fur stood on end.
The hunt...
Had moved one step closer.
