C35 Chapter 33 – The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Someone...
Or something...
Had tested his defenses.
And now...
It knew exactly where he lived.
---
Aiden slowly crouched beside the broken trap.
The sharpened wooden spikes were stained with fresh blood.
He touched one of them with his finger.
The blood was still warm.
"It happened recently."
The Forest Hopper sniffed the ground before letting out a nervous squeak.
"Chi..."
Following the trail, Aiden discovered several large paw prints leading away from the camp.
Unlike the Shadow Wolf King's massive footprints...
These belonged to an ordinary Shadow Wolf.
"It survived."
That was both good and bad.
The trap had worked.
But now the wolves knew exactly how dangerous his camp had become.
---
Instead of chasing immediately, Aiden calmed himself.
"No..."
"That's exactly what it wants."
If the wolf was acting as a scout, following it blindly could lead him straight into the pack.
He turned back toward the camp.
"A hunter survives because of patience."
"The impatient become prey."
---
Using fresh branches and sharpened stakes, Aiden rebuilt the damaged trap.
This time, however, he made a few improvements.
He dug the pit deeper.
He covered it with stronger branches.
Then he scattered dried leaves naturally across the surface.
Finally, he rubbed mud over his footprints to hide signs of recent work.
Nearly two hours later...
The trap looked untouched.
Even Aiden had difficulty spotting it.
---
Ding!
Builder Insight Activated
Through repeated construction, your understanding of traps has improved.
Wooden Spike Trap Proficiency Increased.
Future traps have:
- +10% Durability
- +5% Damage
Builder EXP +10
---
"So professions really evolve through practice."
Aiden smiled.
That was good news.
Hard work was always rewarded.
---
The afternoon sun climbed high into the sky.
Instead of hunting monsters, Aiden decided to inspect the areas revealed by the Watchtower.
Several locations still interested him.
One marker, in particular, was located near the western cliffs.
The map labeled it only as:
Unknown Resource.
---
After nearly forty minutes of walking, the forest gradually opened into rocky terrain.
Steep cliffs overlooked the endless ocean below.
Powerful waves crashed against the rocks.
Near the cliff's edge...
Aiden noticed several strange blue crystals growing directly from the stone.
They sparkled beneath the sunlight.
"They're beautiful..."
As he approached, the System activated.
---
New Resource Discovered
Mana Crystal Ore
Grade: Uncommon
Description:
A naturally occurring crystal containing pure mana.
Can be refined by advanced craftsmen.
Collection Book Updated.
Mining Difficulty:
High
Required Tpool:
Iron Pickaxe or Better
---
Aiden sighed.
"So I found another resource I can't collect."
He marked the location carefully in his notebook.p
Mana Crystal Vein — Western Cliffs.
"I'll come back later."
---
Just as he turned around...
The Forest Hopper suddenly froze.
p
Its ears stood straight.
"CHI!!"
A low growl echoed from behind a group of rocks.
One wolf slowly emerged.
Then another.P
Then another.
Three Shadow Wolves blocked the narrow path leading back into the forest.
---
Shadow Wolf
Level: 4
---
Aiden's breathing slowed.
Three Level 4 monsters...
Against one Level 3 survivor.
Running wasn't an option.
The cliff blocked one side.
The wolves blocked the other.
The largest wolf stepped forward.
Its yellow eyes locked onto Aiden.
Unlike ordinary beasts...
It didn't charge.
It circled him.
The other two copied its movements.
"They're coordinating..."
"They're testing me."
Aiden tightened his grip on the Bone Spear.
"If I panic..."
"I'm dead."
---
The first wolf lunged.
Aiden immediately sidestepped and activated his skill.
Power Strike!
Blue light wrapped around the Bone Spear.
BOOM!
The spear struck the wolf's shoulder, sending it rolling across the rocky ground.
---
Mana -10
Remaining Mana:
50 / 60
---
The injured wolf whimpered but quickly stood again.
It wasn't dead.
The other two attacked simultaneously.
Aiden blocked one bite with the shaft of his spear while kicking the second wolf away.
Sharp claws tore across his leather sleeve.
A burning pain spread through his arm.
Blood slowly dripped onto the rocks.
---
HP: 118 / 125
---
"So fast..."
These monsters were far more dangerous than Fang Rabbits.
---
The Forest Hopper suddenly leaped onto one wolf's face.
"CHI!!"
Startled, the wolf shook its head violently.
That brief distraction was enough.
Aiden thrust his Iron Knife into its neck.
The wolf collapsed instantly.
---
Monster Defeated!
Shadow Wolf (Level 4)
Rewards:
- Wolf Fur ×1
- Sharp Claw ×2
- Beast Core (Low Grade) ×1
EXP +60
Current EXP:
60 / 450
---
The remaining two wolves hesitated.
Their companion had died.
But instead of fleeing...
They let out a loud howl.
Awoooo!
Aiden's expression changed immediately.
"They're calling reinforcements."
Without wasting another second, he threw a handful of sand into the wolves' eyes.
As they flinched, he grabbed the Forest Hopper and sprinted toward the forest.
Branches whipped against his face.
His lungs burned.
Behind him...
More howls echoed across the island.
One became three.
Three became six.
Then...
A single, deep howl silenced them all.
It was lower.
Heavier.
More terrifying.
The Shadow Wolf King had answered.
---
Aiden finally burst through the wooden gate of his camp and slammed it shut.
His breathing was ragged.
The Forest Hopper hid behind the storage rack, trembling.
Outside the fence...
Silence returned.
Minutes passed.
Nothing happened.
Then...
A massive silhouette stepped out from the trees.
The Shadow Wolf King.
It didn't attack.
It simply looked at Aiden.
Then at the wooden fence.
Then at the newly repaired spike trap.
Its crimson eyes narrowed.
Slowly...
It turned around and disappeared into the forest.
Aiden felt no relief.
Because he understood exactly what that look meant.
The Wolf King wasn't giving up.
It was planning.
And somewhere deep inside the northern forest...
Its next move had already begun.
