The Werewolf slowly pushed itself back to its feet.

  Its chest rose and fell heavily.

  Blood dripped from its left shoulder.

  But its yellow eyes were still searching for its prey.

  Kaelion.

  Lucas spoke between breaths.

  “…that thing is still standing.”

  Ethan tried to raise his axe.

  But his arm trembled.

  “It’s too fast now.”

  Aria held her shoulder.

  The claw wound there was still bleeding.

  “Be careful…”

  The Werewolf suddenly lunged forward.

  Lucas raised the pipe.

  But this time the creature was too fast.

  A claw slammed into the pipe.

  The impact knocked it out of Lucas’s hands.

  Lucas fell backward.

  “Damn—”

  The Werewolf raised its claw again.

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  But at that moment Kaelion stepped in.

  His knife flashed.

  The blade cut across the Werewolf’s face.

  The creature howled in fury.

  AOOOO!

  Its yellow eyes locked completely onto Kaelion.

  Lucas was down.

  Ethan was injured.

  Aria had stepped back.

  Now…

  the prey was only Kaelion.

  The Werewolf attacked.

  Predator Instinct exploded in his mind.

  Left!

  Kaelion shifted aside.

  The claw smashed into the wall.

  Concrete shattered.

  The Werewolf turned again.

  This time even faster.

  Kaelion jumped back.

  The claw grazed his chest.

  [HP -9]

  Kaelion clenched his teeth.

  But he didn’t retreat.

  The Werewolf attacked again.

  Predator Instinct warned him.

  Now!

  Kaelion lunged forward.

  He aimed directly for the Werewolf’s wounded shoulder.

  The knife plunged deep.

  The Werewolf howled.

  But Kaelion didn’t stop.

  He pulled the knife out.

  Then slashed with all his strength at its throat.

  Blood burst from the wound.

  The Werewolf trembled for a few seconds.

  Then dropped to its knees.

  Kaelion stepped back.

  The creature’s massive body collapsed onto the street.

  Silence filled the road.

  Lucas breathed heavily.

  “…is it dead?”

  Ethan examined the body carefully.

  “Yes.”

  Aria spoke quietly.

  “It’s over.”

  At that moment a system screen appeared in Kaelion’s vision.

  Enemy Defeated

  Werewolf (E Rank)

  A new message appeared.

  Quest Completed

  Hunter’s Revenge

  Reward:

  300 EXP

  Skill Card

  A purple card appeared in Kaelion’s hand.

  He examined it for a moment.

  Then placed it into his pocket.

  Another message appeared.

  Special Achievement Unlocked

  Title Acquired

  Predator Slayer

  A brief wave of energy spread from Kaelion.

  Lucas felt it.

  “…That was strange.”

  Ethan frowned.

  “Yeah.”

  Aria looked at Kaelion.

  But said nothing.

  At that moment the sky trembled slightly.

  A voice echoed across the entire world.

  But this time it was different.

  Clearer.

  And…

  female.

  “Aether System Announcement.”

  Lucas froze.

  “You heard that too?”

  The voice continued.

  “Aether System Update 0.5 has been initiated.”

  A new message appeared before Kaelion.

  System Update 0.5

  New functions are now available.

  The street fell silent again.

  Lucas spoke slowly.

  “…I think the world just changed again.”

  Kaelion looked up at the sky.

  “Yes.”

  “And this is only the beginning.”