The Crimson Territory

Chapter 20 — The Crimson Territory

The forest became denser as Aether moved deeper into the trees.

The ruined city was already far behind them.

Even the collapsed Origin Zone had disappeared from sight.

Only the faint glow of Origin Energy remained in the distance.

Aether walked at a steady pace.

Lyra followed beside him while Nyx moved quietly between them.

The Guardian had stayed behind.

According to it, the ancient Origin Zone needed to settle after the collapse.

Aether hadn't argued.

There was something useful about traveling without an overwhelmingly powerful guardian beside him.

It forced him to understand his own limits.

He glanced at the system.

[Current Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 2]

[Origin Points: 150/150]

[Breakthrough: Available]

[Stabilization: Required]

Aether closed the interface.

He wasn't going to advance yet.

He wanted to make Stage 2 completely his before attempting another breakthrough.

Lyra glanced at him.

"Still thinking about the breakthrough?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what?"

"My next ability."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"You think you'll get one just by walking around?"

"No."

Aether looked toward the distant glow.

"But Origin Zones usually contain something useful."

Lyra smiled.

"So we're treasure hunting now?"

"More like surviving while looking for treasure."

"Much better."

Nyx suddenly stopped.

Aether stopped as well.

"What?"

Nyx stared toward the trees.

Aether focused his senses.

Nothing.

No footsteps.

No obvious Origin fluctuations.

Stolen story; please report.

Then he noticed it.

A faint smell of blood.

"Someone's injured."

Lyra looked around.

"Human?"

Aether shook his head.

"Can't tell."

They followed the scent.

After several minutes, they reached a small clearing.

The ground was covered with claw marks.

Trees had been torn apart.

Large patches of red fur were scattered across the grass.

Aether crouched and picked one up.

"Recent."

Lyra looked at the destruction.

"Something fought here."

Nyx lowered her head.

Her ears twitched.

Aether looked at her.

"You smell it too?"

Nyx gave a quiet growl.

Aether followed her gaze.

At the edge of the clearing stood a small cave.

The entrance was covered by thick vines.

Aether slowly approached.

The system activated.

[Origin signature detected.]

[Species: Unknown Beast]

[Rank: D]

[Condition: Severely Injured]

[Potential: A]

Aether stopped.

"Potential A."

Lyra looked at him.

"That's unusual for a Rank D beast."

"Very."

Aether moved the vines aside.

Inside the cave, something shifted.

A low growl echoed through the darkness.

Aether didn't enter immediately.

Instead, he spoke.

"We're not here to fight."

The growling continued.

Lyra whispered,

"Do beasts understand humans?"

"Some do."

Aether remembered the Guardian's words.

Origin Zones changed beasts.

Some developed intelligence faster than others.

He placed his damaged metal rod on the ground.

Then stepped away from it.

"I'm leaving my weapon here."

The growl became quieter.

Aether continued.

"You don't have to trust me."

"But if you're injured, I can help."

Silence.

Then two crimson eyes appeared in the darkness.

A large beast slowly crawled out.

It looked like a wolf, but much larger.

Its fur was deep crimson.

Several black markings ran along its body.

One of its front legs was badly injured.

The system updated.

[Species: Crimson Fang Wolf]

[Rank: D]

[Attribute: Fire]

[Ability: Crimson Fang]

[Ability: Blood Scent]

[Physique: None detected]

[Potential: A]

[Condition: Severe Injury]

Aether studied it.

"Crimson Fang Wolf."

The beast bared its teeth.

Lyra whispered,

"Careful."

Aether nodded.

He didn't approach further.

Instead, he pulled a small piece of medicinal herb from his storage.

The wolf's nose moved.

It smelled the herb.

Aether tossed it toward the beast.

The wolf stared at it.

Then cautiously ate it.

Its breathing became slightly steadier.

Aether smiled.

"That should help."

The wolf looked at him differently now.

Not friendly.

But less hostile.

Nyx approached.

The Crimson Fang Wolf immediately growled.

Nyx stopped.

The two beasts stared at each other.

Aether expected a fight.

Instead, Nyx slowly lowered her head.

The Crimson Fang Wolf's ears moved.

It stopped growling.

Lyra looked surprised.

"They understand each other?"

"Maybe."

The system suddenly appeared.

[Origin Beast interaction detected.]

[Unknown behavioral response.]

[Nyx has recognized the Crimson Fang Wolf as a non-hostile Origin lifeform.]

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting."

He looked at the wolf.

"You don't have to come with us."

The wolf stared at him.

Aether continued.

"You can stay here."

The Crimson Fang Wolf looked toward the deeper forest.

Then back at Aether.

It slowly stood.

Its injured leg trembled.

Aether immediately noticed.

"You shouldn't move yet."

The wolf ignored him.

It took another step.

Then another.

Aether sighed.

"Stubborn."

Lyra smiled.

"Sounds familiar."

Aether looked at her.

"Are you talking about Nyx?"

"Maybe."

Nyx looked away.

For a moment, the atmosphere became surprisingly peaceful.

Then—

BOOM!

A distant explosion shook the forest.

The Crimson Fang Wolf immediately turned toward the sound.

Its entire body became tense.

Aether looked in the same direction.

Another explosion followed.

Then another.

Lyra summoned lightning.

"Someone's fighting."

Aether focused his senses.

Several Origin signatures appeared.

Three humans.

One beast.

The beast's energy was enormous.

Aether's expression changed.

"Rank C."

The Crimson Fang Wolf suddenly growled.

Aether looked at it.

The wolf wasn't afraid.

It was angry.

Aether understood.

The injured Crimson Fang Wolf hadn't been the hunter.

It had been the prey.

The Rank C beast was still hunting it.

Aether picked up his metal rod.

"Looks like we found the reason for those claw marks."

Lyra looked at him.

"Are we helping it?"

Aether glanced at the injured wolf.

The wolf stared back.

Then it turned toward the distant battlefield.

Aether smiled.

"Yeah."

He started walking.

"But we're not doing all the work."

The Crimson Fang Wolf followed.

Its injured leg still trembled.

But it refused to stay behind.

Aether glanced at the system.

[Origin Points: 150/150]

[Breakthrough Available]

[Stabilization Required]

He smiled faintly.

"Let's see what this place has."

Far ahead, another roar shook the forest.

This time—

the Crimson Fang Wolf answered.

And the hunt began.