Ezra exhaled, feeling the raw power coursing through him. His body had changed—his muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike, his vision sharper than ever, and his heartbeat steady despite the lingering scent of blood in the air.
The Dire Nightfang lay lifeless at his feet. A beast that had once been an apex predator in these lands had now become his prey.
And yet—
He still wanted more.
[Evolution Progress: 15%]
- Strength Increased.
- New Trait Acquired: Beastkin Reflexes (Instinctively react to attacks without conscious thought.)
- Partial Ability Acquired: Lunar Berserk (Physical strength increases under moonlight.)
Ezra clenched his fist, testing the power. The moon above fueled him, making him feel lighter, faster, stronger.
This was just Stage 1 of his evolution.
What happens when I reach 100%?
He could feel it now—an insatiable hunger deep inside him, a force urging him forward.
This world was filled with stronger creatures. Stronger prey.
And he would devour them all.
---
A Sudden Presence
Ezra turned, his new instincts flaring.
The forest was too quiet.
No animals stirred. No wind rustled the leaves.
Then—
A faint scent in the air.
Human.
Ezra narrowed his eyes. I'm not alone.
His Predator's Instinct activated instantly, analyzing the presence.
[Unknown Individual Detected.]
- Status: Observing from a distance.
- Threat Level: Uncertain.
- Weapons: Two concealed blades. Bow strapped to back.
Ezra didn't hesitate.
In a blur of movement, he vanished into the shadows, his body adapting to the natural terrain.
His prey thought they were hunting him.
They were wrong.
---
The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
The figure moved silently through the trees, their cloak blending into the night. Their steps were light, precise—this wasn't an amateur.
They were tracking him.
Watching him.
But Ezra was faster.
He appeared behind them in an instant, his breath barely making a sound.
"Not bad," he murmured.
The figure spun, their blades flashing—
But Ezra caught the first strike with his bare hand.
Their eyes widened in shock.
Before they could react, Ezra moved.
One step. A shift of weight. A blur of motion.
In the next second, the hunter's back was against a tree, Ezra's claws pressed lightly against their throat.
A test. A warning.
Up close, Ezra got a good look at them.
A woman. Dark leather armor, fitted for speed over defense. Sharp green eyes. A scar along her jaw.
But most interestingly—
She wasn't afraid.
She met his gaze head-on.
"That was impressive," she said calmly. "You're not normal."
Ezra's grip tightened slightly. "Neither are you."
A slow smirk crossed her lips. "I could say the same about you, Night Hunter."
Ezra frowned. "Night Hunter?"
She tilted her head. "You don't know, do you?"
For the first time, Ezra hesitated.
The woman continued. "Word is spreading fast. Something… unnatural is moving through the forests. A man who kills beasts like an apex predator. You took down a Dire Nightfang alone. That's not human."
She leaned forward slightly, unbothered by his claws.
"And now, people are looking for you."
Ezra narrowed his eyes. People?
This wasn't just about beasts anymore.
Something bigger was coming.
And he was ready.
The Night Hunter's Shadow
Ezra kept his claws pressed against the woman's throat, watching for any sign of deception. But she didn't flinch.
Her green eyes held no fear—only calculated curiosity.
"Who's looking for me?" Ezra demanded.
The woman smirked. "A lot of people."
He applied a little more pressure, his sharpened nails grazing her skin. "Be specific."
She sighed, tilting her head slightly. "Alright, alright. Let's start with the Hunter's Guild. They sent scouts the moment they heard someone took down a Dire Nightfang solo. Then there's the Bloodfang Mercenaries—they think you're some kind of experiment gone rogue. And let's not forget the Blackthorne Syndicate. They don't care what you are. They just want to put a collar on your neck and sell you to the highest bidder."
Ezra's eyes darkened. So the world finally noticed me.
The woman watched his reaction closely. "That's why I followed you first. To see what kind of monster you really are."
Ezra scoffed. "And? What's your verdict?"
Her smirk widened. "I think you're exactly what this world fears."
Ezra stared at her, waiting for deception, a hidden blade—but she wasn't lying.
She had come to hunt him, but now?
She was intrigued.
[Predator's Instinct: Passive Scan]
- Name: Sylvaine Nightshade
- Affiliation: Unregistered. Former Hunter's Guild?
- Threat Level: Moderate (Not an immediate danger.)
- Status: Testing you.
Ezra finally eased off, stepping back. Sylvaine adjusted her armor, rolling her shoulders. "You're fast. Too fast for a human. What are you?"
Ezra didn't answer.
Instead, he met her gaze. "Why aren't you running?"
"Because I don't fear predators." She tapped the hilt of one of her hidden daggers. "Besides, maybe I don't see you as an enemy."
Ezra raised a brow. "And why is that?"
She shrugged. "Because I have a feeling you're going to break this world. And I'd rather be standing beside you than against you."
Ezra smirked. "Smart choice."
[New Decision Unlocked: Ally or Prey?]
- Take Sylvaine as an ally and learn more about the forces hunting you.
- Kill her and remove a potential future threat.
Ezra already knew his answer.
He wasn't foolish enough to turn away information.
And if she betrayed him?
He'd kill her without hesitation.
He turned away. "You can follow if you want. But don't slow me down."
Sylvaine chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it, Night Hunter."
---
The Hunters Close In
Ezra and Sylvaine moved swiftly through the darkened forest. His senses had expanded even further since his last evolution, and he could feel them.
The hunters were coming.
Not just a few—an entire tracking squad.
And they weren't amateurs.
Ezra stopped near a clearing, his eyes scanning the shadows. Sylvaine tensed beside him, pulling out her daggers. "They're here."
A voice called out from the darkness.
"You should've kept hiding, beast."
From the trees, seven figures emerged.
Clad in dark hunting gear, weapons glinting in the moonlight. Their leader—a man with a long spear strapped to his back—stepped forward.
His eyes weren't afraid.
They were filled with anticipation.
Ezra's lips curled into a slow, predatory grin.
"Finally."
Prey had come to him.
— Chapter 3 End.
---
This chapter sets up Ezra's first major battle against human hunters, introduces Sylvaine as a potential ally, and reveals that factions are moving against him.