FVN Chapter 14 - 14: Black Claw's Rage
Chapter 14 - 14: Black Claw's Rage
Black Claw, the notorious gang behind the short man's activities, was now in a state of utter chaos. Their hideout, usually a place of grim order and intimidation, buzzed with uneasy whispers and fearful glances.
In the dimly lit center of the hideout, Voss, the formidable leader of Black Claw, stood glaring at the severed head impaled on the pike before him.
The head was unmistakably his son's. A torrent of rage and grief swirled in his dark eyes as he clenched his fists tightly, the muscles in his jaw twitching with barely restrained fury.
"Who did this?" Voss roared, his voice echoing through the room. The gang members flinched, their eyes darting away from his furious gaze. "I want names! Now!"
One of his henchmen, a lanky man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward, trembling. "W-we don't know, boss," he stammered. "We only found this... this note." He held out a blood-stained piece of paper with shaking hands.
Voss snatched the note from his henchman, his eyes scanning the blood-written words:
"Within 7 days, come to the goblin village if you want to find me."
A low growl rumbled in his throat, and he crushed the note in his fist. "
As he moved silently through the underbrush, his senses were on high alert. Suddenly, a growl pierced the air. Lucas turned to see a pack of wolves emerging from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent.
The wolves circled him, snarling and baring their teeth. Lucas smirked, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
With swift, calculated movements, he struck. His blade, charged with crackling thunder mana, sliced through the wolves with ease.
The air was filled with the sharp smell of ozone and the sound of thunderous impacts. Each strike was precise, felling a wolf in a single blow. As the last wolf fell, Lucas knelt to absorb their mana, feeling the energy surge through him.
He continued deeper into the forest, the foliage growing thicker and the atmosphere more oppressive. The sounds of smaller creatures faded, replaced by the eerie silence that heralded the presence of something more formidable.
It wasn't long before Lucas found what he was looking for—a peak one-star beast, a massive bear with fur as dark as the night and eyes that glowed with primal fury.
The bear roared, its powerful voice echoing through the forest. Lucas felt the ground tremble beneath his feet as the beast charged.
He met the bear head-on, his movements a blur of speed and agility. The bear swung its massive paws, but Lucas dodged with ease, countering with lightning-fast slashes that left trails of crackling energy in the air.
The battle was intense and prolonged, the bear's strength and resilience proving to be a formidable challenge. Lucas's heart pounded as he ducked and weaved, his blade dancing in the dim light.
With a final, powerful slash imbued with thunder mana, he struck the bear's neck. The beast let out a final, mournful roar before collapsing to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Lucas stood over the fallen bear, its lifeless body a testament to his growing power. He knelt once more, placing a hand on the bear's thick fur and closing his eyes as he absorbed its mana. The energy flowed into him, invigorating his body and sharpening his senses.
By the end of the day, Lucas had killed numerous beasts, steadily increasing the power of his Zeus Mask.
[Zeus: One Star Magic Warrior (15%)]
He stood in a clearing, the setting sun casting an orange glow across the forest floor. Sweat dripped from his brow as he surveyed the aftermath of his hunt. Despite his efforts, Lucas realized that reaching Two Star would take a considerable amount of time and effort.
As night began to fall, Lucas finally decided to head back home. The forest was silent again, the echoes of his battles lingering in the air. With each step, he felt more prepared for the coming days, ready