CHAPTER 24: CH 24: SECOND RESCUE - PART 6

The next morning, when the thin light of dawn began to stretch over the valley, the three of them were already at work.

The earth, still half-frozen in patches, resisted every strike of the tools. The weeds seemed endless, the soil stubborn, and the fields stretched out too far for three pairs of hands to maintain.

Lucian straightened up from where he had been kneeling, his small figure deceptively frail compared to the amount of labor he was doing.

He wiped his hands across his tunic, his expression dark with calculation.

"This isn’t enough. With just the three of us, we’ll wear ourselves out before we even reach planting season. If I want to expand these fields properly, we’ll need more hands."

Berry paused, leaning on the wooden hoe he’d been using. His face showed concern as he glanced at Lucian.

"More hands, huh? Lucian, you know as well as I do that it’s not a good idea to invite people around here. Most of them... they’re greedy, selfish. Cooperation isn’t in their blood."

Lucian’s sharp eyes narrowed, but he gave a small nod.

"True."

At that, Berry turned toward Mira, who was awkwardly hacking away at some weeds, her movements still stiff but much steadier than before.

"Mira, have you unlocked your people’s ability yet?"

Berry called.

Mira froze at the question. Her hand clenched tighter around the tool, her shoulders tense. After a pause, she muttered.

"...I’m not good at it."

Berry’s face softened. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"It doesn’t matter if you’re not good at it. Even a little might be enough right now."

He turned to Lucian and added.

"You see, Mira’s people are known for taming beasts. Not just controlling them, but living alongside them—making them companions, helpers. If she can manage even a little, then we wouldn’t need human help at all. Beasts could look after the fields, carry the heavy loads. It would solve our problem."

Lucian tilted his head, considering the words. His small hands tapped against his thigh as he thought.

"...It’s a fine idea in conception. But Mira’s body is still recovering. She’s been half-dead in the snow not even two weeks ago. I don’t think she’s ready to put herself under that kind of stress."

His tone was skeptical.

"I can do it. I can handle beasts just fine."

Mira interrupted suddenly, her voice firmer than either of them expected. Her eyes were locked on Lucian, her jaw tight with determination.

For a moment, silence fell between them. Lucian studied her with a gaze that was far too sharp for the face of a child.

He saw through the stubbornness, recognized the lingering weakness in her limbs, but he also noted the fire behind her words. Finally, he exhaled slowly.

"...Fine. If you’re so certain, then we’ll see what you can do. But I’m coming along. I won’t have you collapsing out there or being torn apart because of overconfidence."

Mira blinked, startled at first, then nodded firmly.

Berry, on the other hand, looked amused. He crouched low beside Lucian and whispered,

"She’s already learning—if she wants something, she has to go through you first."

Lucian ignored him.

"Let’s go."

The three of them set out soon after, Mira clutching a cloak tightly around her shoulders while Berry carried the tools strapped across his back.

Lucian walked ahead, his small figure striding with more confidence than either of them expected.

Despite his size, Lucian’s senses were sharp. He scanned the snow, spotting traces that Berry might have overlooked.

A broken branch here, a faint depression in the snow there—he pieced it together quickly.

"Wolf beasts. At least five adults... maybe six. And here—"

He murmured. He crouched down and pointed.

He touched a smaller set of paw prints.

"—cubs. A pack, with a den nearby."

Mira crouched beside him, her breath catching as she stared at the prints. Her instincts stirred, something within her resonating faintly.

"They’re close."

Lucian straightened, nodding.

"We’ll track them. With cubs, the adults won’t wander too far. Their hideout should be within half a day’s walk."

They followed the trail, the snow crunching under their boots. The valley stretched outward, quiet except for the wind.

Mira’s steps grew steadier as they moved, her instincts sharpening with every trace they uncovered. Berry occasionally glanced at her, silently encouraging her with small nods.

After some hours, Lucian suddenly lifted a hand, halting them. The air was sharp, heavy with a faint copper tang.

"We’re close."

The trail led them into a shallow ravine, where the snow was churned up in patches. As they descended, Mira’s eyes widened and Berry’s expression hardened.

The pristine white of the snow gave way to something darker, more sinister.

Scarlet stains marred the ground, spreading like spilled ink. The snow was colored red, soaked deep into the earth beneath.

Claw marks littered the rocks nearby, and tufts of coarse fur were scattered like remnants of a storm.

Lucian stepped forward, his small boots crunching on the frozen ground. His eyes swept across the carnage, sharp and calculating.

"...The den should be here. But it seems something got to them first."

He muttered.

Mira’s face went pale as she stared at the blood-soaked snow. She could feel the lingering fear, the scent of death that clung to the place.

"This...This isn’t normal."

Her voice cracked.

Berry’s jaw tightened.

"A predator? Stronger than the wolves?"

Lucian crouched low, brushing his hand against a bloody paw print. The print was smeared, larger than it should have been, almost unnatural. His expression darkened.

"It’s not just a predator. Something else is out here."

Mira swallowed hard, her throat dry. She had thought herself prepared, thought she could handle taming beasts like her people always had.

But the sight before her shook her resolve. Still, when Lucian glanced at her, she forced herself to nod, silently vowing not to falter.

Lucian stood, his small figure framed against the bloody snow.

"Stay close. If the pack is still alive, they’ll be nearby. And if whatever did this is still here..."

His eyes narrowed, voice cold and steady.

"Then we’ll deal with it."

Berry and Mira exchanged a look behind him—one filled with unease, but also with trust.

Without another word, they followed Lucian deeper into the ravine, where the crimson-stained snow marked the beginning of something far more dangerous than they had anticipated.