CHAPTER 25: CH 25: SAVING THE DOG....ER WOLVES - PART 1

Berry stiffened the moment the copper tang in the air grew stronger. His brows furrowed, eyes scanning the ravine.

He was a heartbeat behind Lucian, but sharp enough to sense what was wrong.

"Lucian, something’s off. Should we head back?"

He murmured, voice taut.

Lucian didn’t answer immediately. He stood still, his small figure framed against the crimson-stained snow, his eyes narrowing as he calculated.

Retreat was often the smartest option; survival weighed heavier than reckless curiosity. After a long pause, he gave a clipped nod.

"It’s safer to go back. We’re not prepared for what’s waiting here."

Berry exhaled in relief. He motioned toward Mira, ready to turn them all around—

But Mira didn’t move.

Her eyes were locked on the small clearing beyond, pupils dilated, breath quickening. Before anyone could stop her, she bolted.

"Mira!"

Berry’s voice cracked with alarm as he lunged forward.

She darted across the snow, her cloak snapping behind her like a banner. Berry managed to catch her wrist, but Mira twisted, eyes wild.

"I can hear them! The pups—they’re still alive! I have to save them!"

She cried, her voice trembling with desperation.

Lucian’s expression darkened instantly.

Foolish. Stupidly reckless. His jaw clenched as he watched the pair stumble forward.

For a split second, he almost turned away. Let them both die for their recklessness. His mission didn’t require Mira’s survival.

But before he could pivot, a familiar cold voice echoed inside his mind.

[System Notice: Berry’s survival is essential. Failure to ensure his safety will result in mission termination.]

Lucian’s teeth ground together.

"Of course. All this hard work—this damned babysitting. It had better pay off."

He exhaled sharply through his nose, muttering.

His small frame moved, quick and determined, as he sprinted after them.

By the time he caught up, Berry had wrapped both arms around Mira’s waist and lifted her feet clean off the ground, trying to restrain her thrashing.

"Stop it!"

Berry hissed.

Mira twisted violently, her voice breaking.

"They’re crying! Can’t you hear them?! They’re still alive!"

Lucian’s eyes flicked past them toward the clearing. That was when he heard it too—faint, muffled yelps carried on the wind. The cries of young beasts, weak but desperate.

And then—

Bang.

The thunderous crack of a gunshot split the air. The clearing fell silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Berry froze. His arms tightened around Mira instinctively, his face pale. Slowly, his eyes widened as the sound sank in.

"...Guns. Our opponents have guns." His voice trembled. "Lucian, what do we do? What are we supposed to—"

He whispered hoarsely.

His panic poured out, but it only made Mira’s agitation spike further. She thrashed harder, nearly tearing free from Berry’s hold.

Lucian’s patience snapped. He raised his hand, a faint shimmer of mana radiating outward. The invisible pressure crashed down on Mira, pinning her in place despite her struggles.

She froze, teeth grit, glaring at him through angry tears.

"Hold her. Don’t let go."

Lucian said flatly, his tone brooking no argument.

Berry’s arms tightened as he nodded shakily.

"W-what about you? What are you planning?"

Lucian’s gaze flicked toward the bloody snow ahead. His small fingers flexed once before he spoke, his tone cold and deliberate.

"I’m going to save the new members of our clearing."

Berry’s face drained of color.

"You—you can’t be serious. Lucian, how? They have guns. Guns!"

Lucian tilted his head, an odd smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His voice was calm, too calm.

"And?"

Berry swallowed hard, his voice shaking.

"And that means we can’t—"

"Don’t worry. Because I also have a gun."

Lucian interrupted him with quiet finality.

He slipped his hand into thin air, space itself warping as if reality had been peeled back.

From the depths of his inventory, he drew out a weapon—a sleek black pistol that gleamed faintly under the weak sunlight.

The sight of it froze Berry completely.

His mouth hung open, unable to process the incongruity of the scene: a child no older than ten, standing with blood-red snow beneath his boots, casually pulling a gun from thin air.

Lucian weighed the weapon in his hand, as though confirming its balance. He didn’t look at Berry, nor Mira.

His attention was locked on the clearing ahead, where the muffled cries had been silenced by the echo of gunfire.

"Stay here. I’ll handle the rest."

Lucian said softly, voice sharp as a blade.

Berry wanted to argue, but his throat locked up. The words died before they could leave his lips. He only clutched Mira tighter, the weight of fear and disbelief settling heavy in his chest.

Lucian stepped forward, the pistol steady in his grip, his expression unreadable.

The snow crunched beneath his small boots, each step carrying him closer to the unknown threat that had slaughtered the wolves and stolen the cries of their young.

The clearing ahead seemed to wait for him, silent, the air thick with the stench of blood and gunpowder.

Berry shut his eyes for a moment, heart pounding.

’What kind of child was this?’

And Mira, though pinned by Lucian’s mana, couldn’t tear her gaze away. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, torn between fear and a strange, unwilling trust.

Lucian didn’t look back. He walked forward into the silence, gun in hand, ready to make the clearing his own.

______

Lucian’s steps were deliberate, each one crunching against the snow as he advanced. The closer he drew, the heavier the air became.

The metallic stench of blood mixed with the acrid tang of gunpowder until it stung his nose. His eyes narrowed—shadows shifted in the trees ahead. Figures.

One of them moved, the faint glint of a rifle barrel betraying their presence.

Lucian’s lips curved slightly.

"So, rats with toys."

His voice was low, almost mocking.

Behind him, Mira’s muffled cry broke through her pinned state.

"The pups... they’re still alive, I can feel it!"

Lucian’s finger hovered over the trigger, his gaze sharp as steel.

"Good. Then I’ll clear the rats out first."