Chapter 22 - The Hunt Begins – Eliminating the Lesser Nightcreatures

    As I stepped out of the villa, the cold night air greeted me, wrapping around me like a silent promise of violence to come. I didn''t bother looking back. Abigail? Not my concern anymore.

    "As I said to her... cross the line, and I''ll cross it worse."

    This time, I wasn''t just crossing it. I was erasing the damn line.

    The moment I left, I had already made my decision—I wouldn''t be back for at least three days. And I wasn''t going to explain myself to anyone. Not her. Not anyone.

    As I walked into the empty streets, the system''s familiar blue screen appeared before me. .

    [Sub-Quests List]

    1. The Whispering Corpse – A morgue has reported strange noises coming from one of the bodies. Investigate the case before the corpse walks on its own.

    (Reward: +7 Strength, Combat Adaptation Upgrade)

    2. Eliminate Lesser Nightcreatures – Track and defeat at least 10 Nightcreatures roaming the city.

    (Reward: +10 Strength, +10 Endurance, Hidden Skill Unlock)

    3. The Underground Arena – A secret fight club in the slums is rumored to be a front for something much darker. Enter, fight, and uncover the truth.

    (Reward: Special Martial Arts Technique, +5 Strength, +5 Charisma)

    My lips curled into a smirk as I whispered, "Activate Quest No. 2."

    The system responded immediately.

    [Quest Activated: Eliminate Lesser Nightcreatures]

    Objective: Track and kill at least 10 Nightcreatures roaming the city.

    Current Progress: 0/10

    Location: Various abandoned areas, underground sewers, and dark alleys.

    A sudden chill ran through the air, and I could feel it. The shift.

    They were already lurking in the shadows.

    "Good. I was getting bored."

    I moved through the streets, my footsteps silent. The Eyes of the Eagle had already activated on their own, making everything sharper, clearer. Even in the dim glow of the streetlights, I could see things others wouldn''t notice—movements in the dark, unnatural shifts in the air.

    Then I heard it.

    A faint, inhuman growl.

    I turned my head slightly, my gaze locking onto the entrance of an abandoned warehouse. The metal door was slightly ajar, and inside, something moved.

    I took a step forward, my smirk widening. "Looks like I found my first target."

    The air inside was heavy with rot and decay. Dust particles floated in the faint light filtering through broken windows.

    Then, a shadow shifted.

    A grotesque creature, hunched and crawling, its body twitching unnaturally. Its elongated fingers scraped against the floor as it turned its head towards me—its eyes glowing a sickly green.

    A Lesser Nightcreature.

    It let out a guttural snarl, its jagged teeth dripping with black saliva, before it lunged at me.

    I didn''t even flinch.

    Instead, I sidestepped effortlessly, letting it crash into the spot where I had been standing.

    "Pathetic."

    It scrambled up, its distorted face twisting in frustration before it launched itself at me again.

    I met it halfway.

    With a single step forward, I drove my fist into its chest. The impact sent shockwaves through its body as it let out a choked screech, its ribcage collapsing inward.

    I followed up with a swift roundhouse kick to its head, sending it crashing into the warehouse wall with a sickening crunch.

    It twitched once... then stilled.

    [Nightcreature Eliminated: 1/10]

    I rolled my shoulders. "That was disappointing. Next."

    The system marked several more locations, each housing lurking Nightcreatures.

    I didn''t waste time.

    Moving through the city, I hunted them down one by one. Each fight was short, precise, and completely one-sided.

    - Second creature? Spine snapped before it could even react.

    - **Third?** Jaw ripped off, head crushed.

    - **Fourth and fifth?** Took them down **at the same time* without breaking a sweat.

    I made sure not to use any advanced techniques. No special martial arts. No flashy moves. Just raw power and fundamental skills to avoid suspicion.

    [Nightcreatures Eliminated: 9/10]

    I wiped some dust off my jacket, sighing. "Only one left? That was too easy."

    But as I approached the **final marked location, I paused.

    Something felt different.

    The air was too still.

    The last Nightcreature was hiding in a dark alley, but unlike the others... it wasn''t attacking.

    It was watching me.

    A low, clicking sound came from its throat as its glowing eyes locked onto mine.

    Then, it did something unexpected.

    It spoke.

    "You... are not the same."

    I raised an eyebrow. "You can talk?"

    The creature''s twisted lips curled into something almost resembling a grin.

    "He... is watching you."

    A chill ran down my spine—not from fear, but curiosity.

    "Who?" I asked, stepping forward.

    The creature let out a distorted laugh, its voice garbled yet full of twisted amusement.

    "You will see soon enough, Heavenly Demon."

    My eyes narrowed.

    It knew.

    I didn''t hesitate.

    With one clean strike to the throat, I crushed its windpipe, silencing it instantly.

    Its body twitched for a moment before collapsing into the dirt.

    [Nightcreature Eliminated: 10/10]

    [Quest Completed: Eliminate Lesser Nightcreatures]

    [Rewards: +10 Strength, +10 Endurance, Hidden Skill Unlock]

    I stood there for a moment, processing what just happened.

    "He is watching you."

    Who? Morgrath? Someone else?

    The system flashed again.

    [New Skill Unlocked: Night Predator]

    - Enhances stealth, reaction time, and increases damage dealt to Nightcreatures.

    - Allows the user to sense unnatural entities nearby.

    I let out a small chuckle. "Now, this is getting interesting."

    I turned away from the bloodstained alley, my thoughts racing.

    Whoever was watching me...

    I was going to make sure they regretted it.