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Chapter 3: The Unexpected Encounter
The Skysword disciple's sharp cry rang out. "Scout! Wolves!"
Seraphina turned, her brow furrowed, but before anyone could react, a low growl echoed from within the forest. The growl was followed by the thunderous rumble of pounding feet.
"Hear that!" shouted one of the Skysword disciples, raising his sword.
"Prepare yourselves!" ordered their senior.
But it was too late. From the dark shadows of the forest, a pack of large wolves with bloodied fangs—the Bloodfang Wolfpack—burst forth. Their fur was a dusky grey, and their eyes glowed red. They immediately attacked the chaotic Skysword group.
Chaos ensued. Swords flashed, wolves howled, and cries of pain filled the air. Leo, from his hiding spot, watched with a pounding heart. He saw Seraphina, with her slender sword, fighting valiantly, but she was being overwhelmed. A large wolf—clearly the Alpha—began stalking her, creeping up behind her.
No. Not again. The thought burned through Leo's soul. He would not let Seraphina be hurt again. Not while he was here.
But his power was still extremely weak. Fighting head-on was suicide. He had to be clever.
He remembered his f*******n technique—Blood Dominion. Though weak, it could manipulate blood. Whose blood? His own.
Biting his finger, Leo tore his own skin. Drops of blood dripped down. He focused his remaining power, turning his own blood into bait, emitting a strong, tantalizing spiritual signal for bloodthirsty monsters.
The Alpha wolf stalking Seraphina suddenly halted. Its nose twitched, catching the scent of more precious blood—blood containing traces of ancient power. It turned its body, its red eyes now locked onto the hiding Leo.
With a roar of fury, the Alpha abandoned Seraphina and charged towards the bushes where Leo was hiding.
"No! There's someone over there!" Seraphina cried out, seeing the large monster change direction.
But for Leo, it was a success. He had drawn its attention. Now, he had to face the consequences.
He turned and ran deeper into the forest, trying to lead it away from the Skysword group. The Alpha wolf chased him viciously, clawing and biting. Trees were slashed down by its claws.
Leo, with his still weak and injured body, could only barely dodge. He used the remnants of his godly battle memories to predict the monster's movements, rolling and evading at the last moment.
But it wasn't enough. A large claw struck his back, tearing through his robe and flesh. Leo fell, sharp pain shooting through his entire body. Blood gushed from his wounds.
The Alpha wolf approached, drool dripping from its maw. In its eyes was victory.
Is this the end? Leo thought desperately. After all this, I die in a dark forest like this?
But then he saw the image of Seraphina in his mind. He couldn't give up. Not now.
With a determined, guttural cry, Leo leaped. Not away, but straight towards the wolf. He stretched out his hand, and with his last bit of strength, he focused his Blood Dominion—not on the wolf's blood, but on his own blood flowing from his wounds. He shaped the dripping blood into a small, sharp spear and stabbed it directly into the Alpha wolf's eye.
The wolf howled in pain and recoiled momentarily. It was Leo's chance. With his final strength, he grabbed a broken piece of branch and thrust it into the monster's neck.
The Alpha wolf thrashed, then finally lay still.
Leo collapsed beside the monster's carcass, his breath ragged. His whole body was b****y, his wounds burning. The world around him began to blur. He had succeeded... but at a great cost.
As his consciousness faded, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. Through his blurred vision, he saw a pair of clean boots made of fine leather, stopping beside him.
He raised his gaze with great effort. There, standing, was Seraphina, her face filled with a mixture of worry, gratitude, and deep curiosity. Her clear blue eyes gazed at him, as if trying to remember something forgotten.
"You..." whispered Seraphina, her voice soft as the wind, yet breaking the forest's silence. "Who are you really?"
Darkness finally enveloped Leo, carrying him away, but with the image of her face etched in his mind.
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Consciousness returned to Leo like a slow-rising tide. First, he felt warmth. Not the warmth of the sun, but the warmth of a campfire and blankets.
Then, he smelled—the scent of earth after rain, bitter medicinal herbs, and... a faint, achingly familiar floral fragrance. Lastly, he felt pain. A stabbing pain in his back, reminding him of the wolf's claw and the fierce battle.
He opened his eyes slowly. The ceiling of a simple tent stretched above him, illuminated by the dancing orange light of a campfire. He turned his head, and there, sitting on a low stool beside his bedroll, was Seraphina.
Her face was illuminated by the firelight, casting soft shadows on her delicate features. She was soaking a cloth in a basin of water, her concentration complete. Leo could have looked at her forever. This was a dream he never dared to dream again.
"You're awake," Seraphina's voice broke the silence, soft as the rustling of leaves. She turned and found Leo's eyes open. A small, warm smile touched her lips.
"Don't move too much. Your wounds are quite severe. I've given you sedative and healing herbs, but it will take time."
Every word from her was like a knife, both painful and healing for Leo. He was hearing that voice—the same voice that had screamed "go!" before the great explosion—now filled with concern. For him.
"Thank... you," Leo uttered, his voice hoarse. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain made him hiss.
"I told you, don't move," Seraphina exclaimed with a hint of panic, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder to keep him lying down. The touch sent a shiver through Leo's skin.
"You saved me from that Alpha wolf. I should be the one thanking you."
She lowered her gaze, suddenly shy.
"I... am Seraphina, of the Skysword Sect. And you?"
"Leo," he replied shortly, his heart pounding. "From... Verdant Dawn." Saying the sect's name felt bitter.
"Leo," Seraphina repeated, as if tasting his name. "Why? Why did you take such a risk for me? You were almost killed."
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