6 YEARS EARLIER:

The night sky glittered with stars. Crickets chirped and the sound of wolves howling echoed in the distance. The cool gust swept through the Sakura trees, bobbing the branches in a village sitting quietly in a valley. Guards patrolled the streets, providing the residents with a sense of security as people headed inside for the night.

Fuyumi sat Kei in his booster seat at the dining table as he began to suck his thumb. She then sprinted into the kitchen, grabbing a small cake topped with vanilla frosting. The sink was still filled to the brim with cooking utensils she and her father used to bake the cake.

Neither of them had any experience baking so they struggled to make something edible after numerous attempts. However, it wasn't as bad as she'd initially thought. What should've been a tedious and frustrating process turned out to be a lighthearted experience.

After setting the cake on the table and confirming it was just out of Kei's reach, she dashed to her room and retrieved a box wrapped in a polka dot gift wrap along with a pot of violet flowers, a soft light gently pulsating from the base of the stem to its peddles.

She ran back to the dining table and placed them next to the cake. Running laps around the house, she began blowing out most of the lanterns, plunging the house into almost complete darkness before returning to the dining table, panting softly.

"Mom's gonna love this, right Kei?"

"Gah gah!" Kei blurted, his chubby arms reaching over the table, demanding she bring the cake closer.

She simply smiled while taking cover behind some furniture.

"Now we wait."

Since her father worked evening hours, Fuyumi was left to celebrate her mother's birthday alone with her little brother. Her mother was usually off to work in the mornings which gave Fuyumi ample time to set up before she came home. The night went on with her continuously shushing her baby brother as he constantly strung random syllables into incomprehensible speech.

It had nearly been an hour as she sat in the same spot awaiting her mother's return. Cramps began to form, forcing her to reposition herself. That's when she noticed the scent of something that wasn't present before. The faint stench of smoke trickled into the room causing her to freeze. She took a few minutes to confirm that her mind wasn't playing tricks on her but when the smell persisted she slowly stood to her feet.

'Did I leave something on?' she questioned, approaching the kitchen.

She rounded the corner to investigate, but nothing was out of the ordinary. She pinched her nose and opened the oven, expecting a cloud of smoke to come pouring out but to her surprise it was empty. Carefully feeling around inside, she confirmed it was cool.

The stench only intensified and now she could smell a hint of burning wood. She returned to the table to make sure Kei was okay before scrambling to find the source of the smell. Yet after searching the house from top to bottom she failed to locate the source. Her heart began beating faster as she had no clue what to do.

Her parents were gone and the smell of burning wood didn't relent. She wondered if she should take Kei and leave before the house filled with smoke.

She was then startled out of her thoughts by a blood-curdling shriek from outside. Although terrified, her curiosity was strong enough to force her to walk toward the front door. Sliding it open, she froze, her eyes going wide.

30 MINUTES EARLIER:

"Have a good night, sir!" A woman exclaimed.

"Thank you, you as well." a man said carrying a paper bag full of clothes.

The man exited through the shop's front door. She glanced outside, the soft warm glow of a nearby street lantern illuminated the building across the street. An older woman emerged from the back of the shop, carrying a white blouse.

"Hana, why don't you head home? I can close up shop." the woman suggested, hanging up the blouse in its designated area.

Hana looked at the clock mounted on the wall.

8:42 pm

"It's still early. I can help you close up."

The woman waved a dismissive hand.

"Oh please, I need to work these old bones anyway. I already feel bad that you had to work on your birthday. I'm sure your family is waiting for you."

Hana couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Thank you. But please don't work yourself too hard."

"It's a slow day, dear. Don't worry about me." Her supervisor said with a wink.

After thanking her again, Hana gathered her things, punched out, and headed out the door. The light from street lanterns lit the desolate road. As she strolled through the village, she'd occasionally see guards on patrol. They wore metallic plating and were armed with the traditional spear just like most other guards in neighboring villages.

She felt a pang of guilt in her chest. Her family, her daughter especially, was looking forward to spending more time together today. It was a shame the shop she worked at was short-staffed today of all days. There weren't any interesting attractions in her village so her husband was planning on touring the capital with the family. However, their plans were ruined when she was called into work, forcing him to reschedule.

As she made her way home, a resonant toll reverberated through the air, shattering the calm atmosphere. The bell tower at the village square sounded, piercing the village as a strong sense of foreboding crept into the village.

She stopped in her tracks, wearing a confused expression as the guards that were once on patrol froze to look at each other as if to confirm what they were hearing was real through their partners' facial expressions. One by one, the patrol units sprung into action, pounding on every door. Eventually, villagers poured out onto the streets as the guards escorted them to the village gates.

"Ma'am!" a guard exclaimed, jogging over. "Please come with me. It's not safe out here."

"What's going on?" she questioned.

Feeling a bit frustrated, the man gently grabbed her by the arm.

"There's no time to explain, ma'am. We need to get you to sa-!"

𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩!

Without warning, a wolf-like creature exploded through a nearby building, trampling the guard. The creature's piercing eyes swept its surroundings, petrifying other nearby guards and Hana. It then returned its gaze to the guard pinned beneath it. It must've realized its natural claws weren't strong enough to pierce through the man's armor because blood seeped through its paw, molding it into larger claws. After tearing through his armor with ease, it dug its dagger-like teeth into his flesh.

The man's shriek of agony was enough to snap everyone out of their petrified state. As his comrades rushed to his aid, Hana stumbled back in a daze before sprinting away. The horrifying combination of screaming men, tearing flesh, and animalistic growls filled her ears behind her. Soon the smell of burning wood reached her nose and as she rounded a corner, her eyes widened further than before.

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Houses and buildings were engulfed in a raging inferno. Countless guards scrambled to evacuate civilians while keeping these bloodhounds at bay. Although the guards outnumbered them, they were hopelessly outmatched.

Chaos erupted in every direction as the monsters attacked indiscriminately but one thought immediately popped into Hana's head. Horrified at the realization, she sprinted through the chaos toward her home. Her ears were bombarded with urgent cries mingling with the roaring blaze, creating a cacophony of desperation echoing through the streets.

Men and women rushed to rescue fear-stricken children only to be swiftly intercepted and devoured. Tendrils made from the beasts' blood shot from their bodies, skewering prey that attempted to flee. The night sky was now shrouded in a cloud of thick smoke as screams filled the air.

As she dashed by an alleyway, she caught a glimpse of a man waving a metal pipe in an attempt to keep a bloodhound at bay. Behind him was a child clutching onto what she assumed was her mother. The wooden fence behind them went up in flames so they were cornered. Tears streamed down their faces as the man shouted, "Stay back!!"

The beast must've sensed the terror in his voice because instead of backing down it raised its paw, a spear-like construct jetting out, piercing the man's chest.

The pipe slipped through his fingers as he gurgled blood before going limp. The woman and child cried their eyes out as the beast approached them. What happened next Hana could only imagine as their desperate cries were abruptly silenced.

The world around her moved in a blur of red and orange as the howling and screaming became muffled. Embers spewed from burning homes as her arms shielding her face were bombarded with intense heat waves. But she pushed through it, her heart racing as only one thought occupied her mind. She prayed, clinging to the hope that her family was safe.

She was approaching her property when she spotted a girl staring at the burning homes. She recognized that silver hair anywhere. The paralyzed girl watched as the kids she used to play with, the men her father used to drink with, and the women her mother used to shop with were either engulfed by the raging flames or ravaged by the rabid beasts.

"Fuyumi! Run!!"

Snapping out of her trance, Fuyumi's gaze searched for the source of the one calling out to her before her eyes landed on her mother.

"Run, Fuyumi! Run!!" Hana desperately pleaded for her daughter to escape while she still could.

She stumbled back with trembling legs before dashing inside the house. By this time, tears were streaming down Kei's face. Whether it was from his sister leaving him by himself, the smoke that had accumulated in the house, or a combination of both, she didn't know but she knew she needed to rush him to safety.

She swept the crying 1-year-old out of his seat just as Hana burst into the room, the sounds of shrieks and howling followed after her.

"Take Kei and go!" she hurriedly ushered her kids into the guest room.

Rushing inside, Hana tore the mat from beneath them, exposing a hatch. Unlocking it, she slid it open, revealing a small underground compartment, just big enough for four people.

𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩!

Their heads snapped in the direction of the commotion. Hana was the first to return her attention to the open hatch. The mere sound of growling echoing through the house had paralyzed her daughter in place so she practically had to shove her into the compartment. After Fuyumi and Kei were safe, she took one step inside when a snout poked around the corner followed by a set of deep red eyes that gazed hungrily at Hana.

She froze, her eyes meeting with the bloodhound's. If she were to hide with her kids now, she'd put them in danger. Her motherly instincts kicked in as she turned to face the approaching beast.

"Stay there and don't you dare come out." She murmured, discreetly sliding the hatch door closed with her foot before Fuyumi could protest.

Saliva dripped onto the matted floor as its tongue dangled from its mouth. By this time, the fire had spread to their home. Taking exaggerated steps toward her, blood seeped through its grey fur forming a tendril and whipping it towards her. She weaved under it as it smashed into the burning wall, dislodging a support beam.

Fuyumi was forced to spectate the altercation through a slit in the floor. She watched as her mother rammed her foot into the wooden beam, breaking it to make a makeshift weapon. The bloodhound tilted its snout up with an almost amused expression before trudging towards her, bearing its claws as if it thought using its ability would've been too easy.

When it got in striking distance, it swiped where her head used to be before she struck its face with the burning wood, producing a sizzling thud. For a brief moment, it yelped in pain as a patch of its fur had been seared off, leaving a scorch mark on its face.

Hana took several steps back, almost regretful as it emitted a deep growl filled with rage. Several more tendrils manifested before they all thrust toward her at once. Although she was able to evade the first few, she was soon overwhelmed and impaled through her back. Her shriek was muffled as blood rapidly filled her airways.

Fuyumi reflexively covered her mouth to stifle a scream as her mother was tossed away like a ragdoll, landing over the slit in the floor. A stream of tears fell from her eyes as she watched her mother barely cling to life.

"D...on't...loo...k..." Her mother strained as the hound gripped her head and sunk its teeth into her shoulder.

Fuyumi watched as the light in her eyes was snuffed out, her body shriveling as if she'd aged a hundred years in seconds.

When it was finished with its meal it turned and retreated out of the burning house, unable to pick up Fuyumi and Kei's scent through the smoke.

"...m...om?..." She squeezed through jagged breaths, unable to accept the events. "...m...mom...?"

No matter how many times she pleaded for her to wake up, there was no response. She dropped to her knees, the sounds of snapping wood drowning out her cries as her eyes remained fixed on her mother's corpse above.

Shaking uncontrollably as her hands were still clasped over her quivering lips, the devastating reality slowly sinking in. A downpour fell from her eyes, drenching her cheeks in anguish.

PRESENT DAY:

A palpable tension lingered in the dungeon's cool air as Fuyumi shot the beast a vengeful gaze. The creature narrowed its eyes with a mocking grin still plastered on its face. Blood secreted through the bloodhound's skin, molding into more tendrils. Aoi helped Yakeru stand to his feet as he gestured to a nearby boulder.

"Let's take cover there."

"Okay but..." she glanced back at Fuyumi who seemed like she'd pounce on the bloodhound at any second. "Will she be alright by herself?"

"You don't need to worry about her. Trust me." He smiled knowingly.

Fuyumi was the only one able to deduce what happened to the kobolds and was obviously familiar with bloodhounds and how they operated.

"If anyone can kill a bloodhound, it's her."

Sliding behind the boulder to rest, they spectated the impending battle. The beast studied Fuyumi for several seconds before she made her move, exploding into combat.

Tendrils shot in her direction as she weaved and sliced through them. Aoi watched in amazement as Fuyumi leaped from one tree root to another, dodging the tendrils' relentless onslaught in an astonishing display of agility.

Several crimson-colored explosions went off with each tendril she severed, filling the bloodhound's field of view. Soon, an amber light pierced through the curtain of red, forcing the beast to manifest a shield.

𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘮!

The blast of radiance slammed into its shield as Fuyumi reappeared behind the creature. As it swung its shield behind itself, she slashed through its arm causing it to howl in pain.

If it hadn't repositioned its body, its head would've been removed from its shoulders. Fuyumi's quick thinking coupled with her natural agility made for a deadly combination. Aoi had encountered various kinds of rangers before but never had she seen anything like this before.

"Wow, she's incredible!"

Fuyumi slid across the ground and without a second wasted, charged forward again. Its wounded arm bled profusely before slowing then halting completely. She leaped in the air to meet its eye level, her gaze locked onto its neck.

𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨!

Her daggers slammed into its shield as the blood from its wound swirled around its arm, encasing it in a gauntlet with its fingers protruding out into massive jagged claws. Her eyes widened as she instinctively placed both feet onto its shield and launched herself away like a springboard.

𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩!

What would've been a fatal blow instead ended up as lacerations on her left calf. She landed on a boulder and leaped away once more, avoiding a tendril that smashed into it.

𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘮!

She stumbled on her second landing as the pain in her leg began to spike. After creating enough distance, the tendril retracted back to its owner.

"Fuyumi! Are you okay?!" Aoi shouted in concern.

Although Yakeru and Aoi were in a much more vulnerable state, the bloodhound didn't even glance their way. Instead, its hungry eyes were fixated on its dagger-wielding opponent. Fuyumi kneeled to rub her calf in an attempt to soothe the pain, her eyes never leaving the bloodhound.

"I'm fine." She reassured as the bloodhound's nose twitched, sniffing the air.

It lowered its piercing gaze to its gauntlet to see her blood trickling down the ends of its claws. With a pleased grin, it realized it had injured Fuyumi before wrapping its long flat tongue around its claws. Aoi and Yakeru recoiled in disgust as the creature mockingly licked Fuyumi's blood from the gauntlet's knuckle to the tip of its claws.

Fuyumi merely glared at it, unfazed until Aoi spoke up once again.

"Please, if you need help I can-"

"No. I said I'd take care of this myself."

From Aoi's facial expression, she clearly wanted to say more but hesitated. She couldn't understand why Fuyumi was being difficult at a time like this.

Fuyumi attempted to stand but the strength in her left leg had already begun diminishing. She collapsed back to the stone floor with a groan. At this point, the bloodhound thought to use the same fear tactic on her that it used moments earlier to petrify Yakeru and, especially, Aoi. It growled, taking long exaggerated strides over in Fuyumi's direction.

Instead of shrinking into herself, she remained cool and collected. She reached into her satchel and pulled out her elixir, popping open the lid and drinking its contents.

Gradually, her wounds began to mend. Before long, the gashes in her leg sealed themselves as scars formed in their place. The strength in her leg had also returned as she stood up making the bloodhound stop in its tracks. Tossing the vial aside, she spoke in a confident yet resentful tone.

"Let's continue."