Chapter 27: Bloodlust and Desperation

"Slash! Slash! Slash!"

Zheng’s claws tore through the lifeless body of a Roughback Boar, his eyes wild with a terrifying bloodlust. Pieces of flesh and fur flew through the air, and the crimson grass beneath the boar was drenched in gore. The purplish fur that once only covered his hands and forearms had now spread up to his shoulders, making him look more beast than man.

“Yes! Hahahaha!” Zheng cackled, his eyes wide with manic excitement.

Niko stood nearby, watching the disturbing display with growing discomfort. Zheng’s relentless slashing had gone far beyond what was necessary to kill the boar. He was reveling in the violence, tearing the creature apart long after it had died. Niko exchanged a glance with Candreva, who stood next to him. Even Candreva, with all his bravado, looked slightly unsettled by the display.

Ivanic’s voice broke through the grisly scene. "Enough!" he barked, his tone sharp with anger.

Zheng paused mid-slash, turning to face Ivanic with a glare that bordered on murderous. It was as if someone had interrupted a child in the middle of his favorite game. His bloodshot eyes gleamed, and for a moment, it seemed like he might ignore the command.

“Deactivate your skill. Now!” Ivanic's voice was cold, demanding. The authority in his words left no room for negotiation.

Zheng’s face twisted, his jaw clenched in resistance. The air around him grew thick with tension, and Niko could feel the faint pulse of something malevolent emanating from Zheng—a baleful aura that set his nerves on edge. Niko's instincts screamed at him that this was not just bloodlust, but something far worse.

“Now!” Ivanic ordered again, his voice firm. Niko, Candreva, and Ivanic stood still, waiting for what would happen next.

Zheng let out a growl of frustration before finally giving in. "Ugh!" he grunted, deactivating his skill.

As the purplish fur began to retract from his arms, a ghostly image flickered behind Zheng. The translucent shape of a wolf appeared, towering over him. Its fur was dark with strange strands of purple, and its eyes glowed with an ominous violet light. The wolf raised its head and let out a mournful howl that echoed through the trees.

"Aooooooo~"

Niko watched in stunned silence as the wolf’s form dissolved into a purple mist that slowly seeped away into the air. The baleful aura around Zheng began to fade, and his body returned to its normal state—his arms bare once again. He stumbled slightly, catching himself as if he had just woken from a dream. The murderous glint in his eyes was gone, replaced by an awkward, almost embarrassed expression.

Ivanic, his face stern, crossed his arms and gave Zheng a hard look. “Explain yourself.”

Scratching his head, Zheng finally spoke, his voice quieter than before. “The skill I have… [Nails of the Corrupted Dire Wolf]… It’s not just about strength. The longer I use it, the more it takes control of me. It fuels this… bloodlust. If I keep it active for too long, it’ll take over completely. I won’t be able to stop, and I’ll lose control… permanently.”

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Niko's eyes widened. He had suspected that Zheng’s skill had some sort of side effect, but he hadn’t expected this. It wasn’t just a dangerous power; it was a curse that could consume him.

Ivanic’s expression softened slightly, but his voice remained stern. “You can’t let it get that far. From now on, you deactivate that skill after an hour—no exceptions. I don’t care how much you think you can handle it. We can’t afford to have you lose control.”

Zheng nodded, his face still pale from the ordeal. “Yeah… I get it. I’ll be more careful.”

Candreva, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, clapped Zheng on the back with a laugh. “Manly! Truly manly, brother! That was some beastly power! Just… maybe dial it down a notch next time, eh?”

Ivanic sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Candreva, there’s more to survival than brute strength. We need discipline and strategy, or we won’t last long out here."

Candreva puffed out his chest, flexing his arms. "Discipline, strategy… whatever. As long as we stay manly, we’ll be fine!"

Niko couldn't help but shake his head at the exchange. Candreva’s fixation on "manliness" was growing tiresome, especially when they were dealing with life-and-death situations. Still, despite his annoyance, Niko knew that Candreva’s strength and Zheng’s savagery had their uses. He just hoped they wouldn't be the death of him first.

"We should head back to the settlement," Niko suggested. "We’ve killed enough for today, and it’s getting late."

Ivanic nodded in agreement. "It’s true. We’ve been out here for hours, and nightfall will bring stronger monsters. It’s best to return now while we still have the advantage."

As they began to walk back through the forest, the golden light of the setting sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the path. It was a peaceful scene, almost serene, but Niko knew better than to let his guard down.

“Ivanic,” Zheng spoke up after a moment, his voice more subdued. “What’s with all those buildings and caves farther up the mountain? Why doesn’t anyone go up there?”

Ivanic glanced back at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Only the Protectors are allowed to venture up there. Most of those places are off-limits, and there are rumors that they were stolen from others. The Protectors have their hands on most of the resources… and they guard those places fiercely. Best to stay away from that mess."

Zheng opened his mouth to ask more, but before he could get the words out, a sudden noise shattered the quiet of the forest.

Bang!

Screech!”

The group froze. The sound of a struggle, followed by the distinct noise of something massive crashing through the trees, echoed in the distance. Niko’s heart raced as he exchanged glances with the others.

Without a word, they moved, creeping silently toward the source of the commotion. As they got closer, they spotted a clearing through the trees where three men were facing off against an enormous boar. But this was no ordinary Roughback Boar—it was nearly twice the size, with a thick horn on its forehead and long, deadly tusks. Blood dripped from one of the tusks, and Niko’s stomach churned when he saw why—a severed head was impaled on it, the face frozen in a look of shock.

The leader of the three men, a hulking, muscular figure with gang tattoos on his arms, was locked in a deadly battle with the beast. His two companions were already down—one slumped against a tree, unconscious, while the other lay motionless in the grass.

Niko and his group stayed hidden, watching the fight unfold.

The muscular man saw them first, his eyes locking onto Niko. Desperation flickered across his face, but then he smiled, clearly thinking he had a way out.

"Hey! You there!" he shouted. "Help a fellow human out, will you? A hero like you can’t just stand by and watch!"

Niko raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Hero? You’ve got the wrong guy.”

The man’s smile faltered, and his voice took on a more pleading tone. “Come on! Help me out here! We’re on the same side!”

Niko’s gaze shifted to the massive boar, then back to the man. His voice was cold. “What’s in it for us? Why should we help you, when we could just wait for the boar to finish you off and then take the kill ourselves?”

The man’s face darkened, realizing he had no leverage.