207Please respect copyright.PENANANJecF3PZ59
As night fell, the shadows grew thicker, the darkness beyond the camp undulating like a living thing. The low growl of the Shadowfang Cat pierced the quiet, sharp and urgent—a clear warning of danger.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAgHgWakoMWM
Lu Feng’s heart clenched. He knew instantly: tonight would bring no peace.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAD3YA3kNJky
“Stay alert—trouble’s coming!” he hissed, gripping his sword. His eyes, hawk-like, scanned the gloom.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAD2I0JQHrQU
The campfire crackled faintly, its warmth dwindling. The group, moments ago laughing and preparing to retire, now froze. The Shadowfang Cat—usually aloof, lazily basking in Lu Feng’s scratches—suddenly bristled like a spiked black furball, its emerald eyes locked on a shadowy corner beyond the camp. A low, frantic growl rumbled from its throat.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAime8nD95MX
Lu Feng’s smug grin vanished. The air, thick with the scent of roasted meat and camaraderie, turned icy. Only the rustle of leaves and the cat’s escalating snarls remained.
207Please respect copyright.PENANARW6EQic43d
Ayla understood first. Moonlight shimmered in her palms, her eyes narrowing. Tuck and Raphael, seasoned fighters, tightened their grips on weapons, muscles coiled.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAzw6pPBxmMb
Lu Feng rose slowly, his gaze sharpening toward the darkness. A smirk tugged his lips. “Looks like tonight’s dessert is delivering itself,” he muttered.
207Please respect copyright.PENANACA4Rxfwx3D
Orders flew: Ayla and Raphael fortified defensive wards while Lu Feng, Tuck, and the Shadowfang Cat stealthily advanced.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAVkKtZXWPF0
The night reeked of malice. Whispers of vengeance slithered through the air—Grunn’s voice, venomous and plotting.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAvwVEhpNaaJ
Under the cat’s invisibility cloak, the trio infiltrated the ogre camp. Firelight revealed Grunn at its heart, clutching a black crystal, murmuring to a cloaked figure. “Grunn’s here,” Lu Feng whispered, anger simmering. “And that sorcerer… trouble.”
207Please respect copyright.PENANAc5DZaEkudj
The Shadowfang Cat ghosted to the camp’s far side, unseen.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAWRtfvDiqs4
Back at their camp, Lu Feng relayed Grunn’s plans. Dread settled over the group. They devised a trap, leveraging the forest’s labyrinthine terrain. Raphael sketched tactics; Ayla’s moonlight hardened the wards. Tuck hefted his blade, resolve stone-hard.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAirUbv9AtXy
“Ready?” Lu Feng’s voice was steel.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAKcFnx9GORh
“Done,” Raphael said, maps in hand.
207Please respect copyright.PENANA8NWFjMalu7
Ayla nodded, her barrier glowing faintly.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAolULsNeHSU
Tuck grinned savagely. “Time to make them bleed.”
207Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZTW73MC0S
Then—footsteps. Rapid, panicked. The group braced, weapons raised, expecting ogre hordes.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAgACQAHg2pK
Instead, a figure stumbled into the firelight—a youth, ragged and breathless. He collapsed, gasping, “Run… *now*!”
207Please respect copyright.PENANAsiDvWqcuzg
Tuck’s eyes widened. “Wait—I know this kid!”
207Please respect copyright.PENANAftdLpj5F2b
But the stranger clutched Lu Feng’s arm, face pale. “Grunn’s not alone—he’s summoned a *Nightfiend*!”
207Please respect copyright.PENANA6CtEyZSOTw
Silence.
207Please respect copyright.PENANApsD11laWeX
Even the Shadowfang Cat froze.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAsL1Oa1Zcqi
Lu Feng’s blood turned to ice. *Nightfiend*—a name from darkest legends.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAd8mCUi1Dxa
The boy trembled. “It’s already hunting… and it’s *here*.”
207Please respect copyright.PENANAAjQMuyacf1
Somewhere in the woods, a tree splintered. Something ancient, ravenous, and utterly *wrong* drew near.
ns216.73.216.65da2