The Void Wolf

Chapter 35: Shadows in The Distance

It had been two days since the Red Moon and the Golden Aurora. News of the Eastern Valley Fortress being destroyed and a mysterious creature appearing from nowhere incited panic, but others rejoiced. After all, the Golden Aurora gave certain individuals power. Small time murderers for hire now had the potential to become Perfect Assassins. Lowly Bandits could become Warlords. And the average village boy could now be a Hero.

Within the outskirts of the Capital, a small inn sat. A boy about 5'9 in height who looked to be around 15 or 16, had short brown hair and a simple yet noble face, ran inside of it at an incredible speed.

"Clark!"

The boy entered the shotty Inn and yelled when he saw a tall brown haired teen sweeping. It was, of course, Clark. Who seemed to have grown a bit taller at 6'1 and became a bit thinner.

"Randolph you shouldn't be yelling, the owner is still sleeping-"

As Clark turned to look at the, he stopped in surprise. The reason being Randolph's body. Three days ago he could only be described as truly average and yet today he stood with a sturdier looking body. His clothes seemed to slightly stretch as if they were too small.

"Clark! You still have that status card?!"

Randolph asked.

"Y-Yeah."

Clark was still caught off guard by Randolph's change. He pulled the status card from his pocket and handed it over without thinking. Clark knew Randolph ever since he had started working at the Inn. The owner took pity on him after hearing his story and let him take up residence in a storeroom and paid him with low wages and free food. Randolph had just moved to the Capital, he had hopes of being a Renown Mercenary, but currently could only take the most basic of jobs, other than that Clark knew nothing of his past. They quickly became friends, and Randolph took an interest in the stories Clark told, mostly the ones about a boy named "Ira." As a Mercenary, Randolph had at least seen the rankings and thus took an interest in who most Mercenaries referred to as "Yellow-Eyes."

Clark told him about how Ira saved his village and stopped Assassins, of course, he left out the parts about his personal ineptness.

"Woah! Clark look!"

Randolph showed Clark the status card.

Name: Randolph Rating: B+ Growth Capacity: Unknown Bloodline: Human Blessings: Divine Body    Mana Capacity: Medium Passive Skills:

Abnormal Strength

Abnormal Physique

Adept Swordsmanship

Apprentice Martial Arts

He lacked his own card as they were expensive for ordinary people, costing up to 1000 Gre. The Kingdom gave out free ones to those who joined the academy, but it seems Randolph didn't join. Which was a little odd for someone who wanted to be a Renown Mercenary, who didn't want free training? But it seems he wouldn't need it now.

"Y-You!"

Clark's eyes widened as he stared at Randolph.

"I know! I think it has something to do with that Red Moon and Golden Aurora."

Randolph straightened his posture and stood proudly.

"You should check-"

Before Randolph could finish, someone else spoke.

"Tell that Old Bastard to come out here!"

A tall stereotypical looking thug with a balding head, straggly beard, a few scars, and a leather vest entered the Inn and shouted. Clark looked tense, this mad had been a loan shark, harassing the owner of the Inn for many weeks, he had been coming the last few days trying to squeeze more money out of the old man so he could leave the Capital.

"I-"

Clark opened his mouth, but Randolph raised his arm.

"Leave, or things won't end well for you."

Randolph channeled his inner hero and repeated a line he once heard in a story. He tried to look as intimidating as possible.

"What? Boy, I oughta beat you to death for even looking at me."

The thug stepped forward.

"Last chance."

Randolph said as he inwardly thought of how cool he looked. The thug looked at Randolph and sneered.

"Bastard!"

The thug swung his massive fist toward Randolph, who ducked and then countered with a punch.

Bang!

The Thug flew into a corner and crashed into some furniture much to his surprise, one would think he was weightless with how he sailed through the air. Randolph looked at his hand and then turned to look at Clark.

"C-Clark! Didn't you say Ira was strong?"

Randolph asked in an excited manner.

"...Yeah."

Clark looked between Randolph and the Thug who sat motionless in the corner.

"So maybe I can be as strong as him if I'm not already."

Randolph stated as he looked at his fist. He formed an idea of who Ira was in his head, based on rumors, sightings, and stories told in the slums. He set him out to overcome him.

"Hey! You gonna pay for that furniture?"

The old owner stumbled out from upstairs. He heard the commotion and waited, but when he watched Randolph knock the Thug across the room with one punch, he was shocked and annoyed.

"Sorry, I'll pay you as soon as I'm able. Shouldn't be hard now with my new skills."

Randolph said embarrassedly as he scratched his head.

"Well, It should be all right as long as you...Look out!"

The owner saw the thug rushing toward Randolph with a sharp object in hand. Randolph had no time to react as The Thug arrived and thrust the dagger he had in hand toward him.

"NO!"

Clark shouted as he held his hand up and closed his eyes. He had just made a friend and slowly thought of finding a way to become strong enough to defend the people he cared about. But now it looked as his life would be stuck in a vicious cycle.

Ding!

But looks could be deceiving. A loud sound akin to an arrow hitting a metal plate resounded inside of the Inn. When Clark opened his eyes, he saw the Thug standing in front of a Translucent Golden Shield, while he was also covered by a Golden Light. The light began to dim and then disappeared altogether while all eyes focused on Clark. Randolph snapped back to reality and delivered a swift punch to the Thug, knocking him onto the floor.

"Clark, that was unbelievable! You gotta check your status card."

Randolph shouted in excitement.

"..."

Clark still was recoiling from shock.

"Clark, hurry and check it."

Randolph said again as he grabbed Clark's shoulders.

"Yeah."

Clark stumbled after Randolph shook him. He grabbed the blue card from his pocket and checked it.  

Name: Clark Rating: B- Growth Capacity: Unknown Bloodline: Human Blessings: Defender's Blessing Mana Capacity: Medium Passive Skills:

Conjure Shield(???) Conjure Armor(???)

Novice Martial Arts

"Clark, do you know what this means?"

Randolph asked as he looked at Clark card.

"W-What?"

Clark asked as he received even more of a shock after seeing the card. Why was he given ability now? And not when he needed them. What kind of sick joke was being played on him? The fairy tales always show an unsuspecting hero who is granted power in his time of need. So why couldn't he have gained power sooner?

"It means we can be real heroes!"

Randolph said as he laughed. The excitement couldn't be hidden from his eyes, but a bit of obsession was attached to that excitement.

"...We can."

Clark clenched his fist as he took what Randolph said completely seriously. He couldn't erase his past mistakes, but he could try to make up for them.

"Well how about you two heroes clean up the mess you made. I'll get a Guard to come take that Thug away."

The Owner shouted.

"Yes, Sir."

"Yes, Sir."

Clark and Randolph answered simultaneously. They began cleaning up the mess, while the owner left. They talked of the prospects of making a guild and becoming the best in the entire world, saving those in need and stopping those who spread evil.

..................................

Similar scenes occurred all over the Continent, in an entirely random manner. Not everyone received power as a majority were mostly left out. Whatever chose to grant people power didn't discriminate in its choice, good and evil, young and old, wealthy and poor, healthy and sick. The Kingdom noticed the influx of the power and consulted their alchemists and mages, including Charles. A few dozen had received gifts, while others felt an increase in their overall abilities. It was decided that an expedition would be held in one week time, the destination was a suspected ruin of the Old Kingdom. The need for ancient technology was greater than ever. The issues the Kingdom faced were higher than ever, from the fall of the Eastern Valley Fortress to the unnamed creature looming somewhere near it, to the rapid growth of random people. Even reports of monster becoming stronger were slowly being sent around.

While the Kingdom was at a loss on what to do, others were already moving. The Diavol were faced with the catastrophe caused by a monster dubbed "The City-Eater," the Dark Elves had their interests stirred by the Red Moon. Dark Elven Society focused on the use of the nocturnal and things of a lunar nature, and as such, they ruled over Beast People and Lycanthropes.

On the day the Red Moon emerged, Dark Elves who specialized in lunar magic felt the Red Moon empower them, albeit temporarily. The Lycanthropes and Beast People, in addition to the Red Moon's influence, felt something deep within their blood that caused many to feel fear.

The Humans ruling the Tel'ven Empire and Parvian Houses began to make their own preparations, and even the ones least expected to move, The Elves within the Great Forest, also started to prepare.

And on a small island, filled with shale and steep cliffs, devoid of any wildlife, surrounded by fierce waves and treacherous currents. There were those who had long since been dormant, but because of the recent events, they would soon make themselves known again.

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