Ren tightened his grip on the quest scroll. The cold texture of the paper felt like a silent reminder of the decision he was about to make.
'I'll do it. But before that…'
He needed to prepare.
Turning away from the familiar path leading to the inn, Ren headed straight for the market.
The stalls lining both sides of the road were still bustling with noise. The air was filled with the scent of leather, heated iron, and herbs.
Healing potions, traps, or at the very least, something to alert him if the wolf appeared again…
He stopped in front of a simple item stall.
An older man was inspecting his stock, glass bottles reflecting a faint glow under the light.
"Need something, kid?" The man asked without looking up.
Ren glanced over the goods, hesitating. His current funds weren't much, he couldn't afford anything too expensive.
But he also couldn't take the risk of going in empty-handed.
"Do you have any tracking traps?" he asked.
The merchant paused, finally sparing Ren a glance. "Tracking? You hunting something?"
Ren hesitated for a moment. If he said it out loud, would the man think he was crazy? But then, he recalled the commander's solemn gaze, the image of the wolf with its burning eyes in the dark.
"Giant Elite Dire Wolf," he murmured.
A heavy silence followed.
The merchant frowned, his gaze sharpening.
"…You sure about that?"
Ren nodded.
The man remained silent for a long moment before quietly reaching beneath the counter. After a brief search, he placed a small black pouch on the table.
"This should help you."
Ren picked it up, feeling its light weight in his palm. "What is it?"
"A marking powder. Sprinkle it on the ground, and it'll react to the tracks of the creature you're following, making them glow in the dark. It can substitute for tracking skills to some extent."
The merchant's voice turned grave. "But listen… if the tracks are fresh, don't follow them. Just find out where it is and leave immediately."
Ren tightened his grip on the pouch. The warning wasn't unreasonable, but at this point, retreat wasn't an option.
"Thanks," he said, handing over just enough money before turning away.
The road leading out of town awaited. And beyond that boundary, the truth about the monster awaited him.
The evening breeze swept across the fields, carrying the lingering chill of the fading night.
Ren pulled his coat tighter, his fingers unconsciously brushing against the marking powder pouch at his belt.
His steps slowed as he approached the area where last night's attack had occurred.
In daylight, the place seemed absurdly normal...just a patch of wild grass with scattered bushes, devoid of any signs of danger.
Yet, unease crept into him.
It was here… I didn't imagine it.
Ren crouched, scanning the ground.
The traces of last night's battle had faded, but if he looked closely, he could still spot the scratches on a nearby tree trunk… deep claw marks, as if something had raked its talons into the wood.
He took out the pouch, sprinkling some powder onto the ground. At first, nothing happened.
Then, faint lines began to emerge… an imprint far larger than any wolf he had ever seen, its claws embedded deep into the soil.
Ren clenched his fist. These tracks were fresh.
Another gust of wind blew by, carrying the damp scent of earth… and something else.
…A faint floral fragrance. But he couldn't recognize what kind of flower it was, it could be perfume…
He froze. Someone was watching him.
A chill ran down his spine as Ren slowly raised his head.
In the distance, among the trees, something reflected the light.
The air grew heavier. Ren remained still, regulating his breathing as he locked eyes on the shadowy figure between the leaves.
Not a wolf.
The glint in those eyes wasn't the primal aggression of a beast but something far more calculated.
Someone was hiding, observing him.
Ren took a slow step back, fingers tightening around his sword. He wasn't sure if he should call out.
If it was another player… or worse, someone with bad intentions, even the smallest mistake could put him in danger.
The wind stirred again, carrying that same elusive floral scent, blended with damp earth, subtle yet unsettling.
The figure remained motionless.
Ren's heartbeat pounded in his chest. Should he run? Or approach?
And then....
The shadow suddenly leaped from its hiding place, landing right in front of him.
For a split second, Ren's heart stopped.
He took a step back, sword still clenched tightly in his hand. He wasn't ready for a PvP battle…
But he couldn't do nothing.
Yet, contrary to what he expected, that his pursuer would be some towering thug with a scarred, menacing face...
Ren sensed no hostility.
The person… was he? No… definitely a girl.
A petite figure, wearing a slightly worn-out cloak, the hood knocked askew from her rushed landing.
Messy golden-brown hair, sharp eyes glinting with mischief.
She dusted herself off casually, completely unfazed at being caught. Instead, a sly smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Yo."
Ren didn't respond, only observing in silence. There was no NPC icon above her head… meaning she was a player.
A player… but not like anyone he'd met before.
"What's with that look? You act like I'm about to eat you or something," she teased.
Ren didn't answer immediately. He wasn't about to let his guard down, not when he still didn't know who she was… or more importantly, how long she had been following him.
"Who are you?" he asked, keeping his tone steady.
The girl tilted her head, as if deciding whether or not to answer. Finally, she shrugged.
"An information broker. You can call me Argo the Rat," she said simply, her voice lighthearted.
Ren squinted. 'An Informant? If that's the case, then her appearance here is no coincidence.'
The girl slowly stepped forward a little, then stopped right at the edge of the spear's reach.
"You're investigating the wolf, aren't you?"
Ren tensed.
She knew.
"You've noticed the strange traces here too, haven't you?" Argo continued, her tone casual as if she were merely chatting. "They don't belong to an ordinary wolf. And what's more interesting..."
She paused, flashing a sly smile.
Ren kept his grip firm on his sword, the sharp tip still pointed straight at Argo. "What do you want?"
"Tsk, tsk, so rude." She crossed her arms, feigning disappointment. "I greet you, and you don't even respond? That's quite the lack of social etiquette."
Ren frowned. "If you mean no harm, then why are you following me?"
The girl didn't answer immediately. She placed a hand on her chin as if deep in thought, then slowly stepped closer.
"Because I'm curious."
"...Curious?"
"Yeah. Curious about a lone player who deliberately walks straight into an area marked by the traces of a giant wolf." Her eyes gleamed. "You seem like a rookie, but... not completely useless, right?"
Ren remained silent, but his chest tightened slightly.
The girl smirked. "Kid, let me tell you something... In this world, there are only two types of people who wander into dangerous places."
She raised a finger, drawing a slow circle in the air.
"One....fools."
Then she pointed directly at Ren.
"Two, those with something to hide."
Ren clenched his grip. "...What are you implying?"
The girl chuckled softly, but there was no humor in her eyes.
"Oh, nothing much." She turned on her heel, took a few steps away, then stopped. "It's just that if I happen to spot a little mouse scurrying around near a wolf's territory, I can't help but wonder... Is this little mouse running away, or is it hunting?"
A cold wind swept through, sending a chill down Ren's spine.
Somehow, this encounter… didn't feel like a mere coincidence.
Ren stayed silent, his eyes locked onto hers.
He didn't like the way she talked… as if she knew far more than he could guess.
And more importantly… how old was she, anyway? Why did she keep calling him "kid" every time she spoke?
She looked about his age…
Argo studied him for a moment, then tilted her head slightly, her smirk deepening with unspoken meaning.
"Relax, kid. I'm not your enemy."
Ren didn't lower his weapon. "You followed me just out of curiosity?"
Argo chuckled, then shrugged. "I'm an informant, kid. Mysteries are valuable goods in this world."
Ren narrowed his eyes. "Are you planning to sell information about me?"
"That depends." She shrugged again, looking completely unbothered. "But I don't intend to make trouble for you either."
A sense of unease crept into Ren's mind.
He didn't want to become a target for an informant, especially when he had nothing of value except himself.
Argo watched him for a moment, then squinted slightly. "But hey, I'll give you a free piece of advice."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping lower.
"That wolf… isn't just any ordinary monster."
Ren stiffened. "...What do you mean?"
Argo shrugged. "If you really want to know, I can provide information… for a reasonable price."
He narrowed his eyes. "So you really came here just to do business?"
Argo laughed. "Of course. I'm not in the business of giving out charity, am I?"
Ren tightened his grip on his weapon.
He hated how easily this stranger could read him.
But if she knew something about the wolf…
He had to decide.
Should he trust Argo?