Black Mane (1)
1. The A-rank wolf-type mana beast, Black Mane—its scientific name—is a mid-to-upper-tier behemoth among beast-type mana beasts, boasting an average shoulder height of 3 meters and a body length of 8 meters.
When facing a Black Mane, there are three key points of caution: first, its wolf-type signature biting force; second, its serrated claws that, once they grab hold, never let go; and third, its legs specialized for leaps.
How fast is a Black Mane's leap and charge? There are testimonies of spotting a Black Mane the size of a finger in the distance, blinking once, and suddenly having its maw wide open right in front of you.
Its leaping power and burst speed ranked at the absolute top among A-rank mana beasts.
Thus, the moment a Black Mane like that emerged from the Gate for the first time, set foot in the city, and charged toward its pitifully howling prey, that prey's life was as good as gone.
At least, according to the Black Mane's experience and instincts, that's how it should have been.
But life—no, wolf life—doesn't always go as planned.
Crackle!
With the sound of sparks flying, the Black Mane's vision flipped upside down. It had lunged straight at its prey, yet all it saw now was the black asphalt road.
- Grk?
Boom!!!
Before it could even register its confusion, the Black Mane slammed headfirst into the pavement at full leap speed. It carved out a hemispherical crater like a meteor strike, utterly baffled by what had just happened. It had leaped forward, yet plummeted downward. Its entire orientation had twisted vertically.
What the hell is this?
At A-rank, even beast-type mana beasts possess intelligence comparable to humans. Amid the ringing in its skull from the impact, the Black Mane pondered why it had ended up face-planting while lunging at such fragile prey.
Then, it noticed something odd. Why am I even wasting time thinking about missing my prey? I don't know what happened, but my head's just ringing a bit—my body's fine. I can still hunt, so why indulge in this luxury of thought? Soon, the other stragglers pinned under me will start crawling out one by one.
The Black Mane yanked its head from the ground, shook its body vigorously to fling off dirt and debris. As expected, no injuries. Just a momentary fluster from the unexpected shock.
- Grrrrr...
Turning toward the sound, it saw the strange creature it had encountered right after crossing the Gate and the screaming prey facing each other, mouths moving. The Black Mane recognized it as communication between the two.
"Shit... it's awake! Hurry up and hand over your phone! I'll just check it and let you go!"
"Huh? Wasn't that thing just... H-Hiiiik!"
"Ugh, here we go again. I'll handle it myself. File your lost property claims with Liar's Trap. Later."
Amid their exchange, irritation and a hint of urgency emanated from the strange creature. It's looking at me and feeling that? Looks like this freak did something to slam me into the ground.
- Grrrrrrruk...!
Wild instinct led the Black Mane to the truth. Convinced Paster had smashed it down, it shifted targets from the screaming prey to Paster. As a top predator with few equals even inside the Gate, being toyed with by such an insignificant thing was an unbearable affront to its pride.
The strange creature was mere fragile prey, shreddable with one claw swipe. Yet despite its pathetic physique, it showed no fear or madness, even exuding an unfamiliar aura. The Black Mane had held back to probe it, but to be made a fool like this? Unforgivable.
Crunch... cruuunch!
Determined not to fall for it twice, the Black Mane heightened all its senses, crouched on all fours gathering thrust while glaring at Paster. The accumulated power—leagues beyond its initial civilian strike—cracked the ground beneath it, sending tremors through the earth.
Rumble rumble rumble...!
- Grrrrrrrrrrrng...!
Its roar synced with the earth's quakes, radiating such overwhelming menace it would tense even S-rank awakeners. The beast's raw killing intent targeted Liar's Trap's F-rank awakener, Paster, in full.
- Raaaaaaaawr!!!!
Thud-boom!!!
The Black Mane dragged its front paws, kicked off with its hind legs, unleashing all that power in a leap. Its malice materialized as a black streak of lightning. The explosive launch shattered asphalt, propelling its form instantly before Paster.
Crack.
It gaped wide to swallow Paster's upper body in one bite, too fast for it to even register death.
Crackle.
But the second spark rang in its ears, and its gaping maw chomped empty air.
Boom!!!Thud! Thud!
Flustered by Paster and the civilian vanishing like phantoms without warning, the Black Mane couldn't brake, tumbling across the asphalt and gouging a long, deep scar.
Whoooosh...
A night breeze brushed its fallen snout. Belly-up in undignified sprawl, the Black Mane scraped its throat in an emptiness it had never known.
- ...Grk.
Roughly translated to human speech: 'This game's bullshit.'
2. "Wh-where? Where am I?"
"Entrance to the shelter. Left your clothes and wallet behind, everything else stays there. File lost property claims with Liar's Trap. Bye."
"Y-yes? What do you...?"
Crackle!
After escorting the screaming civilian to the shelter entrance, I Rabbit Holed back to the wolf pup's location.
I'd asked for his phone beforehand just in case he'd snapped a pic of me. My Rabbit Hole was a secret ability that couldn't leak to the public. Only Liar's Trap's S-ranks, Dr. Emme, a few elite members of my 2nd team, and the retired former 2nd team leader knew. Top-secret stuff.
Even claiming it was a spatial teleportation unique ability had limits. Plus, no known spatial ability allowed repeated instant teleports undetectable even to A-rank mana beasts, carrying others at the same speed.
For tonight's restaurant hop with Ska, I could brush off questions with "spatial teleport ability." But three back-to-back warps like just now? No way to explain that off.
Common spatial teleports required setting coordinates, gathering mana, and full mental focus in a calm state. Not like my Rabbit Hole's poof-in, poof-out simplicity.
And dense mana or beast interference disrupted calculations, rendering them useless in dungeons or Gates. That's why my anytime, anywhere Rabbit Hole was special.
But no matter how amazing Rabbit Hole was, it meant squat if the user—me—was a weakling.
Boom!!Crash! Crash!Ka-bam!!!
Returning to Liar's Trap HQ, Liar's Trap on-duty guild members and borrowed awakeners from other guilds were already battling the wolf pup.
"Sigh. Look at that bastard thrashing."
With its speed and wild instincts, the wolf pup held its own amid the crowd, even seeming to press them. Proof it was a formidable beast. Watching B-rank-plus awakeners struggle against one mana beast weighed heavy on my chest.
"They're fighting so hard over there, and here I am..."
I had a killer ability like Rabbit Hole but couldn't kill the rampaging wolf pup or close the Gate. Better to self-flagellate standing around? Nah, but Rabbit Hole couldn't be revealed. Dr. Emme, Ska, Lapis, Ia sis—all said no. Must lead to bad shit. An F-rank scrub like me couldn't grasp S-rank and genius motives. Just roll with it.
And I knew my incompetence better than anyone; jumping in would just hinder, not help.
Resigned to sour grapes, I smacked my lips—then my phone buzzed. Call from Ia sis.
"Hello? Sis?"
- Uh, uh, Paster? Where are you? You okay? Where does it hurt?
The barrage of questions furrowed my brow reflexively. But I clocked they tied to my earlier text: Ia sis, I'm sick. About to say it was nothing—
Boom!!!
"Guh, guhuk...!"
- Wh-what was that? Wh-what?
An awakener smashed into the ground right beside me, coughing blood and passing out. Made me wish Ia sis were here; the wolf pup would be a sad stuffed wolf in seconds.
"Ah, sis, I'm at our guild entrance. A strong mana beast popped out, so..."
Ka-rumble!!! Boom!!!Clatter clatter crash!Ka-bam!
"Guhk!"
"Kuak!"
"Kuhuk!"
"R-run... away."
"Th-that Black Mane... t-too strong..."
I'd meant to say, 'Guild members and other awakeners are fighting it—come help if you're free.' But holy shit, the fighters got flung my way.
What the fuck.
Pausing the call, I turned—a familiar face, some nameless A-rank guild member I'd glimpsed around, nabbed by the wolf pup's jaws at the scruff. It shook its head, flinging him my way to crash-land.
Swoooosh.Thud.
"...You okay?"
Bleeding heavy but alive, so polite check. No response; the A-rank on-dutier trembled in terror, mumbling.
"Alpha... an Alpha, of all things... guh... il..."
Thud.
Head lolled limp. Passed out.
Shifting gaze to the wolf pup, its yellow eyes burned with irritation, rage, and glee. I read its intent instantly.
"You don't kill them... to keep me from running?"
A-rank beast-types matched human smarts. An alpha variant? Surpassed them. Mana beasts taking hostages? Not weird.
- Grrrruk... grk grk!
Got my words or not, it scraped its throat mockingly. Roughly: 'Can't run now, bitch? Lmao, pinned. You're fucked.'
No time for chit-chat.
"...Sis. Hurry. Big trouble."
- Y-yes? Paster! Paster! Wait—!
Click.
Told Ia sis to rush, hung up. How the hell did this happen? Me, dueling an A-rank mana beast—an alpha no less. Total clusterfuck.
"Haa..."
I sighed deep, locking eyes on the wolf pup.