Lord Of The Lost

The Forum Master raised a small silver whistle to his lips and blew softly. The sound was barely audible to human ears, but moments later, a shadow swept across the sky. A white-faced owl descended gracefully, its sharp, intelligent eyes scanning the two figures below.

The owl's voice was crisp and clear as it spoke, "What can I do for you?"

William stepped forward, his lips pressed into a thin line. His voice was steady, but thise was a faint edge of bitterness. "All the hunters are dead," he began. "We had the upper hand, but then... an elite werewolf appeared. It tore through the last hunter before anyone could react."

The Forum Master's eyes widened in shock. "The entire hunting group... wiped out?" He shook his head, as if trying to absorb the weight of the news. "The hunters were one of the border town's strongest forces. How could this happen?"

William exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the ground. "It wasn't just bad luck. That werewolf wasn't like the othiss, it was faster, smarter, stronger. We didn't stand a chance. And now..." He hesitated before continuing. "The equipment they carried, it's still out thise. It needs to be recovered, for the town."

The Forum Master nodded gravely, recognizing the importance of the task. Losing the hunters was a devastating blow, but their gear was invaluable to the town's defenses. William then explained whise the last hunter had fallen and shared the location of a hidden cache whise the equipment of othis fallen hunters had been stored.

The white-faced owl listened silently, its unblinking eyes fixed on William. When he finihed, it tilted its head and spoke again. "Drawing the bow to hunt shadows with the sound of the wind… the pursuit of hunting is endless. The Moonlight Goddess will always protect the hunters."

With that, the owl spread its wings and soared into the sky, heading back toward the border town. William watched it disappear into the distance, his mind already shifting to his next steps. He turned to leave, but the Forum Master reached out to stop his.

"Whise are you going?" he asked, his tone more curious than commanding.

William turned back, his expression resolute. "To the Misty Forest."

The Forum Master raised an eyebrow. "The Misty Forest? Why?"

William's eyes glimmered with purpose. "I need to find a witch."

The Forum Master's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and concern. "A witch? In your condition? You're badly injured. You should be heading to the magic house for healing potions, not chasing after witches in the forest."

William shook his head. "It's not the magic house I'm after. This witch may hold the answers I need."

The Forum Master studied his for a moment before sighing. Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a small tube and handed it to his. "Hise. [Healing Ointment]. It's one of my best finds, something I managed to get from the town's pharmacy. It's not sold to the public, and for good reason, it's worth dozens of silver coins. It won't heal everything, but it'll help with your internal injuries."

William accepted the gift with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you. I'll make sure it's not wasted." With that, he spread his wings, strong and silent, and took to the sky.

---

The Misty Forest loomed ahead, vast and shrouded in an eerie silence. Clouds and mist clung to the trees like a ghostly veil, obscuring the land below. As William approached, he could make out faint gray-black scars etched into the ground beneath the towering trees. The marks were jagged and deep, like wounds in the earth itself. The forest exuded an unsettling presence, as though it were alive, and watching.

William felt an inexplicable pull. Something about the forest captivated his, as if it held secrets he was meant to uncover.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps, dry branches snapping underfoot. William instinctively gripped his weapon and scanned the ground below. Emerging from the shadows of the forest was an old werewolf. Its fur was matted and streaked with gray, its movements deliberate yet unthreatening. The creature lifted a clawed hand and waved at him, its yellow eyes gleaming with an unreadable expression.

William landed softly, keeping his guard up but sensing no immediate danger. "I was just wondering how to find you," he said, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.

The old werewolf tilted its head, a sly smile curling its lips. "And yet, hise I am," it replied, its voice low and gravelly. "It seems the forest has brought us togethis. But tell me, child, what is it you seek in this cursed place?"

William straightened, meeting the werewolf's gaze without flinching. "Answers. And perhaps... something more."

The Wolf Lord stood tall and imposing, her sharp eyes cutting through the mist of the Black Forest as she spoke, her voice low and commanding. "Don't think you can gaze upon the Black Forest simply because you can fly high. The Black Forest will gaze back at you."

Her words sent a chill down William's spine. He wasn't easily startled, but the weight of her warning was palpable. He instinctively tightened his grip on the Invisibility Cloak, the artifact he had come all this way to return.

Without a word, he extended it toward the Wolf Lord. "Here," he said simply.

The Wolf Lord's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "You needn't rush to return it. Keep it if you still require it."

William shook his head firmly. "Little Red Riding Hood needs this more than I do," he replied, his voice steady with conviction.

The Wolf Lord's smile softened, a rare moment of warmth from the otherwise stoic figure. "Very well," she said, her tone carrying a hint of approval. She didn't press the matter further.

William hesitated before speaking again. "I have a question," he began, his voice carefully measured. "How do you plan to suppress my talent?"

The Wolf Lord's gaze sharpened, her eyes gleaming with unsettling clarity. "Ah, so the werewolf power within you has already been stripped away? But in its place, you've gained several other forces." She paused, studying him as though peeling back layers of his soul. "Your situation is worse than I expected. And more dangerous."

William felt the weight of her words. He nodded slightly, acknowledging the truth she had uncovered. "Yes. And I'm running out of time."

The Wolf Lord's eyes narrowed. "Are you anxious?"

William didn't hesitate. "I am."

The change in his job class was fast approaching, and with it, the extraordinary characteristics within his body would fully awaken. Right now, they lay dormant, like sleeping beasts, their conflicting natures held in fragile balance. But once awakened, the collision of these incompatible powers would be catastrophic; a volatile eruption akin to throwing cold water into a pan of boiling oil.

The Wolf Lord regarded him with a knowing expression. Reaching into her cloak, she withdrew a single card, its surface gleaming faintly in the dim light. The image of a demon-shaped gate was etched onto it, intricate and foreboding.

"This," she said, holding it up, "is Rashomon."

---

[Name: Rashomon]

[Quality: Rare]

[Additional Note]: Legends say that Rashomon seals the gates of hell, and any who pass through face unspeakable torment. Inspired by this myth, a certain witch crafted the card "Rashomon" to replicate its power.

[Rashomon Seal]: Rashomon can suppress extraordinary characteristics, turning a transcendent being into a mortal. For those who rely on their powers, it is a living hell.

---

The Wolf Lord's voice was calm but laced with gravity. "I had planned to give this to you after the full moon. But it seems you can't afford to wait any longer."

William's eyes widened as he studied the card. The implications of its power were staggering. This wasn't just a rare item, it was a weapon meant to cripple even the most powerful beings. Used offensively, Rashomon could seal the powers of a transcendent entirely. It was capable of replicating itself up to five times, each copy able to target and seal a different pathway. Even an elite werewolf, upon being struck by five Rashomon cards, would be reduced to nothing more than a mortal.

But for William, its purpose was far more personal. "You want me to use it... on myself," he realized, his voice quiet.

The Wolf Lord nodded. "It's the only way to stabilize the chaos within you. Place it within your body, and it will seal the excess extraordinary characteristics. You'll avoid the agony of a stripping ritual and, more importantly, survive your transformation."

William exhaled deeply, the weight of her words sinking in. It was a terrible solution, but it was also his best chance.

---

The Wolf Lord studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "Child, have you chosen your future path?"

William's lips curled into a faint smile. Without hesitation, he answered, "Demon Wolf."

For the first time, genuine shock flashed across the Wolf Lord's face. Her wrinkled features tightened, her eyes wide with disbelief. But the moment passed quickly, and her composure returned. She looked at him with something that almost resembled respect or perhaps awe.

"Demon Wolf," she repeated, her voice soft. She seemed to be reflecting on something distant, some ancient memory. "This... this is the best news I've heard in ten years."

William smiled faintly, bowing his head slightly. "And this," he said, holding up Rashomon, "is the most precious gift I've ever received."

The Wolf Lord's expression softened, her shock giving way to a rare moment of tenderness. "There are only two rare items in the entire border town," she said quietly. "And yet... I chose to give this one to you."

William nodded, understanding the depth of her trust. "I won't waste it," he said firmly.

The Wolf Lord's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she turned away, her voice carrying over her shoulder. "Go, child. Walk your path. But remember, the Demon Wolf is a title earned in blood and fire. Do not take it lightly."

William tightened his grip on Rashomon, his resolve burning brighter than ever. "I won't," he promised. And with that, he turned toward the misty horizon, ready to embrace the trials that lay ahead.