A few days earlier.
In a small, secluded hut in the wilderness, far from any known settlements or well trodden paths.
The hut was weathered and old, almost camouflaged by the overgrown vegetation surrounding it.
Inside, the dim light of a single lantern flickered, casting long shadows across the cramped room.
Two figures stood by a table, their features obscured by the dark hoods and cloaks they wore. Both of them were dressed in stealthily, dark attire that blended seamlessly with the shadows.
It was clear they were making every effort to conceal their identities.
The taller of the two broke the silence first, his voice low and gravelly.
"Is it done?"
The second figure, slightly shorter but with an air of composed authority, nodded.
"Yes. The request has been completed. The bait mission is already up on the mission hall’s boards, and the fake rumours about increased Variant class beast activity in the area have spread like wildfire among the adventurers."
The taller man let out a small, satisfied grunt, leaning back against the wall. "Good. And you’re certain they took the bait?"
"Positive," the shorter figure replied, pulling up a small rolled parchment and laying it flat on the table. It was a detailed map of the Evermoor forest region and everything within 100,000 kilometres surrounding Tenebrus city.
"The pair we’re targeting, Alex and Mira, were seen heading to the region not long after. They’re already in position."
A grin spread across the taller figure’s face, barely visible beneath the shadow of his hood.
"Perfect. They’ve no idea what they just walked into."
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The shorter one straightened up, his tone turning more businesslike. "This mission is dangerous enough as it is. I don’t know how you found that beast, but are you sure we can control this? If they get suspicious—"
"They won’t," the taller man cut him off, his voice carrying a sense of finality.
It was like it didn’t have that worry at all...
The dense forest seemed to close in around them as Alex watched Mira creep through the shadows, drawing ever closer to the massive reptilian creature resting in the clearing ahead.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, Mira’s confidence radiating from her as she eyed her target.
Alex, however, couldn’t shake the growing unease in the pit of his stomach.
The closer Mira got, the more his instincts screamed at him that something wasn’t right.
His mind raced, trying to piece together whatever it was that was gnawing at him.
The Black Leopard had been cautious, alert to its surroundings.
"Mira," Alex whispered, his voice low but urgent, "hold on for a second. Something’s not right."
But Mira was laser focused on the beast at this point and had basically blanked out Alex’s words.
Her eyes were locked on the creature’s exposed flank, her muscles coiled, ready to strike.
She was about to make her move when Alex’s mind clicked, and the pieces of the puzzle slammed into place.
"Mira, wait!" Alex’s shout tore through the stillness, his heart pounding through his chest as he surged forward, sprinting with every ounce of speed he had.
His voice cracked with desperation as he pushed his body to its limit, the realisation that they might have mistaken the beast’s strength hitting him like a hammer.
Mira barely had time to react, her body instinctively freezing at Alex’s shout.
She turned her head slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes, but before she could ask why, Alex had already closed the gap between them.
"Get back! —"
But he was too late.
The beast had already awakened.