Making sure that nobody saw him lest they would follow, Rex made his way into the forest as he was curious as to who this mutated owl belonged to. He didn't know for sure—but since it was leading him into the forest, he reckoned that the mutated owl belonged to somebody.
Some mutated animals have intelligence, the mutated birds for instance.
But that shouldn't be the case.
In order for a mutated animal to be luring him into the forest like this—there must be a strong motivation for it to do so. Naturally, mutated animals were fond of being in the wild, and free, and tended to avoid confronting a race colony, such as a big city like Dargena City.
A defensive instinct inherent from the past Rex reckoned.
So this must not be because the mutated owl has some bad blood towards him.
It could be a cursed creature. No, that also shouldn't be the case.
Rex throughout his ascension to power had wielded different kinds of energies, starting from moonlight energy, mana, force energy, and even cursed energy. Under the influence of those energies, his senses have no restrictions.
He could sense any form of energy, and that made him extremely alert to any ambush.
For some reason, however, this mutated owl was under his radar.
Because of that, Rex decided to play along and figure out how it could bypass his senses.
Eventually, Rex landed on a different section of the Humming Damned Forest.
Unlike other areas, where the trees were merely slightly larger than normal—this part of the forest was dominated by towering trees that reached skyward like skyscrapers. Rex felt tiny here as if this place was meant to host giants.
Looking upwards, he found the waxing gibbous moon, tainted with a honey color.
"No delay this time, the full moon is coming," Rex muttered silently.
But then, focusing back to his surroundings he realized that he had lost the mutated owl.
He didn't try to search for it though as he knew that this must be the place.
Despite his passive posture—naked with no energy concentrating around him, Rex was very much ready for any ambush attack that might come. He tried to stride ahead, but his danger sense suddenly alerted him of an incoming attack.
Growl!
Coating his entire body with moonlight and red force instantly, he parried the attack.
Rex turned to his right and found that it was another mutated animal.
It was a mutated wolf that he had never seen before.
Striking him with speed from the side was a mutated wolf twice the size of a polar bear.
Its furs were a striking blend of black, bright red, and golden, with a mane-like ruff around its neck glowing bright red, matching its fiery tail. Sharp, thick blades protruded from its head— and spine, adding to its fearsome appearance.
Lethal crimson claws that swiped at Rex completed its monstrous appearance.
Clang!
Rex parried the claws without moving from a spot and threw the mutated wolf away.
Hmm... A ninth-rank realm, and it doesn't seem to come from around here.
Because of the constant exposure, and confrontation he had with the mutated animals in the Humming Damned Forest, he began to know the patterns of the mutation and the likeness of the mutated animals living within this forest.
And this mutated wolf has no similar patterns at all, thus it must've come from outside.
Deciding to move, Rex dashed at the mutated wolf for a strike.
However, another one came from the shadows and used its body to block his attack.
It's very hard, my claws can't penetrate through.
Forced to step back once again, Rex observed the other mutated wolf and found that it was a different kind of mutated wolf. Unlike the first one, this one is twice as big, a massive grey and black behemoth.
Its body is extremely hard as stone.
Had it not for the fact that it moved, it could've been mistaken for a real statue.
Muscular and elongated, it was covered in powerful black armor donned with intricate design—its limbs, and head were protected fully, making it appear as a living tank—and this made it possible to shrug Rex's attack as nothing.
"For them to work together, they are definitely pets," Rex muttered inwardly.
Seeing the change in his gaze—the Werewolf sweated a little as he caught sight of the sheer bloodshot in Rex's eyes. One that could only be found in a maniac who likes to battle, and kill more than peace.
Clearing his throat, the hooded Werewolf said, "My pack is not your concern, Rex Silverstar"
"I've come here to inform you that you are one of the Fated Ones in this era" He added.
"I'm the fated one," Despite the condition he was in, and even the threat of death, Rex kept his eye contact with the Werewolf behind him and smirked. "Do you hear him? I'm the fated one so take your claws off my neck"
Hearing the arrogant tone still, the Werewolf gritted his teeth in anger.
But seeing the nod from the hooded Werewolf, he clicked his tongue and pulled his hands.
"Calm down, Ragnar," the hooded Werewolf, muttered. "Rex Silverstar here has a reputation of being a vicious devil to maintain—and so far, he has not disappointed. I am quite pleased with how this encounter is going"
Rex put both of his hands in his pockets and tilted his head, "So will you get on with it?"
"Will you tell the Fated One, what is he fated for?" He added.
Upon hearing this, the hooded Werewolf leaned forward, with both of his hands clasped in a calm manner, "From the dawn of time, the Werewolves has never been the most powerful. It has always been either the Demons or the Humans. But despite that, there is one aspect we have always, dominated, and that aspect is our keen senses... Our people, have always been able to sense danger better than others"
"A calamity is approaching, and you need to prepare for that" He added, mysteriously.
Not expecting that kind of answer, Rex frowned.
He expected that these Werewolves came to kill him, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Then again, if they came to kill him, the Killing Intent quest should've been triggered.
"Calamity? What calamity?" Rex asked.
Knowing that Rex would ask about this, the hooded Werewolf shook his head, "As I said, we can only sense it. Knowing what would happen is beyond our abilities. Looking into the near future is something only the Seers are able to do"
"Get stronger, the calamity is something great. Perhaps the greatest," He added lightly.
On the other hand, Rex was already forming multiple guesses in his mind.
Is it the Angels...? No, it must be the Fourthborn or Chaos, my next stair to invincibility.
Even though he was already aware, that he needed to get stronger, this was another reason for him to become stronger. Moreover, from this Rex also knew that the other races must be aware of this calamity too.
He was slightly nervous about the future, but there's nothing he can't handle.
If it's really the Fourthborn, Rex would kill him as he did with the Fifthborn.
Just then, Rex gazed back at the hooded Werewolf and asked, "So is this a recruitment?"
"Yes, I hope to have your help in the future, and you'll have mine" the Werewolf replied.
Upon hearing this, Rex smiled genuinely, "In that case, it's a deal"
His face lit up with a bright, genuine smile upon learning that these Werewolves had come to recruit him for the calamity. Extending his hand, for a handshake—Rex noticed the confusion on the hooded Werewolf's face at the gesture.
"Since I'm once a Human, this is how we end a deal, through a handshake," Rex explained.
Listening to this, the hooded Werewolf raised an eyebrow before leaping down.
He landed in front of Rex and he was bigger now that he was close.
Even though Ragnar was alert at the gesture, the hooded Werewolf waved his hand.
Due to that, Ragnar could only glare at Rex with blood in his eyes.
Nodding in understanding, the hooded Werewolf clasped Rex's hand firmly, sealing their new relationship with a firm handshake. But it was only then—that a surge of excitement, coursed through Rex's body as he was smiling in his mind.
<Scanning complete!>
<Notice: the target is using a technique to mask his presence!>
Following that, Rex turned to cast a glance at Ragnar with a fake smile on his face.
<An entity is directing its killing intent toward the user!>
<Killing intent quest has been issued!>
I'll give you a surprise next time, be sure to look forward to it.