The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 170: Shadow Hunt in the Dark Forest

Chapter 170: Shadow Hunt in the Dark Forest

Before she could spiral further into her frustrated thoughts, Alex’s voice snapped her out of it.

"Hati!"

He rushed to Selene, grabbed her hand, and Hati leapt toward them. As they ran, a sudden burst of purple light flared from the wolf, engulfing them.Just as the humanoid bear’s massive baton came crashing down, splintering trees and triggering a small avalanche—the spot where they had stood was empty.

His prey had vanished.The bear stared at his baton, growled, and then let out a frustrated, deafening ROARRR that echoed across the dark forest.

A few kilometers away, a soft pop of energy lit the snow as the trio reappeared. Alex and Selene dropped face-first into the ice.

Selene quickly pushed herself up, looking around in disbelief before her gaze landed on Hati. Eyes wide, she exclaimed, "Hati can teleport?!"

Alex stood up, brushing snow off his clothes and face. He gave her a small nod."Yeah. It’s a secret—so please don’t tell anyone."

Selene blinked, then her expression changed to one of shocked realization."Wait... that means we descended that mountain last time with Hati’s help too?"

Alex nodded.

Still trying to wrap her head around it, she whispered, "No wonder... don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. If people knew you had a space-element beast, they wouldn’t leave you alone."

Alex rubbed the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "You’re the first person to know."

Selene gave him a proud smile."I’ll keep your secret safe."

Alex nodded, but his eyes shifted back toward the forest, now filled with urgency."Let’s move."

Little later...

A young man with dishevelled silver hair that reached past his shoulders moved through the snowy forest like a cat—silent, agile, and alert. His purple eyes flicked around constantly, scanning every shadow for danger.

Beside him walked a girl with silver hair that shimmered like fresh snow, cascading down to her back. She moved more casually, her demeanor relaxed as she scanned the forest with only half the intensity.

Trailing close behind was a wolf with grey fur along its back and a deep purple underbelly. One of its eyes was grey, the other a matching violet. It moved with quiet precision, more cautious than the two humans, its ears perked and alert like a seasoned predator.

Alex, Selene, and Hati pressed through the dense, shadowy forest without pause. They had been walking for what felt like hours.

Now, as the last traces of daylight vanished, darkness wrapped around them like a shroud, leaving them nearly blind.

"Selene, where are you?" Alex whispered softly.

"I’m right next to you—on your right," she whispered back.

Alex turned toward her voice and reached out, trying to find her. His hand brushed against something soft—and squishy.

"Kyaa!" Selene yelped.

Alex froze. "Are you okay, Selene?"

"Yes, I am, you idiot!" she snapped.

She grabbed Alex’s hand and glared in his direction through the darkness. A chill crept down his spine. Without a word, he quickly moved to the side, dragging Selene along with him.

Alex glanced toward Hati’s dimly glowing eyes and whispered to Selene, "Let’s climb a tree—it’s safer than staying on the ground."

Selene paused to consider, then nodded. "Alright, I’ll follow your lead."

They quietly approached a nearby tree.

Selene climbed up first, her movements swift and graceful. Once high enough, she formed a small platform on one of the branches using her ice elemental energy and settled onto it.

Alex followed shortly after, choosing a sturdy branch nearby. He bound himself to the trunk with a rope, then leaned against it to rest.

Hati, however, remained on the ground. The wolf sat beneath the tree, his ears perked and eyes alert, standing watch.

Alex let out a quiet breath of relief and muttered, "We can’t use any light here. The monsters would swarm us instantly."

Selene nodded silently, already leaning against the tree’s trunk with her eyes closed, trying to rest.

As silence fell over them, the forest remained still—until, in the distance, something stirred.

From deep within the shadows, a pair of golden eyes opened in the thick foliage, glinting faintly in the darkness. A dark shadow leapt silently from one tree to another. It was a monster—its sleek, shadowy form moved nimbly across the branches without making a single sound. With each silent landing, it crept closer toward the unaware, sleeping humans.

Its glowing golden eyes gleamed with hunger as it spotted its prey, blissfully ignorant of the danger.

But on the ground below, Hati stirred. The wolf’s ears twitched, his snout lifted as he sniffed the air. A low growl rumbled in his throat. Then, without warning, his dimly glowing eyes locked onto the shadow panther stalking from the trees above.Hati didn’t hesitate. A purple light enveloped his body—and in an instant, he vanished.

High above, the shadow panther crouched on a branch, victory already swelling in its chest. But before it could strike, a shimmer of purple light flared above it.

With a flash, Hati appeared.

The ferocious wolf descended from above, jaws wide. A loud snap echoed through the trees.

A sharp yelp burst from the panther as Hati’s jaws clamped down on its neck. The shadow beast went limp, its body dangling from Hati’s maw.

Alex’s eyes snapped open at the faint noise. He looked across the dark canopy—and there, on a branch opposite him, was Hati, his jaws still holding the defeated C-rank shadow panther.

Hati turned toward Alex, his eyes glowing with pride.

Alex smiled and gave a nod of approval to Hati.

With a quiet thud, Hati leapt down from the high branch, landing gracefully on the snow-covered ground. The limp body of the shadow panther dangled from his jaws as he landed.

Alex closed his eyes, letting out a quiet breath. "Let’s rest a little," he muttered. "The smell of blood will definitely attract more monsters."

Below the tree, Hati began devouring the fallen beast contentedly, tearing into it with quiet satisfaction.

Time passed.

Eventually, faint light began to seep through the forest canopy, breaking the darkness.

Alex’s eyes snapped open. He looked toward Selene and then down to Hati, who now lay peacefully on the snow, his belly full. A breath of relief slipped from Alex’s lips.

He leaned toward Selene and whispered, "Hey, Sel... wake up."

Selene stirred, blinking slowly, her eyes groggy at first. But they widened the moment she looked down from the tree.

Together, they climbed down carefully. When their feet touched the snowy ground, their eyes fell upon the shredded carcass of the shadow panther. Crimson stains spread across the snow like spilled ink. Not far from the mess, Hati lay asleep, blissfully full and snoring faintly.

Alex chuckled and called out, "Hati, wake up—we’re moving!"

The wolf opened his eyes slowly, yawned, stretched his limbs, and looked over at his half-eaten prey. Then, turning toward Alex, he flashed a wide, fanged grin that almost looked human.

Alex rolled his eyes. "Let’s go!"

Selene smiled at their antics and followed as they set off once more.

The trio moved quietly through the dim, misty forest, the light still struggling to break the gloom.

But far behind them, hidden in the shadows, a massive humanoid frost bear dragged a tree trunk-sized baton, its glowing blue eyes fixed on their trail—still following.The monstrous frost bear was unaware—it too was being followed.

Hidden in the shadows, a figure stood still as stone, eyes fixed on the creature ahead. Cloaked in black and silent as death, the assassin narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly."You won’t escape this time," he muttered. "I don’t care about the princess anymore."