Biting, roaring.
Killing and blood filled every second in the Thin Mist Forest.
Today, naturally, was no exception.
"Szzzt."
Blood gushed out as a jackal's head, neatly severed from the neck with a smooth cut, tumbled to the ground.
Perhaps the attack it had suffered had been too fierce for it to react in time, because its furry face still held the savage, fang-baring snarl of its final moment before death.
Only its slightly contracting beast eyes and the scarlet blood spraying from its throat and spine revealed the wretched state of its severed head and body.
Drip—
A tiny drop of blood, like morning dew, fell lightly from the tip of a tender green leaf.
Yet it did not seep into the soil like the bloodwater that had almost dyed the entire woodland red moments before. Instead, it landed on a black, furry paw.
Only then did this abrupt disturbance from the outside world make the deep shadow lingering at the edge of the battlefield, one with the night, reveal a trace of disharmony.
It was a massive Black Panther nearly three meters long, crouched deep within the shrubs.
Its flawless, jet-black fur was as smooth as silk, like a layer of flowing shadow draped over it, making it difficult to detect. Its golden eyes were like wavering fireflies in the night, drawing its killing intent and hunger for meat tight beneath every inch of its pelt.
Silent Step.
Its gait was extremely slow, yet every step it took could not help but make one's heart tremble.
Its protruding shoulder blades rose and fell slightly with each step, faintly revealing the firm muscles writhing and swelling along its back. Its paws touched lightly upon the rotting leaves, thick pads greedily swallowing every possible sound, and only the occasional flash