After practicing the Golden Light Incantation for a long time, Kraun felt his five senses growing sharper and sharper.
Someone inside the house was now gorging themselves. He could even hear them smacking their lips with perfect clarity.
A Tier Three Cooking skill could actually attract a food thief. Should I laugh or cry?
Kraun gently set down the box in his hand and took off his backpack, doing his best not to make a sound.
He already had the Revolver clenched tightly in his hand. He swiftly put the key in the lock, pushed the door open, and held the gun out in both hands, arms straight.
Inside, he saw a very tall, muscular figure with a slight hunch. In the moonlight, he could just make out that it was wearing a leather coat.
"Don't move! Hands behind your head."
Before he could finish the familiar line from deep in his memory, an iron pot came flying at him.
Damn you!
The thing he ate out of had been thrown at him. Kraun cursed inwardly and nimbly dodged to the side.
Don't blame me if I hurt or kill you!
He dodged to the wall outside the door. As the iron pot flew past, he darted back into the house, ready to empty a whole magazine into the completely shameless bastard.
With his current Marksmanship, he wouldn't actually kill his opponent unless he aimed for a vital spot.
Though he was angry, stealing food wasn't a crime punishable by death.
Most people wouldn't do something like this unless they were starving, right?
But stealing my food, then hitting me in the face with my own pot after getting caught red-handed? That was too much to tolerate!
A low growl came from inside the house. At the same time, a Black Shadow followed the iron pot out, stopped in the middle of the road, and faced off against Kraun.
The moonlight outside was brighter. He could now see the Black Shadow clearly.
What a hideous face the monster had.
Its face was covered in fur, and its yellow-brown eyes glinted with a cold, eerie light. It had a long muzzle and pointed, upright ears. It was clearly a wolf's head on a human body.
Thick black fur covered its entire body, and drool dripped from its open mouth.
It was a Werewolf, looking just like Lucian when he transformed in Underworld.
The Werewolf took a step forward on its powerful hind legs, opened its mouth wide, and let out a howl.
"Awooo!"
"Bang, bang, bang!" A steady stream of gunfire answered it.
Kraun was shocked by his terrible luck, but instinct took over, and he pulled the trigger without hesitation.
The gunshots and howls rang out through the silent night.
After joining Father in a battle to exterminate Goat-Headed Monsters, he understood how powerful these Dark Creatures were.
Ordinary bullets couldn't pierce their tough muscle tissue, so he aimed at the Werewolf's open mouth and eyes.
The Werewolf reacted to danger far faster than he'd expected. The first bullet had barely left the barrel when it had already shut its mouth and jerked its head to the side.
After firing three bullets, Kraun fired again, sending two shots toward the Werewolf's ears.
The bullets missed the Werewolf's vital spots, only grazing its face.
By the time he fired the second round, the Werewolf was already crouched on the ground. It let out a low growl and charged at the young man with the gun.
Damn, were all Dark Creatures this fast?!
As the Werewolf lunged at him, Kraun dodged to the side.
There was only one bullet left in his Revolver. If he couldn't seize the chance to inflict a lethal wound, he was likely going to die here.
He activated the power of the Time Sand, freezing the space around him.
With barely a moment to spare, he ducked low and narrowly dodged the attack. The Werewolf slammed into the wall.
Maybe the Werewolf's charge had been too powerful, or maybe Kraun's ability was still too weak. Whatever the reason, he'd only managed to slow the Werewolf for an instant, and he could already feel the Time Sand in the hourglass running out.
"Thud!"
The muffled impact made Kraun wince just hearing it.
Fortunately, the monster wasn't very bright. His thoughts flashed by, but his hands kept moving swiftly.
Strike while it's down! He spun around and fired.
At this range, with his Marksmanship, there was no chance of missing.
His face set in a grim expression, he sent the Revolver's bullet flying with all his hopes behind it. The brass-colored bullet struck the Werewolf's forehead, near the temple.
The Werewolf let out a dreadful howl. It pushed itself upright with its forelegs, then vanished down the street in a few quick bounds.
That didn't kill it?
Kraun gaped in disbelief. Even from this close, the bullet couldn't pierce the Werewolf's skull.
At the Goat Inn, Geralt abruptly set down the rag he'd been using to wipe his sword and exchanged a glance with Alan beside him.
"That's a Werewolf's howl. No doubt about it."
Geralt quickly slid his Sharp Sword into its scabbard, slung it across his back, and leaped out the window.
Alan slung his own long sword over his back and followed close behind.
Gunshots rang out in the distance again. Geralt pointed.
"Over there. Let's go."
The two Witchers raced toward the sound like leopards, swift and nimble.
When the two Witchers arrived, Kraun was bending down to pick up his iron pot.
"What happened?" Geralt asked.
The man gave a strained smile. "As you can see, a Werewolf broke into my home and smashed my cooking pot!"
"Let's go inside and talk."
The three of them went into the room. Kraun lit the oil lamp, brightening the interior.
A large smear of grease covered the table, and a few pieces of chicken lay there in silence.
The door leading to the backyard hung from the doorframe by just one hinge.
They pulled over a few chairs and sat down. Kraun recounted what had happened after he'd returned home.
"When I first got to the door, I heard something inside. In the end, I hit the Werewolf in the head. It must have sensed that death was near and run off. If it hadn't fled, I'd be the one in danger."
At the end, Kraun asked what had been puzzling him. "I thought evil people affected by Dark power only transformed into Werewolves on the night of a full moon?"
Geralt didn't answer. He sat in silence.
Alan picked up the conversation. "That's not always the case. Some turn into Werewolves at night and return to normal during the day."
The Witcher added quietly, "Werewolves hold grudges. Once his wounds heal, he'll definitely come after you. You should take some precautions."
Kraun was a little annoyed.
What kind of nonsense was this? He'd been sitting peacefully at home, and trouble had fallen out of the sky.
He'd been hoping to lie low for a while, make money brewing potions, and then train with Father.
"Mr. Geralt, you said I've already become a Spirit Controller. So why am I still completely helpless against these monsters?"
"Creatures like Werewolves and Vampires count as Monsters. Their physical abilities are exceptionally strong. The Evil Spirit bound to you may have more talent for magic, so you haven't received any boost to your physical abilities. Besides, you've only been a Spirit Controller for a few days and haven't received any formal training. It's perfectly normal that you can't take on a Monster."
"I recommend that you make time to visit a large city with an agency that handles paranormal incidents. Register with the authorities. You'll be subject to certain restrictions, but they'll also offer you some help, and you'll gradually become part of the Mystic community."
Before you continue