Suddenly, scalp-prickling howls rose from the depths of Scarlet Cloud Mountain.
At first, there were only one or two.
Low and hoarse, they sounded like dying beasts gnawing at the stone walls inside the mountain.
Then the cries multiplied.
The howls overlapped, spreading through underground fissures across the mountains until they merged into a heart-stopping roar.
On Scarlet Cloud Mountain's northern slopes, a bright red hand suddenly emerged from a fissure torn open by the Scarlet Tide.
Its five fingers were long and twisted, its nails black as hooks.
Then a humanoid monster slowly crawled out of the fissure.
Its entire body was crimson, as though someone had stripped away its skin, yet not a drop of blood dripped from its exposed flesh. Its eyes were nothing but black sockets, and its mouth split all the way to its ears, packed with sharp teeth.
The first.
The second.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of crimson Demon Wraiths scrambled out of the fissure.
Some barely retained human shapes, while others ran on all fours through the mountain woods like beasts. They had no reason, nor did they fear the earthfire churning within the Scarlet Tide. Their nostrils twitched a few times, and they all turned toward the strongest scent of living creatures.
A startled elk fled from the woods.
The crimson Demon Wraiths abruptly raised their heads.
The next instant, more than ten wraiths pounced at once.
The elk managed only a single mournful cry before they dragged it into the crimson mist. The sound of sharp teeth tearing flesh rang out, and within a few breaths, all that remained on the ground was a bloodstained skeleton.
After swallowing its flesh, the Demon Wraiths' bodies visibly grew more solid.
Two points of scarlet light also kindled in their black