Son of darkness

Morning came. The cold wind was still blowing, and though the snow hadn't started yet, it felt like it could fall at any moment. Raykhan looked at everyone and said,

"Let's keep moving."

They began climbing the mountain, covering nearly a kilometer. Behind David, Erot watched him with a greedy smile. Staring at David's clothes, he clearly wanted to take them by force.

But he knew Raykhan wouldn't allow that. Ignoring it, he pulled out a flask and started drinking water. William glanced at him and said,

"You shouldn't waste water like that."

Erot looked at him with irritation and replied,

"Shut up, old man."

After that, William said nothing more.

They reached a narrow path where even two people couldn't walk side by side. The road was slippery—one wrong step, and you'd fall.

Forming a single line, they continued walking. Raykhan was first, then William, then Erot, and David went last.

David didn't want to be in the front. He always preferred someone behind him—just in case someone tried to stab him in the back.

Erot, who was walking ahead of him, began to feel unwell. The further they climbed, the worse he got. Eventually, reaching a spot where they could rest even for a minute, Erot collapsed on his back, pulled out his flask, and drank greedily.

William was also struggling. Climbing further was hard for him too.

David, though weak, kept moving. He was almost at his limit, but his willpower pushed him forward.

Raykhan, noticing their condition, said,

"I scouted ahead. There's a cave nearby. Let's rest here for today. We're far from the caravan, so we'll be safe. And besides, a blizzard is coming soon."

William agreed.

"You're right. Better to rest than freeze to death."

They entered the cave but didn't light a fire—any noise or light could attract the Snow Mountain Demon.

Erot and William fell asleep the moment they lay down. Raykhan looked at David and said,

"Rest. I'll keep watch."

David nodded and fell asleep. Two hours later, Raykhan woke him up.

"Hey, wake up."

David opened his eyes, nodded, and stepped out to keep watch. Looking toward the caravan's direction, he activated his technique. Just then, the Snow Mountain Demon emerged from a cliff, examined the area, and began eating the corpses of the fallen.

Because of the piercing cold, David shivered and accidentally stepped back, sending some stones tumbling. The demon heard the noise and turned in his direction. David barely managed to hide.

Morning came. Everyone woke up. Erot still couldn't stand properly. David looked at him and said,

"Headache, weakness, shortness of breath? That's mountain sickness. The higher we go, the worse you'll feel."

Erot scowled and snapped,

"Shut it, bastard. What, you a doctor now? You'll be the first to die here anyway."

David turned back and replied,

"We'll see."

They resumed climbing. Erot's condition worsened rapidly. Eventually, he fainted and fell off the cliff.

The three others turned and saw his body hit the ground with a sickening crack.

His body no longer resembled a human one—twisted limbs, and his skull shattered to pieces.

No one said anything. They simply kept walking, thinking, one of us is already dead.

David then spoke,

"Last night, I saw the demon. It came out from the cliff."

The others were shocked.

Raykhan turned to him seriously.

"Is that true?"

"Yes."

William added,

"I noticed something about the demon—it had no eyes. That means it tracks by sound. And if that's true, its sense of smell must also be incredible. We need to get rid of anything that might attract it."

He pointed at David.

David was stunned.

You bastard. I knew it. I wasn't worried about Erot, but you… I knew you'd cause problems eventually.

Raykhan asked,

"Why should we get rid of him instead of you? He can still walk. You're the one who's struggling."

William smirked.

"I told you—the demon can smell. And his clothes are drenched in blood. He's a walking scent beacon."

Raykhan fell silent. David was sweating, waiting for his judgment.

Suddenly, Raykhan grabbed William and walked away.

"Wait for me here," he said to David.

Then he beat William nearly to death before returning.

David asked,

"Why did you do that?"

Raykhan replied,

"Better you don't know."

David didn't ask again.

"It'll be dark soon. Let's head into the cave."

They entered the cave. Night fell. Inside, there wasn't even a sliver of light.

Raykhan couldn't see David but suddenly heard his voice.

"You're not sleeping, are you?"

David responded,

"Sleep? So you can kill me afterward?"

Raykhan smiled faintly and looked down.

"I'm sorry… I need to do it… for her. If it wasn't for her… I swear, I'd do everything to keep you alive."

David scoffed.

"Hearing this crap just makes me sick. Raykhan, I'm a mid-level warrior. But even I can't sense your aura. You're like darkness itself."

"I thought I could kill you painlessly. But it seems that won't happen."

David looked at Raykhan with a smirk.

"Who's dying here, bastard?"

Suddenly, a massive stream of blood poured from Raykhan's mouth.

Clutching his face, he asked,

"What is this?"

"It's the blood of the Forsaken. If you pour it into a water flask and drink it… well, what happens next isn't pleasant."

Raykhan's face twisted in rage.

"You bastard!"

He lunged at David and struck him hard.

David flew over 20 meters out of the cave, landing on his back. From the cave, came Raykhan's agonized, wheezing voice.

Stumbling out, Raykhan roared,

"Bastard! I'll tear you apart! I'll make your death so painful, you'll regret being born!"

Lying on the ground, David waited.

He whispered,

"Why are you quiet now, huh?"

Raykhan couldn't control his thoughts due to the blood of the Forsaken—it clouded his mind, forcing him to speak what he was truly thinking.

When he finally understood this, it was too late.

The demon landed behind him, grabbed him with its mon

strous hand, and began devouring him.

His screams echoed through the mountains—agonizing, terrifying.

David ran, glancing back at Raykhan.