The night was cold, the air thick with mist as Leon moved beyond the city's edge. The Hollow Fang's information led him to the ruins two miles north.
Nyx padded silently beside him, its dark fur blending seamlessly into the shadows.
Ahead, the landscape changed. The ruins loomed in the distance, broken stone pillars jutting out from the earth like the bones of a forgotten beast.
Leon's instincts screamed danger.
The phantom beast was here.
---
The Presence in the Dark
Leon crouched low, scanning the ruins. There were no tracks. No signs of movement.
"Something isn't right," he murmured.
Nyx let out a low growl. Its violet eyes flickered—then suddenly, it disappeared into the shadows.
Leon tensed. It wasn't running. It was hiding.
That meant—
Something was watching them.
A chill ran down his spine.
He turned slowly, his hand resting on the dagger at his waist. His eyes searched the darkness—nothing.
Then—
A flicker.
A shadow moved.
And then—it struck.
---
The Phantom Beast Revealed
Leon barely had time to react before a blur of darkness lunged toward him.
He rolled to the side, avoiding the strike by inches. A sharp gust of wind sliced through the space where he had been standing.
It was fast. Too fast.
Leon spun, drawing his dagger.
For the first time, he saw it.
A creature of pure black mist, shifting and twisting, its form never staying solid for more than a second. Eyes like dying embers flickered from within its smoky body.
And then—
[Beast Identified: Ebonshade Wraith]
[Epic Grade, Level ???]
Leon's heart pounded.
Epic Grade.
This wasn't just rare—this was a monster that only top tamers could hope to control.
And yet, here it was, standing before him.
Hunting him.
---
Surviving the Wraith
The Ebonshade Wraith hissed, its form twisting like living smoke. Then—it vanished.
Leon barely had time to react before a force slammed into his back.
He hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet just in time to dodge the next strike.
Damn. It's too fast.
Nyx appeared from the shadows, growling, its fur bristling.
"Nyx, use Shadow Bind!"
Dark tendrils shot out—but they passed through the wraith as if it wasn't even there.
Leon's eyes widened.
Physical attacks won't work.
The Wraith let out a low, haunting screech.
And then—it attacked again.
Leon barely had time to breathe.
---