Chapter 73 - 073: Zane

When the system finally confirmed that the first beast had been soothed, Anaria moved to the second. Then the third.

By the time she reached the last one, her body was already exhausted.

Still, she continued until the system chimed again.

[Ding.]

[The corruption level of the three wild beasts has been successfully reduced.]

[Purification successful.]

Anaria released a tired breath. "Finally."

She tried to stand. Her legs gave way.

Kai, who had already recovered enough to stand, quickly rushed forward and caught her before she could fall. "Anaria!"

"I’m fine," she murmured, though her body clearly disagreed.

Kai helped her sit against a nearby tree trunk. Kenai approached them with the baby still in his arms. "You should rest."

Anaria nodded weakly. She looked toward the three beasts.

They were still lying motionless on the ground, but their bodies no longer looked as tense as before.

Their breathing had become steady.

The system appeared once again.

[Mini-task completed.]

[Host has successfully captured and soothed three highly corrupted wild beasts.]

[Reward obtained: Beast Guidance.]

Anaria slowly opened her eyes. "Beast Guidance?"

[The purified beasts possess knowledge of the surrounding territory. If they choose to assist Host, they can guide Host through unfamiliar areas and provide a faster route toward Rylan’s location.]

Anaria looked at the three unconscious beasts.

"So they can help us find Rylan?"

[Correct.]

That information immediately caught her attention. Before she could ask another question, the system continued.

[Additional reward: Corruption Resistance has been temporarily granted to Host and mates.]

Anaria blinked. "What does that mean?"

[Host and mates will have increased resistance against the corruption affecting the surrounding territory.]

Anaria was about to ask how long the effect would last when the system disappeared. She leaned her head against the tree.

At least they had gained something useful from the encounter.

Kenai sat beside her while Kai remained nearby, keeping watch over the three beasts.

The baby cub had stopped crying and was now resting peacefully in Kenai’s arms.

Anaria looked at the unconscious creatures once more.

If the system was telling the truth, they could lead them closer to Rylan. But there was still one question she could not stop thinking about.

Why had these beasts become so corrupted in the first place?

She looked toward the deeper part of the forest.

Whatever had happened here seemed to be connected to the danger surrounding Rylan.

For now, however, there was nothing more she could do.

Anaria closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest. The three beasts remained unconscious beside them.

The three beasts remained unconscious for some time.

Anaria was still resting against the tree trunk when she noticed one of them move. Its fingers twitched first, followed by a slight movement of its head. Anaria immediately straightened, and both Kenai and Kai became alert.

The beast slowly opened its eyes.

For a moment, it only stared at the trees above them. Then it suddenly sat up, looking around in confusion. "Where are we?"

Its voice was rough and uncertain.

The other two began to stir as well. One lifted its head, while the other pushed itself up from the ground and looked around nervously. "What happened?"

"Why are we here?" They seemed completely confused by their surroundings.

Kenai immediately stepped closer to Anaria, his body tense. Kai moved to the other side, keeping his eyes on the three beasts.

The three noticed them and became cautious.

Anaria raised a hand. "Don’t be afraid."

The beasts looked at her.

"You were unconscious when you woke up," she explained. "You attacked us before, but I didn’t hurt you. I only soothed you until you returned to normal."

They exchanged confused glances. "You... soothed us?"

Anaria nodded. "Yes."

The beasts slowly looked at one another. They seemed to be trying to remember something, but their expressions only became more troubled.

"I don’t remember attacking you," one of them admitted.

"Neither do I."

Anaria studied them carefully. "If you don’t remember, then what happened to you?"

The three remained quiet. One of them lowered its head before finally speaking. "We were fighting."

"Fighting who?"

"Another clan."

Anaria frowned.

"We were fighting them when something happened," the beast continued. "After that... I don’t remember anything."

The others nodded. "It was like everything disappeared."

Anaria glanced at Kenai and Kai before looking back at them.

"Stress, did you see a wolf?"

The three beasts froze.

Anaria continued, "A dark wolf."

Their expressions changed immediately. One of them looked frightened. "The wolf..."

Anaria noticed it. "You saw one?"

The beast swallowed. "That was the one who attacked us."

Kenai’s expression hardened. Kai immediately stepped closer.

Anaria was confused. "Attacked you?"

They nodded. "It was a dark wolf. It appeared while we were fighting. After that, everything became chaotic."

Anaria’s heart tightened.

Rylan was a wolf beastman.

Could it have been him?

"Was the wolf tall?" she asked quickly. "Dark fur? Did he have a scar on his body?"

The beast shook its head. "No."

Another spoke. "He was not like the wolf you’re thinking about."

Anaria stared at them. "What do you mean?"

The beast continued, "The wolf who attacked us was different. He looked like what you just described"

Anaria’s thoughts immediately turned to Zane.

She had never seen him herself, but everything she had learned about Rylan’s stepbrother came rushing back to her.

If it wasn’t Rylan, then there was only one person who came to mind.

Zane.

"Where did this happen?" Anaria asked.

The beasts exchanged glances. They hesitated.

Anaria noticed the fear in their eyes. "You need to tell me."

One of them shook its head. "You helped us. We don’t want to lead you into danger."

Anaria frowned. "I need to know where it happened."

The beast looked at her for a long moment before finally giving in. "It happened beyond the old forest path."

He pointed in a direction. "Farther north."

Anaria immediately looked toward the path. "We have to go."

Kenai nodded, and Kai quickly gathered their things.

They had barely taken a few steps when one of the beasts suddenly called out.

"Wait!"

Anaria turned.

"You won’t reach them in time if you follow that path."

Anaria stopped. "What?"

The beast stood and pointed toward another direction.

"There is an old hunting route. It is hidden now, but we know it well." He looked toward the trees. "That way will take you there faster."

Anaria looked at the narrow opening between the trees. "Are you sure?"

"We used it before."

The beast hesitated before adding, "And... we saw another wolf."

Anaria’s heart jumped. "Rylan?"

The beast shook its head.

"We don’t know his name. But he looked helpless, and he was being taken away with the others."

Anaria’s face changed.

It had to be him.

Rylan was alive.

She turned to Kenai and Kai. "Let’s go."

They immediately followed her.

Before Anaria left, she turned back to the three beasts.

"Thank you."

The three looked at her.

"You saved us first," one of them replied.

Another lowered his head.

"Just be careful."

Anaria smiled softly.

"I will."

But one of the beasts suddenly stepped forward.

He reached for Anaria’s hands.

She looked at him in surprise as he placed a small object into her open palms.

"This may help you on your journey."

Anaria looked down at it, then back at him.

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you."

She gently blew across her palms.

The three beasts watched as the faint warmth of her magic passed over the object.

Anaria closed her hands around it.

Then she turned and hurried after Kenai and Kai.

The three beasts remained behind, watching until she disappeared among the trees.