Jamal found himself, for the first time, facing an opponent equal to him in size—yet far more terrifying. Sharp claws, cold eyes, and a presence that felt nothing like a normal enemy. Jamal froze for a moment, and the werewolf took advantage of it, attacking with incredible speed, striking left and right without giving him a moment to breathe.
When the first opening appeared, the creature lunged and bit Jamal on the shoulder, leaving a painful wound that forced him back. Jamal retaliated with a punch to its abdomen, but it had no effect.
The werewolf smiled, wiped his mouth, and said:
"You can't defeat me… do you know why?"
Jamal could barely stand, pressing on his injured shoulder, while the werewolf walked toward him slowly:
"Because I'm one of the experiments of the Light Stones. The stone you're holding… is the same one they used on me, but improved. Enhanced speed… and the senses of a wolf."
He added confidently:
"You have two options: resist and suffer… or surrender, and I'll finish this quickly."
Liana and Ryan—who was carrying the girl—were trembling. Jamal glanced at them with difficulty and said:
"I'm sorry… I can't keep fighting."
Then he collapsed unconscious from the pain. Ryan froze. Jamal, who could defeat entire groups, had fallen after a single clash.
The pressure was overwhelming; even thinking became hard. Ryan whispered to Liana:
"Take the girl… and run."
But before they could move, the werewolf appeared right in front of them, his expression cold:
"Don't try. Whatever you do, I'll kill you."
Neither Ryan nor Liana could react; fear paralyzed them.
At that moment, Ryan's stone suddenly glowed with an intense golden light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
When Ryan opened his eyes… he found himself inside the stone's inner chamber.
He shouted:
"No! Not now—get me out of here!"
He looked around in panic before Selene appeared, grabbing him by the collar:
"Calm down, Ryan."
Ryan protested:
"Send me back now! We're done for!"
Selene replied, calm but firm:
"Don't worry… Chris is out there. He'll take your place."
Ryan stared in shock.
"Chris? What can a former soldier do against that monster?"
Selene smiled:
"You don't know how many stone users and failed experiments Chris has defeated before."
Chris took full control of Ryan's body. The werewolf immediately sensed the change—from someone drowning in fear to someone whose eyes carried an unusual confidence.
Chris smiled and said quietly, with a tone that felt like a threat:
"You look a little fun…"
He leaned toward the werewolf's ear and whispered:
"Wanna play?"
In a sudden moment, the werewolf found himself thrown into the air, completely stunned.
Liana watched in disbelief and whispered:
"That… was Aikido?"
Chris, still controlling Ryan's body, stepped back and looked at Liana. He mouthed silently:
"Go… take the girl and leave."
She obeyed and ran off, leaving Chris and the werewolf alone.
The werewolf, furious, charged with unbelievable speed. But Chris was faster, dodging each strike with perfect precision.
At one point, Chris stumbled over one of the unconscious people on the ground. The werewolf laughed, thinking Chris had made a fatal mistake.
"You're finished!" he said mockingly, assuming the blood he saw belonged to Ryan.
But his smile didn't last.
Chris used the moment strategically—lifting the body as a shield, blocking the werewolf's vision, then striking him directly in the throat, finally causing real damage.
The werewolf realized the danger but smirked:
"Fine… I admit it. You deserve to know my name before I kill you. I am Black Wolf. Tell me yours, so I won't forget it after you're dead."
Chris replied coldly:
"My name isn't worthy of being spoken by scum like you."
Black Wolf attacked again without mercy, but Chris used a clever opening to jab two fingers toward his opponent's eyes, blinding him temporarily.
Chris quickly looped a chain around the werewolf's neck.
Black Wolf thought, startled:
"Where did this chain come from…? Did he take it from someone on the ground?"
He tried to resist, but Chris tightened his hold until the creature finally collapsed unconscious.
The fight was over.
Chris left Ryan's body and returned into the stone.
When Ryan woke up, the pain was intense. Selene was next to him, saying:
"Chris pushed your body too far… these are the side effects."
Ryan passed out again. Selene tried to wake him, but failed.
Jamal woke up slowly, pale but conscious, and muttered:
"Your voice is annoying… I'm awake."
He stood with effort, lifting Ryan's weakened body, step by step, until they found Liana running toward them with the police, tears in her eyes.
Relief washed over Jamal, and he fell to his knees.
The police took both Ryan and Jamal to the hospital. They were placed in the same room, while the ghost girl stayed in the room next door.
Liana sat outside, waiting anxiously for either of them to wake up.