Adrian Vale did not refuse the old woman's kindness.
He reached out, accepting the crimson velvet cloak she offered, intending at first to drape it over his shoulders as a cape. However, Brittany's petite frame made the cloak far too small for him to wear comfortably.
"Guess I'll use it as a scarf instead," Adrian muttered, as he shrugged and tried wrapping the cloak around his neck.
Brittany's grandmother noticed his hesitation and immediately raised her wand, muttering an incantation.
A soft shimmer passed through the fabric of the cloak, and it suddenly expanded, reshaping itself to fit Adrian perfectly, resting naturally over his armor.
Adrian blinked, a small smile playing at his lips. "So, that's magic..."
It was hard to grasp how easily reality could be altered. A simple flick of the wrist and now he had a perfectly fitted cloak. There was no craftsmanship or process to it, just pure raw magical power.
His gaze turned to Brittany.
Without her red cloak, she seemed... different. Something about her felt incomplete, as though a part of her had been stripped away.
Adrian didn't overthink it.
Without saying a word, he unclasped his own crimson cloak and draped it over Brittany's shoulders.
The silk fabric slid over her like water, cool and smooth to the touch, glistening with golden threads embroidered throughout. It was no ordinary cloak. It was beautiful, regal, and clearly crafted with care.
Brittany froze, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Sir... I can't accept this..." she stammered, trying to push the cloak away.
Adrian didn't respond. He merely adjusted it so that it sat more comfortably on her shoulders.
"Let's move," he said, offering no room for refusal.
The old hunter instinctively followed, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back. His hands fumbled through his pack before pulling out something wrapped in leather.
When he unfurled it, Adrian saw a piece of bright red fur—a perfectly preserved fox pelt.
The hunter's face flushed. "Bona... I... I prepared this for you, but if you don't want it, I can give it to Brittany…"
Before the old woman could refuse, the hunter pressed the pelt into her hands and turned to follow Adrian without further hesitation.
Bona didn't refuse, though she eyed the pelt carefully. She murmured to herself, "The color's too bright... doesn't suit me."
Then, with a smile, she looked at Brittany. "But this will suit you perfectly. I'll use this pelt along with the silk cape to create something even more beautiful for you."
Brittany barely paid attention to the pelt in her hands. Her mind was elsewhere—on the silk cloak Adrian had just given her.
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she found herself leaning in closer, almost instinctively, inhaling the scent of the cape Adrian had worn moments before.
The hunt began shortly after.
Baron, the old hunter, had brought six dogs with him. They were lean, sharp-eyed, and well-trained, ready for the task ahead.
One dog remained behind to guard the house, while the others, led by Baron, entered the forest.
When they reached the area where Adrian had previously wounded the beast, Baron crouched and examined the ground.
A large, dried patch of black blood remained.
Baron grinned. "Seems like that creature took quite a hit from you, my lord."
Adrian didn't respond immediately, his eyes scanning the forest around him. "Can you track it?"
Baron chuckled confidently. "Of course."
The old hunter signaled to the dogs, and the five remaining hounds lowered their noses to the ground. They began sniffing, their instincts guiding them deeper into the forest.
Baron took his machete and began cutting through the dense underbrush, clearing a path for Adrian to follow.
As they moved deeper into the woods, Baron occasionally glanced back. "My lord, if you grow tired, we can stop for a moment to rest."
Adrian didn't reply. His pace didn't slow. The weight of the thirty-kilogram armor felt like nothing more than a comfortable suit of clothes to him. He was used to it—had been for years.
Baron, on the other hand, began to show signs of fatigue as they continued on.
Adrian's stamina was incredible—beyond human limits. Even in full armor, he didn't tire.
Baron's thoughts raced as he struggled to keep up.
This man wasn't just any nobleman. Adrian Vale was something more.
This level of endurance, strength, and power couldn't come from regular training alone. It was something beyond the ordinary.
Baron could only assume that Adrian had been blessed, possibly since birth, by some supernatural force—a witch, a fairy, or some other powerful entity.
Such blessings were not something that ordinary families could afford.
The more Baron observed Adrian, the more his respect grew. This man was far more than a mere noble. His presence alone had an aura of royalty and power that few could match.
The hunt continued.
Baron's dogs led them further into the forest, moving with precision. Their keen noses didn't miss a thing.
Eventually, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, the dogs slowed, halting in a small valley.
They circled around, their sniffing frantic, trying to discern the right direction. The scent of the werewolf was everywhere.
Before they could proceed further, a sudden movement caught Adrian's eye.
A black shadow darted between the trees.
"THERE!" Baron shouted, his voice sharp.
The dogs immediately broke into a frenzied bark and chased after the shadow, following its erratic path.
Adrian and Baron wasted no time, immediately giving chase.
The forest became a blur of motion. The hounds dashed ahead, their paws pounding against the earth. Baron, quick and agile, led the way, hacking through the branches and undergrowth.
Ahead, the trees grew sparse, offering a brief moment of clarity.
Baron drew his bow with practiced precision and released an arrow.
It whistled through the air—sharp, fast, and deadly.
The creature reacted instantly. It twisted, crouching, rolling into the underbrush, narrowly avoiding the arrow that would have killed it.
But as it recoiled from the missed shot, it was met with something far worse.
Adrian Vale.
A massive figure, clad in shimmering armor. His presence alone was enough to paralyze the beast with fear. He surged forward like a tank, unstoppable, ready to crush anything in his path.
The creature tried to dodge—
Too late.
Adrian crashed into the bushes with tremendous force, sending branches and leaves flying in every direction.