17: The first Quest

The hum of everyday life in Beacon Hills was an odd contrast to the chaos brewing inside me. I sat on my bed, staring at the glowing interface of the system in my mind.

[System Notification:

First Quest: Eliminate the rogue beta terrorizing the outskirts of town.

Objective: Defeat the rogue beta werewolf.

Reward: Ability Upgrade - Enhanced Senses, 200 System Points, and 5% Fenrir Bloodline Progression.]

"Great," I muttered to myself, rubbing my temples. "First real challenge, and it's a fight to the death. No pressure."

The system's voice chimed in, calm and matter-of-fact.

[Host should not hesitate. Rogue betas are unstable, dangerous, and a threat to civilians. Failure to act could lead to unnecessary casualties.]

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled. "You're not the one who has to throw hands with a psycho werewolf."

The system didn't respond, leaving me to wrestle with my nerves.

A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts. Scott peeked in, looking more frazzled than usual.

"Hey," he said hesitantly. "You okay? You've been quiet all morning."

I hesitated. "Yeah, just... thinking about everything Derek said yesterday."

Scott sighed, stepping into the room. "Tell me about it. This whole 'werewolf' thing? I can't wrap my head around it. And now he's telling us we're targets? What does that even mean?"

I forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Means we've officially graduated from normal teenage problems to supernatural survival. Congrats."

Scott didn't laugh. He flopped onto my desk chair, his face lined with worry. "You're handling this a lot better than I am. How are you not freaking out?"

If only he knew. The weight of the system's quest, the looming battle, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead—it was all I could think about. But Scott didn't need my fears on top of his own.

"I don't know," I said, shrugging. "Maybe I'm just good at pretending."

He gave me a weak smile. "Wish I could do that."

The truth was, I wasn't sure how I'd handle what came next. But one thing was certain: I couldn't let Scott get dragged into this.

That evening, I stood at the edge of the woods, the air thick with tension. The system had pinpointed the rogue beta's location, a secluded area near an old abandoned mill on the outskirts of town.

"Alright, system," I muttered under my breath. "Any last-minute advice?"

[Host is advised to rely on heightened senses and Fenrir's bloodline. Caution is recommended. The rogue beta possesses significant physical strength but lacks control due to its unstable condition.]

"Noted."

I stepped into the woods, my senses on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig sent a jolt through me. The closer I got to the mill, the stronger the scent of something primal and wild became.

And then I saw it.

The rogue beta stood in the clearing, its hulking frame illuminated by the pale moonlight. Its claws were extended, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto me with predatory intent. Blood matted its fur, and its snarls echoed in the quiet night.

For a moment, doubt crept in. What was I doing here? What if I wasn't ready?

But the system's voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

[Host should engage immediately. Hesitation will increase the rogue beta's aggression.]

"Right," I muttered. "Here goes nothing."

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the clearing, meeting the rogue beta's gaze.

"Hey!" I called out, trying to steady my voice. "You're not exactly making a good case for werewolves staying under the radar, you know."

The beta snarled, baring its teeth as it crouched, ready to pounce.

"Engage now," the system urged.

The beta lunged, and I barely had time to react. I dove to the side, narrowly avoiding its claws. My heart pounded as adrenaline surged through me.

"Okay, plan B," I muttered, shifting into my wolf form.

The transformation was seamless, my muscles rippling with newfound strength. Claws extended, eyes glowing red, I felt the power of Fenrir's bloodline coursing through me.

The beta snarled again, charging at me with reckless abandon. This time, I met its attack head-on.

Our claws clashed, sending sparks flying. I dodged a swipe aimed at my throat and countered with a quick slash to its side. The beta howled in pain but didn't back down.

It came at me again, faster this time, its claws raking across my arm. Pain flared, but I gritted my teeth and pressed on.

"You're stronger than I thought," I said through gritted teeth, circling the rogue. "But strength without control? It's useless."

The beta didn't seem interested in conversation. It lunged again, and this time, I saw an opening.

Drawing on the system's guidance, I unleashed a move I hadn't tried before. My claws glowed faintly as I channeled Fenrir's bloodline into my attack. With a powerful swipe, I struck the beta across the chest, sending it sprawling to the ground.

The rogue struggled to get up, its movements sluggish. I could see the fight leaving its body, but I didn't let my guard down.

"Yield," I growled, my voice carrying an unnatural authority.

The beta's glowing eyes dimmed slightly as it looked up at me, panting heavily. For a moment, I thought it might surrender.

But then it snarled one last time, lunging at me with its remaining strength.

I reacted instinctively, delivering a final blow that knocked it unconscious.

The clearing fell silent except for the sound of my own labored breathing.

[System Notification:

Quest Completed: Eliminate the rogue beta.

Rewards: Ability Upgrade - Enhanced Senses, 200 System Points, 5% Fenrir Bloodline Progression.]

As the notification faded, a wave of energy washed over me. My senses sharpened even further, and I felt a surge of power unlike anything I'd experienced before.

I shifted back into my human form, staring down at the rogue beta. Despite its aggression, I couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

"What happened to you?" I murmured.

The system's voice answered, calm as always.

[Rogue betas are often victims of forced transformations or abandonment. Without guidance, they succumb to their instincts, losing their humanity in the process.]

I clenched my fists. "And how many more are out there like this?"

[Unknown. Host is advised to remain vigilant. This was only the beginning.]

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. The fight had been a harsh reminder of what lay ahead. But it had also shown me what I was capable of—and what I needed to do.

As I left the clearing, the weight of my new reality settled on my shoulders. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to face it. For Scott, for our family, and for the town I called home.