Hope gritted his teeth.
His plan wasn't working.
Every time the fiend lunged and nearly fell from the towering platform, it somehow managed to save itself.
Its massive claws scraped against the stone, its body twisting at the last second to regain balance.
The beast was learning.
If this kept up—
It would catch on to his trick.
Hope's mind raced.
He needed to change tactics.
Something new.
Something it wouldn't expect.
Then—
"Let's play with darkness a little."
His lips curled into a smirk.
He taunted the fiend again, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Come on, you brainless mutt. Try harder!"
The fiend snarled.
It was desperate now.
Its hunger, frustration, and rage boiled into one.
Then—
It lunged.
Faster than before.
Jaws wide—
Claws reaching—
A flash of red glowing eyes.
And just as those claws were about to tear into him—
Hope activated his awakened ability.
In an instant, his body dissolved into pure darkness.
A shifting shadow.
An untouchable void.
The fiend, not expecting the sudden disappearance, lunged straight through him.
For a brief moment, Hope felt the chill of the creature's presence pass through his incorporeal form.
Then—
The fiend plummeted.
Its massive body hurtled downward, twisting wildly through the air.
It slammed into the jagged rocks below with a sickening crash.
Hope re-emerged from the darkness, his body solidifying once more.
The platform beneath him shuddered from the sheer force of the impact.
Dust and debris billowed into the air.
But it wasn't dead.
Hope's eyes narrowed as he peered over the edge.
Below—
The fiend twitched.
Its massive, broken form struggled to rise.
It was still alive.
"Tough bastard."
Hope exhaled, scanning the area.
Then, his gaze landed on something perfect.
A massive boulder.
Perched right near the edge of the platform.
A slow smirk spread across his face.
"Let's finish this."
He ran toward the rock, placing both hands against its rough surface.
Then—
He poured essence into his muscles.
A deep burn spread through his veins as strength surged into his limbs.
With a grunt, he pushed.
The boulder shifted.
Then—
It tilted forward.
And with one final heave, Hope sent it plummeting down.
A whistling rush of air—
Then—
BOOM.
The rock slammed directly onto the fiend.
A deep tremor shook the earth.
Then—
Silence.
Hope let out a slow breath.
Then, suddenly—
A voice echoed in his mind.
[You have slain the Dark Wolf.]
[Rank: Corrupted Fiend.]
[You have received a Memory.]
Hope's brows furrowed.
"A memory?"
Before he could question it further—
New words flashed before his eyes.
[Memory: Dark Cloak]
[Effect: Provides resistance against physical attacks to an extent.]
[Memory Description:]
"She asked him, 'Why are you covered in this?'"
"He answered, 'To hide my sins.'"
Hope blinked.
Then he snorted.
"Damn. The Veil has a poetic mind."
Without wasting time, he summoned the cloak.
A moment later—
A dark, fur-lined cloak materialized before him.
The fabric was thick, yet strangely light.
When he touched it—
It was warm.
Almost comforting.
Without hesitation, he threw it over his shoulders, pulling the hood up.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"This is cool."
He muttered to himself—
Then turned, stepping away from the edge.
Time to real my rewards