The wind howled through the treetops, biting at my cheeks and driving icy snowflakes against my face. 

Each gust pushed me back, forcing me to lean into the storm, my cloak billowing like a flag in surrender. 

Snow collected on my nose and lashes, blurring my vision.

I trudged through the deep drifts, the relentless cold seeping through my clothing, numbing my fingers and toes. 

With every step, the world around me grew quieter, the howling wind becoming a distant roar, muffled by the thick blanket of white.

This damned storm will be the death of me, I thought, gritting my teeth against another blast of frigid air.

 [I hope there's a syndicate camp nearby…]

Suddenly, a shift in the air drew my attention. 

I glanced toward the treeline, where shadows danced ominously amid the swirling snow. 

My heart raced, instincts honed from years of hunting kicking in. There, partially concealed by the branches, a Velkhorn emerged.

The creature's massive frame was draped in layers of fur, the deep browns and blacks helping it blend into the forest. 

Its legs were sturdy and powerful, built for traversing the harsh terrain. 

But it was its head that captivated me—the sharp, spiraling horns curled around its torso like natural armor.

The Velkhorn's body was a testament to evolution in this harsh environment.

compact and muscular, with a low center of gravity that allowed it to move through the snow-covered landscape with ease.

The creature's most striking feature, however, was its eyes. 

As the Velkhorn sniffed the ground, its red eyes scanned the area with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. 

Those eyes, glowing like embers in the storm, seemed to pierce through the chaos of snow and wind, drawing me in. 

A predatory intelligence flickered behind them, and I could sense its curiosity, mingled with caution.

I took a slow step back, trying to remain unseen, but the Velkhorn's attention was unwavering.

 Its nostrils flared, drinking in the scent of the frigid air, and I could almost hear the soft crunch of its hooves as it took a tentative step forward.

"Just my fucking luck…" 

I whispered to myself, feeling the weight of my rifle against my shoulder. 

The Velkhorn was extremely dangerous, and I had no intention of becoming its next meal.

Stay calm, I told myself, even as my heart hammered against my ribs.

 [You've faced worse. Just... don't... move…]

It sniffed the ground again, then lifted its head, surveying the white expanse as if gauging the threat I posed.

 I could feel its muscles tense, a coiled spring ready to pounce or flee. 

The storm raged around us, swirling snowflakes caught in the chaos of its movement.

I tightened my grip on the rifle, muscles tensed in anticipation. 

The Velkhorn's horns glinted in the dim light, a stark contrast to the white world around us. 

For a fleeting moment, I felt an uneasy calm settle between us, but that tranquility shattered as the creature suddenly charged.

Its massive body surged forward, snow flying in its wake, and instinct kicked in. I dropped into a crouch, fumbling to pull my rifle from my shoulder.

[Focus!]

I told myself, adrenaline coursing through my veins. But the Velkhorn was faster.

Before I could level my aim, it barreled toward me. 

I twisted to dodge, but the beast was relentless, ramming into me with bone-crushing force. 

Pain exploded in my side as its horns sliced across my stomach.

I hit the ground hard, the snow around me exploding in a cloud of white. 

The Velkhorn loomed over me, its monstrous form blocking out the light. I could see its mouth open wide, drool dripping onto the ground, pooling in the snow with a sickening slowness.

Panic clawed at my throat, a primal fear unlike anything I'd ever experienced. 

My breath came in short, ragged gasps, and I could hear my pulse pounding in my ears. 

Time seemed to slow, each second stretching into eternity as I stared death in the face.

This is it, a voice screamed in my head.

[This is how I die. Torn apart by a Velkhorn in the middle of nowhere.]

But I couldn't afford to show weakness. With a quick, instinctive motion, I scooped up a handful of snow and threw it directly into the Velkhorn's face.

The powdery flakes exploded against its muzzle, but the beast barely flinched, its crimson eyes still fixed on me with unnerving intensity.

"Uh... good Velkhorn?..." 

I quipped with a nervous smile, like someone trying to calm a wild animal.

The Velkhorn snorted, its breath fogging in the icy air, and I could feel the vibrations of its growl reverberating through the ground. 

The beast's massive horns swayed above me, each movement bringing them closer to my vulnerable flesh. 

I could smell its breath—a nauseating mix of rotting meat and something else.

Just as I braced for the inevitable strike, a flash of movement caught my eye—a glint of metal slicing through the air.

Before I could react, a sickle pierced the Velkhorn's skull with a sickening crunch.

The beast let out a guttural roar that echoed through the storm, its eyes widening in shock.

It staggered back for a heartbeat before collapsing, its massive body falling directly on top of me.

Warmth spread across my cloak as the creature's blood soaked into the fabric, splattering across my face in thick, crimson drops. 

I gasped, the metallic scent overwhelming my senses, and instinctively shoved the beast off me, struggling to breathe beneath its weight.

[I'm alive?]

The thought barely registering through the haze of adrenaline and fear.

[How the hell am I still alive?]

As I rolled the Velkhorn aside, I caught sight of a figure emerging from the swirling snow. 

A man with dirty blonde hair, his eyes a piercing red, stood there, a dark red fur-lined coat billowing around him. 

He yanked the sickle free from the creature's head, the blade glinting ominously as he slashed the air, flicking blood from its edge.

He turned to me, the storm raging behind him, and his expression hardened. 

“Who the hell are you?"