Bristleback Grawls!
Large as boars, their bulky forms bristled with quills like twisted porcupines. Their small, red eyes locked on him with hostile intent.
Ethan cursed under his breath.
He knew these creatures well — they were supposed to be solitary, territorial but not aggressive unless provoked. Their sharp quills? Lethal. Especially the third ones… those carried a sleep-inducing poison strong enough to bring down even Rank Ones like him if they landed clean.
And yet—here they were. Not one. Not two. But a whole pack.
Acting together, unnaturally coordinated.
Another side effect of Loki's interference.
Beasts that shouldn't even be working together were now swarming him.
His heart pounded harder.
He didn't stop running — he couldn't afford to.
Just one quill piercing him, and it would be all over.
His only hope—
'Mana Sense—!'
