NOVPUB
Chapter 62: Playback
Jayden jogged through the glowing streets of the city, his breathing steady, the rhythm of his steps matching the pulse of his thoughts. The air smelled of asphalt, exhaust, and something softer—like the lingering whispers of dreams and daylight.
When he reached the park, the quiet serenity wrapped around him like a warm cloak. Birds chirped overhead, and a soft wind carried the laughter of kids from afar. Jayden moved deeper into the trees, into the clearing where he usually trained. It was isolated, quiet, hidden.
He leapt up onto a towering tree in a single bound, landing on a thick branch with the grace of a predator. His muscles tensed, and then he pushed off again, soaring between limbs, completing the agility portion of his quest. Then he dropped to the ground, walked over to the boulder tucked beneath the roots, and with a growl of exertion, lifted it over his head. Dust cascaded off it like mist.
A ding echoed faintly in his head—
Daily Quest (3/3) Complete
[+10 stat points received]
[+10 Exp received]
Jayden exhaled and made his way to a bench near the park’s edge, where the world fell still. The air was crisp, the golden light flickering between tree branches. He sat, elbows on knees, chest still rising and falling from the exertion... but his mind was elsewhere.
The voice recorder he found that morning. It was actually sent from Miss Kate as he’d already listened to it.
He closed his eyes, and just like that—her voice returned to him. Smooth. Calm, and familiar.
*******
[Playback Initiated...]
"Jayden, if you’re hearing this, then I’ve already left. I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye in person, but... I had no choice. It’s family-related. And family... well, you know how it is."
There was a beat of silence. A sigh.
"You’re probably wondering what’s going on. Why I’ve been watching you, why I told you those things. The truth is... you’re not just a typical, everyday werewolf. You’re something more special. Just like me... just like your mum."
Jayden clenched his fists.
"You’ve probably figured it out by now—your body can shift in different forms. Most especially the Lupine form. Not every werewolf can do that. Most barely even control their Lycan forms. That’s what makes you special."
"There’s something else you need to know. Lycans... we don’t evolve the way other humans do. We don’t need evolution serums. Our abilities come from within—from our genes. That’s how I can use wind, and your mother... she wielded ice like it was second nature."
A sharp breath escaped Jayden’s lips.
"You have an ability too. I don’t know what it is, but you’ll know soon enough. And when you do—hide it. Use it wisely. Don’t let anyone see it unless you trust them with your life. Because being a Lycan... it puts a target on your back."
There was a brief pause. A shift in tone—more playful now.
"And yes, I knew about your hunting spree. Don’t look so surprised. You think I didn’t know what you were doing with the free time the school granted you." she chuckled.
"Just... try not to overdo it. Go easy on the beasts, will you? And don’t get killed. That would really ruin my day."
Jayden smiled faintly despite himself.
"But now I have to scold you, Jayden. On the big of the full moon.. you messed up. Big time. You could’ve hurt people. You nearly did. I found you in the forest, tearing through beasts like a savage, your aura was feral and uncontrollable. And I was going to intervene... knock you out, if necessary."
"But then... I saw someone. Sitting on a tree branch nearby. Watching and protecting you. Which made me realise... you probably trusted her with everything."
Jayden’s eyes widened. His breath caught.
"She was fending off other beasts trying to sneak up on you. She didn’t run. She stayed, like a shield. That girl’s stronger than she looks... I taught her well."
Jayden was slightly confused by what the last part meant, but he just gave a warm chuckle.
"And if you ask me... she’s more than just an ally to you, isn’t she? Well... Don’t lie to yourself, Jayden. Your heart always speaks before your head catches up."
Her voice softened, fading like a breeze.
"I don’t know when I’ll see you again, but I will. Until then—stay sharp. Stay hidden. Stay alive. And don’t forget... the moon always watches her children."
*******
Jayden sat frozen, the sunset washing his skin in molten light. His heartbeat slowed, his fingers curling over the edge of the bench.
Jessica.
She had indeed been with him that night. Watching over him.
Everything Miss Kate said confirmed what he’d started to feel for months—that he wasn’t just different, he was rare. Special. And incredibly... alone.
But not entirely. Not if he could protect those who still stood by him.
The breeze ruffled his hair, and Jayden stood, his jaw tightening with new resolve.
No more doubts. No more hesitation.
If he was going to survive this world—if he was going to make it to the top of the food chain—he’d need to do more than fight.
He’d need to evolve. And protect the people who mattered. Even from himself.
After a while of thinking, Jayden left the park. And the walk home was calm—until it wasn’t.
Jayden had just veered off the main road, slipping through the familiar shortcut between two tall apartment buildings, when something changed. The air itself shifted. A strange chill laced the wind, brushing his skin like icy fingers.
He paused mid-step.
It was too quiet.
Then—
A deep growl rumbled from the shadows ahead, primal and low, like the warning of a storm rolling over a mountain.
And from the veil of darkness, it emerged.
A massive wolf, its snow-white fur glistening under the pale moonlight like fresh frost. Electric-blue lines ran in glowing rivers down its flanks, pulsing faintly with cold energy. Each pawstep left a soft print of frost on the concrete.
Jayden’s heart skipped a beat. His senses screamed danger, but there was something else—something eerily familiar about this beast.
He took a cautious step back, muscles tensing as the creature’s glowing eyes locked onto his.
"How did a beast get here?" he thought, just before he was interrupted by a sudden notification from the system.
*Quest Reminder:
[Defeat the Winter wolf and become the new Alpha]
Jayden’s eyes widened. "Wait... no way," he muttered.
This was it. The very same beast from that first hunt. The Alpha he hadn’t been strong enough to face before. The one that had repelled his Beastlord aura.
The one that let him run away.. in hopes of having a proper fight someday.
And now... it was here. In the city. In an alleyway.
Why?
Was it tracking him? Testing him? Or was it already time for their proper fight?
The Winter Wolf growled again, ice-cold vapor curling from its fangs. Its massive paws took slow, deliberate steps forward, claws tapping on the concrete like nails on glass.
There was something about it... it was different. It seemed bigger, it’s aura was sharper, and it’s normal red eyes were now sapphire in colour.
Jayden immediately dropped into a defensive stance, his eyes narrowing as he quickly activated dragon eye.
_____
Name: Winter wolf (Alpha)
Rank: C-Rank
Ability: Cryokinesis
HP: 1000 / 1000
_____
Jayden’s eyes widened. "Shit... it’s already C-Rank."
