Chapter 17: The Blood That Bites

Ash sat under the crooked tree, clutching his arm where the beast’s claws had torn through. Blood dripped steady, dark against the dirt.

Most people would’ve passed out from the pain. He just stared, teeth grit, and laughed under his breath.

“Guess that’s rent for today…” he muttered, forcing himself to his feet.

The wound burned hotter than fire, but something else burned deeper. That same strange hunger. Pain wasn’t killing him—it was feeding him.

The air around him felt sharp, heavy, like the world itself was watching. Ash flexed his bleeding hand, smirked through the ache.

“…Yeah, I’m still here. Keep the hits coming.”