Chapter 67: Aidan Darkhowl
A faded transit hub curved into the hillside like a forgotten relic of a more glorious era. Its name loomed overhead on a tattered banner that flapped gently in the breeze:
> [Transit Nexus: Nova Gate – Hallow Branch]
Lei Feng stood before the arch, the corners of his mouth twitching downward.
"Yeah... no way I'm walking a hundred and forty-three kilometers back to Volaris," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I must get transport from here—even though this place looks seriously out of place."
But then the realization hit him like a thunderbolt.
"…Wait. My Corelink bracelet's ruined. How the hell am I supposed to transfer credits?"
His steps slowed as he entered the station, uncertainty curling around him like mist.
Compared to the main branch in Volaris City, the Hallow Branch felt like the discarded shadow of its counterpart. Gone were the obsidian-white walls streaked with mythsteel veins. Gone the glowing cerulean runes humming with mana.
Instead, a cracked concrete shell stretched before him—walls yellowed with time, wires protruding from open panels, vines clinging to the upper facade like nature's attempt to reclaim the structure. The air was stale with dust and diesel fumes, barely lit by flickering lanterns that cast long, distorted shadows along the corridors.
Hovercars were nowhere in sight. Instead, a row of outdated transports squatted like rusting beetles, their once-lustrous bodies dulled with wear and grit.
Lei Feng exhaled and wandered forward, scanning for anyone who might look like a driver. Eventually, he found someone—a man leaning against a sleek black vehicle, the paint buffed just enough to show care despite the old model.
The man wore a brown shirt, unbuttoned and wind-worn, and a face cap pulled low over his eyes as he scrolled through his phone.
"Excuse me, sir," Lei Feng said, polite but firm. "I'm looking for a ride to Volaris City."
The man raised his head lazily.
Thick, unkempt beards framed a pale face. A single earring glinted beneath one long, pointed ear. His green eyes flickered with brief irritation—until they landed fully on Lei Feng.
"An Elf?" Lei mumbled aloud without meaning to.
The driver's brows snapped together. "And what's wrong with that?!"
His voice cut through the still air—but then something shifted. A realization passed between them. The elf's posture softened as his gaze lingered on Lei Feng's outfit.
"…Ah. Young master," he said, giving a cupped-fist bow. "Apologies for my rudeness. Please present your ticket and I'll get you on the road in no time."
Lei Feng blinked. "Ticket?"
"Yes," the elf replied, raising a brow. "Standard protocol. You purchase one inside. Drivers don't attend to passengers without them."
Lei Feng slapped his forehead. "Right… Lee Brian was a private driver, so I skipped that part entirely." He gave a wry grin. "Got it. Where's the counter?"
"Straight ahead. Look for a guy named Darkhowl."
"Darkhowl?" Lei Feng muttered. "Is that a name or a dungeon boss title?"
He followed the direction and soon approached a broad counter embedded into the wall. Seated beside it was a massive man, thick-armed and relaxed in a dented metal chair. He wore a stretched-out vest over a white shirt. A wild tangle of long, shaggy hair framed his face, and patches of gray fur were visible on his arms and peeking out from his collar.
Werewolf?!
No… Wolfkin, Lei Feng corrected after a moment of intense scrutiny.
There was something about the man that didn't scream "human"—a primal aura, restrained power coiled like a beast ready to spring.
His rugged appearance was softened only by the lazy way he turned a Rubik's cube in one clawed hand, movements precise and unhurried. His eyes, hidden behind tinted sunglasses, didn't even glance up.
"System," Lei whispered, activating a scan.
> Name: Aidan Darkhowl
Race: Wolfkin
Status: Evolver
Level: 40 (Primal Alpha)
Class: Brawler
Level 40… Primal Alpha. Not an Awakener, but an Evolver?
> [Awakened humans become Awakeners. Beastkin become Evolvers. Both grow through mana cultivation and magic training. Evolvers, however, emphasize bodily evolution and physical prowess, relying more on instinct than structured spellcasting or system-driven progression.]
Then why does he still have a magic class? Lei Feng asked mentally.
> [Because all beings in this world follow the same magic-class system. Everyone awakens a single class—unless they're an exception. Like you.]
Lei Feng nodded slightly.
A low, gravelly voice cut across the air.
"Hey. You gonna keep staring, or are you gonna come over here?"
Lei Feng flinched. "S-Sorry."
He approached quickly. The closer he got, the heavier the air seemed to grow—thick with barely restrained power.
"So, kid, what do you want?" Darkhowl asked, lowering his sunglasses just enough to reveal glowing crimson eyes.
Lei Feng's breath hitched. Predator. That was the only word that came to mind.
"I was told to come to you for a ticket to Volaris City."
"Fifteen thousand credits."
Lei Feng's jaw dropped. "That's five thousand more than the official fee!"
"This isn't the city," Darkhowl said flatly. "This is a wilderness safe zone. No subsidies. No regulated pricing. You don't want to pay, then walk."
"No—I mean, I do want to pay," Lei said quickly, waving both hands. "Just… got a bit of a problem. My Corelink bracelet's broken. I can't access my credits."
Darkhowl stared blankly.
"…You lived under a rock or got pampered in some castle your whole life?"
Why is everyone assuming I'm rich?! Lei groaned internally.
"Hmph. Figured as much," Darkhowl muttered. "Another clueless rich kid."
He folded his arms. "You know you can transfer credits using your phone, right? Or don't tell me you didn't even know that?"
Lei Feng rubbed the back of his head. "Y-Yeah… I didn't."
Darkhowl's jaw dropped. "Unbelievable. What bank?"
"Celestial Credit Union."
Darkhowl's ears perked up. "Same here. Alright. I'll teach you—but it'll cost extra."
"No problem."
The tutorial began. First, download the app. Then log in with name, energy variant, and package…
"Place your fingerprint," Darkhowl instructed, "and the system will scan your soul ID."
Lei Feng obeyed. A moment later, the screen glowed green.
> CoreLink Account – Lei Feng
Package: Basic (F-Class)
Security Tier: Basic
Balance: 1,010,000 Credits
Status: Registered
Bank: Celestial Credit Union
Lei Feng's eyes widened. "Perfect!"
"Good. You're in." Darkhowl's voice turned businesslike. "Now, my payment."
"How much?"
"Ten thousand credits," Darkhowl said casually.
Lei Feng frowned. "Wait, but didn't you say—?"
"I know what I said," Darkhowl cut in, smirking. "Or should I say… Ling Chen?"
Lei Feng's eyes snapped toward the wolfkin. "How do you—?! I don't go by that name anymore!"
Darkhowl chuckled. "Relax. Just scanned your identity with these glasses. Got curious."
Same glasses as that Mr. Kael guy at the bank… but I didn't even notice.
"You're wondering how I scanned you without you noticing, right? I have my ways," Darkhowl said, winking.
"So… you dropped the fee because of my background?"
"No," Darkhowl replied firmly. "I don't care if you're a Ling or used to be. I lowered it because I misjudged you. Thought you were one of those arrogant young masters. Wanted to humble you a little."
"Oh…" Lei Feng exhaled as realization dawned.
"But you're not like them," Darkhowl continued, narrowing his eyes. "You don't match your file. You're supposed to be someone who can't level up… but that aura of yours… You're close to Level 30, right? Magic Elite stage. Pretty damn high for your age."
He sniffed once. "You reek of bloodlust. Tell me… how did you survive the wild for so long?"
Lei Feng's heart pounded. His hand instinctively rested near his sword hilt.
Darkhowl laughed. "Easy, boy. You're not strong enough to take me yet. You're strong—but your aura's unrefined. Still green."
"…How do you know all that?" Lei Feng asked coldly.
"I'm a Wolfkin," Darkhowl said proudly. "We smell the truth."
Silence passed between them. Then, the wolfkin tossed him a sleek card.
"Here's your ticket. My account number's on the desk."
Lei Feng stepped over, punched the digits into his phone, and completed the transfer.
> 10,000 credits debited from your account.
New Balance: 1,000,000 Credits
Ding!
Darkhowl's tela chimed. He grinned. "Thanks for doing business."
Lei Feng gave a curt nod and turned on his heel. He came way too close to seeing through me...
Still cautious, Lei Feng activated Omni God Eyes, pushing its perception radius outward.
His vision dilated, light bending around edges as the skill expanded.
Corridors, storage bays, repair shops lined with dwarves welding mechanical parts, lounging elves sipping from canisters, humans hauling crates, even beastkin families—all came into sharp focus.
So much life… hidden beneath the surface.
Satisfied no one was following, Lei Feng returned to the elf driver, who hadn't moved an inch—still absorbed in his phone.
"Hey," Lei Feng called.
The elf glanced up and brightened. "Young master! Took your time, huh?"
Lei Feng gave an awkward laugh. "Got my ticket."
The elf took one look and nodded. "Legit. Hop in."
Lei Feng climbed in.
VRRROOOM!
The engine roared to life, a gruff mechanical purr reverberating through the chassis.
As the vehicle pulled away, dust trailing behind, Lei Feng leaned back and closed his eyes.
One step closer to the city… and one step closer to the hidden truths of this world.
But behind his calm façade, the wolfkin's words echoed:
> "You reek of bloodlust. Tell me… how did you survive the wild?"
A faint grin tugged at the edge of Lei Feng's lips.
"I didn't survive it," he murmured.
"I was shaped in it."
His eyes snapped open, lightning flickering within. He turned toward the window, gazing out at the horizon.
The vehicle drifted forward at sharp speed, a cloud of dust trailing in its wake.
Back at the station, Aidan Darkhowl leaned in his chair, sunglasses glinting beneath the waning light.
"Heh… kid's sharper than he looks," he muttered.
Then, raising his wrist, he tapped into a hidden comms channel.
> "This is Darkhowl. Confirmed sighting of Ling Chen. Target is awakened, mobile, and far more dangerous than the file suggests. Recommending Level 2 surveillance."
He clicked the channel off and sighed.
> "Hope you're ready, kid. There'll be people hunting you."