Angel carefully slid down into the hollow. The snow beneath her feet was stained dark red, the metallic smell of blood sharp in the cold air.
She used the bone knife to brush the snow off the body, revealing a muscular man covered in blood.
He was in a half-beast state. A pair of grey wolf ears poked through his matted hair. His body was covered in deep, bone-deep gashes, clearly from a brutal fight.
Angel leaned in closer. When she saw the man's handsome, wild face beneath the blood and grime, her pupils shrank.
The original host's memories flooded back. This was Jefferey Stein, an elite warrior from the northern Wolfpack Clan. More importantly, he was Al Stein's younger brother.
Angel's expression grew complicated. She hated Al with a passion. Saving his brother seemed like a stupid move.
She gripped the bone knife tighter, a spark of killing intent in her eyes. It would be so easy to end the life of her enemy's brother right now.
But then, a memory flashed in her mind: When the original host was being framed by Al, Jefferey was the only one who stood up and called his brother shameless. He had even been ostracized by his family for defending her.
The killing intent slowly faded. She realized Jefferey was nothing like his hypocritical brother. He had tried to help her.
The system beeped urgently: [Target Legacy DNA match: Extremely High. Life countdown: 10 minutes. ]
Angel didn't hesitate anymore. She dropped to her knees in the snow and pressed both hands onto Jefferey's most fatal wound. She channeled her Tier 1 Bio-Regenesis ability with everything she had.
Warm Fox-Fire mixed with green regenerative light poured into Jefferey's dying body, struggling to repair his damaged organs.
Outputting so much energy in the extreme cold drained her fast. Her vision blurred, and her hands shook violently.
But she gritted her teeth and held on, forcing the energy out until the fatal wound on his chest stopped bleeding and began to scab over.
Ten minutes later, the system's danger alert finally ceased. Angel, completely drained, collapsed into the snow, gasping for air.
A moment later, Jefferey let out a low groan. His grey eyes fluttered open, looking confused.
He tried to sit up, shocked to find himself not only alive but that his fatal wound had miraculously healed.
He turned his head and saw Angel lying in the snow next to him, pale as a sheet. He recognized her instantly.
His eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't believe the exiled "defect" possessed such godly healing powers.
Jefferey struggled to sit up. He took off his thick, intact fur coat and carefully draped it over Angel's shivering body.
The warmth roused her. Angel opened her eyes, her gaze cold as she looked at him. "Don't even think about biting the hand that saved you," she warned.
Instead of getting angry, Jefferey grinned, a wild, sincere smile that showed off his sharp canines.
He dropped to one knee in the snow, pounded his right fist against his left chest in the oldest, most solemn salute of the wolf clan.
"You pulled me back from the brink of death," Jefferey declared loudly. "The wolf clan does not forget a life debt. Until this favor is fully repaid in blood and sweat, my claws and fangs are yours to command. I will be your hunter and guard."
Angel looked at him, a bit surprised by his directness. There was no hypocrisy, no hesitation, just a warrior's pragmatic honor.
She reminded him coldly, "I'm an exile. Following me means endless hunts and snowstorms."
Jefferey scoffed. "I despise that rotten clan and my shameless brother. Following a true powerhouse is an honor."
He noticed her extreme weakness and stood up immediately. "I'll go get the prey I was hunting."
Less than ten minutes later, Jefferey dragged back the massive carcass of an Icefield Elk. It was top-tier food in the wasteland.
Angel looked at the animal, enough to feed them for half a month. A faint smile finally touched her lips. She had won the bet.
