Chapter 1625: A Pattern Since the three had nothing else to do, at least nothing meaningful, since they weren’t really allowed to leave the Red Wing pack’s area without a very good reason to enter the city, they eventually realised they might as well try their hand at forging. Staying idle wouldn’t help them, and wandering around aimlessly would only draw suspicion. So if they were stuck in the camp, they might as well learn something. There were plenty of Werewolf forges spread across the workshop grounds, with each experienced forger willing to guide one of them through the basic techniques. The seniors took turns correcting stances, adjusting grips, and showing how to strike metal properly, though in Gary and Kai’s case, “correcting” quickly turned into “shouting.” “No, no, no!” the head forger roared, his voice booming loud enough to make a few other workers flinch. “Useless, useless! Have you ever even held a hammer? Ever crafted anything with your hands before?!” Gary mumbled under his breath, “Does a war hammer count...?” though even he knew that wasn’t what the forger meant. Gary had never been the type to fix anything around the house, neither had Kai, and it showed. Every time either of them lifted the forging hammer, it was clear to everyone watching that they had the natural finesse of two toddlers learning to walk. Which was why the head forger didn’t hold back. He berated them relentlessly, pointing out every tiny mistake, calling out their lack of coordination, and even shaking his head in exaggerated disappointment whenever they messed up, which was often. The others noticed it too. No matter how many adjustments were made, these two simply had no talent for forging. Anything they created would probably crack apart after a single hit. The metal seemed to disrespect them as much as the forger did. But there was one exception. When the head forger walked over to Lupus, he didn’t shout. He didn’t sigh. He didn’t even shake his head or lift a brow. He watched, carefully, quietly, as Lupus performed each technique as if he had been doing it for years rather than minutes. “You...” the head forger said slowly, eyes narrowing with interest. “Now you have some talent.” The forge grew quiet, several Werewolves looking over in surprise as the forger continued: “How about becoming my apprentice?” Gasps rippled through the forge. The head forger had never taken an apprentice, ever. And yet he was offering now, to Lupus, someone they had only met days ago? 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂 Lupus spun the large hammer once, twice, three times in his hand, as if testing its weight. He wore a broad grin. “I guess it would be good to learn how to build some equipment for myself,” Lupus said. “Who knows, we might need it ourselves.” Gary and Kai exchanged a look. Of course Lupus was good at this. Of course he was. Lupus was good at anything that involved hitting something. Realising the two of them weren’t getting any better, and weren’t going to unless a miracle happened, they eventually left the forge while Lupus stayed behind, engrossed in learning new techniques. “I can’t believe it,” Gary said, still baffled. “Lupus was actually really good at it. If he learns how to create beast gear... does that mean he can create it in our time as well?” “Right,” Kai said, rubbing his chin. “He might become the only forger in the modern day who knows how to create beast gear. That would make him quite the dangerous person. Even more than he is now.” Gary nodded, imagining Lupus back home forging beast gear like some mythical craftsman. It really did sound dangerous, dangerous enough that Gary quickly decided he’d rather not get punched by Lupus ever again. However, Kai hoped that none of this would even be necessary. If things went well... if they figured out how to stop Unzoku... then maybe the world wouldn’t need beast gear anymore. Maybe they could avoid another war entirely. Later that night, they met up with Galdark as planned. The three told him that they hadn’t found any new information. There were no suspicious movements, no rumours, no strange happenings, nothing they could report with confidence. It seemed to be the same for Galdark as well. He hadn’t noticed anything unusual. It had only been a few days, though. Kai reminded them all that information took time to reveal itself. Patterns formed slowly. And eventually, something, anything, would slip. During those days, while Lupus continued forging obsessively, Gary and Kai sparred with other Werewolves. They trained, talked, observed quietly, and listened whenever the Red Wing pack members spoke among themselves. Eventually, several more days passed, and the three met with Galdark again, this time on the rooftop of the dorms. The night sky stretched above them, stars scattered like silver dust. Many Werewolves gathered below, but up on the roof, the four were alone. “So,” Galdark asked, arms crossed, scent heavy with the faint tang of worry. “Did you find out anything this time?” “Not anything obvious,” Kai replied. “But I have noticed patterns. We all have. And I think we should focus on these patterns. I’ll let the others speak first.” Gary exhaled and stepped forward. “From speaking to the others,” he said, “the big change has been Jack’s family. Before, they used to come out all the time and talk to everyone, including Jack. But lately... even though people still see his family, they return back to their home as if there’s some kind of strict curfew.” Gary shook his head. “I asked if anyone had gone into Jack’s home... but that seems to be taboo.” Lupus added his part next. “On his rounds, Jack also visits the forge,” he said. “But when speaking to the head forger, he told me that something has changed. The forge is now closed early, no one is allowed in after 10 p.m.” Lupus shrugged. “They said it’s probably because they were working too late and making noise that annoyed others... but it’s still a recent change.” Finally, Kai spoke. “And lastly, from my own observations... every day, without fail, Jack heads into the main city.” He looked around at the others. “I know this might not seem strange. But for someone who’s trying to stay hidden or protect himself from something... leaving the pack every single day feels suspicious.” Kai folded his arms. “So we have three areas to focus on. Jack’s home and family. The forge after hours. And his daily trips into the main city. If we investigate all three... we’re bound to learn something.” The question was, what were they going to find out? **** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. 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