My Werewolf System

Chapter 1577: Whispers of Unzoku

In a way, the only real connection they had found between the past and the present, the one thread linking everything, was the figure, or perhaps the monster, known as Unzoku.

Whatever he was, a person, a myth, or something beyond either, his name was the only one that appeared across both timelines. Maybe that was the reason they were here in the first place. Maybe he was the key.

Still, a part of Gary wasn’t convinced. If Unzoku truly was the cause, then surely a quest would have appeared by now, pointing them in his direction. The absence of one made the entire thing feel like coincidence, or worse, like something the system itself wanted to hide.

“The figure called Unzoku...” Steve began, his tone growing quieter as the fire cracked behind him. “For a long time after Rogan’s death, we continued to live in the mountains because of the fear I carried. I took Rogan’s warning seriously, too seriously, perhaps.”

He looked down into the flames, eyes reflecting orange light. “I searched for his name wherever I could. I spoke to other Werewolves, travelers, and hunters, anyone who might have heard the stories. But everything I found about him... was unsettling.”

The group listened closely as Steve continued.

“Everywhere he appeared, death followed. Whole settlements would vanish. Packs were erased without a trace. Even the strongest of beasts didn’t seem to survive where he walked. It was as if his presence alone was a curse.”

He paused, rubbing his temples before continuing. “Eventually, I tracked down a few older members of my pack, those who had been with Rogan back in the early days, before I joined. That’s when I learned the truth.”

Steve looked at them with a grave expression. “Rogan wasn’t with the entire pack from the beginning. He came from another, far older one. And he was the only survivor. That was the first time Unzoku’s name was ever mentioned, back then, long before the rest of us knew him.

“My guess,” Steve went on, “is that Unzoku was the one who destroyed Rogan’s first pack. Wiped them out completely. That was why he hid in the mountains all those years. Not because of humans, not because of hunters... but because of him.”

The fire popped loudly as Steve took a slow breath. “After hearing the stories from across the land, I came to a conclusion. Unzoku is the closest thing to the Devil walking the earth. There isn’t another name that brings so much fear to so many, and then when I heard other stories I was just left even more confused.”

A chill ran through the group.

Even for Gary, who had already heard the name before, the description sent a shiver down his spine. The way Steve spoke of Unzoku matched perfectly with what Gary knew, someone, or something, that brought chaos and war wherever it appeared.

But there was one thing Gary still didn’t understand. Why? Why would someone like that want to make Werewolves fight one another? What was the purpose?

Another realization crept into his thoughts. If no one in Steve’s time had trouble with transformations during the full moon, then there would have been no reason for them to contact Unzoku or even see him as a god. In this age, Unzoku wasn’t worshiped. He was feared.

Steve’s voice brought Gary out of his thoughts. “But that’s all I’ll say about him for now,” he said, brushing some ash from his knee as he stood. “Unzoku is a name that belongs to my worries, not yours. You’re still new to this world, still learning what it means to be free. Enjoy that. Don’t burden yourselves with my ghosts.”

He stretched, glancing up at the night sky. “It’s getting late. I know some of you have energy to spare, but sleep is still good for the mind. We’ll reach our camp tomorrow, and then you can tell me how much things have changed from my stories.”

Gary wanted to ask more, wanted to press him for details, but something told him not to. Asking too much would only draw suspicion. If Steve realized how much they already knew about Unzoku, about the medallion, it might raise questions they weren’t ready to answer. A single slip of the tongue could unravel everything.

So, for now, he kept quiet.

As everyone began preparing to sleep, Steve went about his nightly routine, moving from one tent to another to check on the others. Apparently, it was something he always did, making sure no one hid their injuries or problems. It was a habit born of experience.

Meanwhile, the trio had begun setting up their tent... or at least trying to.

Lupus and Gary stood there staring at the pile of poles and sheets like they were some kind of ancient puzzle. The confusion on both their faces was almost comical. Kai, meanwhile, knelt beside them, his patience thinning by the second as he worked to assemble the frame.

“Just, hold that,” Kai said, his tone strained as he motioned toward one of the poles.

“Like this?” Gary asked, tilting it the wrong way.

“No, like this!”

For the next few minutes, the camp filled with the sound of Kai’s frustrated instructions, the clattering of poles, and the occasional muffled curse under his breath.

Finally, when they had something that vaguely resembled a tent, Gary leaned back on his heels, watching the firelight flicker through the fabric.

“You know,” he said, his voice breaking the brief silence, “listening to that whole story... I was wondering. Do we have to be like that?”

Lupus raised an eyebrow, though he didn’t look up from tying a rope.

“I mean,” Gary continued, “if they managed to coexist for years without fighting, can’t we do the same? We’ve already lost so much. If we keep this up, if we keep fighting, all that’ll happen is more loss, on both sides.”

For a few moments, no one spoke. Then Lupus finally answered, his voice quiet but firm.

“Are you an idiot?” he said flatly. “I already told you I don’t want to fight. Even after everything that’s happened, I still don’t.”

He tightened one last knot and sat down. “If anything, hearing about those two brothers just made me more certain. They fought their fate for years. They proved it’s possible. If they could do it, then I can do it too. My will is stronger than theirs ever was. I won’t give in to whatever stupid thing this is.”

Gary smiled faintly, relieved by his words. For the first time in a long while, it felt like they might actually be moving toward peace.

“Yeah,” Gary said softly. “Maybe you’re right.”

He stared at the fire again, his eyes reflecting its glow. “You know, after hearing Unzoku’s name in all of this, I can’t stop thinking about it. Maybe the reason we’re here now is to find a way, to prove that Alphas aren’t destined to fight each other.”

Lupus looked at him but didn’t interrupt.

“Think about it,” Gary went on. “The medallion sent us here. It only activated when the three of us clashed. And now, here we are, hearing about another time when Alphas resisted the same fate. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe this is how we stop it for good.”

As he finished speaking, Kai suddenly turned his head. He had heard something, footsteps moving lightly across the grass.

Through the faint orange glow of the fire, they saw Steve passing nearby, his expression calm but unreadable.

“Oh, the three of you are slower than I thought,” he said, grinning. “I guess I’ll give you a little more time before I come back and check on you.”

He waved and walked away, his silhouette fading into the darkness.

But as the sound of his footsteps disappeared, Kai’s expression hardened slightly. He glanced back at Gary and Lupus, his voice low.

“He was close,” Kai said quietly. “Do you think... he heard what you just said?”

****

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