Following the arrow guide, Yuan Ren cautiously reached the dwelling of the beast, skulking around near the cave. He gathered some rocks along the way and threw them inside, causing a few sounds to echo from within. As Yuan Ren launched the last stone, he quickly took cover behind the trees.
Moving stealthily while concealing himself, the beast finally revealed itself. The imposing figure of the Silver Wolf King emerged, advancing toward the cave entrance with unwavering vigilance. Yuan Ren observed closely, his eyes widening as he spotted the colossal beast, covered in shimmering silver scales instead of fur. Its claws gleamed with a dangerous aura, and its eyes burned with a fierce glint.
It was evident that the beast had attained the pinnacle of the Awakened God level, standing merely one step away from reaching the Arrival God level. Yuan Ren's throat tightened as he swallowed a mouthful of saliva, uncertain if he could challenge such a formidable opponent.
The beast emerged from the cave, its piercing gaze scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, its eyes locked onto the trees, and a thunderous roar ripped through the air, signaling that the beast had discovered Yuan Ren concealed behind the foliage.
The Silver Wolf King was known for its territorial nature, attacking any intruder who dared set foot on its land. The earlier roar served as a dire warning to Yuan Ren, conveying the message: "One more step, and you will meet your demise."
Aware that he had been spotted, Yuan Ren mustered his courage and charged at the beast with lightning speed, unsheathing his sword. With a thunderous voice, he invoked his skill, "Blood Lust Activate!" Instantly, Yuan Ren underwent a radical transformation. His presence underwent an incredible metamorphosis as his strength surged, propelling him to the Mid Awakened God level, on par with the Silver Wolf King's speed.
As Yuan Ren closed in on the beast, it abruptly vanished into thin air, leaving behind a cloud of dust. Swinging his sword with urgency, Yuan Ren sought to dispel the dust, only to be met with a chilling realization—a profound sense of danger loomed behind him. He pivoted swiftly, catching sight of a colossal claw descending upon him. Reacting swiftly, he stepped back and raised his sword, barely managing to block the beast's ferocious attack.
Clang! The clash of metal resounded through the air as the beast's claw collided with Yuan Ren's sword. The impact sent shockwaves reverberating through Yuan Ren's hand, leaving it numb. Stumbling backward, he struggled to regain his balance, several steps removed from the beast. A cold sweat formed on his forehead, bearing witness to the unimaginable power infused in even a casual strike from the creature. With renewed determination, Yuan Ren lunged forward, thrusting his sword toward the beast's head.
Clang! Yuan Ren's sword found its mark, penetrating the beast's skull. A triumphant smile spread across his face, but it quickly faded as he noticed something amiss. His gaze fell upon the spot where his sword had struck, only to discover the beast entirely unharmed. The attack had left nothing more than shallow scratches on its head. Annoyed by Yuan Ren's feeble attempt, the beast unleashed a thunderous roar, sending him staggering backward.
Before he could catch his breath, the wolf king launched a frenzied assault, hurtling toward him with unparalleled speed. Sensing the impending danger, Yuan Ren prepared to evade the onslaught, his eyes fixed on the charging beast. In a split second, he sidestepped with all his might, narrowly avoiding the ferocious beast's trajectory. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he successfully dodged the imminent strike.
"System, call
."
Ding... System activated.
"System, how can I defeat this beast? You mentioned a 20% chance, but it seems I stand no chance at all," Yuan Ren muttered, scratching his head in frustration.
Ding... Do you want the system to assist you? Yes or No?
"Yes." Yuan Ren nodded vigorously, his hopes reignited. "Please, give me even the slightest chance to defeat this monstrous beast."
Ding... Acknowledging host's command.
"System Assist On. System, I'm counting on you to help me overcome my enemy in one fell swoop," Yuan Ren commanded, his voice filled with determination.
Ding... Assistance activated.
With the system taking control of his body, Yuan Ren dashed at the wolf, a stone firmly clutched in his hand. "Alchemical transformation: Spear!" he exclaimed. In an instant, an eight-foot-long spear materialized in his hands. Simultaneously, the beast charged at him with incredible speed. Yuan Ren halted his advance, taking a step back, and hurled the spear with all his might.
The beast continued its relentless charge, too late to halt its momentum. The spearhead bore into the creature's throat, impaling it against a nearby tree.
Ding... Mission accomplished. System Assist mode deactivated.
Yuan Ren stood in astonishment, unable to comprehend the turn of events. He had not anticipated that strategic planning and the system's assistance could allow him to overcome an opponent far stronger than himself. With caution, he approached the immobilized beast, his tattered sword still in hand. The creature writhed in agony, emitting anguished shrieks while desperately attempting to break free from the spear lodged deep into the tree. Yuan Ren retreated to a corner and watched the beast's last struggle, a half-hour of intense vitality draining away.
"Sigh." Yuan Ren gently laid the fallen beast down, a routine he had become accustomed to. As always, he dismembered the beast's body and roasted it over an open flame. With an insatiable hunger, he devoured every morsel of the creature within a day, satisfying his voracious appetite.
"I wonder if I've truly eradicated the beasts from this area."
"System, call."
Ding... System activated.
"System, are there any more beasts in this place?" Yuan Ren queried, his tongue involuntarily tracing the remnants of meat on the bone.
Ding... You have eliminated all the beasts in this area.
Yuan Ren scratched his head, chuckling softly. "I suppose it's time to depart. I'll commence my adventure tomorrow. Ah, I'm so full." He lay on the grassy field, lost in thought, contemplating the events that had unfolded.
"Roar." Yuan Ren's respite was interrupted by the distant roar. "I thought all the beasts here had been wiped out. Did the system miscalculate?" He quickly rose to his feet, determined to uncover the source of the roar.
Following the reverberations, Yuan Ren arrived at the origin—a familiar cavern, the dwelling of the Silver Wolf King. He approached cautiously, tossing rocks inside once again, fully prepared to lay in wait for the emerging beast.
After a minute elapsed, Yuan Ren's gaze fixated on a shadow emerging from the cave. His grip tightened on the sword as he awaited the opportune moment to strike. Finally, after another minute, a silver-colored wolf pup stepped into view.
"It's a Silver Wolf King pup," Yuan Ren licked his lips, envisioning the succulent taste of roasted meat.
Ding... Silver Wolf King pup. It possesses the qualities of a grade A mount.
"A mount? What's that? Can I eat it?" Yuan Ren inquired,
bombarding the system with questions.
Ding... A mount is a beast that surpasses human vehicles in terms of speed, and it can assist you in combat. It would be a waste to consume such a valuable mount.
"Oh, so it's like a horse, in simple terms. Too bad I can't savor it," Yuan Ren sighed, feeling a tinge of disappointment as his culinary dreams dissipated.
"Then I shall nurture it," Yuan Ren gently picked up the pup and fed it wild berries found in the forest. "Grow quickly. Once you mature, we will depart from this place."