"Go and stand behind that tree over there, Mia, and be careful not to do anything rash," Ethan stated, his voice firm and commanding. He ignored Mia for a moment, focusing his attention on the wolf in front of him.
Ethan brought Mia's sword to his front, positioning it vertically as he locked eyes with the menacing creature.
In truth, Ethan's initial instinct was to turn and run, but the sudden appearance of the wolf caught him off guard. The intensity of its gaze, solely fixed on him and disregarding Mia, made him realize that fleeing would only result in a relentless pursuit.
Ethan doubted he could use Mia as a distraction to buy time for escape, not that he had intended to abandon her in the first place.
It just felt wrong and Ethan truly believed this. However, it was only a matter of time before this belief weakens.
As Ethan tightened his grip on the sword in his hands, he sought to project an aura of strength and confidence to the wolf, drawing upon the teachings of his dojo master.
Ethan's master had imparted the wisdom that certain individuals, especially predators and predatory animals, possessed the ability to sense fear and exploit it to their advantage.
This knowledge echoed in Ethan's mind, urging him to keep his fear at bay.
He understood the gravity of the situation and the dire consequences that could arise from a single misstep. Mia's presence served as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved.
Despite his racing heartbeat, Ethan maintained his resolute composure, determined not to let fear cloud his judgment or allow it to be used against him.
Curiosity piqued, Ethan wondered if the mechanics of the game-like world they found themselves in would allow him to assess the wolf's level.
Standing about ten meters away, he questioned whether the logic of game analysis, where lower-level characters could gauge the strength of opponents, applied in this reality.
To his astonishment, the wolf's level became discernible, prompting a slight smile to grace Ethan's face when he took in the information.
[{Normal Grade}Level 1 Forest Wolf]
The wolf was very weak.
Now, it wasn't that the wolf was particularly weak, but rather that this wolf happened to be at the same level as the one Ethan had previously defeated to save Mia. If one were to exclude the unique circumstances of that encounter, it became clear that Ethan wouldn't face too much difficulty in dispatching this wolf.
Moreover, this time felt different from before when Ethan had been caught off guard by everything. He believed that as long as he played his cards right and made the right moves, killing the wolf shouldn't pose a significant challenge.
At least, that was what occupied Ethan's mind when he observed the level of the forest wolf.
Unbeknownst to Ethan, despite his realization that this world was peculiar and his overall cautiousness, his inner gamer spirit reawakened when faced with a situation reminiscent of overcoming obstacles in a game.
Excitement surged within Ethan as he contemplated the potential rewards, such as gaining an additional 4 experience points for defeating the wolf.
However, Ethan was abruptly brought back to reality, reminding him to take things more seriously, as the forest wolf let out a fierce howl and charged toward him.
The distance between Ethan and the forest wolf closed in a matter of seconds, but fortunately, Ethan remained vigilant and wasn't caught off guard, enabling him to respond swiftly.
Reacting with lightning-fast reflexes, Ethan swiftly sidestepped the wolf's charge, narrowly evading its snapping jaws. As the wolf lunged past him, Ethan seized the opportunity to strike. With a swift motion, he swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for the wolf's vulnerable flank.
The blade connected with the wolf's fur, slicing through the air with a resounding swoosh. However, the wolf proved more agile than anticipated, effortlessly dodging the attack with a nimble leap.
Undeterred, Ethan pivoted on his heel, tracking the wolf's movements as it landed gracefully on the forest floor.
Locked in a tense dance of predator and prey, Ethan and the wolf circled each other warily.
The wolf bared its menacing fangs, growling fiercely, while Ethan maintained his determined stance, his focus unyielding.
Without warning, the wolf lunged once again, jaws snapping with deadly precision. Ethan swiftly raised his sword, parrying the wolf's assault with a sharp clash. The force of the impact reverberated through his arms, but he held firm, his grip unwavering.
Their clash continued, a flurry of snarls and strikes. Ethan countered the wolf's agile movements with calculated precision, finding openings to strike whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Each clash of steel against fang echoed through the dense forest, a testament to their fierce battle.
The wolf, sensing the mounting threat, unleashed a barrage of swipes and lunges, attempting to overwhelm Ethan with sheer aggression. Yet, Ethan's training kicked in, his instincts honed from countless hours of practice. He deftly parried and dodged, his movements becoming an intricate dance of skill and strategy.
As the battle intensified, Ethan's determination burned brighter. He tapped into his inner resolve, channeling his focus and energy into every strike. The sounds of their clash resonated throughout the forest, a symphony of steel and fury.
Finally, seizing a moment of vulnerability, Ethan launched a devastating counterattack. With a powerful swing, his sword found its mark, slicing deep into the wolf's flank. A pained yelp escaped the wolf's throat as it stumbled backward, blood staining its fur.
Sensing victory within reach, Ethan pressed his advantage. He pursued the injured wolf, relentless in his pursuit. With one final strike, his sword descended, delivering the decisive blow. The wolf let out a final whimper before collapsing to the forest floor.
Ethan stood, his chest heaving, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had emerged victorious.
This turned out to be a fortunate outcome, and even Mia, who had been hiding behind the tree during the fight, rushed over to Ethan with excitement upon confirming the wolf's demise from a distance. However, in her haste, she tripped and was on the verge of falling. Luckily, Ethan caught her in his arms, but the sudden movement caused her soft curves to press against him.
Ethan, focused on ensuring Mia's safety, had dropped the sword and used both hands to support her. Unintentionally, his other hand ended up on her backside, grasping it without any sense of shame.
A wave of embarrassment washed over Mia. She had been excited for entirely different reasons.
Mia was relieved that the young man who had shown mercy toward her sorry state hadn't ended up in a situation like hers.
Mia also sensed his strength, which gave her hope of surviving in this forest, especially as his power would likely continue to grow in this game-like world as long as nothing disrupted the rules.
However, Mia never anticipated tripping and finding herself in a vulnerable position, taken advantage of by a stranger.
Mia knew she couldn't shout at Ethan since he was helping her, but she despised the feeling of her body being touched without consent. Just as she was about to voice her thoughts, hoping Ethan would understand and stop, she noticed his expression.
Ethan wore a childlike smile on his face, devoid of any lewdness related to touching her body. It was the enthusiastic smile of a child who had discovered a new game.
The realism of the game was already seeping into Ethan's experience in various ways, but one thing was certain: the thrill of battling for his life, with the stakes high, was something he found enjoyable.
This was how real a game should be like.