In response to William's gaze, the wolf made no further attempts to conceal itself. Growling lowly, the beast emerged from its hiding place in the undergrowth, stepping into the dappled moonlight that managed to trickle down through the canopy of the trees above. Now free of its shadowy shroud, William was able to take in the full, ominous sight of the creature.
"A Shadow Wolf, of course," he mused aloud, recognizing the distinct features of the creature. Its fur appeared almost ethereal in the darkness, a ghostly silhouette blending seamlessly into the night. "That explains the impressive knack for stealth."
His memory stirred, conjuring up the scenes of a similar encounter from the past. He and his family, along with a group of 200 others, had made a long trek from the capital of the Flaming Dominion Empire towards its northernmost boundaries. In their fortnight's journey, their peaceful nights were frequently shattered by the chilling howl and attack of the Shadow Wolf.
Despite being categorized as only Level 1 monsters, these creatures were far from harmless. Their ability to camouflage within the darkness turned the night itself into a weapon against their human opponents, making it incredibly challenging to track them. Especially within the depths of the forest, where the shadowy depths offered countless hiding places, spotting a Shadow Wolf was akin to finding a needle in a haystack. William's pulse quickened in anticipation, his instincts kicking into high gear as he faced off against the familiar threat. The game of predator and prey had begun in earnest.
"No need to put on a show, I'm not one of those unprepared adventurers. I see just as well in the dark as you do," William responded coolly, his eyes never leaving the looming form of the Shadow Wolf. The tables had been turned in this deadly dance of the forest; the presumed prey had now become the hunter, and there was a promise of confrontation hanging heavy in the air between them.
The Shadow Wolf, a creature of formidable strength and stealth, was an inhabitant of the darkest corners of the forest. About the size of a sturdy horse, its imposing figure was accentuated by a coat of deep black fur that seemed to swallow any light that came its way. Its eyes glowed with a mysterious, intense light, giving the creature an even more intimidating aura.
Among the many abilities of the Shadow Wolf, one that truly stood out was its magical control over shadows and darkness. This gift of the dark allowed the wolf to merge seamlessly with its surroundings, practically disappearing from sight. This made the creature an expert stalker, able to move about silently, cloaked in the comforting veil of the shadows.
Typically a loner, the Shadow Wolf was seldom seen in the company of its own kind. It moved about the forest on its own, either on the hunt or guarding its turf. Folklore often painted a grim picture of sightings of multiple Shadow Wolves, associating it with impending doom or a sign of dark times ahead.
Coupled with its control over shadows, the Shadow Wolf boasted superior senses, especially under the cover of night. Its eyesight was sharp, able to penetrate the gloom, and its hearing and smell were keen, making it a formidable predator and tracker.
In a fight, the Shadow Wolf's shadow manipulation abilities often took form in ethereal tendrils and claws, which it could wield with lightning speed and pinpoint accuracy. These extensions of its form could tear through even armor, chilling to the touch. What's more, contact with these shadows could sap the vitality of its victims, leaving them vulnerable and weakened.
In the dead silence of the night, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the chilling breeze, both William and the Shadow Wolf charged at each other with unyielding determination. As the wolf darted towards William, shadows coalesced around its claws, forming ominous tendrils that danced and swirled in the air. Its eyes blazed an eerie red, focused hungrily on its human opponent.
As they closed in on each other, the space between them a mere handful of meters, the wolf made its move. With an abrupt flourish, it unleashed its shadow tendrils, hoping to ensnare William or at the very least, to confuse and distract him.
Yet, William seemed to move with an easy grace, sidestepping the writhing tentacles or deflecting them with the swift, precise movements of his spear. He continued his steadfast charge towards the Shadow Wolf, unscathed and undeterred.
Finally, when they were so close that they were practically nose-to-nose, less than a meter apart, they both made their power play. The wolf lunged at William, its claws enveloped in a thick layer of shadows, not only magnifying its power but also increasing the size of its claws to a terrifying degree.
A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of William's mouth. Contrary to expectation, he didn't advance. Instead, he sprang back. It was then that the wolf felt an unsettling sense of danger creeping over it, a dread-filled premonition of something terrible about to unfold. And in the next moment, its fears were confirmed. From the ground below, countless shadowy spikes shot up, catching the Shadow Wolf mid-leap. The creature could do nothing but watch in helpless horror as the shadowy spikes pierced its body, leaving gaping wounds all over.
The Shadow Wolf lay motionless on the forest floor, its once intimidating form now riddled with holes both large and small. Life had departed from its fiery eyes, confirming the wolf's demise.
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Shadow Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
Since the day he had received the Goddess of Night's blessing, William had followed a rigorous regimen of honing his skills by engaging in combat with Level 1 monsters, dedicating at least one hour each day to this practice. This unwavering routine had shaped him into a fearsome fighter who stood unflinching in the face of danger. This encounter with the Shadow Wolf was no different.
Post dinner, under the cloak of some arbitrary excuse, he would step out each night for his training. The fruits of his labor and persistence were evident today, after 15 days of relentless training.
'Shadow Manipulation', the power he possessed, was an extraordinarily potent skill. The possibilities of what one could achieve with this skill were limitless. To William, the skill seemed almost unfairly powerful. Provided he had sufficient mana stored within his body, he could virtually create anything or perform any task using Shadow Manipulation. The true potential of this skill heavily relied on the user's ability to wield it effectively.
William, for instance, chose not to play his trump card - Shadow Manipulation - right from the start. He patiently bided his time, waiting for the ideal moment to strike. When the time was right, he unleashed the power of Shadow Manipulation, delivering a decisive blow that ended the wolf's life in a single attack.
William, standing amidst the dense forest, made a resolute decision. "Time to amp up the game," he declared to the silent woods, determination resounding in his voice. For the previous fortnight, his primary focus had been honing his skills, practicing the deft art of Shadow Manipulation. He hadn't actively sought out monsters to battle. But tonight, he arrived prepared and braced for whatever the dark forest might throw his way.
His aim was clear and uncompromising: hunt down and vanquish as many creatures lurking in the shadows as possible. He was a firm believer in the philosophy that the most effective way to level up his combat abilities was by throwing himself into life-and-death situations. It meant confronting and overcoming the dangerous monsters that lurked in the foreboding corners of the forest.
He didn't rush to leave the site of his recent victory. Instead, he decided to linger, knowing the strong scent of blood from the fallen Shadow Wolf would soon draw other nocturnal predators. So, instead of tirelessly scouring the dark expanse for his next challenger, he chose to stay put, awaiting the monsters that would inevitably be lured to his location.
His patient strategy paid off, for he didn't have to wait too long. To the creatures of the night, the scent of fresh blood was as enticing as a sumptuous feast to a starved man. A mere few minutes had passed before he sensed movement in the underbrush. New visitors were approaching, drawn in by the scent of blood, completely unaware of the formidable hunter awaiting their arrival.
"Well, it seems like I've drawn the attention of Dire Wolves this time," William announced to the silent forest, his eyes capturing the sight of multiple pairs of blood-red eyes piercing the shadowy darkness. The pack of intimidating beasts were gradually creeping out from the shadowy confines of the woods, cautiously moving around William.
The Dire Wolves' plan was evident: they intended to encircle him, forming a ring of fearsome predators, to strike together with coordinated precision. Dire Wolves, the formidable denizens of the wild, are a sight that inspires awe and trepidation in equal measure. They tower over their lesser relatives, standing as tall as a small horse, their imposing stature only magnifying their primal, untamed power.
With their robust, muscular bodies covered in a dense, shaggy coat, Dire Wolves command respect and fear in the wilderness. The color of their fur varies, a palette ranging from diverse shades of gray and brown to a stark, striking white, allowing them to blend into a variety of landscapes seamlessly. The pack of Dire Wolves that now confronted William was adorned in gray fur, further enhancing their intimidating presence.
Dire Wolves boast a set of powerful attributes that place them at the top of the wilderness's food chain. Perhaps their most notable trait is their phenomenally heightened senses. Their hearing is so acute that even the faintest whisper of leaves rustling underfoot does not escape their notice. Along with this, their sense of smell is remarkably sharp, enabling them to track down their prey across vast distances.
Their remarkable physical strength and enduring stamina further contribute to their formidable reputation, permitting them to relentlessly pursue their quarry and bring it down with lethal precision. The combination of all these abilities makes the Dire Wolf a formidable adversary, to be sure.
"Hmm...this is definitely going to be an intriguing challenge," William mused, a grin slowly spreading across his face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation of the forthcoming battle. The thrill of the challenge stirred his blood, rousing his fighting spirit. He was ready to face whatever these menacing beasts would throw at him.
The pack of Dire Wolves comprised seven intimidating members, led by a particularly imposing specimen standing at the pack's heart. The leader towered over its companions, its size and bulk surpassing the rest, an unmistakable sign of its superior strength and dominance within the pack.
With a fearsome howl that echoed through the silent forest, the signal was given, and the wolves launched themselves at William from all directions. But despite the imminent threat, William didn't flinch, nor did he lose his nerve. On the contrary, he was grinning confidently, as if he was enjoying the thrill of the moment.
With a casual snap of his fingers, the scene changed dramatically. From the shadowy ground beneath, multiple shadowy tendrils erupted, twining themselves around the legs of the charging wolves. The surprise attack halted their charge, their paws firmly ensnared by the shadowy appendages. They struggled and squirmed, trying desperately to break free, but the shadowy bindings held strong.
Meanwhile, William had vanished from his previous spot. In the following moment, a series of soft thuds could be heard as six of the wolves collapsed onto the forest floor, one after another. Each had a gaping hole in its head, a fatal wound that signaled the end of their lives.
The leader of the pack, the only one left standing, looked around at its fallen comrades in shock. As it lifted its gaze upwards, its eyes widened in fear as it saw a shadowy figure looming overhead. It tried to lash out, to defend itself, but more of the shadow tendrils surged from the ground, wrapping around its muscular body, restraining it effectively.
With a casual statement, "Time to meet your end," William swiftly descended upon the immobilized leader. With a swift, precise move, he plunged his spear into the wolf's head, just like he had done with the others. With that final action, the confrontation was over. The entire pack of Dire Wolves had met their end at William's hands, and the night forest returned to its usual quiet.
-------------------
If you guys have enjoyed reading this chapter then leave your comment behind. Your power stones will be massively appreciated.