[Does the host want to update the system?]
[Y/N]
Alex decided to proceed with the system update while he rested, as he saw no harm in doing so at the moment.
Though he didn't dare to doze off completely, he relaxed a bit while remaining vigilant of his surroundings. He was still in a danger zone, and the sun was about to set.
In about an hour, completely refreshed, and Alex was ready to leave.
Nightfall was approaching, and his vision would be obscured in darkness. Moreover, rumors suggested that monsters became more ferocious at night.
"Time to leave this place and head back." Alex mused as he got up and cleaned up after himself. He was well-rested and well-fed, his mana and stamina recharged. It was time to make his way back.
However, it seemed luck was not on his side that day, as rustling and growling sounds emanated from the nearby bushes.
Alex braced himself for an impending fight, gripping his sword tightly and adopting a defensive stance.
He didn't have to wait long. Soon, he saw red, ferocious eyes gleaming in the darkness, and a large silver wolf emerged from about 10 meters away.
"Fuck! A Monster Wolf? That's an E-rank monster, not some puny F-rank one. It also looks strong." Alex cursed his luck at encountering such a formidable foe on his first day outside.
Still, he had no choice but to fight it and somehow defeat it, or he'd be in grave danger. He quickly cast
The shot hit its target, but it didn't seem to do any significant damage. In fact, it only seemed to make the wolf angrier.
"As expected of an E-rank monster, they're stronger than the F-rank ones." Alex noted with frustration.
The Monster Wolf, initially hesitant, now appeared determined to attack Alex. Its red eyes gleamed with ferocity as it lunged toward him.
Adrenaline coursed through Alex's veins as he fired three consecutive shots at the wolf, hitting it each time.
The shots had a considerable impact on the creature, causing it to stumble back momentarily, growling in pain. This gave Alex a brief respite and a chance to assess the situation.
Though the wolf was wounded and slowed, it remained a formidable adversary. It bared its sharp fangs and prepared for another attack, its menacing howl echoing through the night.
This gave Alex enough time to narrowly dodge the wolf's incoming claw, which grazed his chest a bit. Though it left him with a painful wound, he knew he had to fight back.
Alex swung his Black Iron Sword at the Monster Wolf, the magical artifact's piercing properties slicing through the creature. However, he lacked the strength to fully utilize its potential. Still, his attack made an impact, and the wolf whimpered.
However, the wolf's gaze turned even more ferocious, and it howled as it prepared for another attack.
This time, it wouldn't miss its target. Alex distanced himself slightly, but the wolf pounced with lightning speed, and despite his efforts to defend, the creature managed to wound Alex's left arm, rendering it unusable.
Alex found himself in a precarious situation. His left arm remained incapacitated, and though his magic spells showed some promise, they didn't guarantee a safe outcome.
He wracked his brain for a solution, and after some contemplation, he devised a daring plan.
"I'm betting all on this." he muttered under his breath.
Aurora had taught two Tier-1 magic spells to Alex, one of which she had firmly cautioned against using indoors and discouraged practicing outdoors due to the risk of drawing unwanted attention.
At the academy, the strict rule against using magic outside designated areas, such as the training center or duel arena, was consistently enforced.
Although Alex had only employed this specific spell outdoors once before, it seemed perfect for the current predicament.
With unwavering focus, he targeted the wolf and unleashed the second spell he had learned:
A violent torrent of obsidian flames erupted from the magic circle he conjured, swiftly engulfing the wolf in a swirling vortex of deadly fire.
What set this spell apart was its relentless nature—the flames would continue to burn as long as the caster supplied them with mana, unless an external force disrupted them.
The wolf struggled futilely to extinguish the flames, rolling on the ground and emitting pitiful howls of agony.
Alex's mana reserves were rapidly depleting, leaving no room for hesitation.
'Die' he thought, and with a powerful swing of his right arm, he aimed to decapitate the wolf.
Desperation forced the wolf to attempt escape, but Alex swiftly severed one of its hind legs, rendering it immobile.
As time passed, the wolf's cries grew weaker until they finally ceased. Oddly, there was no notification from the system—was it in standby mode, perhaps updating?
Alex dared not take the risk. He continued to infuse mana into the flames until he sensed the telltale signs of mana fatigue.
At last, the flames subsided, leaving behind a charred, lifeless husk of a wolf. Its once-vibrant fur had been reduced to ash, and its flesh had turned to a blackened, crisp shell.
Relieved and victorious, Alex let out a long sigh. A broad smile stretched across his face as he savored the rush of exhilaration that came with narrowly surviving a deadly encounter, where victory had hung in the balance.
Alex retrieved some herbs from his pack, expertly grinding them into a paste that he then applied to his wound. "These should stem the bleeding and ward off any potential infections." he muttered, tending to his injury with practiced efficiency.
He consumed a handful of medicinal herbs next, hoping to dull the pain and bolster his innate regenerative abilities. "Who would've thought that this supposedly trashy F-rank skill would come in handy now?" he mused, a hint of gratitude in his voice.
With a short dagger he had procured shortly before this journey, Alex carefully dissected the fallen wolf and retrieved its mana core.
The core was approximately the size of a squash ball and emitted faint traces of mana.
"This is considerably larger than those pebble-sized cores from F-rank monsters." he observed as he stowed it away. He also collected the wolf's fangs and claws for good measure.
Dusk was settling in, prompting Alex to hasten his return to the city. Fortunately, he encountered no further monsters on his way back.
Despite his best efforts, it took him over an hour to reach the city, a testament to how deep he had unwittingly ventured.
Upon reaching the city gates, he underwent the identification process once more, gaining entry without issue.
The same guard who had stopped him earlier in the day was on duty again. Alex greeted him with a confident smile and casually lied about completing his quest effortlessly.
"Well, it seems you did survive." the guard remarked sternly. "But don't get too complacent. Be cautious next time."
Alex thanked the guard, recognizing the admonition as well-intentioned advice.
As darkness enveloped the city, Alex knew he had to visit the guild to officially report the completion of his quest.
He also needed to return to the academy before curfew; perhaps Aurora was waiting for him there.