I wondered into the forest, being cautious of my surroundings. It was still night time and I didn't know what type of monsters were in this part of the forest, so I was a bit nervous. I had used most of my MP against the wolves, so I figured it would be best to find somewhere to hide and rest for the night.
I found a large bush and crawled under it, laying down to try and get some sleep. It didn't take me long before I fell asleep, probably due to all the running I had done earlier.
I awoke a bit later to the sound of a wolf howling. I didn't move and just listened for a bit, but I didn't hear anything else. I checked my MP and saw that I had just over 250. It hadn't fully recovered, but it was enough for me to escape from an enemy if I had to.
I checked to see if there were any monsters around before crawling out from under the bush. Honestly I didn't feel safe here. If all I had to do was cross the river to be in a safe area, then the quest would never have been a hard difficulty quest.
Not only that but the wolf howl that had woken me up, didn't sound like it came from the direction of the river. So there are probably wolves on this side of the river as well.
I travel a bit deeper into the forest when I hear a growling sound followed by a sharp yelp sound from somewhere in the distance. That yelp sound was defiantly the sound a wolf makes when it is pain. That can only mean that the wolf is fighting something that has the ability to hurt it.
I instantly change direction and start heading in the opposite direction of where the sound came from. I didn't know what is fighting the wolf, but if its able to hurt the wolf, then its able to hurt me.
A couple of minutes later I suddenly hear then same snarls of the wolves I heard earlier that night, followed my the sound of leaves rustling. I turned to look where the sound was coming from just to see a black wolf running in my direction, being chased by 2 grey wolves.
The forest on this side of the river isn't as dense as the other side so I could see them coming from quite a distance. I quickly run to the side, trying to get out of the wolves path. A few seconds later the black wolf passes through where I just was. I could see multiple wounds allover its body and it was clearly on its last legs.
It either didn't notice me or was too desperate to escape to pay attention to because it just carried on running not paying me any attention. I was a bit surprised because with how the black wolves were acting earlier, I had assumes they had little to no survival instinct.
Not long after the black wolf past, the 2 grey wolves soon followed. They were both slightly smaller than the black wolf but didn't look any weaker, and like me that had 2 tables instead of one.
As they past they both looked in my direction. They both let out a low growl before one of them snapped their jaws at the other. The one that had just been snapped at, quickly broke away from the other wolf and charged in my direction.
I quickly took off running, a bit shocked by what I had just witnessed. these 2 grey wolves had clearly communicated before splitting up, showing that they had some level of intelligence, unlike the black wolves.
As i'm running, I glance beside me and notice the grey wolf is quickly gaining on me. I haven't used my dash skill yet because I don't think there will be much point, I can tell that it will still be able to keep up with me if I use it and once it runs out, ill then be forced to fight without it.
So right now, I'm just trying to lead this wolf as far away from its companion as I can before trying to fight it.
After about 20 seconds worth running, the wolf is now directly behind me. Close enough to finally attack, the wolf lunges at me and tries swiping at me with its claws, leaving three green trails of light in the air.
I jump to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, with a look of shock on my face. That attack just now was clearly some kind of skill just like my void claw. I don't know what kind of power was imbued into its claws but if it's as strong as my void claw, then I can't afford to let it hit me.
I quickly activate my dash skill before being forced to doge the same attack again. With my speed increased, it's a bit easier to doge this time but the wolf doesn't stop attacking, not giving me any time to counter attack.
Forced to keep dodging I activate appraisal.
[unable to appraise]
[ding!]
[appraisal levelled up to level 3]
As expected, I'm not able to appraise it, I even try again after appraisal levelled up but just got the same result. I'm not too concerned though, I'm only level 1 so I can only successfully appraise something a the same level as me or a lower rank.
I continue dodging its attacks, waiting for an opening. This attack its using must cost MP. I don't know how much MP it has, but sooner or later it will surely run out. The only question being, will I be able to keep dodging until then?
[ding!]
[you have learned prediction level 1]
Ohh I unexpectedly gained the prediction skill. Dodging the attacks became a little bit easier as soon as I gain the skill. It's as if I faintly know where the attack is going to land just before it does, giving me an extra fraction of a second breathing room.
Using this little bit of extra time, i'm finally able to concentrate enough to activate my shadow magic, summoning a shadow on the ground around me, slowing the movement speed of the wolf.
With it's moments slowed down, I'm finally able to counter attack and after dodging it's next attack, I attack using void claw. Surprise by my sudden counter attack, the wolf doesn't manage to fully dodge in time and my attack hits it on its shoulder, causing it to yelp in pain.
It cause three deep groove to appear on its shoulder, further hindering its movements. It doesn't attack me again, instead it looks at me with caution it is eyes. I prepare to attack it again but am suddenly shocked to see it turn round and start sprinting away from me.
I pause for a second, momentarily stunned by the wolfs decision to flee, before quickly giving chase. No monster has ever tried to run away from me before, not even the weak monster such as the moss rats, so I never expected it to decide to run after just one hit.
Normally i'm the one running!
These grey wolves are definitely one of the more intelligent monsters I have faced. I need to catch it before it meets up with its companion, otherwise I might end up being the one that has to run away again!
Whilst chasing it I activate my space magic and teleport directly in front of it and use void claw. Shocked by my sudden appearance, the wolf runs straight into my attack. causing three deep gashes to appear on its face.
The wolf yelps and falls backwards, landing on its side. Having not heard any system notification telling me its dead, I quickly activate my shadow magic again, this time sending a shadow ball to cover its eyes, hoping that it won't be able to run away if it can't see.
[ding!]
[shadow magic levelled up to level 4]
After a quick glance at the system notification, I realise it's not a kill notification so I ignore it and return my attention back to the wolf. It's trying to get back up on its feet whilst shacking its head frantically, clearly trying to shake off the shadow covering its eyes.
I quickly jump towards it and use bite grabbing hold of its neck. Still in a frenzy, it yelps and hits be with its claw, causing me to rip off a large chunk of its neck.
[ding!]
[you have killed 1 wind wolf and gained 300 xp]
[ding!]
[level up! you are now level 2!]
The familiar earth spreads over me and heals the little damage the wolf managed to do to me. Overall I'm pretty please with the outcome of this battle. I managed to gain a new skill and level up 2 existing ones, all in one battle. Not only that, but it helped me realise that I can fight these wolves as long as it's one on one.
As long as I pick my battles carefully, I should be able to use these wolves to level up as well as improve my battle experience.
I start eating the dead grey wolf, which honestly doesn't taste too bad. Whilst eating I try to make a decision. Should I wait and see if its companion comes and try to fight them as well, or should I leave and try to find a safe place to call home first?
In one hand, I'm fully healed and have full MP, but on the other hand I need a safe place to check to see if I can do anything new with my space and shadow magic.
Hmmm...Decisions, decisions...