(Sam's POV)
The forest at night was usually a place of calm, but not tonight. Tonight, the air felt different. It was sharp, electric, and carried a sense of danger I couldn't ignore. I flicked my tongue, tasting the scent of something powerful nearby.
'This isn't like the usual prey I've been hunting.'
As I slithered deeper, I spotted it—a Wind Wolf, sleek and dangerous. Its silver fur glimmered in the moonlight, and the wind around it seemed to bend to its will. This wasn't just any predator. It was E-Rank. Stronger than anything I had faced before.
[Status Inspection Lv 3 activated.]
[Wind Wolf]
[Level: 26]
[Rank: E]
[Skills:]
– [Wind Slash Lv 5]
– [Gale Force Lv 4]
[Traits:]
– [Wind Affinity (Basic)]
[Status: Calm]
An E-Rank predator. My stomach tightened as I stared at the Wind Wolf.
'Level 26… an E-rank? Damn.'
The realization hit me like a punch in the gut. I wasn't ready for this. I'd only been facing F-Rank beasts, barely stronger than me, but this wolf? It was a step above, faster, stronger, more dangerous. My muscles tensed in fear, my body instinctively coiling as if to retreat.
'Maybe… I should wait. I'm not ready for something like this. If I mess up, this thing will tear me apart.'
For the first time since I'd started hunting, doubt crept into my mind. This wasn't just about gaining XP or skills anymore. This could kill me.
But then a thought struck me—what kind of predator runs from a challenge?
'I can't just keep hunting weaklings forever. If I want to survive in this world, I need to get stronger. And that means facing tougher opponents.'
The rules here were simple: the strong eat the weak. If I didn't push myself, I'd just end up as prey for something stronger.
'No… I'm not going to be anyone's meal. Not today.'
I forced the fear down and coiled myself, focusing. The Wind Wolf hadn't noticed me yet, and I had the advantage of stealth. I could do this.
[Stealth Lv 5 activated.]
I slithered closer, using the shadows to mask my approach. The wolf stood still, its sharp eyes scanning the clearing. The wind around it seemed to move in sync with its breathing, rippling like an invisible shield.
'This is going to be tough… but I'm not backing down.'
I tensed my body, ready to strike. My fangs ached with the urge to sink into its flesh, my venom already pooling. If I could just get one good bite in—
The wolf's ears twitched. It whipped its head toward me, eyes locking onto my position. I barely had time to react as the air around it exploded into motion.
A Wind Slash—razor-sharp blade of air sliced through the space between us, faster than I'd expected. I dodged, but not quickly enough—the edge of the wind caught me, tearing through my scales with a sharp sting.
'Damn! It's faster than I thought!'
The wolf growled, the wind around it picking up speed. The pressure in the air shifted, like a storm was brewing right in the clearing. This thing wasn't going to give me a chance to get close.
'So that's how it is, huh?' I thought bitterly.
[Pain Resistance activated.]
The pain dulled slightly, my body adapting to the injury. But the wolf wasn't done. The wind picked up again, swirling around it with terrifying speed. I braced myself, waiting for the next attack.
A powerful gust of wind blasted toward me, knocking me off balance. I barely had time to react before the wolf lunged at me, claws outstretched.
[Harden Lv 2 activated.]
My scales hardened just in time, deflecting the worst of the blow, but the impact still sent me crashing into the ground. My body ached, but the Harden skill had saved me from a much worse injury.
'This thing isn't just fast. It's smart.'
I needed to use everything I had to take it down. I couldn't rely on just my venom and bite this time.
The wolf circled me again, preparing another attack. But this time, I was ready.
[Quick Dash Lv 1 activated.]
I shot forward, faster than before, closing the gap between us in an instant. My fangs sank into the wolf's side, injecting venom as deep as I could.
[Bite Lv 8 activated.]
[Venom Lv 8 activated.]
The wolf howled in pain, thrashing violently as the venom took hold. But it wasn't going down easily. With a burst of energy, it unleashed another Wind Slash, this time at close range. The razor-sharp wind cut into my side, drawing more blood.
'This thing's tough!'
[Frenzy Lv 1 activated.]
The pain fueled me. My body surged with energy as Frenzy kicked in, boosting my strength and speed. I lashed out with my tail, slamming it into the wolf's legs to knock it off balance.
[Tail Whip Lv 3 activated.]
The wolf staggered, but it wasn't out yet. I needed to finish this, and fast.
[Fire Breath Lv 1 activated.]
I unleashed a small burst of flame directly at the wolf's face, forcing it to back off. The heat scorched its fur, and the wind around it faltered for a moment.
Taking advantage of the opening, I charged again.
[Charge Lv 1 activated.]
I slammed into the wolf, my fangs sinking into its neck.
[Bite Lv 8 activated.]
[Venom Lv 8 activated.]
This time, the venom spread faster, and the wolf's body trembled. It tried to summon another blast of wind, but its strength was fading. I could feel it weakening.
But the wolf wasn't done yet. It lashed out with one last desperate Wind Slash, catching me across the side. Blood poured from the wound, but I didn't let go.
With one final surge of strength, I clamped down harder, injecting every drop of venom I had left.
[Bite Lv 8 → Lv 9.]
[Venom Lv 8 → Lv 9.]
The Wind Wolf let out a pitiful whine before collapsing, its body going limp as the wind finally died around us.
[You have defeated Wind Wolf (Lv 26).]
[You have gained 180 XP.]
[You have leveled up to 22.]
[Basic Regeneration activated.]
Panting, I released my grip, my body trembling with exhaustion. Blood dripped from my wounds, and my vision blurred. That had been far too close.
[Devour Lv 1 activated.]
[You have gained the trait: Wind Affinity (Basic).]
[You have gained the skill: Wind Slash Lv 1.]
As the Wind Wolf's power flowed into me, I felt a rush of energy. My wounds began to close, slowly, thanks to Basic Regeneration, but I was still in bad shape.
[Basic Regeneration]: Slowly heals minor to moderate injuries over time, but cannot regenerate during intense battles.
The warmth of Basic Regeneration spread through my body, but the pain was still there. I needed to rest. This fight had pushed me to the brink.
'I need to find somewhere safe.'
I forced myself to move, dragging my bleeding body through the forest. The fight had drained me, but I couldn't stop now. I had to find shelter. I couldn't let myself become easy prey for something else.
With one last glance at the Wind Wolf's body, I slithered away, bleeding, tired, but still alive. And with Wind Affinity now coursing through me, I knew I was getting stronger. But this victory had come at a cost.
'I survived this… but next time? I'll need to be even stronger.'