(Sam's POV)
I was still healing, still exhausted, but the scent of danger was calling. There was no rest for the weak in this world. Slithering low to the ground, I kept my body pressed against the dirt, relying on Stealth to move unnoticed. The rustling of paws and the low, guttural growls ahead told me everything I needed to know—wolves. Again.
'Is this some kind of running joke? Wolves? Again? What next, a dragon?'
Through the trees, I spotted them—Razor Hounds. Sleek, black-furred beasts with glowing red eyes and teeth sharp enough to tear through metal. There were three of them, moving as one unit, too coordinated for my liking.
'And here I thought teamwork made the dream work. This dream? Nightmare.'
[Status Inspection Lv 3 activated.]
[Name: Razor Hound]
[Level: 22]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Razor Bite Lv 4]
– [Pack Coordination Lv 4]
– [Claw Strike Lv 3]
[Traits:]
– [Night Vision]
– [Enhanced Hearing (Basic)]
[Name: Razor Hound]
[Level: 19]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Razor Bite Lv 2]
– [Pack Coordination Lv 1]
– [Claw Strike Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Enhanced Reflexes (Basic)]
[Name: Razor Hound]
[Level: 20]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Claw Strike Lv 2]
– [Pack Coordination Lv 2]
[Traits:]
– [Night Vision]
The leader, the one at Level 22, was bigger than the others, and I could feel the confidence rolling off it. These weren't like the other wolves I had faced before. These were faster, smarter, deadlier. I couldn't afford to make a mistake.
But I was too tired to run, and I wasn't about to back down now. I coiled myself tighter, waiting for the right moment. When the leader stepped a little too close, I launched myself at it, aiming for its throat.
[Bite Lv 9 activated.]
[Venom Lv 9 activated.]
My fangs sank deep into the flesh of the lead Razor Hound, injecting my venom into its bloodstream. The wolf snarled in pain, but before I could finish the job, the second wolf lunged at me from the side, its claws raking across my back.
I hissed in pain and instinctively tightened my grip on the leader, but the third wolf was already charging at me, teeth bared.
'I'm not a chew toy, damn it!'
[Tail Whip Lv 3 activated.]
With a flick of my tail, I struck the second wolf across the face, knocking it off balance. The third one barely missed sinking its teeth into me as I twisted away, but the bite came too close for comfort. The pack wasn't just a bunch of dumb animals—they were coordinated, moving in sync like a well-trained team.
The leader growled, shaking me off. My venom was already working, but it wasn't going down without a fight. The others circled around, ready to pounce.
'Great. Now I'm being hunted.'
The three Razor Hounds closed in from all sides. My wounds were still fresh from my last battle, and I could feel my strength waning. I had to think fast.
[Stealth Lv 5 activated.]
I slipped into the shadows, disappearing from their sight just as they lunged for me. The wolves snarled in confusion, their glowing red eyes scanning the area, noses twitching as they tried to pick up my scent. But I wasn't about to let them find me so easily.
The second wolf, the one I had struck with my tail, was limping slightly. A weak point. I waited for it to stray too far from the others.
'Time to turn the tables.'
I darted out from the shadows, my fangs aimed directly at its hind leg.
[Bite Lv 9 activated.]
[Venom Lv 9 activated.]
The wolf yelped in pain, its leg buckling under the force of my bite. But the other two were on me before I could finish it off. The leader slammed into me with its shoulder, sending me rolling across the dirt. The impact knocked the air out of me, and I felt fresh wounds open along my side.
'Not good. Not good at all.'
I barely had time to react before the third wolf pounced, its claws digging into my scales. I twisted, trying to shake it off, but the pain was overwhelming. My body ached from the new injuries, and I knew I wouldn't be able to heal until I was out of danger—Basic Regeneration wouldn't kick in while I was still fighting.
'Think! Use Fire Breath!'
With a burst of adrenaline, I turned and let loose a jet of flame, catching the wolf square in the face.
[Fire Breath Lv 1 activated.]
The flames engulfed its head, and it let out a terrible howl as it stumbled back, its fur smoldering. The pack hesitated, clearly surprised by the sudden fire attack, but I could feel the drain on my magic power. I couldn't keep that up for long.
'One down. Two to go.'
The leader charged again, its claws tearing into the dirt as it came at me with terrifying speed. I barely managed to dodge, the wolf's teeth snapping shut where my head had been just moments before. It was faster than I expected, even with the venom slowing it down.
[Quick Dash Lv 1 activated.]
I shot forward, aiming for the weaker wolf that was still limping from my earlier bite. It tried to back away, but I was faster. I coiled around its neck, squeezing tight, and bit down hard.
[Bite Lv 9 activated.]
[Venom Lv 9 activated.]
The wolf collapsed, its body going limp as the venom took hold. But the leader wasn't going to let me celebrate. It slammed into me from behind, knocking me off balance and sending me sprawling across the dirt.
'Gotta end this. Now!'
The leader charged at me again, but this time I was ready. With a burst of speed, I slithered behind it and lashed out with my tail.
[Tail Whip Lv 3 activated.]
The strike hit its hind leg, knocking it off balance. Before it could recover, I lunged forward, my fangs sinking deep into its side.
[Bite Lv 9 activated.]
[Venom Lv 9 activated.]
The leader let out a final snarl before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching as the venom spread through its veins. The forest fell silent.
[You have defeated Razor Hounds lv 22.]
[You have defeated Razor Hounds lv 19.]
[You have defeated Razor Hounds lv 20.]
[You have gained 270 XP.]
[Tail Whip Lv 3 → Lv 4.]
[Quick Dash Lv 1 → Lv 2.]
[Devour Lv 1 activated.]
[No new traits or skills gained.]
[Hunger decreased by 30%.]
Panting heavily, I coiled myself up, trying to catch my breath. The wounds throbbed, my body screaming for rest, but I had survived. Barely.
'Razor Bite, huh? Useful, I guess. But at this rate, I'll need a Life Insurance Lv 1.'
As I lay there, my Basic Regeneration working overtime, I could feel the exhaustion settling in. But I couldn't rest for long. This forest had a way of throwing bigger challenges at me the moment I let my guard down.
'One step closer… But if I keep this up, I might not be alive for the next step.'