Ren wiped the sweat from his brow as he stepped out of the cave. The cool night air brushed against his skin, and his hand tightened around the crude spear he had fashioned. He was no stranger to surviving tough situations, but now, in this strange world, it felt different—more primal, more urgent.
His eyes scanned the landscape. People were scattered everywhere, some wandering aimlessly, others caught in brutal fights. The sounds of conflict echoed through the night—screams, snarls, and the unmistakable thud of bodies hitting the ground. Chaos ruled this place, and if Ren was going to make it through the night, he'd need to act fast.
As he continued to walk, something caught his eye—a blur of motion, followed by a scream. His heart quickened as he spotted a large wolf tearing through a group of people, its sharp fangs glistening under the moonlight. Blood sprayed across the ground as it pounced on its latest victim, a man who barely had time to raise his arms before the wolf tore into him.
Ren gritted his teeth. He wasn't going to stand by and let the beast continue its rampage. Gripping his spear, he ran toward the wolf, his feet pounding the earth beneath him. The adrenaline was already beginning to course through his veins again, sharpening his focus, making the world slow around him.
The wolf saw him coming. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Ren, and it let out a menacing growl. Without hesitation, the beast lunged at him, its teeth bared. Ren barely managed to sidestep in time, the wolf's claws slicing through the air where he had just been standing.
With a quick spin, Ren jabbed his spear forward, aiming for the creature's side. But the wolf was fast—unnaturally fast. It leapt backward, dodging his strike with ease. In one fluid motion, it lunged again, this time catching Ren off guard. He felt a sharp pain rip through his chest as the wolf's claws raked across him, tearing through his clothes and skin. Blood seeped through his torn shirt, the sting forcing a grunt from his lips.
Damn it, Ren thought, stumbling backward, clutching his chest. The wolf wasn't just some wild animal—it was something more, something deadly.
Before Ren could fully recover, the wolf lowered its body, preparing for another attack. Its muscles tensed, and then, in a flash, a strange blue light enveloped the creature. Ren's eyes widened as the wolf vanished from sight, only to reappear behind him with a snarl. It had teleported.
Ren felt the sharp pain in his back as the wolf slashed at him again, its claws tearing into his flesh. He stumbled forward, barely able to stay on his feet. The world around him spun for a moment, but he couldn't afford to fall. Not now. Not when his life was on the line.
No choice, he thought, his breathing ragged. "Adrenaline, level one," he muttered, activating his ability for one final push.
The familiar rush surged through him, filling his body with raw power. His vision sharpened, his heart pounded in his ears, and time seemed to slow down. The pain in his chest and back faded into the background as his focus narrowed in on the wolf.
The beast charged at him again, but this time, Ren was ready. With a roar, he hurled his spear with all the strength he could muster, his body fueled by the last remnants of adrenaline. The spear cut through the air like a missile, and before the wolf could teleport again, the tip struck its target—right in the center of its forehead.
The wolf let out a final, guttural whine before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. Ren stood there, panting, watching as the blue glow around the wolf faded away. Blood dripped from his wounds, but he didn't care. He had survived.
Around him, the battlefield was littered with bodies. People who had tried to fight back, or had been caught off guard by the wolf's speed and power. Ren was the last one standing, and for a brief moment, the silence felt deafening.
Suddenly, a familiar robotic voice echoed in his mind.
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
6 stat points acquired.
Adrenaline skill has leveled up.
[Adrenaline Level 2.]
Ren blinked as the notifications flashed before him. Two level-ups, just from this one fight. His strength had increased again, and his skill had improved. He didn't know exactly what that meant yet, but he'd figure it out soon enough.
He let out a slow breath and limped over to the wolf's corpse, wincing at the pain in his chest and back. The wounds stung, but they weren't fatal. He'd live—at least for tonight. With a grunt, he grabbed the wolf's body by the scruff of its neck and began dragging it back toward the cave. The creature was heavy, but he couldn't afford to leave it behind. It was food, after all, and he didn't know when he'd get another chance like this.