Elric barely had time to register the Grey Stalker's blinding speed as it lunged toward him, its glowing eyes burning with cold, predatory hunger. He pivoted on his heels, throwing himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's razor-sharp claws. The air was split by the sound of the beast's snarl, a deep, guttural noise that reverberated through the trees. It was close—far too close.
His heart pounded in his chest as he hit the ground, rolling instinctively behind a nearby boulder, his mind racing. The beast wasn't just fast—it was relentless, and worse, it had already recovered from the burn caused by his Flame Spark. He could feel the heat of its breath as it prowled around the rock, searching for an opening. Elric's pulse quickened as the realization hit him: the fight was just beginning.
He needed a plan, fast. His flames alone wouldn't be enough to bring the creature down, not with its speed and agility. If he wanted to survive, he would have to use the terrain, his wits, and every scrap of knowledge he had gathered.
From his crouched position behind the boulder, Elric glanced at the thick underbrush on the other side of the clearing. The trees and vegetation could offer cover, but the beast's stealth and agility meant it could blend into the shadows far better than he could. The wilderness was its domain, and Elric was the intruder here.
His eyes darted toward a cluster of rocks nearby, jagged and uneven—potential weapons, if he could maneuver the beast into position. He had studied the behavior of predators like the Grey Stalker; they were opportunistic, relying on their prey to make a mistake, to show weakness. But if he could trick it—if he could lure it into a false sense of security…
The beast circled the boulder, sniffing the air as it searched for him. Elric could hear the soft rustle of its fur brushing against the leaves, the subtle padding of its paws on the earth. He knew he didn't have much time before it would close in on him again. The advantage was his for the moment, but that wouldn't last.
His mind flashed back to the system, the cold, calculating presence that had become his silent companion. The appraisal function was active, showing him the creature's stats and weaknesses in real-time.
[Beast: Grey Stalker] [Rank: 1 (Low)] [Abilities: Stealth, enhanced agility, night vision.] [Weakness: Fire-based attacks.]
Fire-based attacks. The phrase echoed in his mind as he crouched behind the boulder. His Flame Spark was effective, but not enough. He needed something stronger, something that could force the beast to retreat or slow it down long enough for him to land a decisive blow.
Elric closed his eyes for a split second, focusing on the heat within him. His Flame Spark was weak, but if he could manipulate it—amplify it somehow—he might be able to turn the tables. The beast was vulnerable to fire, and Elric knew he had the one thing it couldn't defend against.
A plan began to form in his mind, each detail clicking into place as he visualized the terrain around him. The rocks, the underbrush, the boulder—it was all part of the same deadly puzzle. He just had to play his cards right.
With a deep breath, Elric stood slowly, keeping his movements deliberate and quiet. The beast was on the other side of the boulder now, its glowing eyes scanning the area, searching for him. He could hear the low growl in its throat, the sound of anticipation. It knew he was close.
Elric reached down, grabbing a handful of loose dirt and stones, his fingers trembling slightly from the adrenaline. He tossed the dirt into the air, sending it scattering across the clearing in the opposite direction of where he stood. The sound was subtle, but enough to catch the beast's attention.
The Grey Stalker's head snapped toward the noise, its body tensing as it prepared to strike. Elric seized the opportunity, darting out from behind the boulder and sprinting toward the jagged rocks he had spotted earlier. His heart pounded in his chest as he ran, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved with practiced precision.
The beast hesitated for only a moment before giving chase, its lithe body cutting through the air like a shadow. Elric could hear the soft padding of its paws behind him, the faint snarl that grew louder with each passing second. He pushed himself harder, his legs burning from the effort as he neared the cluster of rocks.
Now.
With a burst of energy, Elric vaulted over the rocks, spinning mid-air as he landed on the other side. His hand flared with the familiar heat of Flame Spark as he extended it toward the ground, igniting the dry leaves and branches at the base of the rocks. The fire spread quickly, crackling and hissing as it consumed the brush.
The Grey Stalker skidded to a halt just a few feet away, its eyes narrowing as it stared at the flames. For a brief moment, it hesitated, its predatory instincts warring with its aversion to fire. Elric could see the conflict in its eyes—the beast wanted to attack, but the flames were an undeniable threat.
Good.
He pressed the advantage, stepping forward and letting the fire build in his hand. His Flame Spark flared, the small flame growing larger and hotter as he focused all his energy into it. The heat was intense, burning at his fingertips, but Elric pushed through the pain. He had no choice.
The beast snarled, its lips curling back to reveal sharp, gleaming fangs. It was preparing to strike, to leap through the flames and tear him apart. But Elric wasn't finished.
He threw the flame at the beast, the fireball streaking through the air with a hiss. It wasn't a massive attack, but it was enough to force the creature back, its fur singed by the heat. The Grey Stalker snarled again, more aggressively this time, but it didn't lunge. It was calculating, watching him carefully as it circled the flames.
For a moment, neither moved. The fire crackled between them, a barrier of light and heat in the growing darkness. Elric's mind raced, his body tense with anticipation. He knew the beast was waiting for an opening, for him to falter or make a mistake.
But Elric wasn't going to give it the chance.
With a sharp breath, he dropped to one knee, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out the makeshift knife he had brought with him. The blade was simple, crude, but sharp enough to do the job. He tightened his grip on the handle, his green eye locked on the creature's movements.
The Grey Stalker crouched low, its muscles coiling as it prepared for another attack. The fire had done little to deter it, and Elric knew he was running out of time. The beast wasn't going to wait much longer.
He had to act.
Just as the beast lunged toward him, Elric sprang forward, his body moving on instinct. He rolled to the side, avoiding the creature's claws by mere inches. The momentum of the roll carried him up and over the cluster of rocks, placing him directly behind the beast.
Without hesitating, he swung the knife in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's hind leg. The blade struck true, sinking into the flesh with a sickening crunch. The Grey Stalker let out a howl of pain, its body jerking as it tried to escape.
But Elric was relentless. He twisted the knife, digging it deeper into the creature's leg, his teeth clenched in determination. The beast thrashed wildly, trying to shake him off, but Elric held firm.
Blood spurted from the wound, staining the ground beneath them. The creature's strength was waning, but it wasn't finished yet. It lashed out with its claws, catching Elric across the shoulder and sending him stumbling back.
Pain flared through his body, but he forced himself to stay on his feet. The Grey Stalker staggered, its leg crippled by the deep wound. Its eyes blazed with fury as it turned to face him, its body trembling with rage.
Elric gripped the knife tighter, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. This was it. The moment of truth.
The beast charged again, its movements slower this time, but no less deadly. Elric stood his ground, his muscles tensed as he prepared for the final blow.
Just as the Grey Stalker closed in on him, Elric raised his hand, the last of his energy flaring to life in his palm. Flame Spark ignited, brighter and hotter than ever before, and with a single, desperate motion, he unleashed the fireball directly at the creature's face.
The flames engulfed the beast, its agonized howls echoing through the clearing as the fire consumed it. Elric staggered back, his body trembling from the effort as he watched the creature collapse to the ground, its body twitching violently before finally going still.
He had done it.
But before he could savor his victory, darkness crept into the edges of his vision, and the world around him began to blur.
And then—everything went black.
End of Chapter Six.