The remaining two wolves quickly attacked me again, not giving me a second to rest. I saw the wolf at the back charging its skill again, but this time the horns shone even more brightly and powerfully.
The monster attacking my neck now charged at me from the right, aiming for my waist. Two attacks—one from behind and one from the side. I had no time to lose.
I could barely move with one leg... My arms moved quickly, and I slashed at the wolf dashing toward my waist. The monster's mouth clamped onto the blade and hung there restlessly, its brain pierced as if it were a fish on a hook.
One left!
I lost my balance after this move and dropped to the ground. What met my eyes next was a powerful frost attack coming from the last wolf. I saw my life flash before my eyes—the moment I was born, my first steps, memories of my friends from high school, the championship I won, and when I was framed by the Sun Gaming team. It all came to me in that moment; my life had come to an end.
Am I going to die here...?
I didn't want to die, not yet, not before I could live my best days in this magical world. I wanted to explore every part of it...
I don't want to die...
-You have slain a common monster: Level 1 Green Frost Wolf-
-Your experience has increased by 10%-
-Congratulations! You have reached level 2!-
-Your overall stats have been upgraded-
-Level 4 Stamina -> Level 5 Current Stamina 50-
-Level 6 Attack -> Level 7 Current Attack 70-
-Level 4 Magic -> Level 5 (Level 11) Current Magic 110-
-Level 5 Strength -> Level 6 (Level 10) Current Strength 100-
-Level 4 Defense -> Level 5 Current Defense 50-
-Level 5 Agility -> Level 6 Current Agility 60-
-Level 5 Mana -> Level 6 Current Mana 160/160-
-Level 4 Mana Regeneration -> Level 5 (2.5/sec)-
-Level 1 Physical Resist -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Magic Resist -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Illusion Resist -> Level 2-
-Level 2 Element Resist -> Level 3-
-Level 2 Body Regeneration -> Level 3-
-Level 2 Magic Growth -> Level 3 (increases magic stat by 6)-
-Level 1 Strength Growth -> Level 2 (increases strength stat by 4)-
-Your abilities have been upgraded-
-Level 1 Kinetic Slash (evolving) (10 mana) -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Kinetic Shield (evolving) (3 mana/s) -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Soul Harvest (evolving) (30 mana) -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Space Distortion (evolving) (15 mana/s) -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Laughing at Death -> Level 2: each second in combat gives the user 1 stack, which can stack up to 100-
-After the user reaches 100 stacks, a special ability is granted:-
-Level 1 -> Level 2: Each stack gives 0.2% attack power.-
-Level 1 -> Level 2: Each stack gives 0.2% defense.-
-Level 1 Death Shall Not Claim Me -> Level 2: User becomes immortal for 11 seconds.-
-Level 1 Increased Regeneration -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Increased Vision -> Level 2-
-Level 1 Quick Movement -> Level 2-
-You have been granted two new abilities-
-Level 1 Soul Shackle (20 mana)-
-Level 1 Darkness Steps (10 mana/step)-
-You have been granted a new exclusive role ability-
-Level 1 Death Dance (0 mana): Escape death. (200-hour cooldown)-
A long system message rushed through my mind, but I had no time to study it as a cold ray of light pierced my skull.
I'm dead...
-You have been slain-
-An exclusive ability has been activated -
-Level 1 Death Dance has been used. You have entered a cooldown period. Time left until the next usage - 200 hours-
-You have been revived-
What happened?! How am I alive...?
-Level 1 Death Dance. Time left until the next usage - 200 hours-
I see... an exclusive ability...
A sense of relief flooded my body.
I... live!
My mind was still in shock. I had just experienced death, and I wasn't certain if I was dreaming or if I had truly survived. But one thing was clear to me. I had to kill. This rage. This pain. This sorrow. I had to give it back!
My leg, which had been bitten by the wolf, was quickly pushing the teeth out of my skin. I could move it again.
I quickly stood up and saw the wolf lying on the ground, barely moving and breathing heavily.
"I see... That attack was your last resort to kill me... How... pitiful..."
I wasn't sure if I was still myself. My voice was filled with deep hatred and mockery.
I moved slowly toward the monster, each step I took accompanied by my laughter... almost maniacally. I felt happy to be alive... I felt happy to take a life...
"You pitiful thing... Hahahaha... Hah... Hah... Ah... Let me put you out of your misery!"
"Kinetic Slash!"
"Kinetic Slash!"
"Kinetic Slash!..."
I think I entered a frenzy at that moment, slashing and slashing until I ran out of mana... I hardly remember what happened to the monster... All I remember is that the wolf's body was now a pile of meat and blood on the ground and trees...
-You have slain a common monster: Level 1 Green Frost Wolf-
-Congratulations, you have acquired a new achievement-
-Death Dancer - You have successfully escaped death for the first time-
-10 skill points have been granted-
-Congratulations, you have acquired a new achievement-
-One-Man Army - You have successfully won a battle against five or more opponents-
-2 skill points have been granted-
-Congratulations, you have acquired a new achievement-
-Wolf Slayer - Slay 5 wolves-
-1 skill point has been granted-
-Total unused skill points - 22-
-You may now use Soul Harvest-
"Soul Harvest..."
I spoke those words without any expression or tone... I felt empty as six souls flew into my mouth. I don't remember the taste of those souls. Or perhaps I choose not to remember...
My lifeless eyes looked around the battlefield, and I stepped over to the Ratabo, which was lying dead on the ground.
Slash
I slashed the monster into pieces, hoping I would acquire a storage skill. I slashed until all the parts were separated. I picked up a tusk and inspected it with my skill.
-Rare Material - Ratabo's Tusk (Damaged)-
-You can craft this material into weapons and tools.-
-Congratulations, you have acquired a new achievement-
-Looter - Pick up your first looted item-
-You have been granted a new ability-
-Level 1 Spatial Storage - Store up to 20 nonliving items.-
"Good..." My voice was out of energy and willpower.
I smiled slightly for the first time since that battle.
It took me around five minutes to loot what I thought were the most important items from my battle: two Ratabo tusks and ten Fangs of the Green Frost Wolves.
These should be the most important items for now. I don't need meat; I can't consume it anyway...
My eyes fell on the deep forest. I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
Picking a direction opposite from where I came from, I stepped slowly, my black dress dancing in the wind.
Today's events will forever be etched into my mind. Perhaps one day, when I'm used to all the killing, I will look back and be glad I was granted a second chance at life.
"It's cold out here, in this lonely and desolate world. But I shall live. I will become the wind that cannot be stopped..."
The sound of crunching leaves and chirping birds was my only relief. It felt like home...
I'm not sure how long I've been wandering—maybe ten minutes, or perhaps an hour. I kept walking until I ran into a new monster. It was a small purple fox.
"Oh?"
It was cute and lovely, not a monster I wanted to kill. But this fox seemed to be injured. Its leg was bruised, and blood covered its back.
Our eyes met. I saw a pleading look in its eyes. It wanted help.
Inspect.
-Purple Foxterit. Level 1. Mystic grade demon fox.-
-Basic Abilities:-
-Hellfire Breath-
Wow, I can see abilities now. I guess my Inspect skill was automatically upgraded as well.
I felt a connection to this monster for some reason. I knew I had to take it with me and nurse it back to health.
"Hey, little buddy, want to come with me?"
As if it understood what I was saying, the fox nodded its small head.
I carefully walked toward the creature, step by step, slowly extending my hand, letting it sniff.
After the fox licked my hand, I knew I had the green light, so I picked it up in my arms.
"Shhh... Don't worry... I'll help you..."
I spoke softly and gently, as if by instinct. I believe it was the right decision, as the fox slowly closed its eyes and fell asleep.
"So cute..."
Who could hurt such a beautiful and gentle creature?
Well, I didn't need to look far for the culprit, as several men emerged from the woods one by one and faced me.