"Ahh!"
Alex's body slammed into the rough bark of a tree with enough force to rattle his bones. Pain shot through him as the air was forced from his lungs. Before he could recover, the wolf loomed over him, its massive jaws snapping open, fangs gleaming in the dappled light. The beast's wild eyes burned with primal hunger.
This wasn't how things were supposed to end.
In that moment, Alex felt the world slow around him. The forest, the beast, even his own ragged breaths faded into the background. A single thought rang out, clear and desperate: I don't want to die. I need to live. I need to… find Elara.
His arms refused to move, his legs were like lead. Every ounce of strength had drained from him, leaving him vulnerable and helpless. Frustration welled in his chest, a bitter and familiar feeling. How many times had he been powerless? Back in his old life, trapped in the monotony of routine, and now here, in a world full of danger he barely understood. Was this all there was for him? To be crushed and forgotten?
"Why is this happening to me?" The question burned in his mind, anger mixing with fear. "Why?"
The wolf lunged, and Alex closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable. But as the end seemed certain, a strange warmth flickered in his chest. It was faint, like the dying embers of a fire, but it was enough to make him pause. The warmth grew, spreading outward, filling him with a strange energy. It wasn't just his imagination—something deep within him had stirred.
His thoughts shifted inward, instinctively seeking the source. His mana core. There it was, nestled deep in his chest, swirling with vivid, chaotic colors. Among them, one shone brighter: cyan. It pulsed, vibrant and alive, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
The glow intensified, and suddenly, a cloud of cyan energy shot toward him. Alex's eyes snapped open as the cloud struck his heart, dispersing into thousands of particles that surged through his veins. The pain in his body dulled. Strength returned to his limbs. The wolf lunged again, its massive fangs descending toward him, but this time, Alex didn't feel helpless.
The air around him shifted. It wasn't just a breeze—it was alive, responding to his will. The power within him surged, and instinctively, he reached out to it.
The wolf's jaws clamped down, but instead of flesh, it met a barrier of swirling wind. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, and the beast recoiled with a pained howl. Razor-sharp wind blades burst from the barrier, slicing into its thick hide. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the beast staggered, its movements erratic and frantic.
Alex sat up, his breathing steady despite the chaos around him. He could feel the wind—no, he was the wind. It wasn't a foreign force anymore; it was a part of him. He raised his hand, and the air around it twisted and swirled, forming a small typhoon in his palm. The sensation was exhilarating, like discovering a part of himself he didn't know existed.
The wolf shook itself, its snarl deepening. Despite its injuries, the beast didn't retreat. Its pride wouldn't allow it. Alex's barrier began to waver, the shimmering winds thinning as his mana reserves depleted. He hadn't realized how much energy magic consumed, and now he was paying the price.
"I'm not done yet," he muttered, his voice low and determined.
The wolf lunged again, its claws tearing into the dirt as it closed the gap. Alex gritted his teeth, pouring everything he had left into one final spell. The typhoon in his hand expanded, merging with the remaining wind blades swirling around him.
"Typhoon Blade," he whispered.
The air roared as the typhoon erupted, its spiraling winds laced with razor-sharp edges. The wolf leapt directly into the storm, its momentum carrying it forward. The winds tore into its flesh with merciless precision, ripping through muscle and bone. Blood sprayed like rain, and the beast's howl was cut short as it crumpled to the ground.
The storm dissipated, leaving the clearing in ruin. Trees lay splintered, the ground churned and scarred by the violent winds. Alex stood in the center of it all, his chest heaving. His body trembled, both from exertion and the lingering adrenaline.
The wolf's lifeless body lay a few steps away, its once-imposing form now still. Alex stumbled toward it, his legs unsteady. His right hand was gone, and when he looked down, he saw why—two of his fingers were missing on right-hand, cleanly severed by his own wind blades. Blood trickled from the wounds, staining his tattered sleeve.
"Great," he muttered, half-laughing despite the pain.
His stomach growled, breaking the tense silence. Alex turned his gaze to the massive carcass in front of him. The wolf's thick fur and muscular frame weren't just intimidating—they were resources. In this world, survival meant making use of everything, no matter how grim.
Ignoring the ache in his body, Alex knelt beside the wolf and extended his left hand. Channeling the last remnants of his mana, he released a simple spell. The wind swept over the beast, peeling away its fur with surgical precision. Beneath the coarse hide was raw, bloody meat—enough to last him days, maybe weeks, if he could preserve it.
The spell was efficient, a far cry from the chaotic bursts of magic he'd used before. "Shave," he murmured, naming it on the spot. Practical, simple, and light on mana. It would do for now.
Alex tore into the exposed flesh without hesitation. The raw meat was tough and unpleasant, the metallic tang of blood coating his tongue, but he didn't care. His body needed fuel, and this was the only option. He ate quickly, his mind racing even as his jaw worked.
The fight had taken everything out of him, but he wasn't done. Not by a long shot. This was only the beginning, and he knew it. If this world wanted him dead, it was going to have to try harder.
Alex wiped the blood from his mouth and leaned back, his gaze shifting to the wreckage around him. The forest was quiet again, the wolves gone, their leader defeated. For now, he was safe.
But safety was a fragile thing in this world, and Alex didn't intend to rely on it.