Chapter 4 - The Fighting Instinct

The cold air and the tension from the fight began to fade, but there was something else I needed to address before continuing. As I recovered from the last battle, a notification from the system appeared before my eyes, glowing inexplicably in the darkness. Instinctively, I reached out, as if I were expecting this signal, and the screen unfolded before me.

[Status Screen: Zephyr]

Name: Zephyr

Level: 4

Class: No class

HP: 85/100

MP: 30/30

EXP: 380/500

Statistics:

Strength: 12 (+4 from reward)

Dexterity: 18 (+4 from reward)

Endurance: 15 (+4 from reward)

Intelligence: 17 (+4 from reward)

Speed: 13 (+4 from reward)

Luck: 10 (+4 from reward)

Magic: 0 (No magical abilities)

Rewards Obtained:

Statistics increased by +3 for surviving the fall.

New increase of +4 in all statistics for defeating the two Mucoratas.

New Special Ability:

Night Vision:

Ability to see clearly in the dark for up to 2 hours.

(Cooldown: 24 hours)

(Reward for killing the Mucoratas)

I received the rewards and watched as my status screen filled with new data, something I hadn't experienced before. Now everything seemed more organized, and the system wasn't making unnecessary comments like before. I couldn't help but think that, at least for now, this was better. I didn't want a digital clown mocking me all the time.

[System]: "As you evolve, more things will be displayed. For now, the system will remain in this state, but as you grow, you will have more options."

—Well, I guess that's positive —I muttered, looking at the screen. I wasn't sure if I was grateful or a little alarmed by the amount of new information that was beginning to appear. I still didn't fully understand everything, but the idea that things could improve was, at least, comforting.

I grabbed the torch in my hand, although now, with Night Vision activated, it wasn't strictly necessary. But I didn't know how long I would be staying in this strange place, so I decided to save my ability for later. After all, light always made me feel safer.

I walked for a few minutes, and as if the universe wanted to test my patience, I found a group of Mucoratas. Seven of them, to be exact.

—Well, with my stat boost, this should be much easier, right? —I thought aloud, though I wasn't expecting an answer. The system had been quite serious lately.

...

And it really was easy. In fact, it didn't even take me any effort. My reflexes were sharper, my speed and strength had improved noticeably, and in the blink of an eye, the Mucoratas were lying defeated at my feet.

—Alright, now... rewards, please —I said, with a satisfied smile.

[System]: "Congratulations, for quickly eliminating 7 Mucoratas. You are granted the following boosts: +7 in all stats, except for luck. Additionally, you are given two bottles of water."

The +7 boost in all stats was incredible. I felt as though a wave of new energy had coursed through my body, as if I were improving in every small aspect. It was addictive, almost as if the points translated into pure vitality.

—By the way, why doesn't luck increase? —I asked, curious as I drank from the water bottles.

[System]: "Luck is not like the other stats, host. It cannot be increased through training."

—It can't be increased at all? —I replied, frowning.

[System]: "Every once in a while, you will be given rewards where you can choose which stats to increase, including luck. But it won't increase as quickly as the other stats."

—Wow, so luck is a complicated matter —I commented to myself. I couldn't help but think that, with how unlucky I usually am, I'd need all the luck possible in this place.

But at least now, I understood how it worked. It was a complicated system, but something told me that, if I played my cards right, I could make it work in my favor.

Then, I finally managed to leave the corridor where I had been, and I reached a much wider space. The stone walls were tall and sturdy, and the space was perfect for monsters to appear. There was something unsettling in the air, as if everything were about to explode.

—Come on, show yourselves, Mucoratas —I said, more confident than I should've been. But of course, I knew how luck worked in my life, and just at that moment...

A pair of red eyes glowed in the darkness, and the figure began to take shape before my eyes. My stomach sank as I recognized the threat. It wasn't a Mucorata. It was much worse.

A gigantic red wolf, with fangs so long they looked like weapons, appeared before me. It stared at me as if I had killed its entire family right in front of it. The air grew thick, and my breathing became heavier.

—I haven't done anything to make you look at me like that —I said, raising my hands in a gesture of peace. But the wolf growled with such ferocity that I had no doubt: there was no place for peace here.

I began to realize I had made a mistake by tempting fate this way. I dropped the torch and quickly activated Night Vision. The wolf circled me, its gaze fixed on me while its fangs gleamed under the pale light of the fallen torch.

—Great. This is going to be fun. —I said quietly, pulling the daggers from my sides, ready for the ambush. I knew this wouldn't be as easy as the Mucoratas, but I had no other choice.

The wolf lunged at me with terrifying speed, and before I could fully react, its enormous paw was already raised, ready to tear me apart. Its gaze, full of fury, drilled into me as if it wanted to devour me whole. My hands trembled slightly, but I tried to stay calm.

—This is definitely not going to be easy — adrenaline flooded me as the wolf made its first move.

Its paw fell toward my face, and I barely managed to dodge, rolling to the right at the last second. The air was cut by the wolf's roar, and its paw slammed into the ground with a deafening sound. The earth cracked under its weight, and mud splattered everywhere.

I couldn't waste any time. Without thinking, I quickly got up, and lifting one of my daggers, I tried to stab its back paw. But the wolf reacted so fast that I barely grazed its reddish fur. The animal spun on its hind legs, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself in front of it, its mouth wide open.

Damn it!

I immediately jumped back, but I wasn't fast enough. The wolf reached me with a brutal movement of its neck and knocked me to the ground. The impact left me breathless, and I felt as though my whole body had been crushed against the rocks beneath me. The wolf growled, and its fangs loomed over my face, gleaming with a malevolent light.

—No, no, no! —I screamed in my mind, pushing with all my strength to push myself away.

My hands trembled as I held the daggers, but I was running out of time. The wolf, with its inhuman strength, tried again to bite me. Once again, I barely moved in time, letting its jaws pass just above my face. But its paw, in a swift movement, tore into my side, leaving a deep wound. Blood gushed out violently, and my vision blurred for a moment.

God, this is worse than I thought!

Fatigue was beginning to take its toll on me. I could barely breathe without feeling a stab of pain in my side. The wolf stepped back, as if savoring the victory, and stared at me, its red eyes glowing like embers. It was clear it saw me as its prey.

My body no longer responded as before. The pain was unbearable, and my reflexes, though improved, were far from enough against an enemy like this. My hands moved sluggishly as I tried to get up. It felt as though my life was crumbling before my eyes.

With the wolf approaching again, I forced myself to stand. I had no more time. I knew that. The wolf was about to launch its final blow, and I, a novice in combat, could barely move.

A spark of desperation flooded me. It's now or never!

With a titanic effort, I raised the daggers and, with what little strength I had left in my legs, I lunged forward, directly at the wolf's stomach. My vision was blurry from the blood staining my face, but something inside me urged me to keep fighting.

The dagger sank into the wolf's side, but it wasn't enough. The wolf let out a grunt of pain and, with a furious movement, threw me to the ground once again. This time, the blow made me feel as though my chest would explode.

The wound on my side burned intensely, and I could feel my strength rapidly fading. My breath was ragged, and my mind was beginning to cloud. I couldn't keep going like this. I was about to lose everything.

I can't die here!

The wolf advanced, its red eyes flashing with rage. It was too close. If I didn't do something, it would all be over.

I used the last of my energy to dive to the side and avoid its charge.

The wolf passed, brushing against my body. I felt its hot breath burning my skin. I managed to stab a dagger into its hind leg, but it wasn't enough to stop it.

Then, something inside me clicked. Fear, pain, all disappeared for a second. My survival instinct activated with brutal force. I used the remaining dagger to aim for the wolf's neck and, in one final effort, drove it in with all my strength.

The wolf let out a deafening howl as it staggered back. For a moment, I thought I had missed. But then, the animal collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, finally defeated. My body collapsed at the same time, exhausted and bleeding.

The status screen appeared before me, but I didn't even look at it. All I could do was breathe, struggling to stay conscious.

[System]: "Reward for defeating Red Wolf: +10 to all stats, except luck. 3 health potions."

—This... this wasn't easy... —I whispered through gritted teeth, as my eyes slowly closed.