His face twisted as more memories flooded in. The mission: a Joint Martial hunt between sects, exploring a dangerous, treasure-laden secret realm. A great opportunity to gain experience and treasures. His team? Dead. Every brother and sister of Silver Ash Sect, lying lifeless in the hut.
"Oh no. Oh no no no," Lin Feng muttered, his breath quickening. "Why am I the only one alive? Why didn't I die with them? I mean, don't get me wrong, I was dead but not anymore, I don't want to die again, technically I died first but—"
Another wolf lunged. Lin Feng flung himself to the side, the wolf's claws narrowly missing his shoulder.
"Alright, new Lin Feng, think!" he shouted, clutching a dagger that had fallen near his foot. It felt sturdy, but he didn't trust it. Not anymore.
"This is bad. This is really bad. Wolves, fake weapons, dead sect mates… I should've just stayed dead too!" he whined, waving the dagger defensively.
The lead wolf snarled, saliva dripping from its fangs as it crouched low, ready to pounce.
"No! Stop! Wait!" Lin Feng yelled, his voice cracking. "Look, I'm not even supposed to be here! I just woke up! I don't know what's going on! Can't we talk about this? Negotiations, maybe?"
The wolf didn't seem interested in diplomacy.
Lin Feng's panic reached its peak. "Oh, come on! Don't you know who I am? I'm Lin Feng, the Isekai Protagonist! Lin Feng never dies! Lin Feng never—AHHHH!"
The wolf lunged, and Lin Feng bolted.
He ran for the back of the hut, tripping over weapons, bodies, and his own feet. The wolves howled behind him, their claws scraping against the floor as they gave chase.
"I'm not dying here! Not like this!" he screamed, shoving aside a broken shield that blocked his path. "I'm too handsome to die! And important! The heavens have plans for me, right? Right?!"
The wolves didn't care about his crazy monologue. One snapped at his heel, its teeth just grazing his cloth footwear. "AAH!" Lin Feng yelped, throwing himself forward and crashing through what remained of the back wall.
"Screw you all!" He cursed as he ran.
He tumbled into the dark forest, branches scratching his face and arms. The growls and howls of the wolves felt like following him, echoing through the trees.
He wanted to vent out more curses but For once, Lin Feng didn't say anything. He just ran, breathless and terrified.
Lin Feng sprinted through the forest, every muscle in this new body screaming for a breather. The chill night air cut against his skin as branches whipped his face and arms. Behind him, the snarls of wolves echoed ominously.
But something was off.
He risked a glance over his shoulder. Most of the pack had vanished, no longer chasing him. The faint sounds of ripping flesh and crunching bones carried through the night air.
"They're… they're eating," he muttered, his stomach turning. His sect brothers and sisters, reduced to a feast. The thought made his legs wobble.
But then, a single low growl cut through the noise, closer and sharper than before.
"Oh no," he whispered, his eyes widening.
The leader. It wasn't scavenging with the rest of them. No, this wolf had stayed on his trail. And it wasn't slowing down.
Lin Feng tripped over a gnarled root, crashing to the ground with a yelp. He scrambled to his feet, clutching his side where pain flared up. Turning back, he caught sight of it: a hulking, black-furred wolf with eyes like molten gold.
This wasn't some ordinary beast. It moved with purpose, its gaze locked on him with a cruel intelligence. Its fangs gleamed in the moonlight, and its growl sent a shiver down his spine.
"Why? Why me? There's a whole buffet back there!" Lin Feng yelled, waving his arms as if reasoning with the creature. "I'm not even tasty! Look at me! Skin and bones!"
The wolf crouched, muscles coiling.
"Nonononono—stay back!" Lin Feng grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it with all his might. It sailed through the air… and missed. Completely.
The wolf didn't even flinch.
"Alright, fine, I see how it is!" Lin Feng shouted, panic in his voice. "You want the thrill of the hunt? The big game? Well, you've got Lin Feng, the Main Character! But guess what? Lin Feng never dies!
The wolf pounced.
Lin Feng screamed, ducking under the beast's massive claws. Internally he is happy that his new body is agile enough to dodge against such an agile beast.
He bolted deeper into the forest, his heart pounding so hard he thought it might burst.
"I hate this world! I hate this body! I hate—ACK!" He ducked again as the wolf leapt at him, snapping at the air just inches from his head.
His mind raced. Memories of his sect's training flashed through his head. Techniques, stances, forms—none of which he could pull off under pressure.
"Think, Lin Feng, think!" he muttered, his voice ragged. "What do heroes do in situations like this? Fight back? No, no, no! Running is better! Definitely running!"
He darted between trees, zigzagging to throw the wolf off. It didn't help. The beast stayed on his heels, relentless and terrifyingly fast.
"Stupid sect! Stupid Secret Realm Event! 'Oh, it'll be a good experience, Lin Feng,' they said! 'You'll gain treasures and prestige, Lin Feng!' And now look at me—running for my life while they're all wolf food!"
A thought struck him, sharp and bitter. The Silver Ash Sect wasn't known for its strength. His memories confirmed that much. Their invitation to this Joint Event? Probably charity from one of the stronger sects.
"And now they're all dead! Every single one of them! And I'm next!"
The wolf snarled behind him, snapping him back to the moment. It was closing the gap. He could feel its breath on his heels, hot and foul.
"Alright, fine! You want a fight?" Lin Feng skidded to a stop, spinning around to face the beast. His fists clenched, though he had no plan. "Come on, then! Let's settle this!"