Alice had been experimenting with energy manipulation ever since she hit Copper I, testing the boundaries of the system's restrictions. Though she couldn't create skills outright, loopholes existed. And now was the time to exploit them.
She closed her eyes, gripping the makeshift spear she'd crafted from sharpened stone and sturdy branches. Her breathing slowed as she focused on the energy signatures around her.
First, she identified her own—a steady, familiar warmth. Then the children's, faint and flickering. Finally, she focused on the wolves, their energy signatures wild and chaotic. By cross-referencing the dead wolves' signatures, she mapped the remaining pack.
Ten wolves. Surrounding the hot spring in a loose circle.
She forced herself to stay calm, pushing her senses further. What she sought was larger, stronger—a predator commanding the others.
There. A few dozen meters away, the Alpha's presence loomed. Its energy was intense, burning with arrogant confidence.
A notification appeared in her mind as her Mystic Eyes activated, even with her lids closed.
[Alpha Wood Wolf (EE Difficulty)]
[Grey]
Skills: Command, Vines, Lunge, Bite, Whip
Grey. It was wounded. By what or whom, Alice didn't care. All that mattered was the opening it gave her.
She felt the ten remaining wolves begin to move. No time to think.
Her grip tightened on the spear as she tensed her body, aligning the weapon with the Alpha's energy signature. The predator deserved no mercy for its arrogance.
With a sharp exhale, Alice lunged back and hurled the spear forward.
The force of her throw sent a gust of wind ripping through the clearing, strong enough to stagger both her and the children. The spear cut through the air like a silent arrow, its trajectory flawless.
The Alpha didn't even react. The weapon pierced through its chest, shattering its heart. Blood splattered across the trees as the massive wolf let out a strangled cry before collapsing.
Death was instant.
+
Alice exhaled heavily, her body sagging slightly as adrenaline coursed through her veins. She hadn't expected to hit it on the first try, but the spear had flown true.
As she predicted, the rest of the pack fell into disarray. Their howls turned to panicked whines, their movements erratic.
Alice turned to the children, who stared at her with wide, awe-struck eyes.
"That was amazing!" Leonard exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement.
June's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Are you as strong as Daddy?"
Alice chuckled, brushing the blood from her cheek. "Something like that."
But she wasn't done. Not yet.
She pulled another spear from her [Inventory], twirling it in her hand. "The job's not finished," she said, her tone steady.
Leonard tilted his head. "Are you gonna throw it again?"
Alice ruffled his hair with a small grin. "Not this time."
She crouched, her expression hardening. "Stay here. Close your eyes and cover your ears. Count to ten. By the time you're done, I'll be back."
June hesitated but nodded, squeezing her eyes shut and covering her ears. Leonard followed suit, though his curiosity was evident.
Alice straightened, her gaze turning cold as she surveyed the forest. The wolves were scattered, disoriented. She closed her eyes briefly, re-aligning herself with their energy signatures.
The hunt begins.
+
"One."
Alice stalked her first target, a wolf lingering near the edge of the clearing. Her spear shot forward, piercing its head cleanly.
Eight to go.
"Four."
She encountered a cluster of three wolves. The first fell quickly, her spear sinking into its side. The remaining two retaliated with [Vines], but Alice dodged effortlessly, slamming her weapon into one's jaw before crushing the other's skull with a single blow.
Five to go.
"Six."
The last five had grouped together—a mistake. Alice hurled two spears in rapid succession, killing two instantly. Grabbing a fallen spear, she drove it into the nearest wolf's gut and used its body as a shield against the others' attacks.
Her final move was brutal but efficient. She threw the corpse, along with her spear, at the remaining wolves, skewering them both against a tree.
None left.
"Ten!"
The children opened their eyes, looking around in confusion.
"Alice?" Leonard called.
A shadow loomed behind them. They yelped as arms scooped them up.
"Gotcha!" Alice laughed, lifting them effortlessly.
They squirmed briefly before realizing it was her. Laughter bubbled from their lips, their earlier fear forgotten.
Alice smiled faintly, her gaze softening. "You're good kids," she murmured. "Let's get you home."
Their giggles echoed through the clearing, a moment of light amidst the carnage.
But the moment was short-lived.
"Hold!"
Alice froze, her head snapping toward the voice.
A group of armed men stepped into the clearing, bows and spears at the ready. At their head stood a middle-aged man, draped in monster pelts and radiating authority.
His Emblem shimmered faintly on his arm.
Alice's eyes narrowed. Now what?