"Awoooo!" The corrupted young fenrir roared as it charged toward me, baring its fangs.
I quickly sidestepped and rolled away, narrowly avoiding its attack. We locked eyes as I got to my feet, crouching low behind my shield.
My heart pounded against my ribcage, and I prayed it would be strong enough to endure the blows. With no other option, I rushed forward.
Thanks to my small stature, the wolf couldn't land as much damage as it would against an adult ogre. However, my height was also a disadvantage—I couldn't reach its vital spots. Each time I struck, I had to dart away before it could retaliate.
The run-and-strike tactic continued for what felt like an eternity. I could feel the strain in my legs and the burn in my lungs, but my persistence began to pay off.
My repeated attacks weakened the beast, though not nearly enough. No matter how strong an ogre might be, I'm still just a child, there's only so much I can do. The fenrir was still alive, still snarling, and still deadly.
I couldn't keep this up. My stamina was running out. If I didn't act fast, I was going to end up as this mutt's dinner. I had to trap it somehow.
Desperation drove me to scan the surroundings. My eyes darted frantically for anything, anything that could turn the tide in my favor.
The ground beneath my boots squelched. My feet were sinking slightly into damp mud.
Wait.
The only damp place in this entire forest is...
That's it!
A plan formed in my mind. I had to lead this thing to the swamp—that swamp.
Without hesitation, I used my Spore Burst skill, releasing a cloud of spores to blind the fenrir momentarily.
"Heh, hahahaha! Alright, you ugly mutt! Come and get me!" I taunted as I turned tail and ran.
Pain shot through every part of my body—my throat burned, my head throbbed, and my limbs felt like lead—but I kept running. If I could just reach the swamp, I had a chance.
The fenrir, recovering from the spores, howled furiously and gave chase. Its claws tore at the ground behind me as it gained on me.
There it was! The swamp with that hideous swamp monster. I could already see the murky water bubbling ominously in the distance.
Almost there. Just a little more!
"Hurk!" A sharp, icy pain shot through my back, and I stumbled forward.
I glanced behind me, my vision blurring. The wolf was glowing faintly, a frost-like energy swirling around it. It had used some kind of magic to strike me!
The corrupted fenrir slowed its pace, walking toward me with a smug, predatory confidence. It knew I was done for.
My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground. The wolf loomed over me, pressing one massive paw against my back. I gritted my teeth as humiliation and despair welled up inside me.
Is this it? Is this how it ends? I haven't even finished building the base. I haven't explored this world. I haven't achieved anything.
The wolf growled low in its throat, clearly enjoying my helplessness.
"Heh." A shaky laugh escaped me.
Scree!
I let out the loudest, most obnoxious screech I could muster. It was ear-piercing, like nails on a chalkboard multiplied by ten.
The wolf flinched, momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, I activated my Bite skill and sank my teeth into its paw. The taste was revolting, but I didn't care.
With the wolf's paw clenched between my jaws, I scrambled to my feet and ran, dragging the paralyzed beast behind me. The swamp was just ahead.
The gurgling of the swamp monster reached my ears. Perfect timing. I released the wolf's paw and used Spore Cloud to obscure myself as I darted behind a tree.
The fenrir, disoriented, stumbled into the swamp.
A hulking figure emerged from the murky water. The swamp monster let out a guttural roar before lunging at the wolf.
The two monsters clashed violently, their battle sending waves of mud and water flying in every direction.
I peeked out from behind the tree, watching as both creatures battered each other to the brink of death. When their movements slowed and their roars turned to whimpers, I stepped out of hiding.
With one final Spore Cloud, I incapacitated them both. Then, like the smug mutt had done to me earlier, I walked slowly toward them.
I stood over the fenrir, watching as the light faded from its eyes.
[System Activated!]
[Quest Reminder: Slay the Monster "Corrupted Young Fenrir" in the Eastern Forest.] (Completed)
[Reward: Increased Reputation with the Various Races Village.]
[System Response:
Defeated Corrupted Young Fenrir!
Awarded Relic of Neverending Frost! (Epic)]
[Defeated Swamp Dweller!
Awarded Storage Stone! (Epic)]
[System Response:
Solo Boss Clear Reward!
Due to the fact that the Corrupted Young Fenrir is the boss monster of the Wolf Zone as well as the Swamp Dweller being the boss monster of the Swamp Zone, the host is given the special privilege of an Evolution as the first clear reward for defeating two bosses at once!
Would the host like to evolve now?
Y/N]
I stared at the glowing prompt in front of me, my body trembling from exhaustion and pain. My back was still bleeding, and every muscle in me ached.
Did I want to evolve now?
I groaned and sank to the ground.
"I just want to take a bath..."
(╥﹏╥)