Chapter 8: The WildLands
The doorway yawned open, spilling sunlight across the ruins of the arena. For the first time in what felt like days, Wolfgang saw the world beyond the dungeon—a stark contrast to the darkness he'd grown used to. Fresh air rushed in, sweeping through the chamber like a breath of life, though it stung the wounds covering his body.
Wolfgang leaned against the handle of Shadowfang, his chest rising and falling, but his expression held nothing but grim focus.
[Quest Complete: Escape the Dungeon]
[You have reached Level 11]
Stat Points Available: 4
The system's notification faded, but Wolfgang ignored it for the moment. His eyes were locked on the world beyond the door—a landscape he had never seen before.
Jagged mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks scraping at the clouds like blades. The land stretched endlessly before Wolfgang—dense forests, rolling hills, and rivers that shimmered beneath the midday sun. The air, fresh and wild, was a stark contrast to the suffocating darkness of the dungeon.
Wolfgang took a single step through the threshold and into the open world.
His sharp blue eyes scanned everything with cautious intent. Where am I?
The system chimed again, as though responding to his unspoken question.
[New Region Discovered: The Wildlands]
• A lawless land filled with monsters, ruins, and treasure.
• Stronghold of the Guilds of Conquerors, where only strength determines status.
[New Quest Acquired: Prove Your Strength]
• Objective: Defeat a Wildlands Beast within 24 hours.
• Reward: Unknown.
• Penalty: System Lock (24 hours).
Wolfgang's brow furrowed. System lock? He wasn't about to let the system handcuff his progress because of a failed quest. He needed to stay ahead—stronger, faster, smarter.
He pulled up his status window, taking stock of his growth.
[Status Window]
Name: Wolfgang Mozart
Level: 11
Health: 150/150
Mana: 140/140
Strength: 22
Agility: 20
Intelligence: 24
Free Stat Points: 4
Skills:
• Soul Rend - Rank II
• Shadow Step
• Shadow Flare
• Executioner's Strike
• Shadow Infusion
Wolfgang smirked, allocating his points quickly.
Strength +2 → 24
Agility +2 → 22
The rush of energy returned—a familiar surge that made his muscles hum with power. He flexed his fingers, feeling the raw strength coiling beneath his skin like a predator ready to pounce.
"Let's see what this world has to offer," he muttered, his tone sharp with anticipation.
The Wildlands
The Wildlands were nothing like the surface cities Wolfgang had heard about as a child. There were no roads, no villages—only raw wilderness. Trees older than time towered above him, their twisted branches casting shadows that danced ominously in the wind.
Every sound was sharper here. The snap of a twig. The distant cry of a beast. Wolfgang's senses were on high alert. I'm not alone out here.
As he walked, the system chimed softly.
[Wildlands Tutorial Activated]
• Monsters here are stronger and adaptive. Engage with caution.
• Tip: Identify patterns and weaknesses in beasts to exploit them.
Wolfgang grinned faintly. "Stronger enemies, better rewards."
He hadn't taken more than a few steps before the underbrush to his left rustled violently. Wolfgang stopped dead in his tracks, his grip on Shadowfang tightening. From the bushes, a beast emerged.
It was wolf-like in shape, but far larger, with muscles rippling beneath dark fur. Crimson patterns glowed across its body, and its eyes burned with unnatural intelligence.
[Wildlands Beast Detected: Crimson Direwolf]
Level: 12
Danger: High
Wolfgang's heart quickened, but his grin remained. "Perfect."
The Direwolf's growl echoed across the clearing before it lunged, claws outstretched and teeth snapping with enough force to shatter bone. Wolfgang activated Shadow Step, vanishing into the darkness and reappearing behind the beast.
He slashed at its hind leg with Shadowfang, but the Direwolf reacted faster than expected. It spun, claws slicing across Wolfgang's arm as he staggered back.
[Health: 120/150]
"Fast," Wolfgang muttered, his eyes narrowing. Blood trickled down his arm, but his mind was already racing. The beast was stronger, smarter—predictable attacks wouldn't work.
The Direwolf circled him now, its movements fluid, its eyes calculating. It lunged again, but this time Wolfgang was ready. He activated Shadow Flare, releasing an explosion of darkness mid-dodge. The blast caught the Direwolf head-on, staggering it for a moment.
"Executioner's Strike!"
Wolfgang closed the distance in an instant, his dagger wreathed in dark energy. He drove Shadowfang into the Direwolf's side with all his strength. The blade sank deep, and the beast let out an ear-splitting howl as black ichor sprayed across the ground.
[Critical Hit: -30% Health]
The Direwolf stumbled but didn't fall. Its crimson markings pulsed violently, and its form seemed to glow brighter as it let out a bloodcurdling roar.
The system chimed:
[Warning: Crimson Direwolf Entering Berserk State]
• Strength and Speed Increased by 20%.
Wolfgang's grin vanished as the beast charged again, faster than before. He barely dodged, rolling to the side as its claws tore through the earth where he'd stood. The monster's strikes came in a flurry now—relentless, lethal.
Wolfgang's mind raced. One mistake, and I'm dead.
The Direwolf lunged again, but this time Wolfgang baited it. He sidestepped, letting its claws just graze his cloak. At the last second, he activated Shadow Step, reappearing above the beast.
"Soul Rend!"
Shadowfang plunged into the Direwolf's neck, shadows coiling around the blade as Wolfgang absorbed its life force.
The beast let out a strangled howl before collapsing to the ground, its body still.
[Crimson Direwolf Defeated.]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 13.]
Stat Points Available: 4
Wolfgang fell to his knees, panting hard. The battlefield was silent except for the faint hum of Shadowfang still vibrating with stolen energy. His body ached, his wounds burned, but he had done it.
He looked at the corpse of the Direwolf, then pulled up his status window again, savoring the numbers.
[Status Window]
Level: 13
Strength: 24
Agility: 22
Intelligence: 24
Free Stat Points: 4
"Keep throwing these challenges at me," Wolfgang muttered, his voice hoarse but filled with dangerous satisfaction. "I'll overcome every single one."
As he stood, the system chimed once more.
[Quest Complete: Prove Your Strength.]
Reward: ??? Acquired.
A faint glow surrounded the Direwolf's corpse, and from it, something began to form—a crimson crystal, pulsing faintly in Wolfgang's palm as he picked it up.
[New Item: Beast Core – Crimson Direwolf]
• Contains condensed energy of a Wildlands Beast.
• Effect: Can be used to strengthen weapons, skills, or consumed to enhance stats.
Wolfgang stared at the glowing crystal, a slow grin spreading across his face. "So this world has more to offer than I thought."
He turned his gaze toward the horizon, where distant mountains clawed at the sky.
"Let's see what else you're hiding."
End of Chapter 8