**Primal Wild: Chapter 4 - The Frostfang Battle**
Lucas logged back into *Primal Wild* with renewed determination. The chilling air of the snow mountain biome greeted him once again as Rye emerged from the rocky cave. This time, his goal was clear—face the Frostfang Leopard he had encountered before.
"I've leveled up and gathered resources," Lucas muttered. "It's time to see what I'm capable of."
---
### **Preparing for Battle**
Before heading toward the glade, Lucas checked Rye's inventory and status:
**Inventory:**
- **Frostbite Stew (x2):** Restores HP and grants cold resistance.
- **Icy Essence:** Relic crafting material.
- **Glacial Herbs (x3):** Restores HP and SP.
Satisfied with his preparation, Lucas guided Rye through the snow-covered forest. His newly acquired **Feline Reflexes** gave him better agility, making it easier to navigate the uneven terrain.
The closer Rye got to the glade, the more the tension built. The Frostfang Leopard's tracks were still fresh, and the faint glow of its fur could be seen in the distance.
---
### **The Encounter**
As Rye stepped into the clearing, the Frostfang Leopard turned its piercing, icy-blue eyes on him. A tooltip appeared:
**Frostfang Leopard (Elite): Highly aggressive. Special abilities include Frost Roar and Ice Slash.**
Without hesitation, the leopard let out a guttural roar, sending a shockwave of frost that reduced Rye's movement speed.
**Status Effect Applied: Frostbite (Movement Speed -30%).**
"Not a great start," Lucas muttered, guiding Rye to sidestep the incoming attack. The leopard pounced, claws glowing with icy energy, but Lucas activated **Silent Step**, dodging just in time.
---
### **Skill Combos and Strategy**
Lucas wasted no time, using **Claw Swipe** to counterattack. The hit landed, dealing moderate damage and slightly staggering the leopard. Switching to **Bite**, Rye aimed for the creature's leg, reducing its mobility.
The Frostfang retaliated with **Ice Slash**, sending shards of ice flying in all directions. One struck Rye, cutting into his HP. Lucas quickly used a Glacial Herb to heal and regain some SP.
"This thing's no joke," Lucas said, heart pounding. He activated **Feline Reflexes**, enhancing Rye's agility to weave between the leopard's strikes.
---
### **Turning the Tide**
The battle raged on, with Lucas carefully managing Rye's stamina and skill cooldowns. Using **Silent Step** to evade, he positioned Rye for a powerful combo:
- **Claw Swipe** to stagger the leopard.
- **Bite** to reduce its HP further.
A tooltip appeared mid-fight:
**Combo Achieved: Precision Strike (Silent Step + Claw Swipe + Bite). Bonus Damage Applied.**
The Frostfang let out another Frost Roar, but this time Lucas was ready. He used **Night Vision** to track the leopard's movements through the icy mist, avoiding its ambush attempt.
With the leopard weakened, Lucas used a Frostbite Stew to restore HP and gain temporary cold resistance. The buff allowed Rye to withstand another **Ice Slash**, setting up for a final attack.
---
### **Victory**
Lucas activated **Claw Swipe**, aiming for the leopard's neck. The attack hit its mark, and the Frostfang staggered before collapsing into the snow.
A notification appeared:
**Frostfang Leopard Defeated!**
**Loot Acquired:**
- **Frostfang Pelt:** High-grade material for building or trade.
- **Ice Crystal Relic:** Enhances cold resistance and unlocks special abilities.
Rye's status flashed, showing a significant increase in XP.
**Level Up!**
- **Level:** 5 → 6
- **HP:** 70/70
- **SP:** 60/60
- **New Skill Unlocked:** **Predator's Instinct (Passive):** Increases damage against weaker enemies and reveals hidden creatures.
---
### **Reflection and Planning**
Lucas guided Rye back to the cave, exhilarated from the fight. The Frostfang Leopard had been a worthy opponent, but it also revealed gaps in his strategy—mainly the need for better defense and mobility.
Checking his map, Lucas noted other areas in the biome he hadn't explored yet, including a frozen lake and a series of jagged cliffs. "This mountain has more to offer, but I'll need to prepare better next time."
Logging out, Lucas stretched and smiled. The battle had been intense, but it proved how immersive and challenging *Primal Wild* could be.
Next time, he'd push Rye further—to uncover the secrets of the Icefall Caverns and face even greater challenges.
---
**End of Chapter 4**