The sharp fangs, the threat of death—in the bloody maw of the beast—a nauseating stench mixed with its heavy breaths nearly overwhelmed him.
This was a wolf! One of the most fearsome predators of this age. Pack hunters, ruthlessly efficient. Led by an alpha, a wolf pack was akin to an army in nature, employing tactics and precision in every hunt. Their calculated movements could send chills down anyone's spine. But these terrifying creatures had rivals—humans.
"Ahhh!" Ethan Drake's cry pierced the air as he lunged forward, seizing an opening with desperation. A hunter's resolve burned in his veins. He thrust his stone spear into the flank of the wolf lunging at the barbarian leader.
"Copper head, iron tail, tofu waist," Ethan thought grimly, recalling the saying about wolves. He felt the spear pierce flesh with startling ease. Blood sprayed as the wolf let out a guttural howl of pain. His heart raced as a wave of primal exhilaration overtook him. In this moment, Ethan felt alive in a way he never had before.
"What's happening to me? Some kind of battle frenzy?" The thought flashed through his mind, but instinct drowned it out. Without hesitation, he twisted the spear, yanking it violently. A sickening squelch accompanied the wolf's pained yelp as its organs spilled onto the blood-streaked snow.
**System Notification:** *Congratulations to player 'Ethan Drake' for acquiring the skill 'Weakness Pursuit.'*
The system message barely registered before his right eyelid twitched—a bad omen. A wolf's piercing snarl filled his ears. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed another beast lunging, its jaws wide open, aiming for his throat.
Ethan's mind blanked. The oppressive sense of impending death paralyzed him. The wolf's bloodied fangs filled his vision, closer and closer.
A thunderous roar shattered the moment.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
A stone axe hurtled through the air, slicing through the wolf's charge. It slammed into the beast with bone-shattering force, sending a gust of air whipping past Ethan's face. The impact was deafening—a brutal crack followed by a wet explosion. The wolf's head erupted in a grotesque spray of gore.
The savage strength behind the throw was unmistakable. Only one man in the Mirror tribe could manage such a feat—Rio Drake.
Ethan staggered back, blinking at the headless carcass slumping before him. Even knowing Rio's immense strength, the sight left him speechless. But there wasn't time to dwell on it.
Rio strode forward, his twin stone axes gleaming with fresh blood. His face was a mask of rage and determination. Ethan shot a quick glance at Rio's stat panel—his 'Fierce Warrior' skill had leveled up to a staggering four stars.
"You okay?" Rio barked, his voice rough.
"I'm fine," Ethan muttered, shaking himself free from the haze of shock. An idea sparked in his mind as he observed the wolves circling uneasily.
"We're doing this wrong," Ethan said sharply.
"What?" Rio's expression tightened.
Ethan pointed toward a large wolf with its tail arched high—a leader's posture. "That's the alpha. Kill it, and the rest scatter. Can you do it?"
Rio didn't hesitate. "Of course." Then, as if realizing something, he hesitated, glancing at Ethan. "But your safety—"
"Forget me," Ethan cut him off. He jabbed his spear into the ground, turning to the warriors of the Mirror tribe. "Warriors of Mirror Lake! Answer me—can these beasts harm me while you stand?"
The tribe erupted in defiant cries.
"NO!"
"We'll protect the patriarch!"
"Let them come! We'll kill them all!"
Ethan's lips curled into a grin. "You hear that, Rio? Go. We've got this."
Rio's chest swelled with pride, his blood roaring in his veins. With a wordless battle cry, he charged toward the alpha wolf, axes raised.
"OUT OF MY WAY!"
He was a hurricane of fury, cutting through the pack like a tiger descending the mountain. Wolves snarled and snapped but fell back under his relentless assault. The alpha wolf growled, a low rumble that resonated with authority, but even it couldn't hold its ground.
It retreated two steps, instinctively recognizing the threat barreling toward it. But Rio wasn't about to let it escape.
"Come on, you coward!" Rio roared, his laugh full of savage glee. The alpha lunged, jaws snapping. But Rio didn't flinch. His axes whirled in deadly arcs, meeting the beast mid-attack.
With a sickening crunch, the alpha's skull caved in. Its body crumpled lifelessly, blood pooling beneath it.
The remaining wolves froze. Their leader was dead. One by one, they slunk back into the shadows of the forest, leaving behind their fallen.
Rio stood over the alpha's corpse, his chest heaving. "Who's next?" he growled, daring the pack to return.
But the wolves were gone, leaving the Mirror tribe victorious. Ethan gripped his spear tightly, a rare smile flickering across his face. "That's how it's done."