Ryan barely had time to process what was happening before the forest erupted into chaos. The glowing red eyes grew closer, revealing a pack of snarling wolf-like creatures. Their matted fur bristled with an unnatural glow, and their teeth gleamed sharp as daggers. Above them floated their names and levels: [Shadow Wolf] - Level 3.
"Level three?" Ryan muttered, gripping his rusty sword tighter. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Focus, newbie!" Arya shouted, notching an arrow in her bow. "These things aren't just for show."
Grent let out a booming laugh, hefting his shield in one hand and a warhammer in the other. "Good! I was getting bored. Let's see what you're made of, rookie."
The first wolf lunged forward, its jaws snapping inches from Grent's shield. With a grunt, the burly man bashed it aside and brought his hammer down in a devastating arc. The wolf yelped as it shattered into glowing particles.
"One down!" Grent roared.
Ryan stumbled backward as another wolf darted toward him. He raised his shield just in time to block its claws, the force of the impact nearly knocking him over. His heart pounded in his chest as the wolf circled him, growling.
"Stop panicking and swing your sword!" Arya called, loosing an arrow that struck another wolf square in the eye. The creature disintegrated instantly, leaving behind a faint shimmer.
"Right," Ryan muttered, tightening his grip. The wolf leaped again, and this time he managed to sidestep, slashing wildly with his blade. The sword connected, leaving a shallow cut along the creature's flank. It snarled, turning to attack again.
"You're going to need more than beginner's luck," Arya said, firing another arrow. "These things will tear you apart if you hesitate."
Ryan took a deep breath. His HUD flashed, highlighting the wolf's movements as it prepared to pounce. He braced himself, waiting for the right moment. When the wolf lunged, he thrust his sword forward, catching it mid-air. The blade sank deep, and the creature dissolved into pixels.
+20 XP
A small notification appeared in the corner of his vision:
Congratulations! You have defeated [Shadow Wolf]. Progress to Level 2: 30%.
Ryan's chest heaved as he stepped back, glancing at the remaining wolves. Arya and Grent were holding their own, but the pack wasn't letting up. Three wolves remained, their glowing eyes locked on the trio.
"You're not bad for a first-timer," Arya admitted, though her tone was still sharp. "But don't get cocky."
Grent grunted in agreement. "Stay alive long enough to celebrate, kid. That's rule number one."
One of the wolves broke off and charged at Arya, who rolled to the side and loosed an arrow in one smooth motion. The projectile struck its target, and the wolf vanished in a burst of light. Grent dispatched another with a brutal swing of his hammer, leaving just one wolf—the largest of the pack.
[Shadow Alpha] - Level 5
"Oh, come on!" Ryan groaned. "A mini-boss already?"
The Alpha growled, its glowing red eyes fixed on Ryan. It crouched low, its muscles coiling like a spring.
"Looks like it likes you," Arya said with a smirk. "Have fun."
"Wait, what?" Ryan stammered. Before he could react, the wolf lunged at him with terrifying speed. He barely managed to raise his shield, the force of the impact sending him skidding backward. His health bar flashed, a chunk of it disappearing.
"I'm not ready for this!" Ryan shouted, scrambling to his feet.
"No one ever is," Grent called, charging forward. He swung his hammer, but the Alpha dodged with ease, darting around the campsite like a shadow.
Arya fired an arrow, but the Alpha twisted mid-air, the projectile grazing its side. "Damn it, it's fast!"
Ryan's heart raced as the Alpha turned its attention back to him. He gripped his sword tightly, his mind racing. He couldn't rely on brute force like Grent or precision like Arya. He needed to think.
The Alpha lunged again, and Ryan dodged to the side, slashing at its flank. The blade connected, but the wolf barely seemed to notice. It spun around, swiping at him with its claws. Ryan raised his shield, the impact jarring his arm.
"Think, think," he muttered, his eyes darting to the HUD. The Alpha's health bar had barely budged, but a faint glowing mark had appeared on its right leg where Arya's arrow had grazed it.
"The leg!" Ryan shouted. "It's weak there!"
Arya's eyes narrowed. "You'd better be right, newbie." She notched another arrow, aiming carefully. The Alpha lunged at Ryan again, but this time he was ready. He dodged to the side, drawing its attention and leaving its flank exposed.
"Now!" Ryan yelled.
Arya's arrow flew true, striking the glowing mark on the Alpha's leg. The wolf let out a pained howl, stumbling as its movements became sluggish. Grent seized the opportunity, bringing his hammer down with a thunderous blow. The Alpha collapsed, its health bar depleting rapidly.
"Finish it, kid!" Grent shouted.
Ryan didn't hesitate. He charged forward, plunging his sword into the Alpha's chest. The creature let out one final growl before disintegrating into a cascade of light.
+50 XP
Level Up!
A rush of energy coursed through Ryan as the notification appeared:
Congratulations! You have reached Level 2. New Skill Unlocked: [Quick Strike]—A fast, precision attack that deals bonus damage to weak points.
Ryan fell to his knees, panting. His health bar was low, and his arms felt like jelly, but he was alive.
"Not bad, newbie," Arya said, lowering her bow. "Maybe you're not completely useless after all."
Grent clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him over. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Welcome to the team."
"Team?" Ryan asked, struggling to his feet.
Arya smirked. "You didn't think we were going to let you wander around alone, did you? You'd be wolf food by morning."
Ryan managed a weak smile. "Thanks, I guess. What now?"
Grent grinned. "Now we celebrate. And by celebrate, I mean we loot the campsite and move before more of those things show up."
Arya rolled her eyes. "He means we're heading to the nearest town. Stick with us, newbie. You're going to need all the help you can get."
Ryan nodded, glancing at the fading particles where the Alpha had fallen.