"He dematerialized all of a sudden! Am I allowed to Logout while waiting? I should read more!"
…
I looked around, looking for Dues. But he was nowhere near. In front of me were only growling wolves and my sword.
Did the announcement just say clear the monsters? There's a lot of them here!
No time to complain!
The wolves started to charge at me, I prepared myself.
This is exciting…
Alleviating…
It's freedom.
The wolves were starting to get closer, so I raised my sword.
*POUNCE! *CLACK!
*POUNCE! *SWOOSH!
*POUNCE! *SWOOSH!
These wolves—they were powerful! I had to run to create some distance!
I was only able to block one of them and I had to dodge the others.
*HUFF *HUFF
I dodged their attacks because they were all coming from one direction, but this time, they're all over and catching up to me quickly.
*HUFF *HUFF
I have to go back and get my sword.
So I stopped running and faced the wolves behind me, I knew there was a delay when they pounced, they would crouch and bend their knees first.
However, I assumed it was their only offensive option.
Their first attack was designed for targets in defence, now that I just turned and looked out balanced, there's no reason for them to do the same attack.
They did not stop running, they continued with their charge and lunged at me with either their sharp claws or using their fangs.
[You have died, activating skill Death's Companion]
[Cooldown: 60 minutes]
I'm used to this now. The moment I revived, I sprinted toward my sword.
Where was it again?
The low-growing grass helped me pinpoint it.
I can't die again.
The wolves realized I was still alive and quickly closed in.
Too late, dogs.
I raised my sword once more, bracing myself in a defensive stance.
As the closest wolf approached, I waited until it bent its knees, preparing to pounce. Then, I dashed—just like Dues. I copied his movement.
Surging forward toward the unsuspecting wolf, I slashed my sword in a swift horizontal arc, then brought it down.
It dematerialized the gone into thin air.
As I regained my footing, one got too close and struck me from behind with its claws.
But I knew this would likely happen, and unlike the Galegi, these wolves wouldn't kill me with a single strike.
I took the hit on purpose, shifting my body at an angle to avoid any vital organs.
The wolf's claws tore into my left shoulder, and my arm went limp instantly. It was painful, yes—but not as much as Dues' strikes.
I pivoted on my right foot, turning my body to the left. Because of that, the blow struck my shoulder instead of my neck.
With my right hand, I slashed upward in a spinning motion.
I hit the ground, but I couldn't afford to stay down.
Spinning to evade the charging wolves, I managed to avoid their attacks—but in the process, I lost my sword again.
*AARGH!
My blood stained the green grass as I spun, the wound still bleeding.
I quickly got to my feet and ran. I didn't dare look back—I just ran.
I knew they were still chasing me, but I didn't know how close or how fast they were closing in.
I was waiting—for my wound to heal.
*HUFF *HUFF
*HUFF *HUFF
I'm gonna die If they catch up to me…
*HUFF *HUFF
*HUFF *HUFF
Once the wound on my shoulder healed and I regained movement in my arm, I stopped to face the wolves, checking how many were too close.
Only one was close—the others were just seconds away.
Should I risk it? Should I try my idea?
There was no time to decide, so I acted.
Knowing the wolf wouldn't stop charging, I dashed forward and punched it straight in the mouth. It knew it was going to bite.
My little arm shot straight into its mouth, and its jaws clamped down on my forearm.
"AARGH!"
Was my arm going to tear?
I didn't care. I grabbed its tongue, pushed my arms a little bit deeper and yanked it out with all my strength.
It dematerialized.
I guess it worked.
Then I ran again—it was my best option.
I glanced at my arm. It was torn and bleeding, but still functional. I could still move it.
How many more wolves are there?
Should I do the same attack?
*HUFF *HUFF
The damage I took with my bare hands was less than when I used my sword.
So, I decided to do it again.
I stopped, turned, and checked the wolves that were chasing me.
But immediately, a wolf was too close and its mouth was already ready to bite my neck.
I raised my left hand and caught the bite with it. Its teeth sank into my arm, locking me in place, making escape impossible.
One more wolf followed through, It was charging right at us and ready to throw its savage bite.
So I tried to catch it with my right hand this time.
Now there were two of them locking me in place.
Then… there was another…
It was a simultaneous attack only a few seconds in between.
Am I gonna die?
…
This was the first time death felt real.
Time seemed to slow down.
I saw the wolf that was ready to maul me slowly descend.
I bent my knees and jumped and flipped backward to dodge it.
"AARGH!"
My arms that the wolves were biting had been lacerated, tearing every fiber of my flesh down to the bone.
My vision started to blur and darken; I wanted to scream.
Screaming was a luxury, but even in the midst of this agonizing, stabbing pain, I knew I had to keep moving.
If I don't, I will die.
But why am I so afraid of it now?
This was going to be the end of my suffering…
Why was I running?
…
Freedom?
…
"AARGH!"
A stabbing pain in my right arm snapped me back to my senses.
But then…
I noticed…
The bone that was left of my arm has a sharp point.
So once again, I stopped running and turned to face the chasing wolves.
Persistent
They never get tired of chasing.
When I looked back, there were only two who followed; the other two seemed like they were still enjoying the flesh from my arm.
And so I took the chance.
It would do the same pattern of attack, it's either claws or fangs.
So I held my ground, planting one foot behind me to stabilize my position.
Then the first wolf came, I leaned to my right and struck it with my arm with full force.
*THRUST!
I pierced its neck with my bone and it dematerialized.
"AARGH!"
I couldn't help but grunt at the pain it had also caused me.
The other one followed.
Regaining my footing, I twisted my body and threw my left arm directly into its mouth, sacrificing the little flesh remaining on my bone.
Then, with a swift motion, I struck it while it was latched onto my arm.
*THRUST!
Right into its neck, and it dematerialized.
"RAAAAAAAAH!"
I screamed at the top of my lungs, before I fell on my knees from exhaustion and the torment of pain that coursed through my entire body.
Then I refocused my glance forward.
I noticed the two wolves who ate my flesh started to weaken.
It looked like they had been poisoned by it.
I looked around, it's just them now.
*HUFF *HUFF
I tried to catch my breath as I watched the wolves succumb to their death.
When I confirmed that they no longer pose a threat, I laid on my back.
Slowly, my limbs regenerated.
As I stared up in the sky, I noticed that it was an enclosed dimension.
An endless grass field.
All of a sudden, I felt a lick on my foot.
I sat up and checked what it was.
It was a pack of harmless wolf pups.
There were three of them.
They were playfully wagging their tails as if asking me to play with them.
They ran around me, tumbling and tussling as they played.
My heart lifted, it was the first time I actually played.
I enjoyed their company, I wish I could take them back.
But then, I noticed that the two remaining wolves were gone.
I stood alert, looking for them around.
They're gone?
But why am I still in this dimension?
Then it dawned on me.
I needed to clear all of the monsters…
…
I walked to pick up my sword.
Just like the grown ones, they followed.
They followed not because they were hunting me down.
They followed for a different reason.
…
I raise my sword.
…
I'm doing them a favor…
*SLASHHH!
At least they will not suffer nor feel pain… Right?
*SWISHHH!
They are still monsters…
As I was about to strike down the last pup, I was suddenly returned to Dues' side.
"Welcome back, Lucien. I didn't even notice you'd already taken down all seven wolves you needed to hunt. I thought you'd be transferred back to me automatically, but I guess I still have to mark the quest as complete for that to happen. What an outdated mechanic."