Chapter 10: Rumble in the Cave

An intimidating nearly 7ft tall werewolf stood at the base of the throne of rocks, it had dark-brown fur that seemed shiny under the dim glow of the cave. It had claws sharp enough to cut through steel with ease, strength that would easily bash through concrete, and eyes that struck fear in those that dare gaze upon it.

The Alpha rat let out a smirk that looked like a snarl. They both glared at each other, their auras clashing causing tiny gusts of wind in the cave. The other beta rats moved to surround the wolf and successfully blocked the entrance.

Daniel's yellow eyes glanced at the rats encircling him from a distance, he let out a snort of steam before he shifted his gaze back to the Alpha.

The Alpha coldly returned his gaze and muttered in a low voice which was clearly by all in the cave.

"Kill him."

Roooooooooooooooooooaaaaaarrrrrrrr!!!

A synchronized roar erupted from the rats as they charged forward with reckless abandon and fearless expressions on their face. A few were already in front of the horde and were the first to reach him

Rooooooooooaaaaaarrrrrr!!!

Daniel let out a roar of his own not losing in might, he grabbed onto the head of the first rat that appeared in front of him and slammed it on the ground, causing cracks on it. Another pounced on him from behind, its teeth eager to dig into his flesh, but it took a strong elbow to the face that sent it barreling back towards the horde temporarily disrupting their formation. Three more pounced on him in the very short moment of his counterattack, one managing to sink its teeth into his left shoulder from behind but barely made it past his thick fur. He ignored it as he stretched both arms and grabbed onto the two rats that pounced on his sides, he slammed both their heads together and smashed them on the ground. He stretched his right arm backward and grabbed onto the rat trying to gnaw on his left shoulder, digging his claws into its head he smashed it on the ground and stomped it even deeper with his right foot.

In this short moment, the horde had rapidly closed in the distance and were barely a few meters away now.

"Can't let myself get stuck in their middle, It'll only get more troublesome." Daniel said to himself as he observed the approaching horde.

With a low growl, he charged into their ranks and sent a couple of rats flying. Stretching out both his claws, he held nothing back as he clawed his way through. Each punch sent a rat flying and each claw swipe caused blood to blossom in the air as his claws easily dug into their fur. A few managed to claw and bite at him but were barely able to cause more than shallow wounds which healed in no time. His figure flashed among them as he wreaked havoc in their midst, he would claw his way out whenever they tried to encircle him making him difficult to hold down.

Daniel delivered a hard punch that sent a rat flying and smashing into the throne of rocks causing it to quiver. He clawed at another that pounced on him from behind, his claws leaving five bloody lines on its face and throwing it backward. Daniel continued to wreak havoc in their midst but despite him proving his superior physique and fighting style, they were barely intimidated as they continued their reckless assault.

A rat pounced at his face which he easily dodged by leaning a little to the side, He grabbed onto its tail and swung it like a whip, smashing into its fellow brethren that got too close.

" How convenient." He commented as he continued to use the poor rat as a makeshift whip. Bone cracking sounds were heard from each smash and after a while, it was tossed aside as Daniel proceeded to grab another and continued the process.

"It's much easier now haha."Daniel said to himself as his speed increased, catching a few off-guard and sending them into the air. They became a little hesitant as they saw him turning one of their own into a miserable-looking living weapon but soon continued their charge as if crazed.

A couple more rats emerged from holes at the top of the cave and charged toward him, rapidly climbing the walls. Daniel tossed aside his current whip and was about to grab another when a tail slammed into his back, pushing him a few meters forward. He glanced behind him to see a rat a bit taller than the rest and about the size of the one he fought yesterday but from its attack, he could tell it was a little bit stronger.

" You should be a little bit more fun." He said as it charged at him. His eyes followed its movement as he dodged its incoming punch and a random claw from his left. He smacked hard at the rat on his left and grabbed onto another incoming fist from the big one.

"You're strong...but not strong enough." Daniel said as he clenched his fist and hit it square on its face sending it smashing at the unfortunate ones behind it. He didn't relent as he chased after it and delivered a follow-up punch before it could orient itself, he continuously smashed it while also paying attention to the others. It tried to fight back but it painfully discovered it was not a match for Daniel's overwhelming strength. Daniel let out a low growl as he clenched his fist so hard cracking sounds were heard, he rushed forward and punched out at the tall rat, sending it barreling through the entire horde behind it and smashing hard into the walls of the cave.

It pitifully slumped to the ground, clearly unconscious and with multiple broken bones from the impact. The fighting temporarily stopped as they all took in the state of one of their champions, the reality of their weakness slowly seeping into their minds. They all glanced back at the large wolf in their midst a short moment later, a trace of hesitation on their faces as they all took a pace back. Despite them numbering a little more than twenty now and with a few more recovering, they hesitated to continue their assault on the predator in their midst as his vicious aura chilled them to the bones.

Daniel's piercing yellow eyes glanced at the horde with a snort before letting out a roar that frightened them even more. He silently stood there, his ears and eyes alert for any movement while the horde seemed to be at a loss at what to do. He suddenly felt a sense of danger as he hurriedly turned around, his arms forming an X in front of him just in time as a large tail slammed into him and sent him flying and crashing into the walls of the cave.

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An aura that could match Daniel's in power and viciousness erupted from the Alpha as he disappeared from the top of the throne and appeared a few paces away from Daniel, his tail already lashing out which was hurriedly blocked but nevertheless sent Daniel flying and crashing into the walls.

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The Alpha snorted at his failed sneak attack as he glared at the frightened horde before letting out another snort. "Useless." He spat. "Can't even put up a fight, when this is over I'll need some culling." He said as he refocused his gaze on the beta wolf in front of him.

Daniel stretched his shoulders as he emerged from the hole in the wall, his gaze fixated on the Alpha whose appearance seemed to awaken the others out of their frozen state as they moved once more to encircle him. They formed a semi-circle with him and the Alpha in the middle, obviously opting to distract and attack when he's occupied with their Alpha.

Daniel let out an angry snarl which was returned in kind by the Alpha. As if practiced, their figures blurred as they both charged toward each other aiming to clash at the center and accompanied by roars that paled in contrast to the aftermath of their clash.