Risk and Reward
The leader wolf sniffed at it's companion's corpses. It seemed to be ascertaining whether it was dead or alive. After a few quick sniffs the leader of the broken pack looked at me with it's hateful eyes, filling me with terror.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
My hair stood on end, distracting me from the underling wolf's oncoming claw. The beast's knife-like nails dug into my lower ribs, blood dripping from my torso.
Spinning, I kicked the wolf's exposed body. A poor choice, I reminded myself, as my foot was once again covered in cuts. The wound wasn't deep, which meant that I could power through it, given that I ignore the burning hot pain of my exposed flesh.
There was a howl in the background, startling me and the wolves. Looking back again, I could see the leader wolf's form. It's former dark-grey fur was now accented by dark-brown tips, glowing with some kind of mystical energy. It was mystifying.
The mysterious energy drifted across the leader wolf's body, covering it in a sort of pseudo-armor.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
With 「Instinct」 confirming my suspicion, I became more wary of the leader wolf's sudden change.
「Skill 'Claw Growth' has been assimilated」
Immediately upon hearing the notice, claws began to emerge from my hand. As my bones shifted and my muscles realigned, a guttural scream pierced the atmosphere. The wolves flinched–including the leader–as I glared at them like a hungry beast, hunting it's prey.
「You have unlocked a new evolutionary path」
Nevertheless, their assault continued. As the five underling wolves rushed at me from all angles, their leader encircled me–biding it's time.
「You have leveled up」
Successfully defeating one of the underling wolves, I found myself gasping for breath once more. I was tired, so very tired. My legs felt like jelly, my mind was muddled, and my arms were covered in numerous cuts and bruises–both from before and during my current fight.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Seeing one more of it's companions fall down, the leader wolf let out a bone-chilling bloodlust enough to incapacitate a normal man. It's murderous aura met mine, clashing like the waves of a fierce ocean.
Finally the beast made a move, it's conjured pseudo-armor forming into a sharp lance, rushing towards me like a javelin.
I leapt off the boulder, the leader wolf's attack missing by a hair's breadth.
I landed on my feet, a stray rock piercing my right thigh. I grit my teeth, crimson blood pouring out of me. Looking forward, I saw the destroyed boulder–the source of the painful projectile–nothing more than a cloud of dust.
Behind the wreckage was the silhouette of the leader wolf, it's scornful eyes watching my every move. In a blink, the shadow was gone. I hurriedly looked a round, trying to find the vicious beast.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Above! I looked up, the beast was hanging upside-down, it's energy infused claws digging into the ceiling.
The beast sneered, annoyed by my deduction. The energy surrounding it gathered on it's head, it's former pseudo-armor now a glorious headpiece. It kicked off the ceiling, shaking the cavern as it did.
I tried to dodge, but the rest of the underling wolves charged at me. They bit me on my arm, legs and waist. I tried to shake them off, but to no avail. Despite my best efforts, the wolves didn't budge.
They're pinning me down, I realized belatedly. Not having any other choice, I raised my lone free hand, the wolves bit even further to numb my senses further, I ignored them. Instead I focused on the more dangerous threat.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
The shiny wolf opened it's jaw, planning to end me with a bite. The beast bit my extended hand, digging deep into my arm. I grit my teeth from the mind-numbing pain, forcing back the scream trying to escape from my lungs.
I swung the large beast onto it's companions, like I did before. The beasts yelped as the leader wolf's enhanced body crashed against theirs. Ending their lives.
「You have leveled up」
「Your evolution is eminent」
By now, I predicted that the beast would let go of my arm to try and free itself, but my augury was wrong.
The beast bit even harder on my flesh, drawing more of my blood. I felt woozy as my arm–and other injuries–bled more and more. The pain was catching up to me, distracting my thoughts and clouding my mind.
I need to end this soon, I thought with desperation.
Looking closer at the beast's body, I noticed that the shine covering it's entire body has begun to dissipate everywhere but it's head.
Using this newfound information, I dug into it's stomach. My other hand was now free, although I couldn't feel my shoulder. Digging further I dug deeper at it's abdomen, clawing at it's insides. The wolf winced, clearly in massive pain.
The wolf retaliated, sinking further into my arm until it hit bone. This sent a shock throughout my entire body–even the parts I couldn't feel anymore.
Come on Come on, I thought impatiently. Too busy digging into the wolf's flesh to think about anything else.
「You have leveled up」
「You have leveled up」
「You have leveled up」
「You have leveled up」
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the wolf relented. The beast's jaw slackened, it's fangs scratching against my skin as it slipped off my arm. My skin burned, but I was too tired to even recognize that fact.
「Your evolution will now commence」
As soon as I relaxed, my vision immediately faded away, drifting me into the land of dreams.