Sabertooth Wolf

***

Name: Alex Campbell

Power Level: 7.1

Progenitor Transformation: 10/100%

Lifeforce: 1,148/2,000

Cultivation Level: Foundation Stage - Early Level

***

[King, I've detected a Sabertooth Wolf lair one kilometer southeast. This should be the fastest way to fill your reserves in one go.] Alex turned, then sprinted toward the location. It didn't take long to arrive. From a hilltop, he looked downward at the cave entrance below. 

[Please be careful, King. Even though these monsters are weaker than those in a Category One dungeon, the space is small. If they ambush you repeatedly, you could run out of lifeforce.]

Alex studied the layout of the terrain, his eyes scanning the area. Then he smirked. "Vesa, as long as the bodies are fresh, you can absorb their lifeforce no matter their condition, right?"

[Yes, King.]

His smirk widened. A map materialized in front of him, displaying the terrain and pinpointing the wolves' locations. They were gathered in one spot.

"Perfect." After this, he could go back. His eyes narrowed as he ran calculations in his head—trajectory, impact, aftershock. His muscles tensed, Qi and Mana flooding his legs. Then— BOOM! Alex launched himself into the air, leaving a spiderweb crack in the ground beneath him.

Midair, he angled his body, adjusting the hammer's position. The weight shifted. Gravity took hold. His descent accelerated. Then— CRASH! Alex slammed into the ground like a meteor. The small hill collapsed, the impact sending dust, rocks, and dirt flying.

The creatures inside never even had a chance to react—crushed beneath the weight of the falling earth. As the dust settled, Alex stood amidst the ruins of the cave. His right hand was injured—skin cracked, flesh torn. But it didn't matter. The wounds were already healing. He didn't absorb the lifeforce immediately. His instincts told him—Something was still alive.

The ground rumbled. Debris flew. From within the wreckage, a massive figure emerged. A Sabertooth Wolf—but unlike any Alex had seen before. Its fur was pitch-black, matted with blood. Red eyes burned with fury. Two long, jagged fangs jutted from its upper jaw. Its wounds—closing. Smoke rose from its body as it regenerated. It didn't hesitate. With a snarl, the beast lunged at Alex.

Alex's movements were still sluggish from his ongoing recovery. His eyes narrowed. "A mutation? I've never seen a Sabertooth Wolf with abilities before." His mind raced. He had seconds to act. Alex released the hammer, Spun his body, Snatched it with his left hand And hurled it into the air. The wolf's jaws closed in. Squelch. Its fangs sank deep into his left arm. Alex merely smiled.

With a resounding BAM, the hammer came crashing down, striking the wolf squarely on its back. A piercing howl tore through the night as the creature's body was crushed under the sheer force of the impact. Without missing a beat, Alex reached into his coat and pulled out a prototype storage box—one of his earlier failed experiments.

This particular model had been deemed useless due to its insane energy consumption and strange limitation—it could only hold one item, regardless of size. He never had the time to fully investigate the flaw. But there was one unexpected feature. This version had no restrictions on storing living creatures. Alex's eyes gleamed. "Perfect." If this mutated wolf had a healing ability, then it might hold the key to fixing Emily's condition. He pointed the cube at the wounded beast. The wolf couldn't fight back—it was too injured.

As soon as Alex activated the device, the creature's body, along with part of the ground and air, disintegrated into light and was sucked inside.

***

Storage Data Updated:

Name: Sabertooth Wolf (Mutated)

Power Level: 3.2

Lifeforce: 75/180

Ability:

Predator's Surge

Burns Mana to instantly heal wounds and temporarily doubles power level. Afterward, wounds return, and power level is halved for 24 hours.

***

[King, I believe we can modify the slave contract formation inside the storage box.If we tweak it correctly, we can capture weakened monsters and automatically enslave them. This could be very useful for both you and the Queen.]

Alex didn't even look at the notification. "Not now, Vesa." He had already thought of this possibility before. But right now, there were more important things to do. His eyes flashed red. From the cracks and crevices of the shattered earth, green particles began to rise— Drifting, twisting, weaving. Like fireflies in the night, but with a sickly green glow. The lifeforce moved through the air, swirling toward Alex, absorbing into his body.

Lifeforce: 1,848/2,000

[We should have gained more lifeforce if you weren't so reckless, King.]

Alex sighed. "No need to keep repeating it, Vesa. I wouldn't fight like this if I had a choice. I won't make this a habit."

Vesa felt relieved at his response. That method of fighting—reckless, self-destructive, and brutally inefficient—was dangerous in the long run. Even ignoring the pain, each regeneration drained too much lifeforce. And worst of all? It didn't improve his actual combat skills. If he ever encountered an enemy that could disrupt lifeforce regeneration, he'd be finished. And Vesa knew—there were many enemies out there with abilities like that. If not, the Vampire race would have already dominated the universe.

Back at the Facility Alex burst through the doors, making his way straight to Emily's side. He exhaled. "What now, Vesa?"

[I will handle the rest, King.] 

There was a pause. Then Vesa added.

[One more thing—this ritual cost me a significant portion of my energy. I won't be able to open a portal to another world until either the Queen kills an Immortal or you take down a Category Five dungeon boss.]

Alex clenched his fists. "Fine. I'll deal with it." For now, all that mattered was saving Emily.

Before Alex could react, red smoke began to seep from his body, swirling toward Emily. The mist coalesced, taking shape— Vesa. The tiny creature hovered closer, its wings splitting in half, the upper portion morphing into eerie, human-like hands. Vesa's sharp claws extended, pricking Emily's forehead, drawing a single drop of blood that coated its nails red.