Ch 12: A Bronze Soul Beast

As the sun set and night enveloped the forest, Emrys had managed to find a relatively safer spot. He was nestled beneath the shelter of a thick canopy of trees, surrounded by dense foliage that provided some concealment from potential dangers. At that moment, Emrys was carefully inspecting his surroundings, ensuring there were no immediate threats lurking nearby. He then settled down to rest, keeping a vigilant watch throughout the night.

Emrys knew that the darkness of the forest held many hidden dangers, so he remained alert, his senses keenly attuned to any movement or sound. He was periodically grabbing the blade, ensuring everything was in order for the night ahead. With his back against a sturdy tree trunk, he took out a small container of dried rations and nibbled on them quietly, conserving his energy for the challenges that lay ahead.

Rustle! Rustle!

Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the stillness of the night, causing Emrys to tense up. His hand instinctively went for the hilt of his knife as he scanned the darkness for any signs of movement. The noise seemed to be coming closer, and Emrys's heart raced with anticipation.

As he strained his ears to listen, the rustling grew louder, accompanied by low growls that sent shivers down his spine. Emrys braced himself, ready for whatever might emerge from the shadows. With his senses heightened and adrenaline coursing through his veins, he prepared to defend himself against the unknown threat lurking in the darkness of the forest.

Suddenly, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, their eerie luminescence piercing through the shadows. Emrys's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the unmistakable gleam of a predator. A large, shadowy figure emerged from the underbrush, its silhouette looming ominously against the backdrop of the night.

Growl~

It was a fearsome beast, its fur bristling as it prowled closer to Emrys's hiding spot. Its growls reverberated through the stillness of the forest, sending a chill down Emrys's spine. He knew he was facing a formidable adversary—one that would not hesitate to attack if discovered.

With his senses on high alert, Emrys tightened his grip on his weapon, steeling himself for the impending confrontation. Despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins, he remained calm and focused, ready to defend himself against the looming threat that stood before him in the darkness of the night.

As the creature drew nearer, Emrys could make out its imposing form—a massive wolf. Its sharp teeth glinted in the faint moonlight, and its predatory gaze locked onto Emrys with unsettling intensity.

Emrys's heart trembled in that moment. He knew that the Wolf had already discovered his existence, maybe a while ago.

Due to the darkness, he could not completely see the wolf's complete form, so he was unable to determine who his opponent was or what kind of strength this wolf possessed. 

With each step the wolf took, Emrys felt the tension in the air escalate. He knew he had to act quickly before the creature could launch its attack. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Emrys braced himself for the imminent clash.

"Roar!"

The wolf roared loudly and dashed forward.

As the wolf lunged forward, jaws snapping menacingly, Emrys sprang into action as well. With swift reflexes, he met the creature head-on, his blade flashing in the darkness as he defended himself against the onslaught.

Clang!

The forest echoed with the sound of their collision, the clash of metal against fur mingling with the wolf's enraged snarls.

As Emrys collided with the powerful force of the wolf's attack, he was sent hurtling backward through the air. The impact was jarring, sending him tumbling across the forest floor until he came to a sudden stop at the very spot where he had sought refuge for the night.

"Argh!"

Groaning in pain, Emrys struggled to regain his bearings as he lay sprawled on the ground. Every muscle in his body ached from the force of the impact, and he could feel the sting of bruises forming beneath his skin.

Despite the pain, Emrys forced himself to push through the haze of dizziness that threatened to overwhelm him. With gritted teeth, he slowly rose to his feet, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of the wolf's continued assault.

Though battered and bruised, Emrys knew he could not afford to let his guard down. With the threat of danger still looming, he has to stay alert and ready for the next onslaught.

During the previous clash, he had already figured out his opponent. It was an Iron-furred Wolf, an Elementary Bronze Soul Beast.

"Come at me!"

Grabbing the backpack secretly, Emrys rose to his feet once more and fiercely looked right into the wolf's eyes, provoking it. Emrys's face was flushed red with the intensity of his emotions. Though battered and bruised, he refused to back down.

"Roar!"

With a furious roar, the wolf expressed its frustration at Emrys's audacity. It couldn't comprehend why this seemingly weak human dared to meet its gaze with such boldness. From the wolf's perspective, it was clear that the human stood no chance against its strength.

Nevertheless, fueled by its own pride and provoked by Emrys's defiance, the wolf refused to let the challenge go unanswered. With another thunderous roar, it lunged at Emrys once more, intent on asserting its dominance and putting an end to the human's boldness once and for all.

Emrys was ready as well. He was not a fool to unreasonably provoke the wolf. The instant he recognized the wolf and determined its strength, he had already calculated how to proceed with the battle next.

It was obvious that he was no match for the wolf in direct confrontation. If he wants to win the battle, he has to largely rely on the ability "the Node Shift".

He can utilize Node Shift three times a day. Today, he has only displayed Node Shift once, and that was during the struggle against the Steel-toothed Hounds. He still has two uses of Node Shift remaining.

As the Wolf pounced at him, his silver eyes flashed with a three-dimensional diagram of the world. The radius of a hundred meters in every direction was immediately filled with countless nodes in his eyes.

Node Shift!