Under Attack Part. 1

The streets were empty and many guards were everywhere. The city's layout was suitable for troop movement, but what left Oliver most stunned was the sight of dozens of men running across the rooftops.

He didn't take any chances, so he started running through the streets. He wasn't far, so it was easy to reach the West Gate and see that it was ajar. Just enough for two people to pass through at a time.

As he approached...

"Stop right there, kid! Only Elites can pass. You should stay back, safe at home. The problem will be resolved quickly." A soldier wielding a spear was holding his Scanner, clearly checking everyone who passed and stopped him.

"I can fight at the Elite level, trust me. Let me through." Oliver tried to argue with the soldier, but he could see the disbelief and disdain on his face.

"Are you sure you can, my boy? That's a claim for the few." A familiar voice came from behind him, and Oliver saw the soldier snap to attention.

When he turned around, it was Captain Sebastian. This time he was fully armored, even wearing a helmet. He looked a lot like the old knights from the medieval age.

"I can, Sebastian! I'm one step away from breaking into Initiate." He lied, hoping it would help convince the old man to let him through.

"Well, you've got the merit of having survived ten days out there. So I'll trust you, but if you're lying, I'll have one of my men take you inside and detain you. The biggest problem we can have in a battle is men who don't know their strength and act recklessly." With a wave of his hand, the soldier let Oliver through.

He nodded and passed through the gate.

His pupils dilated when he saw right in front of him, dozens of armored men. Each in their own way, and another group with less metal, but no less impressive.

A well-ordered formation of soldiers stood where the village used to be. The houses were empty, and everyone could see several of those with light armor using the rooftops as strategic points.

Auuuuu!

A howl marked the beginning of the attack. Dozens of wolves advanced over the ruins of what used to be houses. The wolves had various colors and completely messy fur, but advanced together. Like a great pack.

Something inside Oliver boiled. Each step of those beasts made his breathing heavier. Those wolves, each one was at least as strong as the creature from the clearing. And he was unarmed and in the rear of a battle formation.

"Control yourself, Oliver... They are higher rank creatures, but you've killed others like them. Control! Ssssssss!"

Bam!

The impact came from the front line and several soldiers were thrown back. A rain of arrows fell on the wolves, and warriors began to fight those that had managed to reach the archers.

The chaos of battle began and Oliver was still there, frozen.

"I need to move, I need an opportunity." He whispered in a way only he and the viper could hear.

Some displeased god or the viper itself seemed to respond. One of the wolves broke through the formation and came toward him. It was nearly two meters tall, on all fours, with a bloodthirsty gaze.

Oliver's breathing changed and as soon as it attacked, he rolled to the side. His instincts kicked in at high speed, and something changed inside him.

Beep!

[Primal]

[Combat: 24 → 30]

A quick glance made him realize six bonus points were missing, but he had no time to complain, as the beast's tooth-filled jaws were just centimeters away.

"Control..." Oliver didn't know if it was his memory or the viper's voice whispering to him again, but he listened to the advice, released his held breath, cleared his mind, and dove down.

The jaws snapped shut a few centimeters above his head and he saw an opportunity. His fists clenched and he punched the damned dog's chin.

Bam!

The beast's head was thrown upward, losing its balance and falling backward, only to get up again. Its gaze was full of confusion, but it soon refocused and attacked again.

Claws slashed through the air toward Oliver. Even with the boost from [Primal], he couldn't dodge everything, and soon blood was dripping from wounds on his arms. More and more cuts formed, and all he could do was land a few punches on the furry bastard's face.

"I need a weapon. Damn it!"

"You are a weapon... Follow your most primal instincts. Or rather, your new instincts..." Now Oliver was sure, it was Draco's voice whispering in his ear, and in an almost magical way, he obeyed.

The wolf lunged at him, and the world seemed to freeze from his perspective for a few seconds. As if everything were slower, Oliver felt the blood running through his veins.

Not just that warmth, but something colder and more viscous. It was like black, vile sludge, something... sinister!

Beep!

[Bestial Form Rank – 1]

[Combat: 30 → 40]

His body tilted to the side, and he was quickly out of the wolf's path. But it seemed slower now, or for some reason Oliver was faster.

"Well done... Hehehehehe." Now he understood what that bastard was thinking... He wanted to awaken something inside him, and it was easy to understand. If Oliver had become half snake, it was necessary that he had fangs. But they didn't necessarily have to be in his mouth.

His body moved quickly, and his hands found the wolf's face, but this time, instead of closing his fists, he opened his hands like claws. Nails grew a few centimeters and hardened. With one motion, blood began to gush from the wolf's skin, and a howl of pain escaped its mouth.

However, the damn wolf wouldn't be called an Elite if it died that easily.

As a counterattack, its mouth closed on Oliver's left forearm and blood gushed out.

A deep pain spread through his body, and an ancient flame awoke. That feeling Oliver had in the clearing battle flooded him again, and he guided the direction, driving his movements.

Beep!

[Combat: 40 → 48]

Oliver extended his fingers and brought them together, mimicking a blade with his hands, and drove them into the throat of the wolf that bit his forearm. The creature's pupils widened, but it wasn't fast enough.

The grip loosened, and its teeth released Oliver's flesh.

Then the wolf's body collapsed to the ground. Completely motionless and finally, dead.

The pain paralyzed his left arm and blood flowed at high speed for a few seconds. Oliver felt a slight panic until a green aura fell upon him.

"I don't know what ability gives you such cool claws, but good job. That loose wolf in the rear would've caused a disaster."

For a few seconds, Oliver really panicked, thinking his mother had come to the battlefield, but when he looked, he saw a girl with short black hair, but with some faded green streaks.

She wore light chainmail and a white jacket over her body. Her eyes were staring at him with curiosity.

Unfortunately, they didn't have much time, as another howl from more wolves caught their attention.

This time, two wolves had broken through the vanguard and were heading toward them.

"I guess we can get to know each other later." Oliver said, somewhat scared, to the girl.

"I was thinking the exact same thing."