12. First Blood
The air around me grew tense as I sensed movement behind me. Slowly, I turned, gripping the hilt of my dagger tightly. A low growl rumbled from the shadows. Emerging from the underbrush was a three-eyed wolf, its third eye glowing ominously with flickers of red light.
I instinctively took a battle stance, my heart pounding, as I faced the creature. My muscles tensed, ready for its attack. The wolf snarled, crouching low before leaping forward with terrifying speed, its claws crackling with lightning energy.
I raised my dagger to block the strike, but the moment the blade met the wolf's electrified claws, the dagger shattered into pieces. The shockwave nearly sent me flying, but I managed to sidestep just in time, narrowly avoiding the full force of the blow.
"Alright, little Wolfe," I muttered through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice steady. "Round two. Let's make it count."
It pounced with terrifying speed, lightning sparking between its claws. I tried to dodge, but it was faster than before. One claw slashed across my arm, sending a jolt of searing pain through my body.
[Got hit by Level 2 Three-Eyed Wolf's Lightning Claw. -15 HP]
[Got hit by Level 2 Three-Eyed Wolf's Lightning Claw. -15 HP]
[Got hit by Level 2 Three-Eyed Wolf's Lightning Claw. -15 HP]
"Damn it!" I gasped, stumbling backward. That thing hits like a flash!
The wolf moved closer, cutting the chase. My heart pounded as I desperately tried to think of a plan. There was no way I could take another direct hit like that. I couldn't afford to be reckless now. I gathered what mana I had left, calling the familiar heat into my palm.
[Basic Fire Ball activated. -10MP]
"Let's see how you like this," I growled, hurling a larger fireball directly at the wolf's face.
The fireball blazed through the air, illuminating the wolf's fur for just a second before it collided with its target. But instead of roaring in pain, the wolf absorbed the flames, its third eye flaring brighter as it absorbed my magic like it was nothing.
[Wolf's Lightning Absorption Activated. -10 MP]
"No way…" My eyes widened in disbelief. Did it absorb my MP?
The wolf grinned, as if such a thing was even normal. Its claws crackled with more energy, fed by my flame and my precious mana, I had foolishly thrown at it. Crap, crap, crap!
The wolf lunged again, this time aiming for my legs. I barely managed to throw myself out of the way, rolling across the ground as its claws sliced into the earth where I'd been standing. My breaths were coming fast now, panic making me think faster than ever. 'Think, Ariana, think!'
[Got hit by Level 2 Three-Eyed Wolf's Swipe. -30 HP.]
I scrambled to my feet, wincing as another notification flashed across my vision. My mana was draining fast, and every strike from the wolf took more than just my health—it was taking away my confidence, too.
"You're one tough bastard," I muttered, clutching my arm as I backed away. "But I'm not going down that easy."
I didn't have much left in me, but I couldn't let this thing win. I raised my hands, calling on the last of my mana. If fire wasn't going to work, I needed something sharper. I quickly formed Fire Needle, pouring all my remaining mana into its creation. This time, I had to make sure it would work.
I gathered my mana, feeling the heat rise in my palms. "Alright, try this on too!" I shouted, launching a small fireball at the wolf. It wasn't the strongest attack, but it was a distraction. The wolf saw it coming, its eyes flashing as it jumped back, clearly underestimating the real threat.
[Basic Fire Ball Activated. -10MP]
[Basic Fire Needle Activated. -15 MP.]
While its focus was on the fireball, I made a Fire Needle behind it—smaller, sharper, and aimed right at its head. The wolf absorbed the fireball with a smirk, —just like before, —and as expected. However, it was completely unaware of the needle speeding toward it.
The Fire Needle struck. It pierced right through the back of the wolf's skull, sinking into its brain. The wolf froze, its body trembling, before it collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
[Level 2 Three-Eyed Wolf slain.]
[First Blood! Title earned: Slayer. +4 SPD, +4 ATK]
[Reward: EXP +20, HP +20, MP +10 ]
[You have leveled up! 10 EXP required for next level.]
My legs gave out beneath me as I collapsed to the ground, utterly drained. I felt just barely alive. My mana was almost completely gone, and my HP wasn't far behind.
[HP: 25/120] [MP: 5/60]
I let out a ragged breath, staring at the wolf's lifeless body. My first real fight. And I had barely survived.
I opened my status window to see the summary.
[Status:
Name: Ariana Rain Hart
Level: 2
HP: 25/120
MP: 5/60
ATK: 4 (+4)
SPD: 4 (+4)
DEF: 4
INT: 4
[Growth Points Available: 4.]
Before I could celebrate, a shadow flickered in my peripheral vision. My heart froze. Someone was watching me.
I whipped around, still clutching my broken dagger, ready for whatever—or whoever—it was. From the trees emerged a figure cloaked in dark robes, their face hidden by a hood. A faint glow radiated from his hand, flowing with unknown magic.
"Impressive," the figure said, voice low and smooth. "But you're far from ready."
Before I could respond, they vanished, leaving me alone with nothing but the eerie silence of the forest.
Who the hell was that?
I glanced at the dead wolf, then back at where the stranger had been standing. I was alive, but something told me that was just the beginning.
[Congratulations! You have looted: Three-Eyed Wolf Pelt, Lightning Claw x1.]
I opened my status window, quickly allocating my four growth points.
[Status Updated: SPD +2, STR +2.]
As soon as I closed the window, a cold wind swept through the clearing, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I wasn't alone anymore.
The forest seemed to hold its breath as another shadow emerged from the trees. This time, I could feel it—a darker, more dangerous presence. I gripped my broken dagger tighter, my eyes locking on the new threat.
"Well, well," the voice whispered, low and sinister. "Looks like we have a bunny here."