Camping is a Death Sentence
lThe dire wolf snarled, its eyes gleaming with malicious intent as it circled my makeshift camp.
Its fur bristled, and I could practically see my inevitable death reflected in its drool-covered fangs. Why was everything in this game out to get me?
I gripped my new goblin dagger—though calling it "new" was being generous. It was barely an upgrade from a rusty spoon, but it was all I had.
The wolf lunged, and I barely dodged out of the way, rolling across the ground like an awkward potato.
---
SYSTEM ALERT:
Dodge Successful!
You avoided death by sheer luck (again).
Dire Wolf HP: 350/350.
---
Great, all that effort for nothing. I scrambled to my feet, breathing hard, and prepared for another round.
If I could just survive long enough to wear it down, maybe I had a chance.
The wolf growled, pacing back and forth. I decided to risk opening the status window for a quick glance at my options.
—
PLAYER STATS:
Name: Ridley
Level: 1
HP: 200/200
Strength: 28
Agility: 12
Endurance: 14
Charisma: 0
Luck: 5
Skills:
Power Strike (Active): Deliver a powerful blow, +20% damage.
Wolf's Endurance (Passive): Increased stamina and critical hit chance against beasts by 20%
Enemy Taunt (Passive): Hostile creatures will always prioritize attacking you.
Title:
Beast Hunter: Increased damage against Beast-type monsters by 20% (NPCs are now slightly more afraid of you.)
Inventory:
Rusty Great Sword (Equipped)
Basic Health Potion (x1)
Beginner's Rations (Tasteless)
55 Gold Coin
Goblin Dagger (+10 Damage)
---
Oh man, I totally spaced on the whole Beast Hunter thing. And I forgot I had some skills that are perfect for this fight.
Seriously? I thought facing a Dire Wolf was a death sentence, but turns out, it's actually dumb luck.
Grinning like an idiot, I charged at the wolf, swinging my dagger with everything I had.
The wolf barely flinched. It swiped at me with one of its massive paws
---
-40 HP (Dire Wolf Attack)
Player HP: 160/200
---
"Ow, ow, ow!" I yelped, staggering backward. Instead of me landing the attack, I ended up getting smacked instead.
This thing hit like a truck! If I didn't think of something fast, I'd be wolf chow in a few minutes.
I scanned the area. There had to be some trick to this fight—something I could use to my advantage. Something that finally let me get a hit in on this stupid wolf.
But all I saw was trees, rocks, and more trees. Not exactly an arsenal.
The wolf lunged again, and this time, I was ready. I dodged to the side and activated Power Strike at the same time, aiming right for its exposed flank.
---
-80(+14(+14) HP (Power Strike, Beast Hunter effect activated)
Dire Wolf HP: 238/350
---
Finally, some real damage! The wolf howled in pain, snapping at the air as it turned to face me again.
I could feel my confidence growing—until I realized I was still outmatched in terms of raw power and health. But maybe… just maybe, I could chip away at it.
The wolf leapt again, but this time, instead of dodging, I ran toward a nearby tree. I climbed up the trunk as fast as I could, praying the wolf wasn't smart enough to follow.
---
SYSTEM ALERT:
You've gained the skill Cowardly Tactics: Temporarily increases Agility by 10% when fleeing from combat.
Dire Wolf HP: 238/350.
Status: Enraged.
---
Enraged? That sounded bad. The wolf growled, clawing at the base of the tree, its claws scraping the bark. I had only bought myself a little time.
"Okay, Ridley, think," I muttered, crouching on a branch. "You've got a pissed-off wolf, no charisma, and a few pathetic weapons. What's your next brilliant move?"
The answer hit me like a truck—just as the wolf tried to headbutt the tree in frustration.
---
SYSTEM ALERT:
New Skill Unlocked:
Improvised Tactics (Active) – Using the environment in creative ways may yield unexpected results.
---
Huh. That was new. And it was about time this game gave me something useful. I eyed the branches above me, then the wolf still raging below. An idea began to form.
I pulled out the goblin dagger, gripped it tight, and—despite every instinct in my body screaming that this was a terrible idea—jumped down from the branch. As I fell, I activated Improvised Tactics and aimed for the wolf's head.
—
-80(+14(+14) HP (Power Strike, Beast Hunter effect activated)
Dire Wolf HP: 126/350
Improvised Tactics successfully triggered Wolf's Endurance to work at 5 times its normal capacity.
Damage has been doubled.
-112 HP (Critical Hit)
Dire Wolf HP: 14/350
---
The dagger sunk into the wolf's skull with a sickening thud, and I hit the ground hard. The wolf yowled in pain, thrashing around as I scrambled to my feet, heart pounding. It was still alive, but now it was dazed.
This was my chance!
I grabbed my rusty sword and went for the killing blow, striking again and again until the beast collapsed.
---
-70 HP (Normal Attack)
Dire Wolf Defeated!
XP Gained: 300
Loot: Dire Wolf Fang, 25 Coins
---
I stood there, panting and covered in dirt and blood, staring at the lifeless wolf. I had actually done it. I had taken down a level 5 Dire Wolf at level 2. Was this what victory felt like?
---
SYSTEM ALERT:
Due to your Zero Charisma, nearby NPCs are less likely to acknowledge your accomplishments. Try not to cry.
---
I scowled at the message. "Oh, screw you, system." I wiped the sweat from my brow and looked down at the loot. The wolf had dropped a fang and some coins. Not bad, but nothing game-changing.
Then, something caught my eye.
---
New Item Acquired: Dire Wolf Fang (Rare)
Can be used to craft high-level weapons or gear.
Value: 200 Gold.
---
I blinked at the screen. This was no ordinary fang. This was rare loot! Finally, something to show for all my suffering. I pocketed the fang, grinning like a maniac. Maybe my luck was starting to turn around after all.
I checked the quest status again.
---
QUEST: The Elder's Challenge
Objective: Survive the wilderness for three days.
Current Status: Day 1, Hour 3.
Hint: Only two more days to go. Try not to die.
---
Two more days? I sighed and looked around the forest. There had to be an easier way to get through this. But one thing was for sure—I was going to milk every ounce of XP, loot, and rare items from this quest if it killed me.
Which, at this rate, it just might.