Why Is This Wolf So Tough?!

Before me was a growling, wolf-like creature with pitch black fur and wild purple eyes. It stood at about my chest height on four legs and a dense, bright purple smog surrounded its body. It had two heads, both of them gnashing their teeth with strings of spit hanging from their mouths.

A twin-headed poison wolf!

This was a monster that I didn't recognize from my novel, but Mav's knowledge supplemented the gaps in my knowledge.

The twin-headed poison wolf is a mutated wild animal that developed a symbiotic relationship with a fungi living inside of it.

It emits a poison fog that can weaken or even kill its prey. Its claws and teeth are also laced with poison, so even a small wound can be lethal.

This might be a simulation, but that just means…

…one touch and it's "Game Over."

This monster was relatively high-ranked. From what Mav's previous knowledge told me about it, the fact that it appeared on the license test meant that if I beat it, I almost certainly qualified for a D rank license.

I have to take it down.

…though I wasn't just motivated by that. A small part of me enjoyed fighting stronger opponents. Even though I wasn't the main character, I wanted to feel that rush, even if just for a moment.

As adrenaline pumped through my veins, I began examining my options logically. 

In this situation, I really wished I had wind magic affinity instead of earth magic. Wind magic would've been exceptionally useful for blowing away the spore fog and would make fighting the wolf much easier.

Still, even if this matchup wasn't the greatest for me, magic was the best bet to deal with it. I sheathed my sword-- it would only get in the way of my focus.

"My mana ability still isn't that good, but I don't have any choice," I tsked, covering my mouth with my shirt to prevent myself from getting poisoned right away. "I'm going to have to kill you at range."

By this point, I had only been using mana enhancement. The main reason why I refrained from using magic was because there was no earth to work with inside of the simulation room and creating earth out of mana was much more difficult and mana-inefficient.

This handicap made my earlier fights much harder, since most of my mobility relied on magic. 

However, it was ultimately to my benefit. It meant that I still had 100% of my mana.

I can't afford to be cheap with my mana here. I have to take this fight seriously, like a fight to the death, if I want to stand any chance of winning. I immediately used around 15% to create an assortment of projectiles such as handfuls of small pebbles and thin stone spikes.

Sensing the danger, the wolf realized that I was going to try and fight it at range. Following its beastly instincts, it raced forwards to close the distance between us and force me into a close-combat fight.

"Like I'll let you approach that easily," I laughed.

With a sweep of my hand, several stone spikes flew at the twin-headed monster. It dodged them easily, but the movement forced it to slow down instead of charging straight at me.

It quickly recovered and dived at me again, but it was too late. My spikes had bought me enough time to conjure a slab of sheer rock that blocked its leap and pushed it back.

Then, pushing with all of my power, I threw the stone wall as hard as I could.

Boom!

My stone slab slammed the wolf into the white wall of the simulation room. The ground trembled with the impact.

I gasped as I let my hands drop, sweat trickling down my jaw as I checked my mana. About 50% left.

Despite not seeing any movement, I watched the dust cloud cautiously. Never let your guard down until you confirm the kill.

Just like I expected, the wolf leapt out of the rubble, injured but still mobile.

Even with my enhanced senses and speed, I was winded and the monster was too fast. It slammed into me like a truck, tossing me backwards where I tumbled across the floor.

I gasped as I scrambled to get back onto my feet, feeling a broken rib interfere with my breathing.

Shit, shit, shit!

In seconds, it was onto me again. But this time, I was prepared.

"Rabid dogs get put down."

I opened both of my hands with a bloody smile, revealing two fistfuls of pebbles.

This is what I was saving the rest of my mana for!

Every drop of mana was poured into this singular push as I fired the pebbles at the wolf like a point-blank shotgun blast.

A wet splatter echoed through the simulation chamber. I looked up at the wolf, which had large holes going straight through its head and chest.

[Stage 11 cleared.]

I coughed wetly, spitting out some blood as the dead wolf dissolved into particles of light.

"I give up. Get me out of here."

There was some clattering at the intercom, before someone responded.

[...alright. We'll get you treated quickly.]

…This hurts so bad…

No wonder why I had to sign the waiver before taking the test.

As I heard the door slide open and healers rush over, I dropped my head to the floor and stared at the purple stone in the ceiling with some disappointment.

I'm still too weak.

My reflexes need to be honed, my body needs to be strengthened, and my magic needs to be refined.

But I don't have time for that.

How can I grow faster?

What can I do to get stronger?

I found myself asking these questions more lately. When I was looking for quick and easy answers, it was easier.

I could get another A.N.I. since my body had mostly recovered. But the gains would decrease compared to last time.

I could keep consuming demonic cores. But I would run the risk of going feral like the last time I had consumed the E rank demonic core.

There were methods to growth, but they all had their downsides.

There was always some price to pay.

I should've written in some hidden treasures, I frustratedly thought as the Association staff healed my wounds. A hidden sword manual, an ability-strengthening fruit… something.

Wait…

…There is one thing I can try.