The Pack Leader

The sound of footsteps rapidly traversing through the forest sounded as a blur could be seen dashing through the forest.

Boy's legs burned with exhaustion as he sped through the forest, his heart pounding in his chest.

Should this mission fail, he would immediately die as the farmer's status seemed to indicate that he was in danger.

[Ding! Sheep Count: 55]

'Damn it! I'm not fast enough!'

The countdown appeared from the system in his vision, only fuelling his desperation. He pushed harder but with each passing moment, the number had been dropping.

'System, is there anything I can do?' he asked in panic as he did not think he would be making it in time. His breathing became ragged as he was already fatigued from the fight with the wolves previously.

[Host, you have 10 unallocated stat points. Other than that, I am seeing no other alternative other than you using skills that involve movement.]

'Put all of it into Agility!' he shouted internally without hesitation.

[Ding! Agility: 15->25]

A sudden surge of power coursed through his limbs, his muscles responding instantly. The world blurred around him as his speed doubled, closing distance as a more efficient rate.

'I might have a chance!' he thought at his newfound speed.

[Ding! Sheep Count: 54]

Trees and underbrush blurred past and the ground became a mere streak beneath his paws. His lungs burned as he put his legs into overdrive but he ignored it.

In the next few seconds, he had reached the edge of the forest, emerging out of it at extreme speed, he was now able to see the farm in the horizon.

[Ding! Sheep Count: 53]

'Hurry… hurry… hurry…' he repeated in his head despite his legs screaming in protest as each step began kicking up dirt and grass. 

As he got closer, his eyes were able to make out something he didn't expect… All the sheep were out in the field…

'I remember closing the gate and hearing its lock close,' Boy pondered as he was confused as to how and why the sheep were currently outside of their pen…

Many hours ago, when Boy had finished rounding up all the sheep and begun leaving the farm to track the wolves. The pen was silent with the occasional baaahs of some sheep. All was quiet as they began to prepare to shut down for the night. 

However, in the midst of the farm, a sudden noise could be heard as a dark figure walked out. He did not say a word but from his first appearance, he had caught the attention of some of the sheep.

He reached for the lock that was keeping the gate closed.

Clank! Clank!

The lock was a little old, needing some more forces as the loud clanking of metal could be heard. The sound caused the whole herd to be alarmed and awake as even the sleeping ones suddenly stood up and began baaah-ing louding.

Clank!

With one final clank, the heavy metal gate was opened and upon pushing it open, the figure ran into the pen, and began scaring all of the sheep.

"Raaaaahhhhh!" they screamed as they ran around the pen, scaring all the sheep as they all began bolting out of the pen.

…

His heart pounded like a war drum. The sheep pen was now in sight with the terrified animals huddled together. And a few meters ahead of them was a large wolf with its fangs bared, eyes gleaming with predatory intent.

The wolf pack leader was unlike any of the others that he had seen before. 

Its fur was darker than the night itself, matted and reeking with the blood of countless victims that it had taken before. Scar crisscrossed around its massive body, each a testament to its countless combat experience. 

Its eyes like molten gold stared at a poor sheep in front and with extreme speed, it leaped forward and took the sheep down, rapidly biting and yanking the sheep around as if it was its plaything. Its muscles rippled beneath the thick fur, exuding raw power as it did so.

[Ding! Sheep Count: 51]

The Boy's vision narrowed, every muscle in his body tensing as he launched himself right above the fence that enclosed the sheep enclosure. 

The leader wolf was now close in his sights as he saw the wolf slowly lift his head after killing the sheep, staring straight at the next sheep.

It let out a low growl as it then charged forward and leaped.

'NO!' Boy screamed in his head as his marks glowed purple.

Spirit Dash!

Boy's vision narrowed as every muscle in his body coiled and he launched himself at the wolf leader, intercepting just in time.

His teeth then began to glow as he aimed right for the leader's neck.

Shadow Bite!

However, just as he bit down. He felt nothing getting caught in his mouth. The leader wolf had managed to turn its head just in time to dodge the attack.

'What?' Boy stared at the wolf in wonder at how it had managed to dodge.

Meanwhile, caught off guard by the new opposition, the wolf became wary as it could feel the danger in the bite that Boy had just delivered.

The wolf snarled, eyes burning with intelligence and raw strength as it stood tall on its feet, baring its teeth in anger.

'Looks like this is going to be a hard fight…' Boy thought as his whole body was already tired and parts of him were injured. In that exact moment, the wolf's nose scrunched up as it suddenly seemed to smell something.

It immediately stared Boy in the eyes as its yellow eyes grew cold and a terrifying silence permeated. He could feel the rage consuming the wolf as it gave off a whole new level of aggression.

'He knows…' 

In that moment, the wolf dashed forward, aiming to bite Boy right in the neck. Its speed was something that Boy did not expect and he hurriedly sidestepped the attack.

However, the wolf reacted seeing this and countered with a side swipe of its claws, Boy was not able to completely dodge it and its claws grazed Boy's side, sending searing pain through his ribs.

Boy growled in defiance, immediately leaping to the side. The wolf's attack, however, was unrelenting as it reacted with lightning speed and immediately stuck again. 

However, Boy was prepared this time and dodged the bite that was coming straight for its neck as he then retaliated.

Spirit Dash!