Chapter 6: The Alpha’s Wrath
The Alpha Ravager barreled forward, its claws tearing through the dirt as it closed the distance. Ethan barely had time to raise the metal pipe before the beast was on him.
He swung wildly, the pipe connecting with the Alpha's shoulder in a loud clang. The beast barely flinched, slamming into him with the force of a truck. The impact sent Ethan sprawling, his back slamming into a tree. Stars burst in his vision as he gasped for air, the pipe slipping from his hands.
"Okay… solid start," he groaned, scrambling to his feet as the Alpha stalked toward him, its glowing eyes narrowing. "Note to self: don't get hit by the giant murder wolf."
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Player Health: 45%.
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The system's notification flickered in his vision, but Ethan shoved it aside. He had bigger problems—literally. The Alpha growled, its massive form blocking out the faint glow of the trees behind it.
Ethan darted for the pipe, snatching it off the ground just as the Alpha pounced. He rolled to the side, dirt and leaves flying as the creature's claws raked through the earth where he'd been.
"Okay, new plan," Ethan muttered, gripping the pipe tightly. "Hit it. Don't die. Repeat."
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Combat Mode Engaged.
Tip: Exploit the Alpha's overcommitment. Use the environment to gain an advantage.
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"Right, because I'm totally not winging it already," Ethan snapped at the interface.
The Alpha lunged again, jaws snapping inches from Ethan's arm. He sidestepped, swinging the pipe downward onto its back. The impact made the beast snarl in pain, but it turned on him with terrifying speed, slashing at his chest.
Ethan threw himself backward, but the claws still grazed him, tearing through his shirt and leaving shallow cuts across his ribs.
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Player Health: 30%.
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"This is fine," Ethan muttered, gripping his side as he stumbled back. "Everything's fine."
The Alpha crouched low, its muscles coiling like springs. Ethan scanned the area frantically, his eyes darting from the beast to the forest around him. The glowing trees… the jagged rocks… the uneven terrain. There had to be something he could use.
Then he saw it: a tree with a massive, broken branch hanging precariously above the clearing.
"Bingo," Ethan whispered. "Come on, big guy. Let's see if you're as dumb as you look."
He backed toward the tree, waving the pipe in the air. "Hey! Over here, you overgrown mutt! I'm the one you want!"
The Alpha growled, its eyes narrowing. It charged, faster than Ethan expected, closing the distance in seconds. Ethan barely had time to dive out of the way as the beast slammed into the tree, shaking the entire trunk. The broken branch groaned under the impact, but it held.
"Come on," Ethan muttered, scrambling to his feet. "Just one more hit."
The Alpha turned on him, snarling. It lunged again, and this time Ethan darted to the side, letting the creature slam into the tree once more. The branch creaked loudly, splinters raining down as it began to crack.
Ethan didn't wait. He grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it at the branch with all his strength. The rock struck true, and the branch came crashing down, slamming into the Alpha's back with a thunderous crack.
The beast howled in pain, its body pinned beneath the heavy wood. It thrashed wildly, claws tearing at the ground as it struggled to free itself.
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Critical Weakness Exploited.
Enemy Stunned.
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"Not so tough now, are you?" Ethan muttered, limping toward the pinned creature. He gripped the pipe tightly, raising it over his head. "This is for almost killing me—twice."
He brought the pipe down with all his strength, striking the Alpha's head. The beast howled again, its form flickering like a faulty lightbulb. Ethan struck again, and again, each blow driving the creature closer to its end.
Finally, with one last swing, the Alpha let out a guttural snarl before its body dissolved into a swirling vortex of black smoke. The air grew still, the oppressive weight lifting as the forest fell silent.
Ethan dropped the pipe, collapsing to his knees. His entire body ached, his chest burned, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. But he was alive.
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Quest Complete!
Objective: Eliminate the Alpha Ravager.
Reward: +4 Strength, +2 Perception.
Level Up!
New Stats:
Strength: 6 → 10
Perception: 8 → 10
New Skill Unlocked: Ravager's Pounce (Active)
Leap forward with explosive force, dealing critical damage on impact. Cooldown: 1 minute.
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"Ravager's Pounce?" Ethan muttered, staring at the notification. "Great. Now I can jump like a wolf. That'll be super helpful when I'm trying to avoid dying."
The system chimed again, and a new message appeared.
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Player Status Updated.
HP Restored: 100%.
Dream Forge Timer: 10 Hours Until Next Quest.
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Ethan let out a shaky laugh, leaning back against the tree. "So I get ten hours to recover before my next nightmare. Awesome. Can't wait."
The glowing forest began to blur, the dream world fading away. The last thing Ethan saw before darkness took him was the faint outline of the Alpha's smoke, drifting upward like it was being pulled into something unseen.
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Reality
Ethan woke up in his bed, gasping for air. The sunlight streaming through his window felt almost surreal after the chaos of the Forge. He sat up, running a hand through his hair, and glanced at his phone.
A notification blinked on the screen.
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Welcome Back, Player.
You are progressing well. The true challenges await.
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Ethan stared at the message, his stomach sinking. The true challenges? If last night's death match wasn't considered "challenging," he wasn't sure he wanted to know what was.
He stood, wincing as his muscles protested. His body still felt the effects of the fight, but there was something else—an undercurrent of energy buzzing beneath his skin. The levels, the stats, the skills—they were real. And they were growing.
"True challenges, huh?" Ethan muttered, grabbing his phone. "Bring it on."
As he turned toward the kitchen, another notification appeared.
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New System Alert:
Nearby Dreamer Detected. Interaction Required.
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Ethan froze. "Oh, come on," he muttered. "Can I not catch a break?"