Giving up

Wei Long gritted his teeth.

His body ached in every possible way.

His muscles screamed, his bones felt as if they had been eaten a bit by bit on by the jaws of death, and every step sent a jolt of pain rippling through his frame. But he refused to submit.

The system's message loomed in his mind:

Three more chances left.

Now, it has dwindled to two. His stubborn nature wouldn't let him give in.

He still had options.

He needed food.

Now.

Wei Long's sharp eyes swept across the savanna.

The golden-brown grass swayed gently under the warm breeze, rippling like a sea of molten gold.

The air was thick with the scent of earth and distant prey. His tongue flicked out instinctively, tasting the air. He was a predator—an apex one. He shouldn't be struggling like this.

The lionesses had fled, vanishing into the depths of the sanctuary.

Their cubs?

Gone as well.