Chapter 4: White Wolves

Keiran wandered through the dense forest, the fading light of the day casting long shadows across the ground.

The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth.

In his hands, he carried the limp body of a Horned Rabbit, its once-proud horns now drooping lifelessly.

The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird. Night was approaching, and the darkness seemed to creep in from the edges of the trees, swallowing the light bit by bit.

He had been walking for hours, and the weight of the rabbit was starting to tire his arms. Keiran decided it was time to set up camp.

He found a small clearing, surrounded by tall trees that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. The ground was soft, covered in a layer of fallen leaves and moss. It was as good a spot as any to rest for the night.

Keiran set the Horned Rabbit down and began gathering wood for a fire. He moved quickly, his hands deftly picking up dry branches and twigs.

The forest was full of them, and soon he had a small pile ready. He arranged the wood in a neat stack.

The fire crackled to life, its warm glow pushing back the encroaching darkness.

He skewered the Horned Rabbit on a stick and held it over the fire, the meat slowly roasting and filling the air with a savory aroma.

Keiran sat cross-legged by the fire, his expression calm and content. The forest around him was dark and dangerous, but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, he found the experience oddly enjoyable.

The solitude, the sounds of the forest, the flickering fire—it all felt strangely peaceful.

As he sat there, his sharp senses picked up on something. A faint ripple of energy, like a disturbance in the air.

His high Intelligence stat allowed him to sense the presence of mana, and he could feel it now—a group of creatures approaching. Their mana signatures were strong, and they were moving quickly.

From the shadows of the trees, five white wolves emerged. Their fur gleamed in the firelight, and their eyes glowed with a predatory gleam.

They were massive, their bodies muscular and powerful. The leader of the pack, a particularly large wolf, stepped forward, its lips pulled back in a snarl, revealing sharp, glistening fangs.

[Common: White Wolf: Level 4.]

The other wolves followed closely behind, their growls low and menacing. They were lower in level—one at level 3, one at level 2, and two at level 1—but together, they were a formidable force. To them, a lone human in the middle of the forest was an easy meal.

Keiran, however, didn't seem fazed. He glanced at the wolves, then at the meat roasting over the fire.

With a casual motion, he raised the skewer and offered it to the wolves. "Want some?" he asked, his voice monotone and unbothered.

The leader of the pack didn't hesitate. It lunged at Keiran, its powerful legs propelling it forward with terrifying speed.

But Keiran was faster. With a quick hop, he activated Rapid Hop, his body moving with such agility that he seemed to blur. He landed a few feet away, the skewer still in his hand.

"You'll ruin the meat," Keiran said, his tone almost bored.

He seemed more concerned about his food than the pack of wolves surrounding him.

One of the wolves, a level 3, darted forward and sank its teeth into Keiran's arm. But instead of the satisfying crunch of flesh, the wolf's fangs met something far harder—Keiran's stone skin. The wolf's eyes widened in shock as its teeth failed to penetrate. It let out a whimper, its jaw trembling from the force of the bite.

Keiran didn't even flinch. "Not even a tickle," he muttered.

He activated Iron Fist, his hand glowing with a faint metallic sheen. With a swift, powerful punch, he struck the wolf square in the head.

The impact was devastating, the combination of his stone skin and iron fist sending the wolf crashing to the ground.

The wolf let out a pained cry, but Keiran didn't stop. He punched it again and again, each blow landing with brutal precision. The wolf's cries grew weaker until, finally, it fell silent and still.

As the wolf's life faded, Keiran activated Divine Inheritance. A faint glow surrounded the wolf's body, and its essence flowed into Keiran.

[You have received 3 Skills.]

[For acquiring three unique skills, you have received experience points.]

[Ferocious Bite (Active): The White Wolf delivers a powerful bite to its target, dealing physical damage and causing a minor bleeding effect that lasts for a short duration. Mana Cost: 1]

[Predator's Rush (Active): The White Wolf dashes toward an enemy, closing the distance instantly. If the attack lands, the wolf's next basic attack deals increased damage. Mana Cost: 1]

[Pack Instinct (Passive): When near allies or other wolves, the White Wolf gains a slight boost to its attack speed and awareness, making it more effective in group combat.]

The level 4 White Wolf, the leader of the pack, snarled and charged at Keiran, its fangs bared. Keiran stood his ground, his expression calm. He removed his red tracksuit, revealing his lean, muscular frame.

As the wolf closed in, Keiran's body began to change. His skin hardened, taking on the texture of stone, and his form shifted, transforming into that of a White Wolf covered in stone armor.

The two wolves clashed, their bodies colliding with a loud thud. Keiran's stone armor protected him from the worst of the impact, and he quickly gained the upper hand. He lunged at the leader's neck, his powerful jaws clamping down.

The wolf struggled, but Keiran's grip was unyielding. He shook his head violently, the motion tearing into the wolf's flesh.

The other wolves, seeing their leader in trouble, joined the fray. They attacked Keiran from all sides, their teeth and claws scraping against his stone armor.

[You are now taking damage from multiple simultaneous attacks.]

Keiran's voice was calm, almost detached. "Will this kill me?" he asked.

[Not if you eliminate your enemies quickly enough.]

Keiran focused on the strongest wolf first, his jaws tightening until the creature's struggles ceased. Once the leader was dead, he turned his attention to the others.

Using Predator's Rush, he darted toward the nearest wolf, closing the distance in an instant. His attack was swift and brutal, his stone-covered fangs tearing into the wolf's flesh.

The forest was filled with the sounds of growls, snarls, and the sickening crunch of bone. Keiran moved with precision, his stone armor protecting him from the wolves' attacks. One by one, the wolves fell, their cries growing weaker until, finally, the forest was silent.

Keiran stood amidst the bodies, his form shifting back to human. He activated Divine Inheritance once more, but this time, no new skills came.

[You leveled up.]

[You have received 12 Stat points.]

[Your HP, MP, and SP have been replenished.]

Keiran noticed that it was getting harder to level up as he grew stronger.

He shrugged, his expression indifferent.

The forest was quiet once more, the only sound the crackling of the fire. Keiran returned to his meal, the Horned Rabbit now cold but still edible.