Battle against a wolf (1)
The moment the mana-oath contract was incinerated, Alex didn't react—at least, not outwardly. His gaze remained cold, empty as if the wolf's words had neither angered nor amused him. Instead, he reached for the blade strapped to the left side of his hip.
A faint pulse echoed in his mind before his fingers curled around the hilt.
[Scanning complete. Displaying results.]
A translucent system-like interface flickered to life in his left eye, courtesy of Nova. Text and numerical values shimmered in the air before him, detailing the Thunder Wolf's power levels:
{
Species: Wolf
Rank: Legend
Strength: 889
Speed: 900
Constitution: 770
Mana: 912
Affinity: Thunder
}
A final note appeared beneath the stats:
[ NOTE: Data accuracy: 80-90% based on constitution scan, body mass readings, and the amount of mana present around the entity]
Alex barely glanced at the display before dismissing it with a blink. The information was useful, but not absolute. He had already felt the beast's power firsthand—now, it was time to put it to the test.
A quiet click echoed through the charged air as he unsheathed his weapon.
The katana gleamed under the faint light. Its silver blade was smooth and flawless, almost ethereal in its craftsmanship. The edge shimmered, reflecting the faint arcs of lightning still crackling in the air. The handle, wrapped in midnight-black cloth, sat perfectly in his grip—crafted for him and him alone.
Dangling from the end of the hilt, two small bells chimed softly, their delicate rings eerily out of place in the impending storm of battle.
But it was not the weapon's beauty that made the Thunder Wolf freeze.
The moment Alex unsheathed the katana, an overwhelming aura surged —a formless pressure that made the air vibrate. It wasn't merely mana. It was something else, something far more dangerous.
The wolf's golden fur bristled, every strand standing on end as instinct screamed at it to be cautious.
This wasn't the aura of a mere Grandmaster-rank warrior.
No, this was something else.
Something that defied the laws of power and rank.
The Thunder Wolf's lips curled into a snarl, its massive claws digging into the ground as golden lightning danced wildly across its body.
"I don't know what trickery you're using, human..." the beast growled, baring its fangs. "But I will tear you apart all the same."
Alex merely rolled his shoulder, tilting his head slightly as if loosening his muscles. His grip on the katana remained steady, unwavering.
Then, without a word—
He moved.
….
A crack of thunder rumbled overhead, a distant echo of the battle about to unfold.
Alex vanished.
When his foot left the ground, he became a blur—a streak of motion too fast for the untrained eye to follow. The only trace of his presence was the flicker of his silver katana, glinting in the dim starlight as it cut through the air.
The Thunder Wolf's ears twitched, its golden eyes following the movement with terrifying precision. Despite its massive size, the beast's instincts were razor-sharp. The moment Alex struck, the wolf twisted, its colossal body moving with unnatural agility.
CLANG!
A burst of electricity erupted where the katana met the wolf's claw, raw mana crackling through the air like a thunderstorm barely contained. The impact sent a shockwave tearing through the clearing, scattering loose debris, and sending dirt flying.
Alex's feet skidded across the ground, his blade humming from the force of the clash. He barely had time to register the resistance before the wolf lunged, its fangs flashing with arcs of golden lightning.
He twisted.
The wolf's jaws snapped a fraction of a second too late, closing on empty air as Alex flowed around it like water. His movements were precise and calculated—not a single wasted step as he slid past the beast's flank.
SHING!
The silver blade sliced through the air again, aimed for the Thunder Wolf's hind leg.
But the beast reacted instantly.
Instead of dodging, it threw its full weight forward, its massive muscles tensing before it kicked off the ground—a shockwave of power sending it barreling toward Alex. The sheer force of the movement created a gust of wind that whipped through the clearing, forcing Alex to adjust his footing mid-motion.
Too late.
A sliver-clawed paw came down like a hammer.
Alex barely raised his blade in time, catching the brunt of the impact. The earth beneath him cracked, the force rippling outward as his knees bent slightly from the strain.
A faint sting spread through his arms.
He exhaled slowly, shaking out his hand as he steadied his stance.
"It's strong," Nyxara remarked, her golden eyes glowing as she observed from the sidelines. Her massive body was coiled, her tail flicking in amusement. "But not faster than you."
Alex's grip tightened around his katana.
The wolf may have the advantage in raw power, but speed?
He was faster, but just a little bit.
Without hesitation, he vanished again.
This time, he didn't evade—he struck directly.
The Thunder Wolf's eyes widened slightly by the burst in speed.
A second later, Alex's blade was at its throat.
The Thunder Wolf snarled, black arcs of lightning crackling along its fur as it twisted its body, narrowly avoiding Alex's blade. The sheer force of its movement sent torrents of wind howling through the battlefield, uprooting smaller trees and splintering the ground beneath its paws.
Alex barely had time to shift before the wolf countered, its colossal paw swinging toward him like a meteor. He leaned back, the attack missing him by mere inches, but the shockwave alone sent him skidding backward, carving deep trenches into the earth.
Nyxara grinned from her vantage point, her massive form sprawled lazily as if watching a show. "I thought you were here to kill it, not dance with it."
Alex didn't reply—his entire body moved on instinct, vanishing when his feet found solid ground.
BOOM!
The place where he had stood erupted, a massive crater forming as the wolf's next attack shattered the landscape. Rocks splintered, trees snapped like twigs, and the air trembled with their aura as they enveloped the area.
Alex reappeared above the beast, katana raised, silver light flickering along its edge.
SHING!
The blade sliced downward, cutting through the storm-filled air—
—only for the Thunder Wolf to roll mid-air, its massive form defying logic as it twisted out of harm's way. Its golden eyes gleamed, a fierce intelligence burning behind them.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive thunderclap exploded, rippling outward as the wolf unleashed a surge of raw electricity, using its movement to channel its attack. The blast sent shockwaves tearing through the battlefield, flattening entire sections of the forest and leaving deep scorch marks in the earth.
Even the human stronghold miles away trembled, the battle's vibrations reaching its walls. Warriors stationed at the defenses looked up in alarm, their gazes snapping toward the distant horizon, where faint flashes of lightning could be seen.
"What in the gods' names...?" one of them muttered, gripping his weapon tighter.
Back on the battlefield, Alex landed smoothly on a fractured hillside, his katana humming with residual energy. His sharp silver gaze met the Thunder Wolf's, and a flicker of amusement flickered on his usually expressionless face.
"You're not bad."