Chapter 3: The Howl of the Horde

The monstrous roar echoed through the cursed forest, shaking the ground beneath Lucas's feet. He snapped out of his daze, his grip tightening on the bloodstained dagger as dread pooled in his chest. The next wave had begun and he was still standing in the middle of the clearing, battered, breathless, and alone.

In the distance, glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, multiplying by the second. Low, guttural growls followed, like a pack of starving wolves closing in on their prey.

I have to move. Now.

Lucas staggered to his feet, glancing around the campsite for anything useful. The loot from the players he'd just killed was scattered across the ground, glimmering faintly in the dim light. His heart raced as he sifted through the items, grabbing whatever he could before the monsters arrived.

[Loot Acquired!]

Iron-Edged Axe (+10 Attack, +3 Strength)

Reinforced Leather Armor (+5 Defense, +2 Agility)

Health Shard x2 (Restores 20 HP each)

Skill Book: Combat Basics – Unlocks "Dodge Roll" skill

Lucas quickly equipped the leather armor, feeling a slight boost to his agility as the stats kicked in. He slung the axe over his shoulder and pocketed the health shards. The skill book caught his eye, but there was no time to read it now. The growls were getting louder.

He turned toward the forest just as the first monster broke through the tree line.

It was a Shadow Wolf, larger and more vicious than the one he'd fought before. Its fur was matted with blood, and its glowing red eyes locked onto Lucas with murderous intent. Behind it, more wolves emerged five, ten, maybe more until an entire pack surrounded the clearing.

Lucas swallowed hard, his fingers trembling on the hilt of his new axe. This is bad. This is really bad.

The lead wolf bared its fangs and let out a bone-chilling howl. At that signal, the entire pack lunged.

Lucas barely had time to react. He swung the axe wildly, catching the first wolf across the jaw. It yelped and fell back, but two more were already on him. He ducked under their snapping jaws and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe of deadly claws.

I need to stay mobile, he realized. If they pin me down, I'm dead.

He activated his newly unlocked skill: [Dodge Roll], diving out of the way as another wolf lunged at him. The skill had a short cooldown, but it gave him just enough time to get back on his feet and swing the axe again, cleaving through one wolf's flank.

[Hit! – 30 HP]

[Enemy Defeated: +50 XP]

The wolf disintegrated into pixels, but Lucas didn't have time to celebrate. The rest of the pack was still closing in, and his stamina was dropping fast.

I can't keep this up forever, he thought, panting as he dodged another attack. His health bar was already down to half, and he'd only taken out one wolf. At this rate, he wouldn't last more than a few minutes.

Suddenly, a message popped up in the corner of his vision:

[New Quest: Survive the Wave]

Objective: Defeat or evade the Shadow Wolf pack.

Reward: +500 XP, Rare Item Drop.

"Great," Lucas muttered under his breath. "No pressure or anything."

A wolf lunged at him from the left, and he swung his axe instinctively, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone as it connected. Another wolf leapt at him from behind, and he barely managed to roll out of the way, but not before its claws raked across his shoulder.

[You have taken 15 damage.]

Lucas gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain. His health bar was dangerously low, and the wolves weren't letting up. He needed a plan and fast.

His eyes darted around the clearing, searching for anything he could use to turn the tide. That's when he spotted it: the campfire, still burning brightly in the center of the clearing.

Fire. Wolves hate fire.

A desperate idea formed in his mind. It was risky, but it was the only chance he had.

Lucas sprinted toward the campfire, dodging and weaving as the wolves chased after him. When he reached the flames, he grabbed a burning log with his bare hands, ignoring the searing pain, and swung it wildly at the nearest wolf.

The effect was immediate. The wolf yelped and backed away, its fur singed by the flames. The rest of the pack hesitated, their growls turning to wary whines as they edged closer.

Lucas didn't give them a chance to regroup. He hurled the burning log into the center of the pack, scattering them in all directions. Then he grabbed the second log and charged forward, swinging it like a club.

One by one, the wolves fell back, their health bars dropping as they were burned and battered. Lucas's heart pounded as he fought, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He wasn't just surviving anymore he was winning.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last wolf disintegrated into pixels, and the clearing fell silent.

A chime echoed in Lucas's ears, followed by a series of notifications:

[Quest Complete: Survive the Wave]

Reward: +500 XP, Rare Item Drop.

You have leveled up to Level 3!

New Skill Unlocked: Flame Strike (Active)

[Item Acquired: Emberblade – A sword imbued with the power of fire. +15 Attack, +5 Fire Damage, +2 Strength.]

Lucas collapsed to his knees, breathing hard. His hands were blistered, his body ached, and his health bar was almost empty but he'd done it. He'd survived.

And now, for the first time since he'd entered The Infinite Grind, he felt something he hadn't felt in days.

Hope.