Chapter 17 – Blood and Resolve
Kael dragged the wolf leader's corpse closer to the fire, his arms trembling from exhaustion. His body ached, his wounds burned, but the heat from the flames and the faint regeneration from Dawnfang kept him standing.
The system's blue interface flickered before his eyes.
[ Rare Material Obtained: Shadowfang Pelt ]
[ Rare Material Obtained: Wolf Fang ]
[ EXP +200 ]
[ Level Up! → Level 6 ]
[ Stat Points Gained: +5 ]
Kael opened his stat panel. The glowing text floated in the air:
> Strength: 14
Agility: 13
Vitality: 15
Perception: 12
Willpower: 10
He hesitated only a moment before funneling points into Strength and Vitality. His body pulsed as invisible energy surged through his muscles, making his grip firmer, his breath steadier.
For the first time in his life, he felt… unshakable.
But that feeling didn't last.
His Predator's Instinct stirred again, a faint pull at the edge of his awareness. Not wolves this time. Something else. Something bigger.
Kael's stomach tightened. He glanced at the goblin corpses, the blood soaking the dirt. The fire, the noise, the death—it had drawn predators like moths to flame.
He wiped Dawnfang clean against his sleeve and whispered, "Bring it, then."
---
The forest grew silent.
Too silent.
Even the night insects had stopped their song.
Kael crouched low, scanning the tree line. The shadows shifted unnaturally, branches creaking though no wind stirred. His hand tightened on Dawnfang's hilt.
Then, he saw it.
Two glowing red eyes blinked open in the darkness.
A massive figure stepped into the clearing, fur black as coal, shoulders rippling with muscle. Its fangs were long, jagged, and its claws gouged trenches into the dirt with every step.
A Dire Wolf.
But this one wasn't ordinary. Its fur shimmered faintly with shadow, the darkness clinging to it like smoke. The air itself seemed to bend around the beast.
[ Warning: Elite Monster Detected – Shadowfang Alpha ]
[ Recommended Rank: C ]
Kael's throat went dry. A C-rank monster? He was barely scraping through E-rank quests.
The wolf threw back its head and howled. The sound rolled like thunder, shaking the trees, making Kael's knees tremble.
Predator's Instinct screamed in his skull—run.
But Kael clenched his jaw, shaking his head. "No. I'm done running."
---
The beast lunged.
Kael barely dodged aside, the claws missing him by inches. The ground where they struck exploded in dirt and stone.
He slashed at its flank, Dawnfang biting deep into fur and flesh, but the Alpha barely flinched. Its paw lashed out, catching Kael's chest and hurling him backward into the dirt.
Pain flared. He coughed blood, vision blurring.
[ -37 HP ]
Kael forced himself to his feet, swaying. His entire body screamed in agony, but something deeper roared louder—the memory of his sister's hollow eyes, the hunger, the helplessness.
He spat blood, raising his blade. "If I run… then she dies. If I fall… then I was never meant to stand."
The wolf charged again.
Kael ducked under its jaws, rolling forward. Predator's Instinct blazed, guiding his arm. He spun and slashed across its hind leg. Blood sprayed. The beast snarled, stumbling slightly, but still whirled with terrifying speed.
Claws ripped through his side, tearing flesh.
[ -52 HP ]
Kael screamed, staggering. His vision blurred red. His health bar was dangerously low.
But Dawnfang pulsed in his grip. Its passive glow seeped into his wounds, slowing the bleeding. Every kill made it stronger.
He only needed one kill.
One.
---
The Alpha lunged, jaws wide, aiming for his throat.
Kael didn't retreat. He charged.
He rammed the burning branch he had kept from the fire straight into its open maw. The wolf yelped, flames searing its tongue and throat. It reared back, thrashing in fury.
Kael used the moment. With every ounce of strength, he leapt forward, driving Dawnfang deep into the creature's chest.
The blade sank to the hilt.
The Alpha howled, the sound echoing through the forest, shaking Kael's bones. Its claws flailed, one raking across his arm, but Kael held on, screaming as he twisted the blade.
Blood gushed, hot and thick.
The beast staggered, its massive body trembling, then finally collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Silence.
Kael fell to his knees, drenched in blood, gasping for air.
Then—
[ Boss Monster Defeated. +1,200 EXP. ]
[ Level Up! → Level 8 ]
[ Rare Item Acquired: Shadowfang Alpha Core ]
[ Predator's Instinct has evolved. ]
Blue light surrounded him, warm and alive, knitting his wounds closed. His vision cleared, his chest eased. For the first time since the nightmare began, Kael felt… unstoppable.
He looked at the corpse of the Alpha, its glowing red eyes now dim. His lips curved into a tired but savage grin.
"Not prey…" he whispered. "Never prey again."
⚡ End of Chapter 17 ⚡