The sky above darkened with passing clouds, and for the first time since morning, the forest went strangely quiet.
I slowed, glancing around. "…Too quiet."
That's when I saw it.
A massive shadow passed overhead. My eyes shot up, heart hammering. A giant bird-like creature soared across the canopy, wings outstretched wider than three trees, its tail long and reptilian.
"…Is that a wyvern?" My stomach knotted. "Nope. Not dealing with that. Nope."
I crouched low, hugging the ground until the shape vanished over the horizon.
But the moment I exhaled in relief, the earth beneath me rumbled.
CRRSHHHK!
The ground split apart, and from it burst a massive centipede, its segmented body twisting and curling as it screeched. Its black shell gleamed like polished bone, and its jagged mandibles clacked.
"Seriously?! First a wyvern, now this?!"
The beast towered over me, nearly one and a half times my size. My fireball sparked instinctively to life in my palm, and I hurled it.
FWOOOSH.
The blaze slammed into its side. But instead of flinching, the centipede arched, its thick back plates absorbing the flames. Smoke curled off, but it didn't stop.
[MP: 360 → 340]
My eyes widened. "That shell's… heatproof?"
The centipede hissed, mandibles clattering. Then it lunged.
I dove aside, rolling to my feet, and shot another fireball. Same result—it clanged harmlessly against its armor.
"Tch—useless!"
Its belly was softer. That had to be the weak spot. But hitting it was another problem entirely.
The beast struck again, its body whipping like a whip. The tip slammed against my shoulder as I barely dodged, sending me staggering.
[HP: 630 → 610]
"Arghh—damn it!"
I gritted my teeth. "If fire doesn't work… then ice!"
I splashed water from the flask onto the ground and focused hard. Spikes—sharp, jagged, piercing upward.
"Ice Spike!"
[MP: 340 → 320]
CRRSHK!
From the dampened earth, three icy spikes shot up, catching the centipede's lower body. Its screech tore through the forest as the spikes punctured softer flesh beneath its shell. Green ichor splattered across the ground.
"Yes! Weak spot confirmed!"
The beast thrashed violently, snapping its body. The spikes shattered, and I barely leapt back as its mandibles stabbed where I'd been standing.
I needed something faster. Smaller. Like bullets.
The thought hit me like lightning. I condensed my mana sharply at my fingertip.
"Fire Bullet!"
[MP: 320 → 315]
PEW!
A tiny ember shot out, fast as an arrow, and slammed into the centipede's exposed underside. The thing spasmed.
I grinned. "Ohhh, I like this one."
Dodging to the side, I fired again and again.
PEW! PEW! PEW!
The rapid shots tore into its softer joints while I sprinted, keeping just out of its lashing strikes.
[MP: 315 → 295]
But even then, it clipped me. Its body whipped across my side, the edge of a jagged leg cutting across my leg. Pain flared hot.
[HP: 610 → 570]
"Ghh—damn bug!"
Snarling, I splashed more water, crouched low, and thrust both palms down. "ICE SPIKE!"
[MP: 295 → 275]
This time, a cluster of five spikes erupted beneath its writhing belly. They pierced deep, pinning its body briefly before shattering. The centipede let out a high-pitched shriek, curling inward.
Now!
"Fire Bullet!"
PEW! PEW! PEW!
The shots drilled into its bleeding underside. With a final convulsion, the monster's body slumped, ichor pooling into the dirt.
The air was still.
[MP: 275 → 260]
Panting, I lowered my arm. My heart thundered like a drum. Slowly, a glowing prompt appeared.
Congratulations! You have defeated [Lvl 10 Hardshell Centipede].
EXP gained: +500
Total EXP: 1480/2000 → Level 16
I collapsed onto the dirt, wiping sweat from my brow. "God…damn it… I hate bugs."
Its corpse twitched faintly, but the glow of a mana stone pulsed beneath. With shaky hands, I dug into the remains and pulled out a jagged, earthy-brown gem.
"Worth it," I muttered, tucking it into my satchel.
I slumped against a tree, draining the last of the water in my flask until my throat no longer felt like sandpaper. Every muscle in my body ached, but at least I was still breathing.
That's when I froze.
A low crunch echoed through the clearing. Then another.
Peering ahead, I spotted them—three wolves tearing into a fallen deer. Their muzzles dripped crimson, eyes glinting in the dim light.
"…Of course. Of course it had to be wolves next."
I crouched low, holding my breath. If I moved quietly enough, maybe—
CRACK.
A twig snapped beneath my boot.
Three heads shot up in unison. Red eyes locked on me.
"…Ah, crap."
Mana surged as I thrust my palm downward. "Ice Spike!"
The ground shuddered—only one spike shot up, jagged and weak.
[MP: 260 → 240]
The spike burst from the ground, piercing one wolf clean through the belly. The other two sprang back, narrowly avoiding the jagged ice.
Congratulations! You have defeated [Lvl 6 Forest Wolf].
EXP gained: +130
Total EXP: 1610/2000 → Level 16
Then the other two broke past, snarling.
I twisted aside as one snapped at my thigh, fangs grazing my skin. Pain seared.
[HP: 570 → 550]
"Damn mutts!"
I pointed my finger like a gun. PEW! PEW! Fire Bullets ripped through the air, slamming into a wolf's side. It yelped, stumbled, and fell twitching.
[MP: 240 → 230]
Congratulations! You have defeated [Lvl 6 Forest Wolf].
EXP gained: +130
Total EXP: 1740/2000 → Level 16
The last one circled, growling deep. My mana surged again—I conjured an Ice Spear and hurled it. The shard punched through its ribs. The beast howled before falling.
[MP: 230 → 210]
I staggered, panting, sweat dripping down my face. "Three down…"
Congratulations! You have defeated [Lvl 6 Forest Wolf].
EXP gained: +130
Total EXP: 1870/2000 → Level 16
But then a chilling howl split the forest.
"…Oh no. That howl was for backup." I spun on my heel, diving into the nearest bushes and crouching low, heart pounding.
Branches rustled. Three more wolves slinked into view, sniffing the ground, muzzles pressed against the corpses of their packmates.
Then a fourth emerged—a darker, larger wolf. Its eyes gleamed crimson, and it barked sharply at the others, posture commanding.
"…The leader." My stomach dropped.