I had planned a seven-day hunt for an E-rank Wolves in an abandoned village about 60 km north of the city.
From the 10,000 Red Orbs I'd snatched from Estel, I purchased an E-rank hunter's dagger for 1,000 Red Orbs, 50 Recovery Potions for 3,000 Red Orbs, 50 Health Potions for 3,000 Red Orbs, and hunter-specific Compression Socks and Sleeves for 2,000 Red Orbs to train my endurance.
Since successfully defeating the Ironhide Bull, I've realized my weakness lies in endurance.
If I hadn't executed my snatch skill to defeat the Ironhide Bull in one try of Time-Stop skill, I might have died from exhaustion.
Therefore, I added variety to my training routine by running long distances to increase my stamina and endurance.
With the help of Recovery Potions, my strength has increased without the risk of injury.
I even ran towards my destination, Ashwick Village, maintaining my tempo and steady breathing to boost my endurance.
Upon arrival, the previously clear sky had now turned into a dark night sky.
I looked around, only a few ruins of nearly collapsed houses.
There was no trace of people, animals, or any living creature.
I walked slowly and cautiously along the quiet village road.
Although they sounded the same, I could hear footsteps among the rubble of houses to my left and right.
I glanced around and saw other hunter eyes staring at me, then ran, hiding among the rubble.
I could sense them lurking, waiting for my moment of inattention.
My hand gripped the hilt of my dagger, my gaze still fixed on the monsterwolf still running around.
From my research, this E-Rank Wolf is called an Iron Wolf.
They typically move in packs and ambush their prey.
"VROAAARRR-!!"
Two Iron Wolves emerged from the ruins of the houses to my left and right.
They targeted my legs and arms first.
But I could already see through them!
>Time-Stop Activated
>5 Seconds Remaining
Both Iron Wolves stopped just as they were charging.
Each Iron Wolf had 100 Red Orbs in its head, which I immediately snatched.
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
Two hundred Red Orbs instantly gathered!
As time passed, both Iron Wolves fell to the ground, instantly dead.
I knelt for a moment, catching my breath during the one-minute cooldown.
Less than a minute later, the sound of Iron Wolf footsteps approached.
Judging by the direction of the sound, my instincts told me they were targeting my back and my left and right sides.
According to my research, these bastard wolves rarely attack directly.
They aim the rear or behind its target.
>Time-Stop Cooldown Remaining 15 Seconds
I dashed forward because I still had 15 seconds left on my cooldown.
The three Iron Wolves that emerged from behind the ruins of the house immediately ran, ready to ambush me from behind, left, and right.
I accelerated my run to stall the time, waiting for the Time-Stop Cooldown to finish, but the Iron Wolves were much faster than I expected.
>Time-Stop Cooldown Remaining 10 Seconds
The two Iron Wolves on my left and right had already attacked.
I immediately ducked, managing to avoid the attack, causing the two Iron Wolves to collide with each other.
>Time-Stop Cooldown Remaining 5 Seconds
The Iron Wolf behind me managed to lunge and land on me.
Before its sharp fangs could rip through my neck, my hand quickly lifted the hunter dagger toward the Iron Wolf's head.
"STAB-!"
The hunter's knife managed to pierce the Iron Wolf's mouth, preventing its sharp fangs from landing on my neck.
"RRRAAAGHH-!!"
Unfortunately, this Iron Wolf's strength was truly beyond belief.
Its sharp claws managed to cut both of my shoulders, causing me to bleed profusely.
Gradually, the Iron Wolf's sharp fangs drew closer, ready to rip open my neck.
>Time-Stop Activated
>5 Seconds Remaining
Time stopped.
Even though my breathing was still labored and my heart was pounding, I forced myself to snatch the damn Iron Wolf's Red Orbs that had fallen on me.
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
I woke up, covered in blood.
With the three seconds remaining in my Time-Stop Skill, I immediately sped towards the two fallen Iron Wolves and quickly snatched them to secure their respective Red Orbs.
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
Time returned to normal.
My body was still trembling violently as I endured the pain from the wounds on both my shoulders.
Although the Iron Wolf was only an E-Rank monster, its attack power was quite piercing and painful.
It was understandable, since I didn't have any hunter gear to protect me.
The hunter gear I had only increased my movement speed and stamina.
I took a healing potion and immediately gulped it down, which relieved the wound on my shoulder quickly closed so I could breathe normally.
Ah, shit.
It's only the first day of my hunting, but I'm already so close to death.
From a distance, I could see the Iron Wolves' eyes watching me from within.
There were about ten of them.
The Time-Stop cooldown was still about 45 seconds, and I wasn't sure I could stall time with that remaining time in my current condition.
My current endurance allowed me to Time-Stop up to three times, but I still had to be careful because I was alone on this battlefield.
I needed to survive, not win today.
I decided to find a hiding place, then my attention was drawn to the village chief's house, which happened to be about 100 meters in front of me.
The village chief's house still had a fence surrounding it, but I wasn't sure if anyone was still inside.
Without hesitation, I ran, climbed over the fence, and finally entered the village door.
A few seconds after I walked through the village gate, I saw ten Iron Wolves about to charge, but they were all blocked by the iron gate.
I immediately entered and locked the door.
The loud, piercing howls of the wolves made my body tremble, still hoping they wouldn't break through.
After I looked through the peephole, I breathed a sigh of relief.
The remaining Iron Wolves hadn't made it.
I walked into the living room, which was full of furniture and sofas, and sat down on the sofa to catch my breath.
Damn it.
I miscalculated.
I had just come from a long journey, arriving at night with only half my stamina left.
Being attacked by Iron Wolves like that certainly left me exhausted and flustered.
I thought I needed to rest for a while.
*
On the second day, after a good rest, I resumed monitoring the movements of the remaining Iron Wolves in Ashwick Village.
Fortunately, the village chief's house I was currently occupying had three floors, and from there, I could observe their movements.
As far as I could see, the Iron Wolves often ran around the village, sometimes hunting deer or other animals that approached.
Their movements were swift and organized.
I'd seen them hunt deer, often attacking their legs and arms to immobilize their prey first.
But I'd learned my lesson, and this morning, I would prove that I was far stronger than those damn wolves.
After I finished my daily routine training and have a breakfast, I went down to the first floor, grabbed the remaining frozen meat, then ran out into the yard.
Behind the high fence that enclosed the village chief's house, I could already see the Iron Wolves' gazes fixed on me far away.
Their quick steps and heavy breathing gradually became clearer as I walked toward the iron gate.
Without hesitation, I unlocked the gate, took about five steps back, and threw the frozen meat.
In a matter of seconds, the Iron Wolves rushed towards the open iron door.
I roughly counted five Iron Wolves, aiming for the frozen meat and me.
But I wasn't as stupid as they were.
>Time-Stop Activated
>5 Seconds Remaining.
Time stopped.
The five Iron Wolves stopped, some already inside the fence, some still in the middle of the door, and still others behind.
They were close together because there was only one way in, which is the fence door I had opened earlier.
Even though there were quite a lot of Iron Wolves, if they were close together like this, I could snatch their Red Orbs all at once!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
>Iron Wolf's Red Orb Snatched: 100 Red Orbs!
Time returned to normal, and the five Iron Wolves immediately collapsed, lifeless.
I pushed aside the Iron Wolf blocking the iron gate, hoping to close the door again before another Iron Wolf attacked.
Unfortunately, another Iron Wolf burst through.
Damn it!
I was forced to jump back before the Iron Wolf's claws ripped open my face.
>Time-Stop Cooldown Remaining 55 Seconds
Ah, shit.
What I feared had happened.
The Time-Stop Cooldown was still long, but there were still Iron Wolves left.
I took a ready stance, and the Iron Wolf roared loudly, preparing to attack me again.
"SKKRAA-!!"
The Iron Wolf came, about to rip off my right arm.
I reflexively stepped back, tilting my body before the claw could slit my hand.
I managed to dodge it!
I took a moment to steady myself while suppressing the excited trembling within me,
"GRRR-!"
The Iron Wolf walked slowly, its sharp gaze still fixed on my body.
I didn't attack immediately.
Instead, I waited for it to strike, wanting to avoid another attack.
"THUD-!"
The Iron Wolf darted quickly, aiming for my thigh, but I jumped first, and it missed again.
"Hah…! So that's how it works…!" I exclaimed, gaining confidence as I read all its attacks.
"WHHRSSH-!!"
The Iron Wolf continued charging furiously, aiming for my leg.
I quickly retreated a few steps, but the Iron Wolf didn't give up, landing its sharp fangs on my leg, then suddenly-
"THOK-!"
Damn it!
I didn't realize there was a tree behind me!
My back steps were blocked and the Iron Wolf's fangs were already very close!