Eric's heart thudded in his chest as the three wolves stepped forward, growling low. Their eyes glinted in the dappled sunlight, fur bristling, teeth bared. Unlike the boars or rabbits he had faced, these predators moved with coordinated precision.
[Wolf – Level 4 | HP: 60/60]
[Wolf – Level 4 | HP: 60/60]
[Wolf – Level 4 | HP: 60/60]
Eric gripped his knife tightly, taking a deep breath. His body had grown more responsive since the previous hunts, but this was different. Three opponents moving as one could easily overwhelm him.
The first wolf lunged, teeth snapping. Eric sidestepped and jabbed.
[You dealt 8 damage | Wolf HP: 52/60]
Another wolf circled, aiming for his side. Eric pivoted, rolling to the ground and stabbing upward, hitting its flank.
[You dealt 7 damage | Wolf HP: 53/60]
The third wolf snapped at his leg, grazing him.
[You received minor damage: 4 HP]
Eric began to anticipate the pack's rhythm, moving fluidly between attacks and defenses. Each successful strike updated his mind:
[You dealt 9 damage | Wolf HP: 44/60]
[You dealt 8 damage | Wolf HP: 45/60]
The wolves circled, snapping and lunging, but Eric dodged, blocked, and countered, striking one, then another, finding openings where he could. Step by step, he gained control of the fight.
Finally, after a series of precise thrusts, the first wolf fell.
[You killed an ordinary creature: Wolf | Level Up]
The other two wolves hesitated, growling low, then charged again. Eric met them head-on, moving with confidence. Another series of strikes brought down the second wolf.
[You killed an ordinary creature: Wolf | EXP gained]
The third wolf, seeing its pack defeated, backed off and fled into the forest. Eric's chest heaved. His arms ached, and sweat dripped down his face, but the sense of accomplishment was exhilarating.
He glanced around the forest, now quiet again, the rustle of leaves replacing the tension. Each hunt, each fight, was teaching him not just how to move, but how to survive in this world.
With the wolf pack gone, the path to Littleroot Town stretched before him. The forest had been a teacher, and he was ready for the challenges ahead.