Ren's lips twitched slightly.
'Damn it.'
He couldn't get up in time!
A bone-chilling killing intent engulfed him. The monster's breath poured out like a gust of death, making every nerve in his body tense up.
Sharp claws gleamed under the dim moonlight, like blades descending from the darkness.
He had to do something...
Immediately!
Ren clenched his teeth.
There was no time to think.
His body reacted before his mind could even process it.
His fingers tightened around the sword's hilt, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip. Just as the massive shadow loomed over him, Ren twisted his body, using the momentum...
And slashed with all his might!
CLANG!
Impact.
A shockwave rippled through his arm.
The Elite Dire Wolf's claws crashed into his blade, the pressure as heavy as a sledgehammer!
Ren felt both arms go numb, the impact rattling down to his very bones.
He couldn't hold on!
"Kh...!"
A powerful force sent him flying backward.
His back slammed hard against the ground.
A searing pain shot through his spine… as if every nerve was screaming in agony.
Before his eyes, his HP bar dropped drastically!
-98 HP!
Not good!
Ren couldn't keep fighting like this!
The Elite Dire Wolf had only taken a single step back from the block. It hadn't slowed down at all!
Its glowing golden eyes reflected his figure, filled with the pure, unrelenting savagery of a predator.
It wouldn't stop!
Ren gritted his teeth, gripping the sword so tightly that cold sweat pooled in his palm.
He couldn't just keep defending.
If he kept clashing head-on like this, he'd tire out before even getting a chance to strike back.
He had to change his approach.
The Elite Dire Wolf crouched again.
Its muscles tensed, claws digging into the dirt, ready to lunge once more!
Ren narrowed his eyes.
'No… this time, I won't attack first.'
He lowered his stance, slightly leaning forward, focusing every sense on the monster's movements.
Sword steady.
Waiting.
The wind howled through the air.
The Elite Dire Wolf lunged, faster than ever before!
Its claws slashed upward, ready to tear apart everything in its path.
Ren clenched his teeth, waiting for the perfect moment.
At the last second, he pivoted, just barely dodging past the razor-sharp claws!
The wind sliced past his skin, missing him by a hair!
But…
Now!
Ren flicked his wrist.
His blade shimmered with a faint blue light!
The sword carved a sharp arc.
Aiming straight for the exposed spot under the beast's neck!
The light from the blade reflected in the Elite Dire Wolf's ferocious eyes.
Would this counterattack land?!
Whoosh!
A cold flash of steel tore through the darkness, striking directly at the exposed throat of the Elite Dire Wolf!
Hit!
Ren could feel the tip of his sword piercing the monster's flesh.
But...
CLANG!
Sparks flew!
Ren's eyes widened.
It didn't go through?!
The Elite Dire Wolf twisted its neck at the last moment, causing his strike to only graze the surface. Its thick fur and steel-like muscles absorbed most of the damage!
-32 HP!
A tiny number appeared.
He couldn't pull his sword back in time!
A frigid killing intent crashed into him.
Those wild golden eyes gleamed with ruthless bloodlust.
No way to retreat!
"Kh…!"
Ren yanked at his sword, trying to free the blade.
But it was too late!
BOOM!!
A devastating strike smashed into his chest!
Agonizing pain ripped through his body!
The impact was overwhelming, forcing the air from his lungs.
Ren was sent flying like a bullet, spinning through the air before crashing hard into the ground.
-96 HP!
His chest burned.
His breathing was ragged.
His vision swayed, white flashes flickering at the edges.
His ears rang from the impact.
Pain.
It hurt...so much!
But Ren had no time to feel the pain.
The Elite Dire Wolf didn't stop.
Its massive body lunged forward, claws raised high.
This time, there was no chance to fight back!
Ren gritted his teeth, forcing himself to get up.
Not fast enough!
The claws were about to tear him apart.
Slash!!
A blazing red streak suddenly tore through the air!
Ren barely had time to widen his eyes.
Before the sharp sound of something slicing through the wind filled his ears.
A powerful slash struck the Elite Dire Wolf's side!
The sharp clang of metal echoed.
The beast let out a furious roar, its massive body knocked backward!
Ren blinked, his breath still unsteady.
A familiar voice rang out in the darkness:
"Ren, just how long are you going to keep getting into trouble?"
Ren's head snapped up.
Reddish-brown hair swayed in the wind.
Klein!
His curved blade still glowed brilliantly from the skill he had just activated.
Klein lowered his stance, eyes locked sharply onto the monster.
Ren took a deep breath, gripping his sword tightly.
His hands were still trembling, palms slick with sweat.
Klein stood in front of him, body slightly tilted forward, ready to fight.
"You do know… hunting alone is really dangerous, right?"
His voice was low but carried unmistakable reproach.
"Especially at night like this."
Ren gritted his teeth but didn't argue.
He was right.
Even Ren could feel it… The Elite Dire Wolf at night was too fast, too strong.
It was nothing like the one they had faced in the morning.
As if to prove Klein's words, the monster that had just been knocked back regained its footing, pressing its four legs firmly into the ground, growling with pure killing intent.
Its beastly eyes glowed with a cold light, showing no hesitation toward its new opponent.
Klein tightened his grip on his weapon, his voice lowering.
"Predatory monsters get about 10-20% stronger at night."
Ren swallowed dryly.
Not just its speed, but its strength had increased too…
No wonder his previous strike couldn't pierce the monster's defenses.
Klein tilted his head slightly, glancing at Ren.
"Can you keep fighting?"
Ren took a deep breath.
His body ached, his HP bar had dropped to a dangerous level.
But…
He didn't want to run away!
Ren nodded firmly.
Klein smirked, his sharp gaze flashing with a hint of approval.
"Then… don't get in my way."
The moment the words left his mouth.
The Elite Dire Wolf lunged!
This time, it wasn't aiming for Ren.
Its target was Klein!
Ren tensed, cold sweat running down his back.
The Elite Dire Wolf shot forward like a silver-gray arrow, its terrifying speed ripping through the air.
Klein didn't dodge.
Ren's eyes widened.
'What is he doing?!'
Whoosh!
Just as the monster's claws were about to reach him, Klein shifted his shoulder slightly, his foot sliding back, and...
Swung his sword!
CLANG!
The blade traced a dazzling arc.
Ren only saw a flash of reflected light streaking through the air, forming a nearly imperceptible trajectory.
The Elite Dire Wolf was sent flying to the side!
"You're not the only one. I hunt monsters at night too."
Klein spun his sword in his hand, flashing a confident, almost terrifying grin.
The Elite Dire Wolf snarled, claws digging deep into the ground, ready to pounce again.
But this time…
Ren was ready!
Summoning all his strength, he sprang forward, gripping his sword tightly, waiting for the exact moment when the beast charged at Klein.
And struck its blind spot!
Slash!
The blade plunged deep into the monster's side!
A streak of crimson damage numbers flashed above its head.
It was more than his first strike.
Ren pulled the sword out and leaped back.
The Elite Dire Wolf let out a painful howl but immediately whipped around.
It lunged, not far, but extremely fast.
Its sharp fangs snapped straight for him!
'Damn it…!'
Ren couldn't dodge in time!
But...
SWOOSH!
A shadow streaked past his vision.
CLANG!
Klein's sword slashed straight across the monster's face!
The Elite Dire Wolf was sent flying once more.
Ren gasped for breath, his whole body trembling from pain, but he forced himself to stand.
Klein said nothing, only tilting his head slightly toward him, as if to ask, "You okay?"
Ren tightened his grip on his sword.
Just a little more.
Just one more strike!
The Elite Dire Wolf staggered to its feet, blood dripping, forming crimson pixel fragments floating amidst its gray fur.
The monster was now suffering from a bleeding effect.
Its HP was slowly ticking down. Not much...
But its eyes…
Still burned with killing intent!
"This time, I'll hold it back." Klein's voice was steady. "Put everything you've got into one final blow."
Ren swallowed hard, then nodded.
Klein lowered his stance, preparing for the last attack.
This time, the Elite Dire Wolf didn't hesitate.
It leaped, claws tearing through the air!
Klein sidestepped, tilting his shoulder to absorb the impact, then.
He kicked off the ground!
Using the monster's own momentum, he propelled himself faster.
SWOOSH!
Klein spun his sword, slashing straight at the beast's front leg!
The Elite Dire Wolf stumbled!
And at that moment.
Ren lunged!
Pouring all his strength into his arm, gripping his sword with everything he had!
The blade glowed with a streak of blue light.
"STAB!"
His sword pierced straight through the monster's throat!
Fast.
Blisteringly fast.
Like a steel arrow fired from a fully drawn bow.
BOOM!
The Elite Dire Wolf collapsed.
Its savage breaths suddenly stopped.
[ +25 EXP ]
[ +45 Cor ]
[ +Elite Dire Wolf's Fang ]
[ Elite Dire Wolf defeated! ]
Ren stood there, panting, sweat beading on his forehead.
The Elite Dire Wolf was dead.
They had won!
Yet Ren remained still, a numbing sensation spreading through his fingers, all the way up to his shoulders.
His breaths were ragged, his chest rising and falling, but his hand refused to let go of his sword. He couldn't let go.
It felt as though if he loosened his grip, his whole body would collapse onto the ground.
He was still alive.
This feeling… it was hard to describe, like stepping out of a nightmare, or perhaps… not having fully woken up yet.
"Haah…"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand firm.
Only then did Ren register Klein's presence.
He was standing nearby, still gripping his sword, his gaze calm but sharp.
Ren blinked, his mind blank for a moment before he finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"…But… how did you know I was here?"
Klein raised an eyebrow, then shrugged.
"Well… you didn't show up for a late-night meal like you always do."
Ren: "..."
He froze for a few seconds, completely unsure how to react to such a ridiculously simple answer.
But....something suddenly cut off their conversation.
"Ren! Watch out."
In the blink of an eye, Ren felt his right shoulder go numb.
His balance wavered as he fell forward.
A deep crimson glow flared in the dark field.