The sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as I entered the forest, following the wolf tracks. Elms's farm was behind me, a tiny, fading speck in the landscape. I was alone, with only the sword at my hip and the whispers of the "Grand Grimoire of Avarice" in my mind for company.
The old farmer's directions had been vague, but the prints were clear on the soft ground. They led deeper into the woods, towards wilder, less frequented areas. My improved Mental Acuity helped me stay on the trail, spotting broken branches and tufts of fur snagged on thorns – discreet signs of the predators' passage.
A palpable tension gripped me. It was different from the panicked fear I'd felt fleeing Ser Alaric. This was a more focused apprehension, sharpened by the awareness of danger and the thrill of the hunt. For the first time, I wasn't the prey, but the hunter. At least, that's what I tried to convince myself.
The System of Avarice was silent for now, no notifications appearing in my vision. I still had zero Avarice Points, and the prospect of earning some by facing wolves was a powerful motivator. I wondered what "essence" I might absorb from them.
Perhaps something that would increase my strength, my agility, or even my senses.
As darkness began to creep into the forest, I found a relatively sheltered spot to spend the night, a small rocky alcove hidden by thick ferns. I didn't dare make a fire, afraid of attracting attention, whether from wolves or, even worse, a stray patrol of Saintly Knights.
The night was long and filled with unsettling noises. The hooting of owls, the cracking of branches under unseen feet, the distant howl of a wolf that sent a chill down my spine. I slept lightly, sword within reach, startling at the slightest sound.
At daybreak, I resumed my hunt. The tracks were fresher now. I was close. My heart pounded in my chest. I mentally checked my stats: Vitality 11, Mental Acuity 9. It wasn't much, but it was all I had. My "Basic Sword Handling" skill was still at level 1. I hoped it would be enough.
Suddenly, a low growl startled me. A few dozen yards away, through the trees, I spotted a dark silhouette. Then another. And a third. A small pack of wolves. They were larger than I'd imagined, their fur gray and shaggy, their yellow eyes gleaming with a fierce light. They hadn't spotted me yet.
My first instinct was to back away, to look for an escape. But the thought of Avarice Points, of the need to become stronger, held me back. This was it, my first real test. To flee now would be to give up this opportunity.
Taking a deep breath to calm the trembling in my hands, I slowly drew Ser Klemens's sword. The sound of metal leaving the makeshift scabbard seemed to echo in the forest silence.
One of the wolves turned its head in my direction, its ears pricked. It let out a soft yelp, alerting the others. Within seconds, all three beasts were staring at me, their lips curled back to reveal menacing fangs.
A notification appeared in my vision:
[Target: Forest Wolf (Quality: Common Superior). Contains Essence of Ferocity, Essence of Animal Agility.]
"Common Superior." That was already better than the lizard. And "Essence of Ferocity," "Essence of Animal Agility"... that sounded promising.
The first wolf lunged, quick as lightning. I braced myself for the impact, trying to remember the few defensive moves I'd observed from Ser Klemens's guards. My lack of experience was glaring, but urgency sharpened my reflexes.
I managed to narrowly dodge the first charge, the wolf's jaws snapping shut inches from my arm. I attempted a counter, a clumsy sword stroke that only grazed the beast's flank. It yelped in pain and rage, turning for another attack.
The other two wolves were beginning to circle. The situation was becoming critical. I couldn't fight all three at once. I had to separate them, or take one down quickly.
The first wolf charged again. This time, I was a little more prepared. Using the sword more as a shield than an offensive weapon, I deflected its jaws and, in a desperate move, plunged the tip of my blade towards its chest.
The metal met resistance, then sank in. The wolf let out a heart-wrenching whimper and collapsed, its body twitching before it lay still.
[Avarice exercised! You have absorbed the Essence of Ferocity and the Essence of Animal Agility from the Forest Wolf.]
[Avarice Points gained: 3.]
[Skill "Basic Sword Handling" (Lvl. 1) has gained experience.]
Three Avarice Points! And my skill had progressed! A surge of adrenaline and savage satisfaction coursed through me. But I had no time to savor it. The other two wolves, made even more furious by the death of their packmate, lunged at me simultaneously.
The fight became a confused whirlwind of fangs, claws, and steel. I parried, dodged, and struck back as best I could. Every movement was dictated by the instinct to survive. I took several bites and scratches, the searing pain mingling with the fury of combat. My makeshift leather armor and thick clothes offered limited protection.
One of the wolves managed to knock me down. I found myself on the ground, the sword slipping from my grasp. The wolf's jaws closed in on my face, its fetid breath filling my nostrils. Panic threatened to overwhelm me.
In a last-ditch effort, I rolled to the side, grabbing a heavy stone and smashing it with all my might against the beast's skull. A sickening crack echoed, and the wolf slumped, lifeless.
[Avarice exercised! You have absorbed the Essence of Ferocity and the Essence of Animal Agility from the Forest Wolf.]
[Avarice Points gained: 3.]
Only one remained. Exhausted, wounded, but fueled by a cold rage, I struggled to my feet, retrieving my sword. The last wolf hesitated, perhaps intimidated by the deaths of its two companions. That hesitation proved fatal.
Gathering my last reserves of strength, I charged in turn, letting out a cry that was no longer entirely human. Surprised, the wolf backed away, but too late. My sword slashed across its flank, a deep gash from which blood spurted. The beast fell whimpering, and I finished it with a thrust to the throat.
[Avarice exercised! You have absorbed the Essence of Ferocity and the Essence of Animal Agility from the Forest Wolf.]
[Avarice Points gained: 3.]
[Level of Avarice increased to 2!]
[Skill "Basic Sword Handling" (Lvl. 1) has gained enough experience to reach Level 2! Automatic upgrade.]
[New Skill discovered (Fragment): "Animal Agility." Requires more similar essence to be fully acquired.]
Silence fell over the clearing, broken only by my ragged breathing. I was covered in blood – my own and the wolves' – and multiple wounds burned. But I had survived. I had won.
And the System… it had rewarded me. Nine Avarice Points in total. My Level of Avarice had increased. My sword skill too. And a potential new skill… "Animal Agility."
A feeling of raw, primitive power surged through me. It wasn't just the satisfaction of having survived. It was the hunger of Avarice, a hunger that had been fed and now craved more. Looking at the bodies of the wolves, a dark but exhilarating thought crossed my mind: they were more than just beasts. They were a source of power. And I wanted more. Much more.
As the adrenaline of the fight slowly subsided, the pain from my wounds grew sharper. My arm bled profusely where a wolf's fangs had sunk in, and multiple scratches crisscrossed my skin beneath my torn clothes. I sat down heavily on a tree stump, short of breath, surveying the carnage.
Nine Avarice Points. That was a good haul. And my Level of Avarice had risen to 2. What did that mean concretely? I focused on the "Grand Grimoire of Avarice."
[Name: Falko]
[Title: Novice Hunter (Former: Fugitive)]
[Level of Avarice: 2]
[Avarice Points (AP): 9]
[Base Stats:]
[Vitality (VIT): 11 (Upgrade available)]
[Energy Flow (ENF): 5 (Upgrade available)]
[Mental Acuity (MEN): 9 (Upgrade available)]
[Assimilation Voracity (ASV): 1 (Upgrade available)]
[Acquired Skills:]
[Basic Sword Handling (Lvl. 2)]
[Animal Agility (Fragment – 33% Acquired)]
My title had changed! From "Fugitive" to "Novice Hunter." It was an acknowledgment of my actions, however modest. And all my base stats were now upgradeable. Reaching Level 2 of Avarice had unlocked new possibilities.
I also noticed the "Animal Agility" skill fragment. Thirty-three percent… that meant I'd probably need to absorb the essence of two more wolves, or similar creatures, to fully acquire it. The idea of being more agile, faster, like the beasts I'd just faced, was incredibly appealing.
My wounds, however, brought me back to harsh reality. Before thinking about future hunts, I needed to take care of myself. I had rudimentary knowledge of first aid, learned from observing the other servants at Ser Klemens's manor, but nothing very sophisticated.
I tore strips of cloth from my already tattered tunic to make makeshift bandages. The water from my waterskin served to clean the wounds as best I could. The pain was intense, but the satisfaction of my victory and the promises of the System of Avarice somewhat dulled it.
Once my wounds were dressed, I turned to the wolf carcasses. Farmer Elms would undoubtedly be pleased, but there was something else. These bodies were a source of resources. Meat, fur. Things that had value.
Using Ser Klemens's sword, which was beginning to feel less alien in my hand, I skinned the animals as best I could. It was a bloody, gruesome job, but necessity outweighed disgust. I salvaged the best pelts and a good amount of meat, which I wrapped in large leaves.
Transporting all of this was going to be a problem. I only had a small bag. But the thought of leaving behind these precious resources, this "wealth" acquired at the risk of my life, was unbearable. Perhaps this was Avarice beginning to take a deeper root within me.
I decided to focus on my Avarice Points. Nine points. I could upgrade three stats by one level each. Vitality was an obvious priority, given my injuries. Increasing my ability to endure and recover would be crucial.
[Enhance Vitality? Cost: 3 AP.] I confirmed.
[Vitality (VIT): 12 (+1)]
[Avarice Points (AP): 6.]
A slight warmth once again spread through my body, somewhat soothing the throbbing pain in my wounds. Next, Animal Agility… even though I hadn't fully acquired it yet, the idea of becoming more agile appealed to me. Perhaps it would also influence my Energy Flow stat, which represented my stamina and ability to use skills.
[Enhance Energy Flow? Cost: 3 AP.] I confirmed.
[Energy Flow (ENF): 6 (+1)]
[Avarice Points (AP): 3.]
I felt a little lighter, as if my movements could become more fluid. Finally, with my last three points, I hesitated between Mental Acuity and that mysterious "Assimilation Voracity." If the latter increased my ability to absorb essence, it could significantly speed up my progress. It was a gamble.
[Enhance Assimilation Voracity? Cost: 3 AP.] I confirmed.
[Assimilation Voracity (ASV): 2 (+1)]
[Avarice Points (AP): 0.]
I didn't feel an immediate change with this last upgrade, but I hoped it would bear fruit in my future "acquisitions."
The sun was now at its zenith. It was time to return to Elms's farm. I fashioned a crude travois out of branches to carry the pelts and meat. The journey was slow and painful, my wounds constantly reminding me of the price of my victory.
When I finally reached the farm, old Elms came out of his barn, his eyes widening at the sight of my load and my condition.
"By the old gods, boy! You… you got 'em!" he exclaimed, a mixture of shock and gratitude in his voice.
I nodded, too tired to speak.
He helped me unload my cargo, examining the pelts with a knowledgeable eye. "Fine work, despite your injuries. These pelts will fetch a good price at the market in the next village. And this meat… it's been a long time since we've had so much."
True to his word, Elms gave me a few silver coins, more than I had expected. He also offered me something to clean my wounds more properly and a hot meal, the first real meal I'd had in days. The gratitude in his eyes was a reward almost as precious as the coins.
As I ate, sitting at his rustic table, I reflected. I had succeeded in my first mission as a hunter. I had earned money, resources, and above all, I had increased my power through the System of Avarice. But the fight against the wolves had been tough. I had nearly lost my life.
This world was dangerous, and the Saintly Knights were probably just the tip of the iceberg. If I wanted to survive, if I wanted to understand this power that inhabited me, I had to become much stronger. Avarice offered me a path, but it was a path paved with risk and blood.
The hunger for power, the hunger to acquire, was beginning to become a familiar companion. A hunger I would have to learn to control, or it would eventually consume me. For now, however, it was this hunger that kept me alive, that pushed me forward, into the growing shadow of an uncertain destiny.