Chapter 23: Chapter23-Hunting to Death
Just as I was about to click on the quest, another wolf sprang out from a nearby bush, aiming straight for my neck.
My guard was completely down, and I barely had time to react.
I instinctively raised my daggers to defend myself, but in a split second, the wolf shifted its attack and targeted my left arm instead.
The wolf's jaws clamped down on my arm with brutal force.
Pain surged through me, and I couldn't hold onto the dagger in my left hand any longer.
It fell to the ground as I shouted in agony, "Ahhhhhhh! Leave-Ahh! My arm, motherf*cker! Leave it!"
I tried to shake the wolf off, but it only bit down harder.
Panic set in, and my mind went blank.
Blood flowed from the wound like a fountain, soaking my clothes and pooling on the ground.
Desperate and with no other choice, I began stabbing the wolf's head with the dagger in my right hand.
The first stab made the wolf snarl, but it didn't loosen its grip.
With the second stab, the wolf's jaws finally released my arm, and it fell to the ground, but I was too enraged to stop.
My anger peaked, and I continued stabbing it repeatedly, each thrust fueled by fury and pain.
I was too angry to think clearly and completely lost control in the face of my pain and rage.
"Fuck you! Fuck you mother! Fuck your whole family!" I yelled, driving the dagger into the wolf's head over and over until its skull was a bloody mess.
After continuously stabbing for a few minutes, my rage finally subsided. I realized the wolf was long dead, its body lying motionless in a pool of blood.
I finally stopped and took a moment to calm my head.
I looked at my arm, which was still heavily injured and bleeding profusely.
'Damn, if only I had kept my guard up, I wouldn't have been bitten by that wolf.'
My entire outfit was drenched in wolf's blood, and I felt exhausted.
I slumped to the ground, my back against a tree, trying to steady my breath.
'Ahhh, my arm is still bleeding. I need to heal it fast, or I might pass out from the pain.'
Reaching into my inventory, I pulled out a healing potion.
I uncorked the bottle, and the scent of herbs and magic filled the air.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered, bringing the bottle to my lips.
The potion was cool and smooth, sliding down my throat like a refreshing drink.
But it would still take a few seconds to fully heal, and unable to bear the pain, I bit down on my lips to endure it.
A few seconds later, I felt a warm sensation spread through my body, starting from my chest and radiating outward.
The pain in my arm began to fade, and I watched with joy as the wound started to close.
Within moments, the bleeding stopped, and the deep gashes in my arm were replaced by faint scars.
I flexed my fingers, feeling the strength returning to my hand. The potion had worked its magic.
I looked at the scene around me: the dead wolf, the blood-soaked ground, and the eerie silence that had returned.
After taking a moment to calm down and checking my wounds, I realised that I hadn't looked at my system messages since the wolf attack.
When I opened it, I was surprised to see numerous messages appearing on the screen.
(Ding, congratulations host, Monster Core (Common) has been added to your inventory!)
(Ding, congratulations host, Healing portion (Iron) has been added to your inventory!)
(Ding, congratulations host, 10 Monster Essences of Wolf has been added to your Character Profile!)
"Hmm?"
That wolf was an Common-Rank, that's a little surprising.
But anyway, it is good for me though; I got some extra essences.
Curious about the previous quest, I began to scroll through the system window to find it. After a few seconds of scrolling, I found the quest page and clicked on it. A new screen appeared:
Chain Quest: [Death March] Alll latest novels at novelhall.com
1st Quest: Opened
2nd Quest: Locked
3rd Quest: Locked
4th Quest: Locked
Was I really this strong?
The two surviving wolves, one that flew over my head moments ago and the other standing in front of me, lowered their tails after witnessing their comrade's death.
They both began taking hesitant steps backward.
"Huh....?"
It's still alive.
I couldn't close my slack jaw as the headless Wolf's legs shook like a leaf, before its movement stopped for good.
Let's think more... Somehow, it's very hard for me to believe that I am really that strong so, that-
That was when I heard the familiar mechanical beep going off again.
(Ding, congratulations host, Monster Core (Common) has been added to your inventory!)
(Ding, congratulations host, 10 Monster Essences of Wolf has been added to your Character Profile!)
...
As I glanced at the screen, my suspicions were quickly confirmed upon discovering that the slain wolf was also an Iron-Rank.
Now, I'm certain I can't defeat a wolf just by punching it.
There must be something I'm overlooking.
While thinking about this, another thought struck me as I realized something crucial.
Without delay, I decided to use my appraisal skill on the dead wolf to investigate further.
Immediately, a screen appeared with the results.
Examining the screen carefully, I finally found the reason.
One of the wolf's weaknesses was its weak skin, which explained why my punch could easily explode its head.
As I closed the screen, confusion washed over me when I saw there were no wolves in front of me.
Frantically, I began to search for them until my eyes landed on the bloody footsteps they left behind.
The ground was soaked in fresh blood.
Without hesitation, I grabbed one of my daggers and sprinted in the direction of the tracks.
They must not have gone far.
***
After sprinting for what felt like an eternity, I finally caught sight of both wolves running ahead.
They were still maybe 100 meters away from me, and I began to think about how to stop them.
But then, something unexpected happened. Both wolves abruptly stopped in their tracks, their fur bristling with tension.
I didn't stop running though, and closed the distance between us by a lot until I was close enough to see them clearly.
But as I approached, I witnessed something unbelievable.
Both wolves were... Urinating on the ground, their bodies trembling with fear.
I couldn't understand why they would do such a thing until I looked at their faces.
They were both terrified, their eyes wide with an unknown fear.
Wait! That's means...
Realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.
They hadn't stopped themselves from running; this fear had frozen them in place.
But what could cause such terror in these creatures?
I didn't have time to dwell on it as a sudden paralysis overtook me.
My limbs refused to move, and panic surged through me as I realized I was also completely immobilized.
What the hell? What happened to me?
Whatever had frightened the wolves was now affecting me too.
Desperately, I tried to shake off the paralysis, but it was futile.
What is this sudden fear that is gripping me?
My mind raced with sudden fear and confusion as I struggled to understand what was happening.
What's going on?
What unseen threat had caused both the wolves and me to freeze in terror?