Skylar sat by the fire, eyeing the Shadowclaw leg hungrily as it turned on the spit. Another day had passed, and she had carefully made her way through the forest; it was teeming with high-level monsters that kept her battle high in check. She had found a cave near the river as and managed to lure a lone Shadowclaw again before nightfall. I got really lucky not to get swamped by a bunch of Level 15s, Skylar thought. But this forest doesn’t seem that strong, actually - I wonder why it’s rated an S-Rank? Pushing those thoughts aside, Skylar pulled the leg off the spit and bit in, wincing as the juices burned her tongue. The flavor was irresistible, so she pressed on.
As Skylar chewed on her food, she began to formulate a plan of action. It seems like my skills and class are really focused on speed and dexterity, less so on pure strength. I have to be careful not to get overwhelmed or attacked by something way too high in level. Although, it does seem like my knives are able to cause a lot of damage to creatures regardless of level, Skylar thought, resummoning the Tomahawk she had used to cut some branches for her fire. The axe, with its blade and piercing opposite end, gleamed in the fire’s glow. I should have some pretty decent versatility, Skylar thought, returning the blade to her soulspace. If I’m smart about it, I can get pretty darn strong in this forest.
Skylar froze as a howl rang out from the dark trees surrounding the cave. She eyed the woods cautiously as glowing yellow eyes marked the arrival of a wolf pack.
Nyx, Level 16
Nyx, Level 16
Nyx, Level 16
Nyx, Level 16
Nyx, Level 16
Nyx Junior Alpha, Level 18
Pack Hunters, Nyx use their superior agility and speed to overwhelm opponents. The evolved Alphas possess heightened intelligence, acting as generals for the warrior caste.
Black as midnight, the wolves stalked toward the fire, eyeing Skylar’s food hungrily. The junior alpha let out a bark, and two of the smaller wolves grabbed the carcass and dragged it toward the forest. Should’ve gotten rid of that, Skylar grimaced, hoping the wolves wouldn’t explore the cave in front of them. She had entered as they stalked out of the forest, and it was only big enough to keep her hidden. If they found her, she’d be swarmed. As if reading her thoughts, the junior alpha sniffed the air and turned its head toward the cave with a low growl. As one, the wolves dashed toward the cave.
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Skylar activated Overdrive and ran toward the cave mouth, materializing and throwing her trench knife as she did so. As she reached the mouth, the wolves dodged the knife and came to a cautious halt. Can I fight this many? Skylar wondered, and as if they had heard her,, they attacked. Recalling her knife with Return to Sender, Skylar swiped at the first wolf, slashing at its outstretched paw. Before she could follow up, she was smashed to the ground by a second wolf, and a third bit her hand, crushing her bones in its sharp teeth.
-45HP
Skylar screamed as she felt the bones in her hand crack and break. Swinging around, she summoned her Push Knife and stabbed down into the skull of the wolf crushing her hand. She pulled her mangled hand out of the now-dead wolf’s mouth and reversed her swing toward the wolf that had knocked her over. It dodged back, baring its teeth again. Skylar scrambled to her feet, cradling her ruined hand to her body. Where is my healing?! Skylar thought, realizing shakily that she had never healed in battle, only after. I’m screwed, Skylar thought, as the five remaining wolves began to close in, the one whose leg she had slashed lagging behind. It was at this moment that Flow of Battle made its true power known. It wasn’t just for guiding her hand or making her attacks more steady - Skylar knew immediately what she had to do to survive. It was unlikely, but it was her only sliver of hope in the encroaching darkness of death.
Overdrive!
Time slowed. In a single breath, Skylar recalled her short sword and threw her trench knife at the lagging wolf. Surprised, the wolf dodged - directly into the fire that was still burning. It panicked, barking at its companions, and Skylar struck. She called her short sword, slashing down at the distracted lead Nyx. The blade gleamed in the fire’s shadow and carved through the skull of the wolf. Ducking under another attack, Skylar threw herself toward the forest in the small window that had been created. The Alpha barked, and the remaining wolves darted after her. The hunt was on.