---

The Frostfang Direwolf let out a long, resonating howl, and the air itself seemed to freeze.

Dozens of wolves moved in unison, their glowing blue eyes locked onto Alden, their breath misting in the freezing air. The snowstorm raged around him, making it hard to see more than a few meters ahead.

He was surrounded.

Blood dripped from a wound on his side, staining the snow beneath him. His body was battered from the last fight, and his stamina was running low.

And worst of all—he was too far from his camp.

The mana cores he had connected to using Mark of Connection were stored there, but at this distance, he couldn't reach them.

No backup. No reinforcements. Just him.

He exhaled sharply, tightening his grip on Kurenai.

And then, he smiled.

Not a forced or desperate smile—but a genuine, hungry one.

"Alright... let's do this."

The first wave of wolves lunged.

---

Alden twisted, dodging the first wolf's bite by a hair's breadth. He countered immediately—a clean slash across its throat.

—Splatter!

Blood sprayed onto the snow, the wolf collapsing instantly.

But there was no time to celebrate.

Three more attacked from behind.

Alden pivoted, his instincts screaming at him. He activated Telekinesis, sending two daggers flying at the incoming wolves.

—Thud! Thud!

The daggers buried deep into their skulls, dropping them instantly.

The third wolf, however, was faster.

It lunged straight for his exposed side, its fangs aimed at his ribs.

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Alden barely managed to block with his katana, but the sheer force sent him skidding back, his boots digging into the snow.

And yet—he laughed.

"Come on, is that all?"

The wolves snarled, their muscles tensing, preparing to lunge again.

More were coming.

Too many.

His heart pounded, not in fear, but in exhilaration.

His breaths were growing ragged. His mana was running low.

He needed more control.

He hesitated for only a moment before making a decision.

Eclipse vision—Activate.

---

The world slowed.

The wolves' movements became sluggish, their muscles tensing as if moving through water. Every shift in their bodies, every breath, every flick of their tails—he could see it all.

More importantly, he could react.

His control over mana and his body skyrocketed.

Before, he could only control one dagger at a time with Telekinesis.

Now?

Two. Three. Four.

He launched four daggers at once, sending them in unpredictable trajectories.

The wolves didn't stand a chance.

—Pierce! Pierce! Pierce!

The first dagger found a wolf's eye. The second severed a tendon. The third curved mid-air, impaling another straight through the skull.

Alden moved like a blur, weaving through the battlefield, his katana flashing crimson under the storm.

And through it all—his grin never wavered.

This... this was thrilling.

But even with his enhanced control, the numbers were too overwhelming.

He felt it—his body slowing down. His stamina was draining fast.

He could feel the strain on his eyes, the burning sensation intensifying.

If this kept up…

I won't last.

And then—the Alpha attacked.

---

The Frostfang Direwolf moved like a ghost, vanishing in a blur of speed before appearing right in front of him.

—Too fast!

Alden barely raised his katana in time—

—BOOM!

The sheer impact sent him flying, his back slamming into a frozen tree.

Crack!

Pain exploded in his ribs. He coughed, blood staining the snow.

His vision flickered.

The wolves closed in.

His mana reserves were almost empty.

And yet—despite everything—he was still smiling.

His blood boiled with excitement. His mind sharpened, focused only on survival.

He needed more power.

Something... anything!

And then—

A deep pulse surged from within his core.

A warmth spread through his veins, burning, scorching, reshaping him.

Alden's aura... changed.

Aura.

It was the essence of one's life force, used to reinforce the body and weapons. Alden had only barely grasped the beginner level.

But now—

Something inside him shattered.

The weak, unstable aura he had been using tore apart—and in its place, a new force surged forward.

It was no longer just an extension of his body.

It was a part of him.

A living, breathing force.

Alden felt it—flowing through his muscles, strengthening his limbs, wrapping around Kurenai like a protective cloak.

His aura had evolved.

From Beginner to Intermediate.

And the wolves could feel it.

The weaker ones hesitated, their instincts screaming at them. The Alpha, however, roared in fury.

Alden's smile widened.

"Good. Struggle for me."

---

Alden gripped Kurenai tighter, his newly awakened aura flaring like a crimson flame.

His body still ached, his mana was still low—but now, he had something stronger.

He charged.

The wolves rushed to intercept him—

—But they were too slow.

Alden vanished.

Shadow Step.

He reappeared in the center of the pack, his katana already mid-swing.

—Lunar Severance!

A crimson arc erupted from his blade, slicing through multiple wolves in one go.

Blood painted the snow.

The Alpha growled in rage, lunging forward—its claws aimed for his throat.

Alden's eyes flashed.

He redirected a floating dagger with Telekinesis, sending it straight into the Alpha's exposed leg.

The beast stumbled.

Alden seized the moment.

He dashed forward—his aura flaring to its peak.

And with one final, decisive slash—

He cut through the Alpha's throat.

---

Silence.

The snowstorm had settled, the battlefield now a graveyard of fallen wolves.

Alden stood in the center, his katana dripping with blood, his chest rising and falling with exhaustion.

He could barely stand. His entire body ached, and his eyes throbbed from overuse of the Eclipse vision.

But he was alive.

And he had won.

Shiranui padded up beside him, his voice filled with amusement.

"You really do like making things hard for yourself, don't you?"

Alden let out a tired chuckle, shaking his head.

"Yeah... I guess I do."

His vision blurred for a moment. His body screamed for rest.

But before he could collapse, he whispered to himself—

"I need to get back... before another damn monster shows up."

And with that, he forced himself to move.

---

To be continued...