The forest was eerily quiet as we reached the mouth of the den, a jagged opening carved into the side of the rocky hill. Bones were scattered around the entrance—animal carcasses, mostly deer and elk, though some looked disturbingly large. Claw marks gouged the ground, the signs of wolves pacing, circling, waiting.
Sid held up a hand, signaling us to stop. The six of us formed a loose line behind him, weapons drawn, eyes scanning the dark treeline for movement.
The team Sid had assembled was experienced, but even I could see the tension in their stances. No one was underestimating this fight.
Branna stood to Sid’s left, her heavy axe resting on her shoulder, her long blond braid tucked beneath a fur-lined hood. She had the kind of quiet confidence that made it clear she’d done this a hundred times before.
Jory was to my right, his twin daggers spinning idly in his hands as though they were extensions of his fingers. His dark hair hung loose around his face, and there was a restless energy to him that reminded me of a coiled spring.
Ryn stood further back, his crossbow loaded and ready. He was quiet, as always, but his sharp gray eyes scanned the terrain with practiced precision, calculating distances, checking angles.
Then there was Aedric and Lira, a brother-and-sister pair Sid had vouched for. Aedric was tall and broad, his thick fur cloak almost hiding the massive longsword strapped to his back. Lira, shorter and quicker, carried a spear and a round shield that gleamed faintly in the dim light. They moved in perfect sync, their eyes constantly flicking to each other as if communicating without words.
Sid turned to us, his expression calm but firm. “Stay together. Watch your flanks. Ryn, cover us from the rear. Branna, you’re on heavy hits. Aedric, Lira, keep the line steady. Jory, pick off any stragglers. Sigvard, stay with me.”
I nodded, gripping the hilt of my bronze short sword so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
Sid’s voice dropped lower. “They’re going to come fast and hard. Don’t panic. Remember your training, and trust each other. And whatever you do, don’t let them split us up.”
A low growl rumbled from the den, deep and guttural, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“They know we’re here,” Sid muttered. “Brace yourselves.”
The first wolf came charging out of the den, its dark gray fur bristling, its yellow eyes locked on us. It was bigger than any wolf I’d ever seen, lean and muscular, with jagged teeth bared in a snarl.
Without thinking, I focused on it, willing the System to inspect it.
Name: Forest Wolf
Level: 4
“Level four!” I shouted, just as Sid lunged forward to meet it.
His sword flashed in the dim light, catching the wolf mid-leap and slicing through its flank. The wolf hit the ground hard, yelping in pain, and Branna stepped in to finish it off with a single, brutal swing of her axe.
“Focus!” Sid barked, just as more wolves poured out of the den.
Four. Six. Eight. They came in a flood, their snarls filling the air as they charged toward us.
“Hold the line!” Aedric shouted, stepping forward with his longsword raised. Lira was right beside him, her spear darting out to stab the first wolf that came too close.
The fight was chaos. The wolves were relentless, circling us, snapping at our legs, lunging at our throats. They moved with terrifying coordination, trying to split us apart, but we held our ground.
Ryn fired his crossbow from the rear, his bolts finding their marks with deadly accuracy. Jory darted between the wolves like a shadow, his daggers flashing as he struck and moved, struck and moved. Branna’s axe cleaved through anything that got too close, her movements slow but devastating.
I stayed close to Sid, trying to keep up as he fought with the kind of precision I could only dream of. His blade moved like an extension of his arm, parrying and striking with deadly efficiency.
But no matter how many we killed, more kept coming.
“Sigvard!” Sid shouted, snapping me out of my thoughts. A wolf lunged at me from the side, its jaws snapping inches from my arm. I barely managed to sidestep, my short sword swinging wildly and clipping its side. The wolf yelped and backed off, but another one took its place almost immediately.
I focused again, inspecting this one.
Name: Forest Wolf
Level: 5
They were strong—stronger than I was, and there were so many of them.
“We’re outnumbered!” Lira shouted, stabbing another wolf that tried to leap past her shield.
“No shit!” Branna growled, her axe swinging in a wide arc that sent two wolves crashing to the ground.
Then I saw it.
At the mouth of the den, a shadow appeared. Bigger than the others. Its fur was pitch black, its eyes glowing faintly red. It stepped forward slowly, deliberately, its movements exuding power.
When I focused on it, the System hesitated for a split second, as if even it had to process what I was looking at.
Name: Corrupted Alpha Wolf
Level: 12
“Sid!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “The Alpha—it’s corrupted!”
Sid’s head snapped toward the den, his eyes narrowing as he took in the massive wolf. “That explains the pack,” he muttered. “They’re following it.”
The Alpha let out a deafening howl, its voice echoing through the forest like a war horn. The wolves around us seemed to grow bolder, their attacks more aggressive.
“We take down the Alpha, we break the pack!” Sid shouted. “Stay on it!”
The Alpha charged, moving faster than something that size should have been able to. It barreled into Aedric, knocking him off his feet, and snapped at Lira’s shield with enough force to crack the wood.
Sid moved to intercept, his sword flashing toward the Alpha’s flank, but the wolf twisted at the last second, avoiding the blow and swiping at him with one massive paw. Sid barely ducked in time, the claws slicing through the air where his head had been.
“Keep it distracted!” he shouted. “Branna, get around it!”
Branna nodded, circling wide as the rest of us struggled to hold off the remaining wolves. Jory and Ryn covered our flanks, but even they were starting to slow, their movements growing less precise as exhaustion set in.
I clenched my teeth, focusing on the Alpha. This wasn’t just a fight—it was survival. And we couldn’t afford to lose.
Sid lunged again, his blade finding its mark this time and slicing into the Alpha’s side. The wolf let out a furious snarl, twisting to face him, and Branna took the opportunity to bring her axe down hard on its hind leg.
The Alpha staggered, blood dripping from its wounds, but it wasn’t done yet. It snapped at Sid, forcing him back, and let out another howl that sent shivers down my spine.
“Sigvard!” Sid shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Now’s your chance!”
I didn’t think—I just moved. My sword felt heavier than ever as I raised it, aiming for the Alpha’s exposed flank.
This was it.
The Alpha wolf turned its head toward me, its glowing red eyes locking onto mine. For a split second, I froze. The sheer presence of the creature was overwhelming—it felt like it wasn’t just an animal but something darker, something unnatural. My heart pounded in my chest, the sword in my hand trembling.
“Move, Sigvard!” Sid shouted, his voice breaking the spell.
I lunged forward, gritting my teeth as I swung my bronze short sword toward the Alpha’s exposed side. The blade connected with a sickening crunch, sinking deep into the wolf’s flank. The creature let out a deafening howl of pain and rage, its massive body twisting as it tried to shake me off.
But I didn’t let go.
Its wild movements threw me off balance, and I fell to the ground, my sword still embedded in its side. The Alpha turned on me, its massive jaws snapping as it lunged, and I scrambled backward, the cold earth scraping against my hands.
Before it could reach me, Branna came charging in, her axe swinging in a brutal arc that slammed into the wolf’s shoulder. The Alpha snarled, staggering under the blow, and Sid took the opportunity to dart in from the other side, his sword flashing toward its throat.
The Alpha was fast—faster than I’d expected. It twisted at the last moment, Sid’s blade grazing its neck but not going deep enough to finish it. It roared in fury, its massive paw swiping out and catching Sid in the chest.
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Sid was thrown back, hitting the ground hard. He groaned, clutching his ribs as he struggled to get up.
“Sid!” I shouted, panic surging through me.
“I’m fine!” he barked, though his voice was tight with pain. “Keep it busy!”
The Alpha turned its attention back to me, its eyes glowing brighter now, as if the corruption fueling it was only growing stronger. Blood dripped from its wounds, but it didn’t seem to care. It lowered its head, growling deep in its throat as it prepared to charge.
"Ryn!" Sid shouted, his voice cracking over the chaos. "Take the shot!"
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ryn raise his crossbow, his hands steady despite the chaos. The bolt flew through the air, striking the Alpha square in its hind leg. The beast staggered, its charge faltering, and Branna seized the opening, her axe slamming down again, this time on its other shoulder.
The Alpha roared in pain, its massive frame trembling under the assault, but it still wasn’t going down.
"Sigvard!" Sid yelled again, his voice filled with urgency. "End it! NOW!"
I scrambled to my feet, the world narrowing to just me and the beast. My sword was still lodged in its side, the bronze blade slick with blood. I could see the exhaustion in the Alpha’s movements, the way its legs trembled, the way its snarls sounded more desperate than furious.
I grabbed the hilt of my sword, planting my foot against the Alpha’s side for leverage, and yanked it free. The wolf twisted toward me, its jaws snapping, but I ducked under its attack and stepped to the side.
This was it.
With everything I had, I drove the sword upward, aiming for the underside of its neck. The blade pierced through flesh and muscle, sinking deep into the wolf’s throat. Blood sprayed across my hands and face as the creature let out one last, gurgling snarl.
Its body went rigid, its glowing eyes flickering, and then it collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
For a moment, everything was still. The remaining wolves froze in place, their snarls and growls fading into silence as they stared at the fallen Alpha.
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, they turned and bolted, disappearing into the forest in every direction. The pack was broken.
I stood there, panting, my hands trembling as I stared down at the massive corpse in front of me. My sword was still buried in its throat, and my body felt like it was about to give out.
“Sigvard,” Sid said, his voice pulling me back.
I turned to see him standing a few feet away, leaning on his sword for support. Blood dripped from a cut on his forehead, and his breathing was labored, but his eyes were steady.
“You did it,” he said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I pulled my sword free from the Alpha’s throat, the blade feeling heavier than ever, and took a shaky step back.
“We all did it,” I said, my voice hoarse.
Around me, the others were regrouping. Branna wiped blood from her axe, her face grim but determined. Jory was tending to a gash on his arm, his daggers still in his hands. Ryn stood a short distance away, his crossbow slung over his shoulder, his sharp eyes scanning the forest for any lingering threats. Aedric and Lira leaned on each other, their weapons coated in blood but their stances steady.
Sid walked over to me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “That was no small feat,” he said. “You just killed an Alpha. A corrupted one, at that.”
I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. “What… what was that thing?”
Sid glanced down at the massive corpse, his expression darkening. “The corruption,” he said. “It twists things. Makes them stronger, smarter, more vicious. Whatever caused this… we need to find out.”
Branna stepped up beside us, her axe resting on her shoulder. “For now, let’s count our blessings. We’re alive. That’s more than we could’ve hoped for.”
Sid nodded. “She’s right. Let’s get back to the Con and report the job’s done. We’ll figure out the rest later.”
I looked down at the Alpha one last time, its massive frame still and lifeless. Whatever had corrupted it, whatever had caused the pack to swell to such dangerous numbers, it wasn’t natural. And I had a sinking feeling this wasn’t the last we’d see of it.
But for now, we were alive. And that was enough.
The six of us began the long trek back to the settlement, the weight of the battle still fresh in our minds. I glanced at Sid as we walked, his steady presence giving me a strange sense of calm.
I had chosen this path. And now, more than ever, I knew I couldn’t turn back.
The trek back to the Con settlement was grueling. My body ached in places I didn’t even know I could feel pain, and every step through the snow felt heavier than the last. The adrenaline that had carried me through the fight was gone, leaving me drained and exhausted. But I kept moving, the Alpha's blood still sticky on my hands, the weight of my bronze short sword at my hip a reminder of what I’d just survived.
We stumbled into the outskirts of the settlement just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the snowy landscape in hues of orange and purple. Con villagers stopped what they were doing to watch us return, their sharp eyes studying the bloodied group of mercenaries that had left only hours before.
The representative from the Con, the same man who had hired us, was waiting near the main fire pit at the center of the village. His expression was stoic, but I saw his eyes widen slightly when he noticed the dried blood covering us and the faint limp in Sid’s step.
“You’re back,” he said simply, his gaze flicking between us.
Sid stepped forward, handing over the blood-stained map of the den. “The Alpha is dead,” he said, his voice even but firm. “The pack scattered. Your people can hunt safely again.”
The man nodded, his jaw tightening. “And the cause of the pack’s size?”
“Corruption,” Sid said. “Your Alpha wasn’t just a wolf. It was something else. Twisted. Stronger, smarter. You should keep an eye on your forests. If one creature was corrupted, there’s a chance more will follow.”
The man’s expression darkened, but he said nothing, simply reaching into his fur-lined cloak and pulling out a pouch of gold. He handed it to Sid without a word, then turned and walked away, his shoulders stiff.
“Charming guy,” Branna muttered, wiping her axe on her cloak.
Sid glanced back at the rest of us. “Go get some rest,” he said. “You’ve earned it.”
The others nodded, peeling off toward the tavern or the nearest place they could sit down and stop moving. I stayed where I was, the weight of everything that had just happened still pressing down on me.
Then it hit me.
"Congratulations! You’ve reached Level 3!"
+6 Stat Points
The faint chime rang in my ears, and a transparent screen flickered into view in front of me. I blinked, momentarily stunned, before letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Level 3,” I muttered, the words feeling strange but satisfying on my tongue.
Sid, who had been speaking quietly to Ryn, noticed my expression and walked over. “System catch up with you?”
“Yeah,” I said, still staring at the glowing notification. “I hit Level 3.”
He gave me a small nod of approval. “Good. You’ve earned it.”
I opened my attributes screen, the numbers glowing faintly in front of me.
Attributes:
* Strength: 8
* Dexterity: 8
* Intelligence: 6
* Endurance: 8
* Charisma: 6
* Unassigned Points: 6
I stared at the numbers, thinking back to the fight. My movements had been clumsy, my strikes lacked precision, and my stamina had been stretched thin far too quickly. But I’d survived. And now I had the chance to improve.
I glanced at Sid. “Any advice?”
He crossed his arms, studying the screen over my shoulder. “Depends. What do you want to get better at?”
“Not dying,” I said dryly.
He smirked. “Then focus on what kept you alive today. Dexterity for faster, cleaner strikes. Endurance so you can fight longer without collapsing. And don’t neglect Strength—you’re going to need it if you want to hit harder and carry better gear.”
I nodded, his words making sense. After a moment’s thought, I made my choices.
+2 Dexterity
+2 Endurance
+2 Strength
The screen flickered, and the numbers shifted. I rolled my shoulders, testing how I felt. The difference was subtle, but it was there—a faint sense of energy, of readiness.
Sid clapped me on the shoulder, his smirk fading into something more genuine. “You’re getting there, Sigvard. Slowly but surely.”
I nodded, slipping my sword back into its sheath. The exhaustion was still there, but it felt… lighter now. Like it didn’t matter as much.
“Go rest,” Sid said, stepping back. “You’ve earned it.”
I nodded again, heading toward the nearest fire pit to warm up. The villagers barely glanced at me as I passed, their attention focused on their work, but that was fine. I didn’t need their praise.
Level 3. It wasn’t much. But it was a start. And I wasn’t going to stop now.
As I sat near the fire, letting the warmth soak into my aching muscles, curiosity gnawed at the back of my mind. Sid had always seemed… different. Calm under pressure, unshakable, and able to read the flow of a fight like he’d lived through a hundred of them. But the way he handled the Alpha—quick, deliberate, like he was holding back—made me realize just how much I didn’t know about him.
I glanced at him, standing near the wagons as he spoke with Branna and Jory, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword. He looked the same as always—sharp-eyed, rough around the edges, and entirely unfazed.
But something in me wanted to know more.
I focused on him, willing the System to show me his details. Before, I’d only seen his name and class. But now, with everything we’d been through together, something told me I might be able to see more.
The inspection activated, and a faint shimmer of light hovered over him before the System displayed his details in front of me.
Name: Sidric "Sid" Harren
Class: Blade Duelist
Level: 73
My breath caught in my throat.
“Level 73?” I muttered under my breath, barely able to process the number.
It was staggering. Compared to my freshly-earned Level 3, Sid’s level was practically mythical. Suddenly, everything about him made sense—the precision, the confidence, the way he could take on a bandit or a wolf and barely break a sweat. He wasn’t just skilled—he was experienced.
Sid turned slightly, catching me staring at him. His sharp eyes narrowed, and he tilted his head. “Something on your mind, Sigvard?”
I hesitated, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. “I… inspected you,” I admitted, feeling a little guilty. “I wanted to see if anything had changed.”
He raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “And?”
“You’re Level 73,” I said, the awe in my voice impossible to hide.
He chuckled, low and dry. “And now you’re wondering why I’m wasting my time with a Level 3, huh?”
I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s not that. I just… I didn’t know. You make everything look so easy.”
“It’s not,” he said, his tone shifting slightly, growing more serious. “It’s never easy. I’ve fought for every level I’ve got, Sigvard. Every skill, every stat point—it all came with blood, sweat, and loss.”
I frowned, my grip tightening on my sword hilt. “How long did it take you to get there?”
Sid glanced toward the horizon, his smirk fading into something more reflective. “Longer than I care to remember,” he said. “I’ve been in this game for years. Fought in wars, cleared dungeons, hunted monsters that most people wouldn’t dare to go near. I’ve seen friends rise and fall. Seen guilds built up and torn apart. You don’t get to Level 73 without paying a price for it.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me. “Why do you still do it, then? Why not retire, settle down somewhere safe?”
He turned back to me, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Because I made a choice, same as you did,” he said. “Power isn’t just about surviving, Sigvard. It’s about what you do with it. If I can use my strength to keep people alive—to help someone like you find their way in this world—then it’s worth it. Every scar, every loss—it’s all worth it.”
I nodded slowly, the awe I felt earlier giving way to something else. Respect.
“Don’t get too caught up in the numbers,” Sid added, his voice softening slightly. “Level 73 doesn’t make me invincible. Just means I’ve survived longer than most. You’ll get there too, if you keep your head on straight.”
I couldn’t help but smile faintly. “That’s the plan.”
Sid clapped me on the shoulder, his usual smirk returning. “Good. Now stop gawking and get some rest. Level 3 or not, you’re still green as grass.”
He walked off toward the wagons, leaving me sitting by the fire, staring at the glowing numbers in my mind’s eye.
Level 73.
I wasn’t there yet—not even close. But if Sid could make it, maybe I could too. One step at a time.