[you have obtained 150 coins. Your total coins have now reached 175 coins]

[your beginner Sword mastery has reached level 4]

James had been venturing into this forest for five days. Spider’s thread spun here and there, crisscrossing the path James had taken. All of the spider’s threads converged in one place. The shabby orc’s village. After being here for almost a week, James had figured out the rough terrain of this place.

He had found two treasure chests during his exploration that yielded coins and swordsmanship scrolls. Now, his coins have jumped back to 175 coins. However, after the sixth day, the wolves that had been constantly nagging him suddenly changed their behavior.

“I want to upgrade my sword skill to level 5,” James said.

[100 coins used to upgrade Beginner Sword mastery to level 5. A new weapon skill unlocked. Hurricane]

“Now we are talking,” James smirked at the new skill. A wolf suddenly jumped at James, and he split its skull. The status screen not only blessed him with power, but it also blessed him with weapon mastery. James wielded his sword like a pro despite having only used it for a few days. Another wolf came closer, not close enough for James to skin its fur. But it was at a perfect range for his new crossbow.

He grabbed the loaded crossbow tied using a spider’s web to his waist. With newfound confidence, derived from his new experience, he brought the crossbow to eye level. When the iron sight met the wolf, he pressed the trigger. A familiar click, the same one that almost took his life a week ago, now felt satisfying. The bolt flew with a whoosh and hit one of the wolves.

It yelped and fled. Tails tucked between its legs. James cursed as he looked at the bolt that hung on The wolf’s butt. It was not a fatal shot.

“Damnit. An arrow was lost.” He cursed. It was not a huge loss. He still had 20 more, and in the worst-case scenario, he could pay the system for more ammo. But frustration grew within him. These dogs had been stalking him for almost a week.

Suddenly, it struck him like lightning — the reason why the wolves changed their behaviors. The reason why the wolves attacked him now. It all fell into place. James couldn’t help but giggle. An evil laugh escaped his lips.

“Hehehe. I finally found your lair. You are afraid now, aren’t you?” James felt like he was winning. It was rare for him to feel this way. It reminded him of when he was playing chess with his father when he was a kid. He realized later that he had gone easy on him. Nevertheless, the exhilarating feeling was real.

Of course, this is a trial dungeon. These monsters were created by the system. They had no children. These monsters instinctively protect the boss room. James might be right for the wrong reason. He was right that he went to someplace that was important for the wolves.

A massive arena reminiscent of the Colosseum in ancient Rome was placed at the edge of the forest. Ivy clung to the cracks in the arches and pillars. The structure was weathered, but it stood the test of time, as its majesty did not diminish in the slightest.

At the entrance, stood a massive gate. Golden carving let out a faint glow as sunset shone upon it. The design seemed to tell James how it had weathered the test of time. However, even though it was forgotten by time itself, its majesty did not wither. The gate was imposing, it stood there as if challenging James to come over.

A howl, far louder and more majestic, crackled in the air. Like thunder, it sends James a step backward, wondering what might lay before it. The wolves yelped in surprise before all ran inside. Through a crack in the walls, they slipped in like lizards.

An eerie silence, no sounds dared approach the gate. James’s heart raced as he stepped forward. Like the first orc boss, James knew this was a test. James knew the alpha wolf, the boss monster, waited for him inside.

James stood before the towering gate. He caressed the iron gate with his orc hand, trying to feel the age and story it once had. After a deep breath, he pressed his hand against the gate. Its cold surface was unyielding even against James’s new strength. James raised another hand and grunted. His muscles strain under immense pressure. The gate groaned as it slowly gave way to the next challenger of the boss monster. Its ancient hinge protesting against the sudden force acting on it. There, at the center of the arena, lay a humongous wolf.

“Beautiful,” James muttered under his breath. He was awed at the creature before it. Fur, fine as the fluffiest cloud, shimmering under the sunlight with a blue and white glow. A single silvery horn jutted out from its forehead, crackling faintly with an arc of lightning.

The wolf was massive, towering like a house, bigger than any wolf James had ever seen. Unlike the orc boss before that exuded raw power, this wolf sat with an air of calm and elegance. Its piercing gaze bore James with intellect, sizing him and wondering whether the new challenger was worth its time. James tightened the grip on his axe. His sword was securely sheathed on his back, and his new weapon, the crossbow, hung tightly on his belt.

The wolf stood up, silence permeated the air. No roar of any kind. James approached, his gaze bore focus. Wolves lined up on the corner of the stadium like an audience watching a gladiator duel, they watched silently. James put them in the corner of his mind, reminding himself of the possibility of their ambush.

A short bark returned his gaze to the Alpha wolf. Both look at each other. The monster before him should have no feelings, but he somehow understood that this wolf felt insulted. It howled, and the wolves, who spectated the duel, retreated. Some still peeked through the crack of the walls, but James understood. There will be no distraction or ambush. This wolf has pride to protect. It reminded James of a boss who had resigned. A very respectful man.

James nodded. After a deep breath to recollect himself, he charged.

The wolf was faster. It opened its maw, trying to swallow James whole. James felt his heart racing. He had fought wolves before. Their strength lay in their claws and fangs. The problem with fangs was that they were close to the head. If James could land a hit on its head, he believed he would win.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

James prepared his skill. His skill [power strike] had no equal. It was supposed to cleave anything that stood in his way. It had failed him once with the orc, but that was simply because the orc used the same skill as him.

James fought back the fear within his heart. He was willingly transported to this dungeon because he wanted to change. He was willingly transported to this dungeon because he wanted to improve himself. There is no way this wolf is going to stop me!

The maw didn’t close in as the wolf leaped into the air. A shadow went past James as his skill crashed the cobblestone, letting out a loud explosion. James was stupefied and took a moment to gather himself. He didn’t think his attack would be dodged. He immediately turned and braced himself for a sneak attack from the back. However, it didn’t happen.

The leap was not intentional. The wolf, sensing danger to its life, canceled its attack at the last second and leaped away from danger. It skidded ungracefully on the cobblestone before falling down and reorienting itself.

James tilted his head. And it felt infuriated at his insolence. It had unknowingly acknowledged that this man was stronger than itself. It growled as lightning began to gather at its horn. It raised its paw, trying to swipe James out of existence.

James drew his sword and prepared a stance. Light gathered on his blade, marking the beginning of his skill [Hurricane]. Like a ballet dancer, James leaped and spun, a trail of light marked the path his blade had taken. Three claws from its left paw clipped away and blood spurted from the wolf’s paw. It was a flesh wound. However, it had lost its claws. Despite its huge body, the wolf knew for sure it would lose in a frontal assault.

The wolf took a step back again this time. Weapon skills are vital in dungeons. However, Monsters that couldn’t wield weapons, such as wolves and spiders, couldn’t use them. That made them look like they were weaklings. However, they were not. They had unique skills to complement what they were lacking.

The air crackled as the beast gathered its power. James’s skin prickled. He wanted to chase after it. His instinct told him that this was a chance, but he hesitated. He knew from experience the beast was charging its power. However, being passive might cost him his life.

James was an amateur. This kind of hesitation usually proved lethal. However, this time, it saved him. A beam shot out from the horn, aiming for James’s life. If James were trying to chase it, he wouldn’t have time to react.

His leg tensed up. His stats provided him with the dexterity he didn’t know he had. The blow glanced at his shoulder. The smell of burning meat was in the air.

“Ugh… that bastard. It had a laser beam!” James looked over his shoulder. The blow penetrated his vambraces and leather armor as if they were nothing, grazing his shoulder. The wound was cauterized and no blood was spilled, but it didn’t make things less painful. James looked at the wolf as he tried to close in the distance. However, the wolf retreated, circling him like a cunning predator.

If the enemy was a strong melee fighter, the wolf would take him out from a distance, using its beam attack to finish him. If the enemy was a strong ranged fighter, the wolf would close in the distance with his superb dexterity and take him out with his fangs. This wolf was not just powerful, it was intelligent. Its move was calculated.

James still had the crossbow. However, that wolf would surely evade his shot like swatting a fly or dodging a slow-moving feather if he shot at it from this distance. He needed to get closer.

Another shot was aimed at James’ heart. This time, he knew it was coming. With a twist, the white beam flew past him. He could smell the air burning from its path.

James took out a crossbow bolt from his pocket and bit it. Yellow, viscous liquid oozes out from his fang, seeping into the grain of the wooden bolt. He then loaded it into his crossbow. He only has two minutes. But he must not hurry. The wolf was smarter than the orcs. James was waiting for that chance. That moment after the wolf shot out its lightning beam and retreated.

The wolf, ever so confident of its tactic, shoots out another lightning bolt from its horn. James dodged again. This time, the shot grazed his flank. He was too close to dodge it properly. James clenched his teeth as he ran toward the wolf. The wolf smirked as it prepared to run toward the other end of the arena.

At that moment, the wolf let out a yelp as a sharp pain shot through its hind legs. It stumbled, and it was the second time the wolf had fallen over in a fight. Its iridescent yellow eye snapped toward the source of its pain only to find a bolt sticking out from its leg.

The wolf stood up. It thought that this pain was momentary, just a flesh wound, but it found its leg trembling as if strength had been sapped away from it. The venom was taking hold.

James’s lips curved into a grin as he took out another bolt and bit it. An angry guttural growl escaped from its mouth. For the first time, it felt danger to its life. It walked limply toward the other side of the arena. Even when it reached the end, it no longer had time to charge up its attack as James was following behind it.

James was now the hunter. And another poisonous bolt was ready.

[Name: James

Age: 35

Sex: male

Levels: 11

Coins: 75

Stats:

STR: 60

Dex: 53

Magic: 0

Mana: 0

Skills:

* Beginner Axe mastery level 7 (Powerstrike)

* Beginner Sword mastery level 5 (Hurricane)

Unique Skill:

* Chimera:

* Goblin stomach (Iron guts) (stomach slot)

* Lesser Mana core (Fire spell, Magic+10, Mana +50)(Extra slot 1)

* Orc’s arm (STR+10%) (Arm slot)

* Orc’s legs (Str +10%) (leg slot)

* Orc’s torso (torso slot)

* Orc’s head (Head slot)

* Jumping Spider’s fang (Weak Paralysis)(mouth slot)(new)

* Jumping Spiders spinneret (Thread creation)(Extra slot 2)

Equipment:

* Leather armor

* Leather helmet

* Vambrace

* Gauntlets

* War axe

* Longsword

* Crossbow

* Leather pouch

* Waterspout dagger

* Health potion

* Hematonic potion

* Leather bag]