Sunlight streamed in as I opened the door to the guild, nearly blinding myself. I raised my hand to shield my eyes, taking a moment to adjust to the brightness as I gazed at the sky. I couldn't tell the exact time without a clock, but taking a wild guess while judging the sun's position, it was around noon. The hustle and bustle of the main road in the kingdom from atop the guild’s steps was busy. Horses pulled wagons laden with supplies, merchants called out to passersby here and there, and a squad of city guards marched in formation, heading further up the road.

I adjusted my hat and descended the guild steps, joining the crowd of people making their way down the road. Since the main road led directly to the city's main gate, I didn't have to worry about getting lost amidst the throngs of people. In this world, even though Veinbor is the same city as the game, the layout is slightly different. It’s more expensive than the simple roads that lead directly to where players need to go.

Before leaving the guild, I had a conversation with Lisa, the receptionist, about my quest. She was concerned about me taking it on alone, warning me that horned hounds weren't the most dangerous creatures in the nearby forest but were cunning and vicious monsters. They preferred to hunt in packs, rarely venturing alone. Their tactics involved separating party members and exploiting empathy by using their young to play injured. Apparently, these were stories that had happened to adventurers before. I imagine there's nothing more dangerous than an intelligent monster, especially the subtle and cunning ones.

In the game, horned hounds were not particularly dangerous. They were mostly found in the beginner-level zones within human territories, and Veinbor, as it just so happens, was the starting kingdom many players chose.

As I continued my trek down the main road, the wind carried the sweet smell of a richly flavored bbq through the air, accompanied by the scent of burning wood. My stomach rumbled excitedly as it complained about me making me skipping breakfast this morning.

I spotted the food stand where the mouthwatering smell was coming from down the road. The stand itself was modest, no larger than a small bench, with three people attending it. They were too young to be adults, so kids. Two boys and a girl were diligently tending to the stand. One was grilling the meat, another was cutting it into pieces, and the third was skewering the meat and arranging it on the bench.

"Hi, I'd like two kebabs, please" I called out as I approached the stand.

The young girl, who appeared to be around ten or twelve years old, hesitated and took a step back, seemingly wary.

"K-kibob?"

Her voice trembled as she responded. Confused by her reaction, I wondered if I had said something wrong or if kebabs were referred to by a different name here.

"Did I say something wrong? Are these called something else?"

I asked. I turned my attention to the young boys working behind her, hoping for clarification, but they didn't offer a response. The kids didn't look well off at all. The girl looked clean enough. She wore a hat over her head while allowing her combed hair to hang down her back. Her clothes looked clean, but you could see the wear on them. As for the boys, they looked worse for wear. Their clothes were dirty and had rips and tears and their hair was disheveled into a mopy mess.

I pointed at the skewered meat on the stand to the young girl, who glanced down, following my gesture. A hint of embarrassment colored her cheeks, and it seemed that the young boys beside her also got what I was asking. With a shy nod, the girl picked up two skewers and handed them to me. Are they free?

"How much are they?"

I asked, concerned about taking the kebabs without paying. I reached into my pouch, ready to pay them for the food.

"Um, t-two bronze."

She said, voice slightly trembling in response after realizing her mistake. I handed over the coins to the flustered girl, grateful that they were affordable, and accepted the kebabs. Though I wished I could help them more, I had my own problems to focus on, as cruel as that might sound. I can't help others when I can hardly help myself. I smiled and waved at the kids trying to put them out of my mind for the time being, I didn’t need the distraction and continued on my way toward the city gate.

I slowly savored the deliciousness of the kebabs or whatever it was. I wonder why they weren't more popular among the locals. I half expected to be standing in a long line, but it seemed I got lucky today. When I get a chance, I'll have to ask them what seasoning they used next time because this stuff is to die for. On that note, I should also remember to ask them what kind do meat this is, but whatever the case, it's meat on a skewer, so it's a kebab to me.

By the time I finished eating the last kebab, I had reached the only gate leading in and out of the kingdom's capital. A massive wall of stone slabs layered atop each other stretched upward in front of me, which completely blocked off the natural crevice that led into the kingdom. The mountain on which the kingdom was built was shaped like a curved teardrop, with the entrance at its tip. As you ascend higher up the mountain, the more space you would have. Considering the developer's thought of this in the game, I wonder who came up with the idea of building a kingdom atop a mountain in this world? I can't imagine the amount of hard labor that must have gone into it. But then again, this is a world of thaumaturgy, so I doubt it would have been too challenging.

Since this was the only gate, there was a considerable amount of traffic, particularly from those entering the city. I joined the line for the outgoing inspection, thankful that it moved faster than the other line. I didn't have to wait long before I was shooed out of the city by a guard who didn't bother to look up from the paperwork he was absentmindedly doing.

A massive bridge extended over a river across a cobbled road that led to the gate. The bridge was large enough to accommodate many wagons and carriages. Roughly five at a time could sit within the width of the bridge. Since there was only one entrance, they needed something large enough for people to line up on. I observed the stonework on the bridge, running my fingers across it as I walked across. It was smooth, almost like polished marble, likely from years of wear from constant use. The river probably contributed to it as well.

The river in question was called the Koit River. It flowed through and on the mountain. Down here, the Koit River was much larger than the stream I woke up by yesterday. Even then, compared to the game, the river in this world is still larger. Players who owned ships would sail from one kingdom to another carrying goods they either made or were transporting for other players. Only a single ship could fit on the river in the game, but here at least two full-size ships had room to maneuver around each other with ease.

Beyond the bridge, I observed the farmland where farmers and ranchers tended to their livestock or worked the fields. With the city built at the mountain's base, the surrounding land was utilized mostly for agriculture. In the game's lore, Veinbor was known as the city of trade, facilitating commerce between neighboring towns and kingdoms. Thanks to its strategic location, nearly at the center of the human territories, and fertile lands, the kingdom could focus on agriculture and export its goods to nearby domains, which heavily contributed to its wealth and influence. It was a small yet powerful kingdom. Or so, says the information I got from the Zenith Rising forums.

After a long two-hour walk, I finally arrived at the outskirts of the Wrenfell Forest. How I knew where I was going was based on memory. I've been to the forest hundreds of times before in the game, and although the landscape of this world was slightly different, everything was still generally the same. The forest was nestled well within the borders of the Veinbor's lands. It was well known in the game for having various species of monsters, which helped to serve as a training ground for new players. The tree line loomed ahead as I walked down the road, the once-distant village now growing larger with each step.

The quest to hunt the horned hounds had come from a traveling merchant who sought the horns. While I could think of a few potential uses for the horns, such as alchemy, I wasn't particularly knowledgeable in that area. In the game, pursuing a challenging life-skill job class like alchemy promised lucrative returns, but I opted out of the challenge. I had only focused on a few easy specific job classes, ignoring the others because I was either lazy or didn’t have an interest in it.

"Ugh, finally made it."

I said, taking a moment to catch my breath. I moaned in relief at finally reaching my destination as I stepped into the bustling village. The scene was abuzz with activity, as villagers hurried in and out of houses, their voices echoing through the air. While I couldn't hear their conversations clearly during my approach, now that I had reached the village entrance, I noticed them gathering at the center.

"Heldon! Are they not there?!" exclaimed one concerned villager.

"No, I checked the barn, the fields, even their little hideout. They must've gone in," replied Heldon, his voice filled with worry.

"Hoa's sun, no, you don't mean the forest?!" another villager exclaimed, causing a murmur of concern among the group.

As I ventured closer to the village center, the group of villagers caught sight of me. Almost instantly, their attention shifted toward my presence, their eyes widening with surprise. I felt a bit unsettled by their collective gazes and hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The man and woman who had been speaking earlier seemed particularly anxious, their eyes fixed on me intently.

"Who is that, a beast?" one villager whispered.

"I've never seen skin like that. It could be an elf," another chimed in.

"No, that's a dark elf!"

"Wow, I've never seen one before."

"If you've never seen one before, how the hell do you know what one looks like?" Another responded.

“I’ve heard stories…” responded the rebuked villager.

"Nevermind that. What's one doing all the way out here?" someone asked curiously.

"Could be an adventurer."

The villagers exchanged hushed speculations about me, seemingly forgetting that I could hear their whispers. Just as I was about to address them, one of the villagers gathered the courage to speak up.

"Y-you, are you an adventurer?!"

Asked the man, Heldon, his voice filled with hope but laced with hesitation. His bearded face displayed visible worry, his eyebrows furrowing together almost to the point of touching.

"Yes, but..." I began, unsure of what to expect.

"Our children, they went missing. They're likely in the forest. Please! Please help us find them!"

A woman interrupted. The same one who had spoken to Heldon earlier rushed towards me and gripped my shoulders in desperation. Her voice trembled with almost a shrill cry, her distress palpable. The other villagers quickly intervened, pulling her away from me as they attempted to console her.

In front of me stood a large figure, though I use the term loosely as he was smaller than Bladden and Phen. In this particular body, anyone over a hundred and fifty-eight centimeters was considered massive to me. The man had the classic appearance of a lumberjack, though not necessarily the muscular and fit kind. Instead, he had the physique of a beer-belly lumberjack. Nevertheless, his imposing presence was not diminished.

"Sorry, miss, please don't take it to heart," he apologized sincerely.

"It's alright; her children are missing, after all," I reassured him, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Aye, we've searched all over the village. Not a single trace," another villager added, concern etched on his face.

"Has anyone gone into the forest?" I inquired, curious about their efforts.

"Only the village hunter, Yosef, has gone in. We don't venture into the forest much due to the dangers," Heldon explained.

Then why was the village on its border if the forest was so dangerous? It seemed weird, considering that most villagers were not warriors, let alone hunters. Getting help from the outside must be challenging, especially in situations like this. The village lacked protective walls, allowing anyone or anything to enter freely. One would expect some precautions to be in place to safeguard against threats and situations like this.

"Can I ask you to help us? You appear to be a child yourself, though I doubt that's the case," the man hesitated, carefully assessing me before shaking his head. I really should have my Ciel taller, damn it.

"We'll compensate you generously. I know we should go through the adventurers guild to post a quest, but..." His voice trailed off, his gaze falling to the ground.

I understood his predicament to a certain extent. It would take a villager at least two hours to travel from here to Veinbor, and then they would have to submit a request and wait for someone to accept it and return. The entire process could take hours before a search party was organized. By then, it could already be too late, but dwelling on that thought was not helpful.

"I understand. Since I'll be entering the forest anyway, I'll search for them," I offered to lend a hand. Although, I'm not confident I'll be of much help.

There was a slight awkwardness in the air. It wasn't every day you encountered a grown man on the verge of tears, especially when you were a complete stranger. Heldon looked up, his eyes widening as if bracing for my rejection.

"Truly?" he asked, his voice filled with both surprise and hope.

"Yes, although I'm not quite sure where to begin the search. Do you have any specific ideas?" I asked.

"Yosef mentioned finding their tracks on the main path into the forest before he left," Heldon shared.

That narrowed it down slightly. Judging by how dense the forest looked, it was unlikely that they would have strayed far from the main path. At least, that's what I hoped for. As much as I wanted to help, I didn't want the search to consume the entire day.

"In that case, I'll start there. Can you show me where the trail begins?" I requested, already turning towards the forest in anticipation.

"W-wait, do you intend to go alone? Where is your party?" Heldon interjected, a hint of urgency in his voice.

"I arrived here alone on a quest. I don't expect it be too challenging," I responded, continuing my stride.

"A quest? Don't tell me you're here to gather herbs! Hold on, miss, what rank are you?" Heldon's concern grew as he tried to halt my progress.

"I registered as a porcelain rank this morning," I answered, displaying the license hanging around my neck. Heldon's jaw dropped, his eyes bulging at the sight. He quickly rushed in front of me, blocking my path.

"Wait! You can't venture in there alone. The horned hounds roam this part of the forest; you'll need a party!" Heldon exclaimed, his hands raised in an attempt to stop me.

What was with this guy? It was just a beginner's forest, and horned hounds were nothing out of the ordinary. Lisa had also warned me, but I had fought them before without any issues.

"Don't worry, I can handle myself," I reassured him, meeting his gaze with a confident smile. His face turned red from the sun, but regardless, I needed to complete my quest, and going back to Veinbor to find a party wasn't an option. Thankfully, that seemed to convince him, and he reluctantly didn't attempt to stop me again.

Following the path that Heldon had pointed out, I left the village behind with the hopeful eyes of the villagers fixed upon me. Their concern for the missing children was palpable, even a little scary. In a small village like this, I imagine all the villagers had close ties.

I proceeded cautiously, keeping a keen eye on my surrounding, trying to stay aware of everything. The more I focused, the louder and sharper everything sounded. Ignoring the dead leaves crunching beneath my feet as I walked, the world around me to come alive with sounds. It was almost overwhelming. I could hear the buzzing of insects, frogs from a nearby pond yelping, chicks chirping from multiple nearby nests, and even the hesitant sounds of something small scuttling in a nearby bush. Thankfully it was heading away from me. If I focused, I could block out certain sounds, hearing only what I wanted. It was strange, it was as if my ears seemed to resonate with everything.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I know I came out here a bit confident, but walking through a forest alone is a bit nerve-wracking, especially when I can hear every little thing that goes on."

I admitted to myself, a tinge of unease creeping into my thoughts. I’m just now realizing how alone I am in this forest. Could I die in this world? I could feel pain, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. The real question is, would I respawn if I died? Or would I return to my real body on Earth?

"Okay, let's stop thinking about dying right now. You need to stay focused." I said to myself.

I was told fledgling adventurers would usually form parties before embarking on dangerous quests like this, but I had chosen to go it alone. It may be because I couldn't fully separate this reality from the game, or I wasn't very confident.

I mean, I'm literally inhabiting the body of my game character. I don't have the familiar skill bar displaying my combat and or support abilities displayed in front of me. Nor do I have my gear or any gear worth a damn that enhances my stats and provides some amount of defense. And, of course, the biggest fuck you to what or whoever sent me here is the absence of a mini-map. How the heck am I suppose to know my location or if nearby enemies are trying to flank me?

I sighed after taking a deep breath. Why am I doubting myself? I know exactly what I'm capable of. I didn't spend six years playing Zenith Rising, meticulously building my class, for nothing. When I find a monster, I'll do the simple thing. I’ll throw up my hand and blast the fucker with a fireball straight in the face. There’s no problem that couldn’t by solved by chucking bombs at it. It’s simple yet effective strategy that couldn't fail.

"That said, I'll limit myself to only a few skills, so that nothing like last night happens again," I said again to myself aloud.

Violent rustling echoed through the forest as I followed along the path. I froze, pausing on the spot as suddenly as It started, my senses on high alert. The sound grew louder, becoming more distinct with each passing second. I swiveled my head, looking in every direction, scanning my surroundings, trying to locate the source, but I didn't see anything. The lush greenery of the forest was thick enough it concealed anything that could be lurking nearby. As I turned back to the trail, my heart immediately sank. Three horned hounds charged toward me with incredible speed. Their reddish-brown fur blurred as they sprinted on all fours, their teeth bared and menacing growls emanating from their throats. The lead hound poised itself to strike, ready to unleash its attack upon me.

I saw them coming, my instincts warning me of the impending danger. I had a split second to move out of the way, but I found myself paralyzed, unable to react. The impact was hard as the lead hound collided with my side, its full force crashing into me. Agonizing pain shot through my body as I flew through the air and collided with a nearby tree. As I yelped in surprise, cracking rang out like a bundle of twigs being snapped in two from the impact.

I slumped against a tree. My vision threatened to fade into darkness. The pain was excruciating, and each attempt to breathe felt like knives repeatedly stabbing into me. I gasped for air as I tried to fight against an encroaching blackness that made my eyes heavy while knowing I had to act fast. If I do nothing, the hounds will tear me apart.

Struggling to regain my senses, I glanced up, my surroundings a blurred haze. The hounds stood in a semi-circle around me, their forms distorted and unclear. I knew they were preparing to attack again. I extended my trembling hand toward the middle hound, desperation filling my voice.

"I... I can't die. Not here, not like this."

Berating myself for freezing up, I summoned the skill I had thought of for this situation. It was a spell I used for the first time the previous night. With my outstretched hand and raspy words, I mustered all the energy I had left.

"Freezia!"

Instantly, the temperature dropped dramatically, accompanied by the agonized howls of the hounds. The sound of their bodies slumping over onto the forest floor followed soon after. As I struggled to sit up, waves of pain surged through my body. I groan in agony. My weakened arms nearly gave way beneath me. With trembling hands, I examined my side, searching for the source of the intense pain. My robe clung to my stomach, soaked in blood. The fucking dog stabbed me with its horn!

A soft whimpering emanated from the incapacitated hounds as they began to stir, only temporarily subdued by my skill. The pain nearly became an afterthought as my head snapped up toward them.

Groaning in pain, I struggled to sit up as a coldness spread through my body. I tried applying pressure to the wound, but it only worsened the pain. My mind felt hazy as it raced, desperately trying to find a solution. It hit me suddenly—I had forgotten about my thaumaturgy. Like the previous night, I felt a sense of familiarity wash over me as I uttered the words.

"Helia's... Embrace!"

I crocked as the effect of the skill surged through me. My wound closed instantly, leaving no trace behind. The pain subsided, and I took a moment to catch my breath as it came in deep gasps. But time was not on my side. The hound that hit me, had recovered first, menacingly growling at me as it did. I raised my hand as I met its hateful gaze with one of my own.

"Just so you know. I’m a cat person, Fireball!"

I yelled, unleashing a fireball toward the hound.The skilll connected with the hound, catching it off guard, and causing a fiery explosion upon impact. Fragments of the hound scattered onto the other two, who were still recovering nearby. Stupefied by the outcome, I stared at where it had been. That was far stronger than I had anticipated. I mean, the skill was never this strong in the game. It of course set exploded like it did just now, but it also gave the targets the burning status more often than not. I smiled, this’ll be a walk in the park. I quickly shifted my attention to the remaining hounds. Casting two more fireballs, I targeted them before they could escape. The explosions reduced them to pieces of charred flesh much like the first hound. .

Staring at the gruesome scene, the ground now stained with blood, black scortch patches, and remnants of the hounds strewn everywhere, I felt a mix of awe and shock. There was no time to dwell on it, though. Wobbling and slightly shaken, I pushed myself off the ground, using the tree I had crashed into for support. I leaned against it, catching my breath and reflecting on what had just transpired. I glanced down at the spot where the lead hound had stabbed me with its horn.

"That’s incredible... it's completely healed."

Feeling around the area where the wound had been, I found no trace of the injury. The skill had really closed the gaping hole in my stomach.

"Should I turn back?"

This is far more real than I could imagine. But those kids, should I leave them? I looked at the chard remains of the hounds and how the skill tore their bodies apart. Dammit, I've got to finish this while I'm here. If I leave... I’m sure I'll never come back.

"From here on, anything with teeth and claws is getting turned into hibachi steak, and not the good kind.”

The path stretched for some time, meandering through a dense thicket of trees and shrubs. As I walked, the trail gradually opened up into a small glade. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a figure slumped against a tree. Could it be the hunter, Yosef? I hurried over, hoping he was just injured. However, as I drew closer, I could see he wasn't moving or blinking. I gagged at the sight of Yosef's lifeless body lying motionless against the tree, his bow discarded nearby snapped in two. He bore numerous bite marks and deep gashes on his legs and torso. It was a hideous sight.

"H-hey, look out!"

"Behind you!!"

The sudden shout jolted me from my reevaluation. I quickly turned, just in time to see a hound hurtling toward me with astonishing speed. Its silent paws barely made a sound against the ground as it closed in. Reacting quickly, I raised my hand swiftly.

"Fireball."

The skill surged to life, erupting from my hand with surprising force, streaking toward the charging hound. Caught off guard, the hound let out a yelp as it desperately tried to halt its charge, but it was too late. The fireball collided with the creature, engulfing it in a searing explosion.

"Look out from the other side!"

Though the warning was somewhat vague, I quickly swiveled my head, scanning the surroundings. Sure enough, two more hounds emerged from the underbrush, poised to strike just like their fallen companion. Rustling sounds reached my ears from the left, and my gaze landed on three more hounds, while two additional ones emerged from the same direction as the initial attacker. One of them stood out—the Alpha, perhaps? Its appearance resembled the others, but its fur bore a darker shade of red, its horn was noticeably longer, and its eyes glowed with a deep yellow intensity. While the other hounds reached up to my chest, this one towered over me by at least a head's length—it was a massive beast.

The hounds encircled me, their menacing growls reverberating through the air. Had they sent out the first hound as a test, sacrificing it to gauge my response? They must have learned to be cautious of my fireball, spacing themselves far enough apart to avoid being caught in the explosion. Even if I managed to hit one or two, the remaining six would swiftly tear me apart. A chill ran down my spine as the gravity of the situation sank in. My initial plan to unleash my fiery onslaught against any adversary proved ineffective in this dire predicament.

"H-hey, climb the tree! They won't be able to reach you here!"

A voice pierced through the tension, originating from one of the children perched safely atop the tree where I stood. Yosef must have fallen victim to the hounds' trap, luring him in using the children as bait. If they hadn't warned me, I would have met the same fate. A shiver ran down my spine at the mere thought. Climbing the tree and launching my attacks from a safe vantage point seemed like the best choice, but I doubted whether I could climb swiftly enough. Even if I managed to evade the smaller hounds after climbing high enough, the Alpha would definitely catch up to me before I could escape its reach.

The kids continued to yell, trying to get me to climb, but I ignored them, remaining focused on the threat in front of me. They could charge at any moment or move in erratic and unpredictable ways. Suddenly, four of them lunged toward me, their growls reverberating through the air. Without hesitation, my body instinctively reacted. I swiftly raised my outstretched hands to my sides, not sure if this will work, and focused on conjuring two fireballs in each palm and launching them at the charging hounds. The projectiles struck surprising accuracy, considering I only had a glips of the pincer attackers. The fireballs flew in straight lines, istantly killing one hound while injuring another. The injured hound attempted to evade the fireball, leaping to the side, but it couldn't escape unscathed, as the flames licked its leg, causing it to falter.

However, the other two hounds showed no signs of slowing down, undeterred by the death of their pack members. As they continued their assault, I unleashed my second skill.

"Freezia!"

My voice rang out as an icy aura sprang to life around me just as the charging hounds entered the area of effect of the skill. In an instant, their movements froze, their bodies stiffening as they let out surprised yelps. They collapsed helplessly at my feet as I swiftly sidestepped out of the way.

I felt an odd sensation begin to swell in me. It was a strange blend of excitement and exhilaration that welled up from somewhere like a pot nearly at boiling point. I knew this was a dangerous situation, yet I couldn’t help but let the thrill course through my veins. It felt amazing. Undeterred by the fallen hounds, I set my sights on the remaining threats. The other hounds wasted no time in mourning their fallen pack members; they charged forward. The massive alpha hound proved to be significantly faster than its smaller counterparts, covering more than half the distance to me in just a few powerful strides. Witnessing such a ferocious creature hurtling toward me sent a tingling shiver down my spine. It wasn't fear though, it was, excitement. I didn't have anything to fear from this mutt. I smiled with measured confidence, allowing the alpha hound to draw near, closing the gap to less than a meter and a half before unleashing my next skill.

"Earth Void!"

Instantaneously, a surge of force erupted from the ground in front of me, gouging out chunks of earth as it hurtled toward the alpha hound. The impact was jarring as the wave of power crashed into the beast; it let out a terribly pained yelp. The hound was sent sprawling backward, the sheer force of the attack causing it to tumble and stir up a flurry of grass and dirt.

"That was incredible. He has to be dead after that."

I said, as the feeling inside intensified. A satisfaction like no other flowed and mingled within me as I smiled at what I had done. As if seeing the confident hound brought low was fun.

I gazed in awe at the aftermath of the skill, still relishing in the feeling as it simmered within me. In the game, I used this skill countless times to repel monsters and opponents. But this time, it was different. This was real. The smell of the dirt in the air, the weight of that skill in my hands as it shot forward like a cannon, leaving a tingling sensation behind.

I'm capable of so much more than this. If I cut loose, this could be as simple as a walk in the park. But I know can't; I might hurt those kids if I do, or something worse could happen. Despite my reluctance, the temptation still swelled within me like a primal hunger, churning with anticipation. I couldn't help but smile, recognizing it for what it was—a persistent itch begging to be scratched. I chuckled softly to myself. I want to see what I can really do in this body, this world, and to anything that bares it fangs like these hounds.

It came suddenly, abruptly, and without warning. My world was violently knocked into next week. My ribs screamed as a shattering impact slammed into my side. It felt as though a cannonball had hit me. I could feel my body tumble across the ground, propelled by the sudden force. The children's warning shouts reached my ears, but it was too late—the hound had already hit me. I crashed to the ground, my head bearing the brunt of the impact, sending me tumbling until I eventually came to a stop. The world around me spun, and an overwhelming sense of crushing pain enveloped my entire being. Despite the agony, I mustered every ounce of strength to regain my footing swiftly. Though my head and body throbbed with numbing pain, I could bare it.

But before I could fully recover, the relentless hound descended upon me with lightning speed. It was too quick for me to evade or defend myself properly. Instinctually I used my right forearm to shield my face from the hound's assault. Its teeth sank deep into my arm, and it forced me onto my back, its mouth biting down harder on my arm. I let out a scream of that erupted from my throat, my voice sounding unnaturally high-pitched in my ears. The hound's left forepaw then dug its razor-sharp claws into my stomach, viciously raking them down over my thigh. Another scream tried to break free from my lips as a searing pain that felt like a white-hot knife was slowly dragged through me. At the same time, the pressure of the hound's bite caused bones in my arm to let out an audible snap. A cry of agony finally tore from my lips, while tears streamed down my face.

"Not like this you ugly bastard."

I said as tears mingled with the dirt and blood on my cheeks as I desperately reached for my waist, fingers wrapping around the hilt of my dagger. With a surge of adrenaline fueling me, I swiftly drew the weapon from its sheath and, as quickly as I could, drove it into the hound's neck, twisting it with all the strength I could muster. The hound emitted gargled yelp, blood gushing from its mouth onto my mangle and broken arm then on my robes before it went limp, its lifeless body collapsing on top of me. The rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins as my chest heaved from the intense struggle.

Amidst the dissipating dust cloud, a faint whimpering reached my ears. It was likely the remaining hounds I incapacitated. There’s no time to rest; I need to push through the pain. With my remaining arm, I pushed the lifeless hound off me with a struggle, despite the protests of searing pain in my stomach and leg. I gritted my teeth, enduring it through grunts.

"He-helia's... Embrace," I whispered, invoking the name of the skill.

Almost instantly, the excruciating pain began to subside as the skill mended me back together. I watched in astonishment as the grizzly gash that ran from my stomach to my thigh started to stitch itself back together. I heaved, trying to keep the acid in my stomach from coming up after seeing myself cut open. How am I still conscious after having my stomach torn open?

Not wanting to waste any time, I swiftly cast Helia's Embrace on my right arm, which hung limp at my side as blood dripped from my fingertips. I could feel the bones beneath my skin shifting and realigning, mending themselves back into place. Gathering my resolve, I shifted my weight, rolling over onto my stomach and mustering the strength to push myself off the ground, relying on my left arm for support.

"Helia's Embrace," I repeated, focusing on my right arm again. The blood gradually slowed, and the torn flesh began to close up, sealing the wound. I observed the remaining five hounds ready to finish this. The two I had previously incapacitated were now starting to regain their footing but were not yet fully recovered.

Without hesitation, I unleashed a fireball, not waiting for the hounds to recuperate fully. The skill soared through the air, impacting the ground with a powerful explosion of charred dirt and rocks right between the hounds. The intense heat scorched their bodies, causing them to cry out in pain as they were forcefully knocked away. Though not dead, they were effectively taken out of the fight. With three hounds already eliminated and three incapacitated, only two were left.

I immediately located them, their predatory eyes glinting as they circled cautiously near the spot where the alpha hound had landed after my attack.

"Is the alpha still alive? Did it really survive that?" I muttered incredulously, a mix of surprise and determination fueling my next skill.

I observed the alpha hound, my gaze unwavering, waiting for any sign of movement. However, it remained completely still, unresponsive. The two hounds beside it stood faithfully. Right about now, monsters would usually scatter after witnessing the defeat of their leader or switch sides. As I struggled to regain my balance, wavering on my feet, as a lightheadedness washed over me. My body felt weak, and I wanted throw up. I stood stand for a minute, keeping my eyes on the alpha’s prone body.

"Damn it, why do I feel sick all of a sudden."

I groaned, my hand instinctively reaching up to rub my throbbing head. I wanted a safe environment to test my skills without risking injury or killing myself like an idiot. I'm sick of fighting these things now. I'm tired of getting hurt, almost dying, and not to mention the pain.

"Just die already, you mangy bastards! Hellfire Hellbound!"

I bellowed, extending my hand toward the remaining three hounds. In an instant, flames tinged with a deep purple hue erupted from the ground, shooting upward like a powerful geyser, engulfing the alpha hound and the two other hounds. The heat was intense enough; I could feel it standing at least fifteen meters away. The sheer ferocity of the inferno snuffed out their lives in seconds, leaving only charred bodies in its wake. I blinked in astonishment at the sheer power of the skill. If I had used it earlier, I might have burned myself, maybe worse. Dark thaumaturgy was powerful and overwhelming in the game, but the skills were expensive. Once again, the game's portrayal of thaumaturgy pales in comparison to this place.

Surveying the area, I remained vigilant, on the lookout for any additional threats. If any hounds were lurking in the surrounding bushes, they might be too intimidated to approach, or perhaps they had run away after witnessing the death of the alpha. At least, I hope so. I turned my attention back to the incapacitated hounds that moaned weakly on the ground. I narrowed my eyes as I approached them making sure they wouldn’t suddenly jump at me. Kneeling down next to the hound that nearly killed me, I retrieved my dagger from its lifeless neck. Blood gushed from the open wound after I removed the dagger.

"I could have died if it weren't for this thing," I murmured, grateful to Victoria.

I wiped fat and blood off the blade on the hound's fur before approaching the other incapacitated hounds, their whimpers filled the air growing louder as I drew closer to the first one I had taken down. The hound's injuries were severe, its forelegs and left back leg were charred down to the bone. Its throat and lower jaw were also severely burned making me gag involuntarily from the smell of burnt fur and flesh. This hound was on the brink of death. I could leave it and let it suffer after causing so much trouble, but I'm not that kind of person. All animals deserve respect, or monsters in this case. Kneeling beside it, I swiftly ended its suffering by slitting its throat. It let out a final whine before falling silent. I need their horns, so I can’t afford to show mercy, especially after they had nearly killed me.

Moving on to the next two hounds, which lay a short distance apart, I noticed one of them had a deep gash on its belly, likely from a shard of stone scattered by the fireball. The other hound bore burns similar to its fallen packmate. Without hesitation, I dispatched them as well, ending their lives quickly. By the time I was done, blood pooled around me in puddles seeping into the ground.

Suddenly, a rustling sound from above startled me, causing me to flinch in surprise. Instinctively, I jumped to the side while looking up, brandishing my bloodied knife. The two kids, a boy and a girl, peered down at me from a large branch in the tree. I completely forgot they were there. Thankfully, they looked fine. At least no visible injuries that I could see. Lowering my knife, I offered them a reassuring smile, trying my best not to look like an idiot who almost died.