"!"

I escape to the base of a tree via the wolves' own shadows. I quickly check my status bars:

HP: 69/74

MP: 7/43

Damn it. Damn it, damn it! This is really bad.

That last skill had cost too much mana and I'm too far away to use on the other incinerated wolf. I have just enough for one but it's useless against the alpha male, and is out of the question as well. To top it all off, I'll have to kill what is left with my bare hands. This stubby hilt won't save anyone.

The pack leader begins to howl while the rest of the pack steadily approaches. With my back against a tree, I brace myself for their onslaught.

What do I do? I need to try something different, something faster... of course, you freaking idiot! It won't win the battle, but it will at least whittle down their numbers. Let's see you dodge at the speed of light!

The two wolves break into a sprint, just as I raise my hand and use 5 points of mana.

"!"

A great flash bursts from my outstretched hand, and within milliseconds I realise...

l had missed. The spell had landed in the space between my targets.

... It's over.

Am I... going to die?

If I die, Helena will be alone. She will spend the rest of her precious life waiting in vain... waiting...

... waiting for me.

No, I won't let it end like this! Even if I have to crawl back to Si with nothing but half my torso, I will not let Helena die!

... Huh, why aren't the wolves attacking? In fact, they're writhing on the ground. Even the leader appears to be prone.

Oh, I get it, it was from the flash! The wolves must have like me to hunt in the dark, but that means any source of light will be magnified, while I'm immune thanks to .

I try running for my broken blade, but the alpha male reacts immediately. Unlike the others, he was only slightly dazed. There is nothing left I can cast to intercept him.

Before I can withdraw my outstretched hand, the leader lunges at my arm and bites into it... only to find it has detached from my shoulder socket.

This is not an accident; it is intentional. Over the past few months, I have been studying my fleshless form. Since movement is controlled by the flow of mana between sockets, I can freely sever any connection from my .

I can also redistribute my energy to other parts of my body, such as my other arm...

Finding little resistance, the pack leader stumbles forth and exposes his back. With my free hand, I use to grab the wolf by his nape and pin him to the ground. I redirect most of my internal mana to my digits, and begin to strangle the life out of him.

The wolf flails in desperation, clawing at the ground to get away. I regenerate 2 MP during our struggle, and use it all to channel over his head.

80%... 64%... 37%... 19%... I check his remaining HP with .

Soon enough, the alpha male dies of suffocation and his soul becomes my trophy.

"With this, it is finally over..."

I look up and am greeted by an abysmal sight. The rest of the pack has recovered... and I can sense five more around my position. It appears that howl from earlier was a call for reinforcements.

I reattach my arm and glance at my status:

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HP: 71/74

MP: 14/43

I've almost recovered my HP, but it's hopeless without a weapon or sufficient mana. How do I turn this around? I'm carrying more than just my life on my shoulders. Goddamn it, why can't this world show Helena some mercy!?

I ready myself for the oncoming wave, when a sudden chime echoes through my consciousness.

Ding!

Integrity is now sufficient to evoke effect.

Unique Skill: Equip Soul has been created!>

Wait, what did it say? I got another Unique Skill? Is it talking about that Integrity requirement from way back when?

Arrrgh, who cares, just tell me what it does!

I conjure a full to buy myself some time. A four-prong attack will be enough to break through, so hopefully they won't attempt it on their first assault.

So that's what my is designed for... or not. My unique skill is just making use of it. But isn't this ability incredibly strong? If I slay a powerful enemy, I get to keep their skills.

Wait, that's it! If I take the skills of the Alpha Forest Wolf then maybe I can control his pack.

"!"

NameN/ASpeciesAlpha Forest WolfHP

0%MP

0%SkillsSneak (Greater) | Night Vision (Greater) | Intimidate (Greater) | Rending Claw (Basic) | Crushing Jaw (Basic) | Magic Perception (Basic)

... It's no good. There is no "lead pack" skill. I guess that wolf really did sacrifice itself out of sheer comradery.

The earth shudders as the force of their tackles divert into the ground. Luckily, none of them appear to have , but it will break soon. Should I blind them again then escape? No, they're too spread out for it to work again.

Hrm, that pack leader had ? I'm immune thanks to , but if I direct it on these guys...

"! Assimilate Alpha Forest Wolf!"

His soul mingles with my own, before settling like a stone in my imaginary stomach. With everything riding on this one skill, I let out all my rage and sorrow.

"OUT OF MY WAY YOU PATHETIC MUTTS!"

I do not know if yelling has an effect, but all the wolves halt their attack. A few even have their tails tucked between their legs. I take one step forth and the pack begins to withdraw.

Once they are all gone, I pick up the remains of my sword and resume my desperate quest.