Alan’s eyes scanned over the three options, amazed at the power of the technique he was given. It didn’t take long for him to come to a decision,

“I’ll stick with a shadow wolf…Adolescent Shadow Wolf,” He said plainly, indicating to the system his choice.

[Are you sure?]

[After this decision, Fenrir will continue with the shadow wolf evolution, and subsequent evolutions resulting from a shadow wolf as its base. You will not be able to change this after the evolution]

Alan noted the information, but his decision was one he wouldn’t change. The shadow element provided too much versatility, and support capabilities to give it up for fire or lightning.

“Yes.” The blue screen folded closed, and a wave of shadows erupted forth. Like a tornado, darkness seeped through the floor, spinning, encircling Fenrir in a cocoon. The power nearly knocked Alan from his feet, had he not braced. The cocoon of shadows began to pulse, vibrating in a symphony of chaos, its spinning arms blurring as they grew faster. Then, it began to shrink. Like a heartbeat, it throbbed, pushing outward, and then contracting. Each time it repeated this process, it pulled in smaller and smaller, until only the size of a small ball,

“What?” Alan mumbled, watching as tendrils of darkness crawled from his shadow, wrapping around the ball, and bringing it downward. The darkness rippled slightly as the cocoon was consumed.

[Fenrir Evolution Duration: One Day]

Alan let out a breath, “It’s only one day. I was worried it would take longer.” He remembered witnessing occurrences like this in his past lives. He heard stories of some monsters entering a similar state for days, and some a few years, not dependent on the mana core stage whatsoever.

He sat down on the bed, sinking into the softness as he racked his mind for his next course of action. He knew his current priority was gaining Gherardo’s sponsorship. Merchants like him were essential for speedy growth, and Alan recalled how much of a difference it made when he first implemented the strategy on his fourth regression.

“But what then?” He whispered, understanding strength was the most important thing, but his lack of knowledge of the current world was also a severe detriment, “I could just ask Gherardo. I’m sure he’s extremely knowledgeable of the world. After that, I guess moving closer to a major city is the next step. More powerful enemies mean more souls.” Alan was deep in thought, taking into account various possibilities, and routes, determining the fastest way to grow. He came to a conclusion fast. Taking the most risk would warrant greater rewards. Facing stronger foes that he can overwhelm with sheer skill will net the most profits,

“I guess I’ll follow Gherardo to the nearest city, and see what kind of criminals I can kill. But in the meantime, I might as well search for some strong monsters. I shouldn't hunt for too long. Maybe an hour or two at most. Before I plan my growth for the next week, I should figure out what kind of monsters are in the area.” Alan said, standing up, his eyes gazing up to the full moon, it’s eerie grey light bathing the nearby buildings in a silvery hue. He turned away, and with swiftness walked to the first floor of the Golden Goose Inn, exchanged some parting words with Dariel, arriving at an alleyway blocked off by the massive wall that surrounded the town. Its brick was thick and powerful, and Alan marveled at the time and resources it must have taken to build, I wonder why so much effort was put into this town…I'll have to ask Gherardo later.

Alan felt warmth permeate his body, channeling down to his legs as he prepared to jump. The ground shuddered as he leaped onto the gable roof of a nearby building, examining the walkway of the wall before continuing. He blended in with the shadows, watching two figures stroll, their silhouette passing just above Alan. He swiftly took action, channeling mana into his legs as he jumped once more. The tiles of the roof cracked as he whipped into the air. His calloused fingers scraped the merlon, his feet slipping as he barely reached the top,

“That was close,” he mumbled, pushing up, dashing over the wall, bracing his legs, pumping them with mana as he prepared to land. His feet sunk into the dirt, his body tumbling as he attempted to alleviate the pressure from the impact. Returning his balance, ensuring his feet were steady, and legs uninjured, he sprinted into the forest. His form flickered as he leaped from tree branch to tree branch,

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“I might have to go out pretty far. Fenrir probably killed all the monsters around the town.” Alan mumbled, the wind silencing his voice as it yanked at his features. He continued his sprint until the massive walls of the town disappeared under the canopy of trees,

“I should be far enough.” He jumped from a branch, feet skidding as he came to a stop. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he brought all concentration to the warm spot around his solar plexus. He felt the smooth flow of mana circulating throughout his body. Maneuvering his focus to the flow that passed through his right arm, left rib, and right thigh, he disrupted the flow. Like placing a pillar at the center of a flowing river, he didn't stop the flow of mana but simply disrupted it.

This should attract some monsters. Alan thought, recalling the method he used quite frequently in past regressions. All monsters have the ability to sense magic auras and have a deep connection to this feeling. When their prey is injured, or when injured prey is nearby, they can sense these injuries due to the disruption of mana flow in the victim's body. By disrupting his mana artificially, Alan can draw monsters to his position, believing easy prey is nearby. This doesn't work on smarter monsters, but the creatures around the outskirts shouldn't be able to tell the difference.

The bait was taken sooner than expected. Danger alarms ran through his body like lightning. Alan tilted his head to the side, dodging a dark green needle that whipped past his face. It lodged into a nearby tree trunk with a hollow thud. More needles followed, shooting out from bushes, and branches high above. The barrage was fast and calculated, Alan marveling at this encounter with a monster he doesn't recall fighting before.

He continued to dodge, his eyes wandering from source to source, watching as the barrages continued from the same areas. Armed with this information, and not wanting to dawdle any longer, he dashed toward a nearby bush. Metallic friction echoed as he drew his sword, parrying a few needles, flipping over the bush while slashing through it. Blood splattered against a nearby trunk as he sliced the monster in two. The body collapsed still under the concealment of thick foliage, preventing Alan from examining his opponents form.

The barrage continued its relenting push. Alan examined further. He counted nine monsters, not including the one he just killed. Determined to end this fast, he dashed toward the nearest source of needles. Parrying and dodging with finesse, he reached another monster that hid in a bush. He slashed into it, watching blood once again splatter onto bark. He continued this assault, killing the monsters on the ground with relative ease before he moved to the remaining four that rained down attacks from above. Warmth ran through his body as he jumped, grass and moss flying as the dirt fractured.

“Interesting,” Alan mumbled, his body arriving above a tree branch, staring down at one of the monsters, whose form was unprotected by the foliage. The monster had a body like a badger, with green fur of various shades, and a thick shell of needles that formed a helmet around its tiny face and ran down its back, completely surrounding a thick rounded tail. It had small eyes and a short snout. Its mouth with little fangs opened up as it squeaked, jumping back onto a farther branch, swinging its tail, and unleashing multiple green needles to various points on Alan’s body. He parried these with ease, securing footing on a branch, dashing toward the monster in a powerful slash, splitting it in two.

This slaughter lasted for only another minute, as the cleaved bodies of the badgers littered the forest floor, staining the grass with their blood.

[Congratulations!]

[Souls being absorbed from a successful battle!]

[Total souls acquired: 100]

“Oh?” Alan let out a satisfied breath, his teeth visible past a wide smile, “I guess they were worth ten. If I keep this up, I’ll reach 500 souls again in no time…although,” Alan stopped, hand cupping chin, “I don't really need to summon anything immediately. Fenrir will be at a silver core by tomorrow so most things around here shouldn’t be a threat. I’ll save up my souls then, and summon something really strong when I need to.” He nodded, heart beating as he imagined the future. Just what kind of things could he summon once he reached his peak? His eyes landed on the sea of stars above, his words directed at an entity he knew nothing about, yet played such a prominent role in his existence, “Why couldn’t you give me these techniques in my past lives?” He scratched his head, still irritated at his lack of knowledge, “Aaahh, whatever.” He sighed, turning around and preparing to return. He felt warmth permeate his body.

Thud

The ground shook. Alan’s head turned, eyes widening.

Thud

A powerful noise resounded throughout the forest. The crash and rustle from trees uprooted and flung to the side. He could hear birds flapping around, their panicked squeals silenced by the rhythmic thud.

“I’m really unlucky in this life aren't I?” Alan gritted his teeth, palm gripped tightly around his katana’s hilt, a powerful presence sending shivers throughout his body.