The warm winds blow against me. Clouds of gnats hit my face as I walk deeper into the forest. It grows muggier every step. If I weren’t tripping over blades of thick leaves and logs, it was the uneven ground of the mud and dirt. I’ve walked past the sign that warns of danger and I found no monsters in my vicinity yet. It’s only a matter of time though, and there’s no telling whether they’ll be hostile or friendly.

What’s more worrying than the monsters is the slowly brightening sky. I need to find shelter soon, a cave, or I’ll burn to a crisp like last time. I know I won’t survive long in the golden rays but I did smoke myself on both sides so maybe that caused me to have a less likely chance to survive. I wouldn’t risk it though.

As I journey farther into the same woods, it feels like I’m barely getting anywhere. While I haven’t felt fatigue since starting this journey, I am getting thirsty. I’d rather refrain from drinking the bogs and pools of mud. I’m sure it would make me more sick than anything and I cannot risk that here.

It takes mere moments but as the sun rises scarily close to the horizon, I spot a small cave ahead of me. Just a few feet away is a hole in the ground, wide enough to fit three grown men. I’m sure other monsters hide in there during the day though. A threat is most likely possible but I would rather agree to get roughed up then burn in the light. Maybe the monster is friendly to others. There’s also a chance that it would attack me for competition reasons.

I grumble at the limited choices I have.

I could burn and become fried pork or get chewed on by some potential beast. The sun is one-hundred percent likely to kill me over the seventy-five percent chance that I’ll likely get chewed by oversized teeth.

I sigh, watching the orange orb quickly beginning to rise. I dart over to the hole embedded under a large tree. As I grow close, gnarly roots form a sort of shelter over the coming of dawn. I slide into the darkness of the unknown, expecting to be immediately greeted by a monster but I see nothing.

The inside is spacious and doesn’t go that deep into the ground. It’s a small den structure that looks to be dug out by something. I see no one in here though besides the crushed bones lying in the padded, dirt floor.

Someone made this homey.

That’s more than a likely chance that someone is living here. I don’t see them now though but if they were to come in to hide from the rays as well, maybe we can agree to stick it out in here until nightfall again. Hopeful thinking, right?

Right then I’m notified by a soft rhythm of feet heading for my direction. I turn my attention to the entrance, straining my ears for anything that might strike an alarm. The movement sounds light and fast. I observe as a small shadow launches into the den, almost colliding into me. I dodge it though with an unnaturally keenness that surprises me. Before I can figure out what’s happened, another beat of footsteps sound outside of the den.

“It’s coming!” A small voice cries behind me.

What’s coming?

My question is soon answered as a larger shadow with blue eyes burls itself into the space. This time, I have no room to dodge it. It hits me in the chest, the feeling of sharp knives digging into my torso. I cry out as I feel myself being thrown to the side into the gladly soft wall.

“Oh no!” The small voice shrieks.

A growl shakes the room as I focus my eyes on a tall, dark and hairy beast. It’s hunched over and spiked in hair that looks like shrapnel that runs down its back. Its head is below its shoulders, it is standing on all fours. Its face is shaped like a dog's and thick, yellow saliva drips from its maw. It’s massive, way taller than me to the point its head brushes against the ceiling. Glowing, blue eyes turn to pierce me, creating a chill to run down my spine.

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What is that thing?

Ding!

[Analyzing…]

[Success!]

[Monster: Razor Wolf]

[Threat Level: RUN!]

This again? And run? I can’t even leave this place without dying upon stepping out!

“Watch out!”

The beast swings at me. I dodge it almost instinctively, rolling from the wall and toward the entrance. The beast swings its head around, barring its red-tinted teeth.

Okay. Lock-in! I need to find a way to get rid of this thing without leaving the safety of this hole.

The beast swings again. Dodging the attack, I see a glimpse of it swiping with its other arm.

Shit.

I try to block the attack by holding up my arms to protect my chest and head. Its massive appendage collides, its thorns piercing into my flesh. I feel the warmth of blood run down my arms as I’m flung to the other side of the room. My breath leaves my lungs when I crash into the wall on my back. I land on my feet, feeling the blood run down my arms and sticking in my hands. Exhaustion comes through and I have the urge to collapse and give up.

Not yet. This battle has barely started. I can’t be on the verge of death a second time!

As I stand back to my feet, the monster’s swinging at me again. I dodge it by jumping into the air. I land on its arm, feeling the knives for armor dig into my feet. I immediately topple off, landing flat on my back. The creature takes this opportunity to swing its arm down on me. I evade it, quickly limping to the other side of the den.

This is a losing fight. I can’t win.

Where was that ability that drains life at the touch. It would be very useful right now.

Ding!

[Activation: Soul Eater!]

[Failed!]

[Reason: Needs Contact With The Target!]

Is that what it’s called?

It makes sense, really. I need to touch the creature in order to steal its life. Doing that would lead to victory, right? The only way to know is to try.

“Look out!”

The creature swings at me again. I weave past the attack, grasping my hand into the sharp weapons for skin.

Come on! Activate!

Ding!

[Activation: Soul Eater!]

[Analyzing…]

[Failed!]

[Reason: The Target Is Higher Than Your Current Level!]

[Exception: Weaken The Target By Half Health!]

The creature suddenly slams down on me. Intense stinging erupts through my entire body. I can feel the spikes embed into me, creating a searing pain all over.

I scream out, trying to push the creature off. It eventually lifts itself, wobbling back and falling into the wall behind it.

That hurt…

It said it was stronger than me. Is that why I can’t kill it with a touch alone? It fell back though. It was because it was weakened, right? Maybe if I activate it again, I can kill the thing!

Standing up, wincing in pain, I feel blood seep from every part of my body. I look to the back of the den, watching the smaller figure huddle in the back of the cave, trembling with fear.

This thing is no help at all, I seeth.

I look back at the creature whose beginning to stand. Its eyes are dazed but it immediately focuses on me with sheer rage alone. It roars, a deepened fissure of sound rattling my bones. As it charges, I reach out my hand, feeling the thorns run through it and my wrist bend back with a snap.

Activate!

Ding!

[Activation: Soul Eater!]

[Analyzing…]

[Success!]

The creature suddenly stops moving. It begins to slump forward, its eyes rolled back into its head. I quickly limp aside and watch it collapse into the wall, shaking the ground at the impact.

It’s dead.

I killed it.

A smile forms on my face but it’s short lived as a burning pain, familiar to the one after I killed my father, courses through my body. I scream, falling back on the floor and begin to twitch madly. It feels like lava is running under my skin and I twist and kick for the pain to go away.

“Oh, Ra! Are you okay?” The small voice hovers above me as my consciousness fades for the second time.

Ding!

[LEVEL 3!]

[New Skills: [Soul Manipulation], [Illusion]!]

Ding!

[LEVEL 4!]

[New Skill: [Siphon]!]