Leaves finally covered the sight of the blue ball in the sky, the shade from the surrounding trees seemingly darker than normal.

"Maybe it's because the sun is brighter?"

Steven, now deep into the forest, looks around as the tree trunks around him seem... burnt? Like the bark itself was almost as black as charcoal. Yet, there wasn't any smoking coming from them, or even a smell. But before he could take a closer look, a growl deeper in the forest seems to draw his attention forwards again.

Before him, scratching against the trees with a clear sign of discomfort, was a lone wolf. Not even noting that the wolf was by itself, Steven noticed the odder detail of the wolf. Blue like veins seem to be all around the animal's body, glowing underneath the fur with weird pulses. The wolf itself seemed to wine with every other glowing pulse, it's snout slowly getting more and more crinkled. It's just then, it's eyes spot Steven, staring at the creature like a deer in headlights, or maybe wolf-lights in this case?

"Shit shit shi-" finally realising that he was standing still, Steven suddenly started to walk backwards slowly, not turning his back to the wolf in front of him. The wolf seemed to have the same idea... until, just as it was placing it's back paw up, the pulses suddenly to increase in frequency and intensity, now piercing the thick shadows across the forest, before a blue glint enters the wolf's eyes. It then suddenly started to charge at the man, one of it's paws extended outwards, swiping at Steven. Having to make a quick decision, the man throws himself the side at the last minute, the paw hitting the tree behind him. The sound of something sharp sinking through the wood could be heard from his side as an almost cartoon sized claw mark was made against the tree, almost cutting through half of it. Steven was on the ground now, panting for air as he looked at the tree where he was and then back at the wolf, seeing the claws at his paws now extended by a blue energy.

He didn't need to think about what would happen if those claws hit him, he knew that it would kill him. The wolf itself seemed to be struggling with something as it shook it's head as if to get something off, only to look back to Steven with the same blue glint. Steven immediately started crawl backwards, before hitting up against another tree. His eyes widen his shock and horror, everything seemingly going into slow motion. The, well it's best to say monster at this point, leaping forward with it's glowing jaws opening as it cocks it's head, aiming for Steven's throat. Instinct took over as Steven's body suddenly duck to down just in time before a sickening crunch is heard from above him. Opening his eyes, Steven looks up to see the wolf's fangs stuck into the tree, each teeth sunk into the wood. It didn't seem like it was about to free it's jaws loose from the tree, only trying to pull away or bite further into meat of the tree. Suddenly, Steven found his body moving again, his arms quick moving and hands gripping around the throat of the wolf. Pressing with strength he could swear he never had before, he continued to squeeze around the neck. This attempt seem to disrupt something, or maybe whatever was happening to this wolf seemed to run out of energy, but the blue energy from before seem to disappear from the animal. This did not stop it from fight back though as Steven was choking it, using it's now normal claws to scrap and scratch away at his chest. But Steven didn't even seem to notice as he could hear his own heartbeat in his ears, his legs wrapping around the body of the wolf to were it down even more. What felt like a eternity passed as this desperate struggle continue, blood trickling down the raw and raked torso of Steven, and the claws of the wolf loosing more and more power, it's small chest slowing down. Then suddenly, the wolf's whole body seem to go limp on top of Steven. Not believing that's enough, his hands continued to squeeze at it, his whole body screaming in pain as he forced the muscles in his arms. It's only after a ringing from out of nowhere finally snapped him out, his own body laying down on the ground. He could see dark spots in his vision, his body weak and more importantly, cold. It finally hit him, just as he felt something both wet and sticky soaked his clothes, how much blood did he lose? Probably more than he should. It's not like it would matter now. Not a hospital in sight.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

But just as he was about to give up, looking up to the sky, with light barely coming through the bed of leaves, a familiar voice starts to speak as a message appears in front of him.

Mutated Wolf Defeated

10 exp gained

Level up!