The forest was silent. Too silent.
Even the rustling of leaves seemed to fade as if the trees themselves feared what was coming. Ryomen crouched low, his reptilian body pressed against the soil, his glowing golden eyes scanning the undergrowth.
He felt it first.
That weight—like a crushing aura sweeping through the forest. The air grew heavy, and the lesser monsters scattered, vanishing into their burrows and dens.
> [Warning: A Rank-C Monster approaches. Threat level: High.]
The system's calm voice whispered in Ryomen's mind. His tail stiffened, scales bristling as his instincts screamed danger.
From the shadows ahead, the sound came—deep, guttural, a growl that vibrated through the trees. Then, the figure appeared.
A massive wolf, larger than any beast Ryomen had seen, emerged into the clearing. Its fur shimmered with silver streaks, its eyes a piercing icy blue. Power radiated from its every step.
The Alpha Direwolf.
---
Ryomen's claws dug into the dirt. The wolf's presence alone sent a shiver down his spine. This was no ordinary predator. This was the ruler of a pack, a monster that had claimed dominion over this section of the forest.
The wolf sniffed the air, its gaze snapping to him instantly. Their eyes locked.
Predator versus predator.
The beast growled, lips curling back to reveal gleaming fangs. Its intent was clear. This was not prey—it was a rival. And rivals could not coexist.
---
Ryomen lowered his body, wings twitching as he prepared to lunge. His instincts urged him to run, but another voice—clearer, colder—rang in his head.
> If you run from this battle, you'll remain weak forever.
He remembered the goblins, the thrill of his first victory, the surge of growth that came after.
To evolve, he had to fight. To grow, he had to kill.
And this wolf would be his stepping stone.
---
The Direwolf moved first.
With a flash of silver fur, it dashed forward, impossibly fast for its size. Its massive paw swung down like a hammer.
Ryomen rolled aside, dirt exploding where he had been standing. His heart pounded.
"Fast!" he hissed under his breath.
The wolf turned, its icy eyes narrowing. Then, it opened its mouth—
A burst of compressed wind shot out, tearing through the clearing like an invisible blade.
> [Warning: Skill Detected – Wind Fang.]
Ryomen's eyes widened. The attack grazed his wing, tearing scales and flesh. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth.
So, this was a Rank-C monster. Stronger, faster, and armed with skills.
But Ryomen was not the same helpless hatchling anymore.
---
With a roar, Ryomen spread his wings and leapt into the air. The wolf's eyes followed him, but Ryomen twisted midair, claws glowing faintly.
"Claw Strike!"
His talons slashed down, carving across the wolf's shoulder. Blood spurted, staining silver fur crimson.
The Direwolf howled, enraged. Its counterattack was immediate. It lunged upward, jaws snapping shut inches from Ryomen's tail. The dragon spun away, landing heavily on the ground.
They circled each other now. Blood dripped from the wolf's wound, while Ryomen's wing throbbed from his earlier injury.
Two predators. Neither willing to back down.
---
The wolf struck again, lunging low. Ryomen responded in kind, diving forward with jaws wide. Their bodies collided with a thunderous crack.
Fangs met scales. Claws raked against fur.
The wolf's teeth sank into Ryomen's side, hot pain coursing through him. But Ryomen did not retreat. His jaws clamped around the wolf's foreleg, crushing down with raw draconic strength.
The wolf howled, shaking violently, but Ryomen refused to let go.
Crunch.
The bone snapped.
The Direwolf stumbled, its front leg broken, but its eyes still burned with fury. It opened its jaws again, unleashing another Wind Fang.
This time, Ryomen was ready.
---
> [Skill Activated: Scale Guard.]
His scales glowed faintly, reinforcing themselves just as the wind blade slammed into him. Pain shot through his body, but the attack failed to cut as deeply as before.
He roared, wings spreading wide, and with one powerful leap, he tackled the wolf to the ground.
"Die!"
His claws slashed again and again, carving into the wolf's chest and throat. Blood splattered across the soil, soaking into his scales.
The Direwolf thrashed wildly, its strength terrifying even in its dying moments. But Ryomen's fangs sank deep into its neck, tearing through flesh until the beast's struggles slowed… and finally ceased.
The forest was silent once more.
---
> [Congratulations. You have slain a Rank-C Monster: Alpha Direwolf.]
[Absorbing essence…]
[You have gained +320 EXP.]
[Skill Obtained: Wind Fang.]
[Skill Obtained: Keen Senses.]
Ryomen's body trembled. Not from fear, but exhilaration. His wounds ached, his side burned, but the rush of victory coursed through him like fire.
"I… did it," he whispered, golden eyes glowing brighter.
The wolf's massive body dissolved into shimmering particles of light, absorbed into him. His scales gleamed, his claws sharper than before.
And then, the system's voice returned.
---
> [Threshold Reached. Evolution Available.]
[Would you like to evolve?]
Ryomen froze. Evolution? Already?
His heart pounded. Every cell in his body screamed for it. To shed weakness, to ascend further.
"Do it," he growled.
---
A blinding light engulfed him. His body burned, stretched, reshaped. Bones cracked, muscles tore and rebuilt themselves stronger, faster, sharper.
His wings lengthened, his tail thickened, his scales hardened until they gleamed like polished obsidian.
The pain was unbearable—yet thrilling. Every moment, he could feel himself changing.
Finally, the light faded. Ryomen stumbled forward, his claws digging into the dirt.
He caught his reflection in the pool nearby.
His once small, wyrmling form had grown. His body was sleeker, stronger, his horns sharper, his wings broader. His golden eyes burned with raw power.
> [Congratulations. You have evolved into a Lesser Drake.]
[Rank: D+]
[New Passive: Predator's Presence – Lesser creatures will feel fear in your presence.]
Ryomen exhaled slowly, watching the ripples spread across the pool.
"From wyrmling… to drake," he muttered. "Step by step… I'll rise."
---
But before he could bask in his new strength, the forest stirred again.
Rustling echoed all around him. Dozens of glowing eyes appeared from the underbrush. Wolves. Dozens of them.
The slain Direwolf had been their alpha.
And now, they had come for vengeance.
Ryomen raised his head, blood still dripping from his claws. A slow, dangerous grin curled across his draconic maw.
"Perfect," he whispered. His wings spread wide, the air vibrating from the sheer pressure of his aura.
"If you want to die… then come."
The pack howled as one, charging forward.
And Ryomen roared back, the sound shaking the entire forest.
The true battle had only just begun.