The frozen winds of Frosthorn bit sharper than usual, carrying with them the distant howls of a creature whose name echoed through every snow-covered valley: Fenir, the Alpha of the Frost Wolves. Ashura's black halo glimmered faintly as he stepped onto a ridge overlooking a frozen glade. The snow was trampled in concentric patterns, and the ground trembled slightly beneath a far-off, rhythmic pounding.
"Interesting," Ashura muttered, his voice low but cutting through the wind. "So this is the one controlling the packs."
In the distance, a massive wolf emerged, easily the size of a dire beast, its fur an iridescent blend of icy blue and silver, eyes like molten sapphire. Around it, dozens—no, hundreds—of lesser wolves gathered, each snarling and baring their teeth as if feeling the pull of an invisible leash.
Ashura adjusted his stance, black and amethyst lightning subtly tracing the contours of his body.
"You want to test me? Fine. But don't expect mercy."
Without warning, Fenir let out a howl that split the air like a crack of thunder. The smaller wolves responded instantly, rushing forward in perfect synchrony, their combined numbers forming a wave that rolled toward Ashura like a living avalanche. Each wolf radiated primal energy, enhanced by their leader's presence.
Ashura narrowed his eyes and felt the familiar surge of Transcendent Wrath, black lightning weaving along his arms and halo.
"Here we go… one by one isn't enough anymore. You'll need to earn your end."
He leapt forward, leaving faint purple-black streaks across the snow as he dashed through the approaching pack. Each movement precise, each strike a fusion of martial technique and lightning-infused power. Wolves that lunged toward him were incinerated by arcs of Amethyst Lightning, shredded mid-leap, their howls ending in a crackle of energy.
The system flickered beside him:
[SYSTEM] EXP: +12,000
[SYSTEM] LEVEL: 118 → 119
[SYSTEM] Reward: 1x Frost Essence Fragment
Fenir, undeterred, circled Ashura, its massive frame moving with unnatural speed for a creature of its size. Snow swirled around the creature as it bared its teeth and lunged.
"Not bad… but numbers mean nothing without coordination."
A second wave of wolves surged forward, this time coordinated in triangular formations, circling and attempting to flank Ashura. He spun, his sword drawing purple arcs of lightning, slashing through the first row while Transcendent Wrath allowed him to anticipate the paths of the others, dodging lethal bites with preternatural reflexes.
"Focus… precision… don't get caught up in the numbers."
Fenir howled again, the sound now carrying a subtle resonance that distorted the snow itself. The ground under Ashura's feet cracked and splintered, shards of ice flying into the air as the black lightning of Transcendent Wrath absorbed some of the kinetic energy, redirecting it into a sweeping shockwave that disoriented dozens of attacking wolves.
Ashura paused for a heartbeat, observing Fenir. Unlike the others, the Alpha didn't rush blindly. It moved with intelligence, using its aura to boost the packs, creating coordinated attacks, trying to bait Ashura into mistakes.
"He's strong… not just physically, but in command. Huh. I like that."
With a sudden roar, Fenir lunged directly at him, the ice beneath them cracking under the sheer force. Ashura met the strike head-on, Transcendent Wrath surging, and black lightning dancing along his arms, his sword a blur. Sparks and shards of ice exploded outward as the two collided. Fenir's teeth snapped inches from Ashura's face, but the lightning coursing through his body let him push back with enhanced strength and precision, staggering the massive wolf slightly.
"Not bad… but you'll need more than brute strength to break me."
The other wolves hesitated for a split second, sensing the dominance of Ashura's aura. His body, honed from years of catastrophic and beyond-catastrophic dungeons, coupled with his mastery over Amethyst and Black Lightning, radiated authority.
Ashura knew Fenir wasn't just any named monster—this was a calamity-level threat, capable of matching the power of smaller catastrophic beasts. The system quietly tracked the encounter:
[SYSTEM] Current Quest: Defeat Fenir, Alpha of Frost Wolves]
[Threat Level: Calamity+]
[System Support: 20%]
"I guess this is my kind of warm-up…"
He ducked under another swipe, black lightning flashing across the snow as he countered with a horizontal strike, cutting down a group of wolves. Fenir backed slightly, analyzing him, before launching a massive leap into the air, claws extended, aiming to crush Ashura with one decisive blow.
Ashura grinned, raising his sword with one hand while the other ignited Transcendent Wrath lightning. The strike connected mid-air with a thunderous collision, sending a shockwave that flattened snow and ice, scattering wolves in every direction.
"This… this is what I train for."
Fenir landed gracefully, eyes glinting with intelligence, acknowledging Ashura's strength. The packs regrouped, forming a wall behind the Alpha, but Ashura's stance was unwavering.
"I don't care how many you control… the storm doesn't bow, it devours. Watch closely."
The next moments would be brutal, as Ashura prepared to push his body to the edge, wielding Transcendent Wrath at maximum efficiency, blending martial precision with raw divine energy, ready to take down Fenir and assert dominance over the Frost Wolves.
The wind howled. Ice shattered. Lightning danced. And Ashura Bellet, the Godslayer, smirked.
"Come on… show me what you're truly worth."