I stood still, my eyes fixed on the Crimson Vial Plant.
The faint red glow reflecting off my face almost felt peaceful — until a low, rumbling growl shattered that calm.
Grrr...
Every instinct in my body screamed danger, whatever thing behind me is reeks of death. I turned slowly, muscles tense, katana half-raised.
Any then my entire mood turned ugly.
Because standing just a few meters away… was death itself — a Feral-rank wolf.
Its matted black fur bristled, yellow eyes locked onto me like a starving predator sizing up a meal. Saliva dripped from its jaws, sizzling as it hit the ground.
I froze.
This is the most worse thing which can happen.
Wolf's roams in packs, and if this wolf is out here then there is a high possibility than more wolf's are around me.
Running was suicide- it will definitely lunge on me if i turned my back in it. Fighting might be worse.
Carefully, I began to take slow steps backward, every muscle trembling. If I could just back away far enough, maybe it would lose interest.
Just… keep calm. Don't provoke it.
At the same time, I edged slightly sideways, moving out of the way of Crimson Vial Plant. If this turned into a fight, I couldn't afford to destroy something that rare.
The wolf's eyes narrowed.
A low snarl rolled from its throat—
—and then it lunged.
I reacted purely on instinct, raising my sword and leaning back just in time. Its jaws snapped shut where my neck had been half a second ago.
"Shit!"
The speed with which the wolf was almost frightening. With zero fighting experience fighting against a wild beast is similar to courting death.
Before I could even steady my footing, it lunged again— faster this time, it's body more grounded.
The large paws of the wolf aimed directly towards my heart- aiming for my vital organ.
Steel screeched against claws. I tried to parry—
But pain exploded across my stomach.
"Arghh!"
The beast's claws tore through my tunic, leaving a burning gash that oozed blood. I staggered back, clutching my side, breath suddenly turned ragged.
The wolf prowled closer, lips curled into a snarl.
If it continued like this- I am going to die.
From just two exchanges a big gash is on my stomach- and if this continued...
No time to hesitate. I swung my sword in desperation—
Slish!
A thin red line appeared across its flank. Blood sprayed.
The wolf howled, staggering slightly.
"Good," I hissed. "Bleed for me."
If I'd been in my right mind, I would've cringed at myself — but this was no ordinary situation.
In that moment i activated my one and only skill which could save me from my upcoming death, and the system chimed.
[Skill Activated: Grace of Blood]
[Estimated Kill Time: 30 minutes]
"What? Thirty minutes?!"
But as if the world were against me, cold water splashed over my hopes.
I nearly lost it. Are you kidding me?! Thirty minutes?!
All the hope I'd pinned on the system vanished like smoke.
I can't hold on for thirty minutes for the skill to show affect- there is only one option left for me... fight to death!
That meant one thing—this fight was mine alone. No help. No miracles. No easy way out.
My life is in my own hands.
Gripping my sword tighter, I pushed down the fear clawing at my chest. No more running.
I lunged forward.
Steel met fur. The wolf snapped back, but I was faster this time. My blade cut through its hind leg—
Slish!
It howled, stumbling, one leg buckling. Blood splattered the leaves.
"Got you…"
Both of us were bleeding, breathing hard, eyes locked. This was it — our final move.
But the wolf also seems to have suddenly lost a major chunk of its strenght- and that was when I understood... Grace of Blood.
The wolf snarled, crouched low, muscles coiling like a spring.
I mirrored it, tightening my stance, my dominant leg backward, both hands gripping the hilt.
Then we both moved.
The wolf leapt. I swung.
Steel flashed. Claws slashed.
But I was too slow. My swing missed wide—
And pain ripped through my chest as claws tore deep into my flesh.
"GAHHHHH!"
My vision blurred, my body screamed. The wolf's claws dug deeper, hot blood running down my ribs.
Its snarling face was inches from mine, its breath rancid. It pushed harder, trying to tear through me completely—
"NOT… TODAY!!!"
With every ounce of strength left, I swung my katana in a desperate, wild arc.
Slish—CRACK!
The blade carved through flesh, bone, and sinew—
And the wolf's head flew clean off, thudding onto the forest floor.
Its body twitched once… and collapsed.
I stood there, panting, staring blankly at the corpse. The world tilted. My sword slipped from my grasp.
And then I dropped, sprawling across the forest floor like a dead log.
For a few seconds, I couldn't even breathe.
"…Hah… hah…"
I stared at the sky through the canopy, my blood-soaked chest rising and falling weakly.
[You have killed a Feral Wolf. +50 exp gained.]
The wolf was dead.
I survived.
If I had loosened my grip when the wolf's claws sank into me, I never would've cut through its neck. It was sheer adrenaline coursing through me that saved my life.
"That… was too damn close."
If not for my sword… if not for that little boost from leveling up earlier… I'd be the one lying headless right now.
I let out a shaky laugh, wiping the blood from my lips.
"Awesome sword… you saved my ass."
Slowly, painfully, I sat up.
Time to check the damage.
"Status."
That little strength boost from leveling up helped me a lot in this fight — otherwise, I'd be lying here dead.
[STATUS SCREEN]
Name: Arya
Age: 16
Race: Human
Level: 1→2
Experience: 81 / 200
Title: Grace of Blood
Strength: 11→14
Agility: 9
Endurance: 10→11
Intelligence: 13
Charisma: 7
Quests Available:
Active: Quest of Survival
The numbers glowed before my eyes — and despite the pain, I couldn't help but grin.
I was still alive. Stronger than before.
Barely… but still alive.
[Quest Update: "Quest of Survival" now contains additional details. Host is advised to review immediately.]
~~End of the chapter~~
Note: Hey readers! I've applied for a contract 🎉 so updates will pause briefly while it's under review. Once approved, I'll be back with consistent chapters again — thanks for staying with me!
And don't worry, I have stockpiled a lot of chapters so you will get mass release.