The night howled with fire.
Three pairs of glowing red eyes cut through the smoke as Lucas gripped his metal pipe tighter, his breath steady but shallow.
The ground trembled — the rhythm of padded feet moving through the ruins of what used to be his home.
Flames crackled, painting the shattered street in orange and red.
"Mom… I'm sorry," he muttered. "I couldn't protect our home. But I'll survive. I promise."
The blue aura of Weapon Resonance shimmered faintly around his pipe, humming like a living thing.
[ Weapon Resonance: Active ]
[ Strength +5 | Agility +5 ]
[ Mana: 6 ]
The mutated wolf stood at the center — larger than the others, its fur glowing like burning charcoal. When it exhaled, embers spilled from its fangs. The other two wolves crouched low beside it, muscles tensing.
If I fight them all at once, I'm done for.
Lucas crouched behind a broken wall. The air smelled of ash and iron. A cracked lamppost leaned nearby — its jagged base might help if he could lure one close.
He picked up a stone and tossed it across the street.
Clack!
The two normal wolves turned instantly, sprinting toward the noise.
The mutated one, however, didn't move. Its molten eyes stared directly at Lucas's hiding spot.
Then — it inhaled.
"Shit."
Fwoosh!
A stream of fire erupted, engulfing the broken wall. Lucas dove aside, rolling across the dirt as the blast melted what remained of the bricks.
"That's insane!" he hissed, coughing through the heat.
The creature lunged, claws flashing. Lucas raised his weapon just in time — metal met muscle, sparks flying. The force sent him stumbling back.
Too strong… I can't match it in power.
The wolf roared again, flames leaking from its mouth. Lucas ducked behind a fallen beam, heart pounding. The other two wolves were running back — he had seconds before they regrouped.
He had to make this quick.
Lucas dashed forward suddenly, surprising the smaller wolf as it turned the corner. His pipe slammed into its ribs with a wet crunch.
The creature yelped, stumbling. Lucas didn't hesitate — another blow crushed its skull.
[ You have killed a Wolf (Level 4). ]
[ You have gained 30 Coins. ]
[ Objective: Eliminate invading monsters (3/5) ]
"One down," he panted.
The mutated wolf snarled — furious now. The second smaller one flanked him, growling.
They moved together. Fire roared again, forcing Lucas to drop flat as the flames tore through the air above him. The second wolf leaped, jaws open —
Lucas thrust upward on instinct.
The metal pipe pierced through the underside of its jaw.
He twisted. The wolf's body jerked once, then went limp.
[ You have killed a Wolf (Level 4). ]
[ Level up! ]
[ You have gained 3 Undistributed Stat Points. ]
[ You have gained 30 Coins. ]
[ Objective: Eliminate invading monsters (4/5) ]
Lucas's chest heaved. Sweat and blood mixed on his face.
Now it was only the big one left.
It was massive up close — nearly the size of a car. Heat shimmered from its body. Its gaze locked on him with a hunter's precision.
It began circling. Lucas matched its pace, his weapon raised.
"Let's see who's faster."
He opened his Status Window with a thought.
[ Level: 5 ]
[ Strength: 11 (+5)
Agility: 12 (+5)
Stamina: 15
Mana: 10 ]
[ Undistributed Stat Points: 3 ]
"All into Agility," he whispered.
[ Strength: 11
Agility: 15
Stamina: 15
Mana: 10 ]
He felt lighter — sharper. Every movement of the wolf became clear in his mind.
The beast's muscles tensed. Lucas barely saw it move before it was in front of him, slashing.
He ducked, rolled, swung low — his pipe struck the wolf's hind leg with a loud crack. It stumbled, snarling.
Flames burst from its mouth again — this time closer. The fire grazed his arm, burning through fabric and skin. Lucas bit back a scream.
Don't stop. Keep moving.
He darted around the creature, staying behind it as much as he could. The heat from its body made it hard to breathe.
He noticed something — every time it breathed fire, its neck flared briefly red. The skin there looked thinner.
"That's your weak spot."
Lucas grabbed a loose brick and hurled it at the wolf's face. It roared, turning its head in fury — and that was his moment.
He sprinted forward, climbed onto its back, and used every ounce of his strength to drive the glowing pipe into that fiery patch at its neck.
The pipe pierced deep.
The mutated wolf shrieked, thrashing wildly. Lucas held on, twisting the weapon deeper. Then — with a final burst of strength — he pulled it free and struck once more, directly into the skull.
The creature collapsed, flames sputtering out as its body went limp.
Silence followed — heavy and absolute.
[ You have killed a Mutated Wolf (Level 6).]
[ Level Up! ]
[ You have gained 100 Coins ]
[ Objective: Eliminate invading monsters (5/5) ]
Lucas fell to his knees, panting, blood trickling down his cheek.
He looked around. The street was nothing but ruin and smoke. His house — gone.
Among the ashes, something glinted faintly. He walked over and picked it up.
It was a burned photo frame, edges melted, but the image inside was still barely visible — a young boy smiling beside a woman with kind eyes.
"Mom…"
His hands trembled slightly. "I couldn't protect it… but I'll live. I'll make sure your son doesn't die in this hell."
He slipped the photo carefully into his pocket and stood. The glow from the burning wolf reflected in his eyes — calm, cold, determined.
The system chimed
[ Quest Completed! ]
[ Difficulty: F ]
[ Objective: Eliminate invading monsters (5/5) ]
[ Reward: 200 Coins | Random Common Skill Scroll ]
He opened his palm. A small, glowing scroll materialized in his hand, pulsing with faint light.
"A Skill Scroll…" he whispered. "This might actually change everything."
He looked up at the burning skyline — the remains of his safe zone still glowing in the distance.