SWNOVELXO Chapter 6: Killing Wolves
Feng's heart thundered in his chest as he sprinted through the dense underbrush of the Blackwood Forest.
The Blackwood Wolves were hot on his heels, their growls and snarls reverberating through the trees.
There were five of them now—furious, relentless, their glowing eyes locked on him with a predatory hunger.
I can't keep running forever, Feng thought, his breath ragged, his legs burning with exhaustion.
The trees blurred past him, and the ground seemed to shift beneath his feet.
The wolves' steps were like a distant drumbeat, growing louder with each passing moment.
Eventually, they'll catch up.
His mind raced. I need to fight, or I'll die.
The forest around him was a maze of twisting roots, jagged rocks, and towering trees—elements that could either be his salvation or his grave.
The environment seemed to mock his desperation, but he knew this was his only chance.
He gripped the sharpened branch in his hands, his fingers tightening as he prepared himself.
Think, think. Use the forest against them, Feng urged himself.
His eyes darted between the trees, searching for a tactical advantage.
The first wolf, the smallest of the pack, appeared—a sleek, shadowy figure moving with fluid speed.
It was almost upon him, its jaws already snapping.
Feng barely ducked to the side, the wolf's teeth grazing the air where his head had been just moments before.
The beast skidded to a halt, throwing up dirt and leaves.
Feng darted between two massive trees, weaving through the trunks in a blur of movement.
The wolf followed, its paws striking the ground with thundering force.
Feng pivoted sharply and launched himself up the side of a large oak tree.
His fingers grasped for purchase on the knotted bark, and in a heartbeat, he was climbing.
The wolf lunged, its claws raking the tree's surface, but Feng was already leaping from the branches, landing behind it with the speed of a shadow.
In a fluid motion, he thrust his sharpened branch into the wolf's side, driving it deep into its ribs.
The wolf let out a strangled yelp before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
[Absorption complete. The host has acquired the Heaven's Pact of the Blackwood Wolf. 3/10.]
Feng didn't pause.
His senses surged, the newly acquired power coursing through his veins, but there was no time to savor his victory.
The pack was still hunting him.
The second wolf, larger and more aggressive, charged forward, its yellow eyes gleaming in the dim light of the forest. Its jaws were wide, fangs glistening like daggers.
The beast's speed was terrifying, and Feng barely managed to roll out of its path, narrowly avoiding the wolf's snapping jaws.
Reacting quickly, he grabbed a thick vine hanging from a nearby tree and swung himself to safety, landing behind a cluster of boulders.
The wolf snarled and stalked forward, unaware of Feng's position. Feng's breath slowed, his pulse steady as he crouched, waiting.
When the wolf passed, Feng moved swiftly, emerging from behind the boulders and slashing his weapon across the wolf's throat.
The weapon cut deep, severing the artery.
The wolf gasped, blood spraying from the wound, and it collapsed with a final, desperate whimper.
[Absorption complete. The host has acquired the Heaven's Pact of the Blackwood Wolf. 4/10.]
I need to end this quickly, Feng thought, his eyes dark with resolve.
Even with the boost from my budding Heaven's Pact, I'm only at the third level of Qi Condensation.
These wolves might only be at the first level, but if I'm not careful, they'll tear me apart.
The third wolf arrived, its dark, matted fur giving it an almost menacing presence.
This one was different—more brutal, more savage.
With a savage howl, it lunged at Feng, aiming for his throat. Feng's instincts screamed, and he dove backward, narrowly avoiding the wolf's claws.
As he rolled to his feet, he grabbed a large branch from the ground and swung it at the wolf's head with all his strength.
The impact sent the wolf staggering, momentarily disoriented.
Feng took advantage of the opening, lunging forward, using the branch to push the wolf's head down before driving his sharpened weapon into its skull.
The wolf crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud, lifeless.
[Absorption complete. The host has acquired the Heaven's Pact of the Blackwood Wolf. 5/10.]
Feng's breath came in heavy gasps, but he didn't have time to rest.
The fourth wolf, a sleek and stealthy creature with fur as dark as the shadows, circled him.
It was intelligent, cautious, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Feng could feel its predatory gaze tracking his every movement.
I can't outmuscle it, Feng realized. I have to outsmart it.
The wolf lunged, its claws gleaming in the fading light.
Feng barely managed to jump to the side, narrowly avoiding the swipe.
As the wolf passed, Feng grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it directly into its eyes.
The wolf howled in pain, momentarily blinded, and Feng wasted no time.
He rushed forward, slashing his weapon across its side.
The wolf screeched, writhing in agony before collapsing with a final, desperate convulsion.
[Absorption complete. The host has acquired the Heaven's Pact of the Blackwood Wolf. 6/10.]
Feng's body was screaming from the exertion, but his resolve remained unbroken.
He was almost there.
The alpha wolf, the largest and most powerful of the pack, loomed in the shadows, its eyes glowing with cold, primal intelligence.
This is it. The final fight, Feng thought, forcing himself to focus.
His breath was steady, but deep beneath his calm exterior, a layer of ruthless determination began to surface.
The alpha charged with terrifying speed, its massive jaws snapping just inches from Feng's face. Feng instinctively dodged, his body moving before his mind could catch up.
The force of the wolf's charge shook the ground beneath him, and Feng staggered to the side, narrowly avoiding the weight of the beast crashing into him.
No more mistakes, Feng thought. He tapped into the strength granted by his previous Pacts, his movements becoming more fluid, more instinctual.
When the alpha charged again, Feng ducked beneath its massive form, using the wolf's own momentum to slam it into a nearby tree.
The wolf howled in pain as its head struck the trunk, disoriented for just a moment.
That was all Feng needed.
He leapt onto the wolf's back, driving his weapon into the nape of its neck.
The wolf struggled, but Feng didn't relent. With one final, defiant growl, the alpha fell still.
[Absorption complete. The host has acquired the Heaven's Pact of the Blackwood Alpha Wolf. 10/10.]
Feng collapsed to the ground, his breath ragged and uneven.
His body screamed in pain, every muscle protesting, but the weight of accomplishment settled over him. He had slain the entire pack.
System, is it done? Do I have a Heaven's Pact now?
[Affirmative. The System suggests the host find a safe place to breakthrough.]
Dang, I can't rest, Feng thought, his mind racing.
If I stop now, all my hard work will be for nothing.
He scanned the forest, sensing that the wolves' movements had been more than just random.
They had been working together, following a pattern.
Feng could now pinpoint the direction they had come from, the scent of their hideout lingering in the air.
The wolf hideout.
"It'll probably be safe there, right? Not like I have a choice." Feng pushed himself to his feet, his legs trembling but his resolve firm. He knew where to go now.