The red wolves I killed previously were weak, they're <F-> rank beasts, I'm a rank higher, they also don't have skills, while I have. Let's just say red wolves are wolves but stronger, and red.
So I'm not strong, they're just weak.
Anyway, I've been travelling for 2 days, the wound on my leg already healed thanks to the mana here in the mountain that helped me recover faster.
I encounter red wolves from time to time and If possible I run away, why?
Because what does unnecessary fight do?
Body fatigues and injuries.
I have a different objective, fighting every enemy I encounter on the way is just plain stupid when you're in a long journey, also bullets are expensive so I need to use it carefully.
Well if I can't run, then I'll fight them.
I do sneak attacks to prevent injuries and save bullets, I used the informations I gathered from my previous fights, so dealing with red wolves got easier and easier.
"Hey system, how long till I get there?"
I asked the system as I got bored walking for days.
[If you continue your pace, you will arrive there tomorrow afternoon.]
I don't exactly know where I need to go, I just know it's in the top right of this mountain.
"Then that will be a total of 4 days, I need to get back in 3 days to attend the academy."
I tried thinking on how to go back faster.
"Maybe once I finished my objective, I'll just roll my way down. I'm up the mountain anyway, gravity will do the deed for me."
I jokingly said.
[Based on the terrain and trees in the mountain, your plan may lead to you having broken legs and arms, broken neck, internal injuries, broken spine or even coma, anyway you won't die because you're sturdy enough, so have your way.]
"..."
I don't know if the system is worried for me or just being a jerk, well I think it's the latter.
***
I arrived at my destination a day after that, fighting red wolves made the system's prediction off because it's already dark.
I'm now in front of a wall-like stone structure, it looks like a natural nature formed rock wall, but it's not. I started searching through the wall to find a switch that will open an entrance.
"Why can't I have my lucky encounter too? My luck is high you know."
I grumbled while searching.
I searched for half an hour and then...
Click-
With the sound of something being clicked, the wall trembled. And soon a passage appeared.
"Good, let's go."
And without hesitation, I entered it.
***
Not long after entering, I arrived in a room. In the room there's a desk and a chair, and a lot of books scattered everywhere.
"So messy."
Sitting on the chair is a skeleton with a ring in its index finger.
I then searched the scattered books until I found the books that I want.
<Support Magics> and <Buffs and Debuffs>
I put the two books in my bag and headed where the skeleton is.
I stood beside it.
It's a skeleton of a dead mage that has been researching like crazy about mana and magic, having lost the sense of time and not feeling hunger because of being too committed in its research, the mage died without him/her realizing it. I don't know its gender bacause I didn't put any in the novel.
"System"
I called the system. It didn't take long for it to answer.
[Yeah?]
"Can you appraise things?"
[That's easy for me.]
It boastfully answered, well I'm used to it so I ignored it.
"Appraise the ring in the skeleton's finger."
[Sure]
Then the ring's description was displayed in front of me.
=====
[Ring of Gluttony]
-Have a unique skill <Devour>.
<Devour>
-Absorb mana from anything.
-50% of the mana absorbed will be transferred to the ring wearer.
-When the absorbed mana surpasses your capacity, pain will be felt all over your body.
-The skill have 60 seconds cooldown.
=====
This ring is an artifact from the leader of a demonic cult that serves the Demon of Glutton.
This skeleton here killed that leader and took this ring as a reward for granted.
And this ring was acquired by just a mid-villain that exists to annoy the protagonist.
"This is the best item for me considering my low mana, the future owner is just a mid-tier villain anyway, I need it for my survival."
In the story, 10 years from now, demons and monsters will be stronger, and their population will increase too.
So I need to be strong enough for that time.
I looked at the skeleton.
"Can you appraise the skeleton?"
I asked the system.
[I can't appraise it, maybe because it have no data in your novel. The Higher Being didn't put any information about it too.]
"I see."
I feel a bit guilty to be honest, I'm just a human after all, I'm kinda responsible for it. Those characters in the novel that acts emotionless for survival is pretty much impossible for me.
I'm just a bored author not an emotionless jerk.
Looking at the skeleton again, I opened my mouth.
"I don't know what and who you are, but I'm gonna take some of your things and put them to better use."
Then I took the ring from the skeleton.
Right after I wore the ring, the room began to shake violently.
"What the hell?!"
I got no recollection of this happening in my novel.
"Hey system, what's happening?!"
I asked the system. I feel that it knows something.
And I was right.
[The Higher Being said that some changes in the story will happen right? This is one of it, they said that the item is too good and easy to acquire, thus they decided to add a monster to guard it.]
I frowned.
"Guard?"
[Yes, some of the Transcend Beings showed interests on you, so the Higher Being who created this universe gave you a challenge to boost their interest.]
Because of how complicated it is, my trait <Understanding> activated on its own.
"So basically that Higher shit wants to attract more audiences, so he decided to make me suffer?"
[Right : )]
"Then fuck the two of you!"
I felt anger rise from my body because of the development. I started running toward the exit of the room.
[Why me too? it's not my fault.]
"You didn't told me earlier you shit!"
I cursed at the system while speeding up.
[You can't escape from the guard, it's faster than you.]
"I know! But it's better to fight in a wide area than this cramped room!"
Upon the activation of <Understanding>, I also understood the situation I'm in.
Not long I was out the room.
Bam!
Then something burst out from the entrance as soon as I exited.
And that something landed on its four paws softly.
What came out of the entrance looks like a red wolf, just way bigger and scarier than any red wolf I encountered, it also feels more dangerous than the other red wolves.
It's about 2 meters tall.
And I was couple steps away from its side.
"System! Appraise it!"
I exclaimed while distancing myself from it. It's still dark but wolves have good senses so hiding is pretty much useless.
=====
[King Wolf]
Rank:E-
Strength:E-
Agility:F+
Stamina:E-
Intelligence:F-
[Skills]
<Fireball>
<Leader's Roar>
=====
I don't even have to read what's the effects and functions of its skill, the name gave them all. And what's with the naming sense again?
"Fuck that's 2 times higher than my rank! It even has skills!"
I complained after reading the stat of the beast. I'm on the verge of ranking up but even If I did rank up it's still a rank higher than me.
"System! Focus my trait <Understanding> to that beast's anatomy, can you do that?."
[Yes I can.]
"Great, then do it fast!"
After that information about the King Wolf's body entered my brain. Quarter of my mana got drained.
I hid behind a tree about 20 meters away from it.
Using the information I got about its anatomy, I can guess its obvious weak spots.
'<Calm Thinker>'
As I chanted those words in my mind.
My mind calmed down and my thoughts flowed smoother, I'm still scared but I'm thinking calmly.
"Fuuu..."
I let out a sigh, and aimed my gun to its head.
'There's no way out, so I should at least take the first hit to increase my chance of winning.'
I estimated that's the case. So I pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
I shot 5 times consecutively, 3 hits the side of its head, 1 hit the right side of its body, and the other 1 missed.
'Now there's no backing out.'
I still have 6 magazines left including the one loaded in my handgun now, each magazine have 10 bullets, so I still have 55 bullets.
The side of the beast's head bled but it's not serious.
The bullets didn't even penetrated its skin properly.
'Shit!'
I cursed in my mind as the King Wolf faced my direction.
It then grinned and ran toward me.
I held my handgun up with both of my hands, aimed at the King Wolf. Then shot again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
But the King Wolf dodged all the 3 bullets.
"Fuck."
The King wolf was now in front of me. I rolled sideways to dodge the King wolf's tackle.
Bam!
Crash—
With a loud crashing sound, the tree I'm hiding on earlier got smashed by being tackled by King Wolf's forehead.
looking at the King wolf. I glared at it.
'<Monarch's Presence>'
It will make my presence stronger but my location is already discovered so it's no big deal.
As I activated <Monarch's Presence>, the King Wolf got surprised by the sudden pressure coming from me and it suddenly stopped moving for a second.
Not wasting that moment, I shot the rest of the bullets in my magazine, while dashing backwards away from the King Wolf.
Bang! Bang!
1 bullet hit the left eye, the other 1 hit the right ear.
Its eyes and ears were the weakest part of its body, so it took some plenty amount of damage. Damaging its vision and hearing will make things easier for me.
Though after being hurt by my bullets, the King Wolf got angry at me, it just got surprised by the sudden increase of pressure coming from me, but it basically had no effect on it.
The King Wolf opened its mouth wide and a fireball in size of basketball flew toward me.
'<Insight>'
I predicted the fireball's trajectory.
Raising my right hand with the [Ring of Gluttony] in it, I aimed where the fireball is suppose to go.
'<Devour>'
Activating the ring's skill.
A vortex-like shadow came out from the ring and swallowed the fireball whole. Then my mana got replenished.
The King Wolf was surprised, and so am I, but because of <Calm Thinker>, I'm not like the King Wolf who just stood still.
I loaded a new magazine in my gun, aimed at the King Wolf, then I pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
I shot 5 bullets again. 4 hit the beast's head, 1 missed.
The bleeding on its head got worse but it's still not serious.
The King Wolf is dumb but it's sturdy as hell.
The King Wolf then leaped towards me again in anger, attempting to tackle me again.
"Seriously?!"
I pretty much tried all my tricks. I racked my brain for a plan, and luckily, I thought of a long-term plan that lets me survive as long as my stamina and mana prevails.
I climbed on a nearby tree then coated my feet and legs with mana.
With <Insight> and <Calm Thinker> activated, I jumped from a different tree as the King Wolf destroyed the tree I climbed on.
Crash–
"Fuck..."
I almost slipped and fall from jumping, the King Wolf then charge again at the tree I'm on.
Bam!
Crash–
Just before the King Wolf came in contact with the tree, I already jumped from another different tree.
I didn't slip this time and landed property on a thick branch, so I aimed my gun to the King Wolf.
Bang! Bang!
And shot 2 bullets which hit its head again.
The King Wolf then glared at me, it look pissed as hell.
-GROAAAAAAAHHH!!!
The King Wolf growled loudly as it charge at the tree I'm on again. So I jumped to a different tree.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
And shot toward the King Wolf again.
Facing that beast head on is stupid so I decided to hit and run.
Every tree I landed on got smashed afterwards by the King wolf, its fireball is not that fast and I have <Insight> so avoiding it was easy.
I absorb its fireball from time to time to replenish mana using the [Ring of Gluttony]'s <Devour>.
***
It went like that for about 20 minutes.
"Haa... Haa..."
Rough breaths came out of my mouth.
I have my last magazine on with 3 bullets remaining in them, my mana is almost empty, my stamina is not that high to begin with so I'm pretty much at my limit.
It seems like the King wolf is so mad at me that it wants to kill me personally, it intimidated every red wolf trying to interfere with us.
Which is good for me. The less enemy, the higher chance of my survival!
"Normally when someone with a higher status got annoyed, they will make their subordinates handle it, you're a good leader, we can be friends if you just calm down."
I said while looking at the King Wolf below and catching my breath.
The King Wolf is covered with small wounds and I can tell it's starting to feel exhaustion.
Looks like the beast didn't understand me or it just doesn't want to listen to me as it rushed at the tree I'm on again.
"Or maybe you're just dumb enough to not think of that!"
As I was about to leap to another tree.
-GROOOOOOOWL!!!!
The King wolf let out a roar. My body stiffened for a second and all my movements stopped, and at that second, the tree I'm on was already falling.
'I think this is the effect of its skill, the <Leader's Roar>!'
"Fucking hell!"
I can't jump to another tree as I lost my footing.
Thud!
Crash-
With a loud sound, I fell to the ground with the tree, maybe because of its pent up anger or experience from fighting me, the King Wolf immediately jumped at me and bit my side.
"Arrrrghhgh!"
I groaned. With <Calm Thinker> I didn't panic but it still hurts like hell as the corner of my eyes started to water.
It didn't take long before tears fell from it, I was just a normal author before, I'm not used to pain!
"You fucking wolf!"
I yelled as I grabbed its head with my right hand.
'<Devour>!'
This time the shadow didn't form a vortex. It just covered the King Wolf's head and started absorbing mana from its body.
I took out my extra dagger from my pocket with my left hand and stabbed the wolf's neck, this way it can't escape from me either, unfortunately, I can't cover the dagger with mana to do more damage because I still haven't learn how, worst case scenario is my dagger to broke in attempting to do it without practice, coating body parts with mana is my limit.
I covered my left hand with mana to hold the dagger tightly.
"Argh! Let go!"
The King Wolf is still biting me, no it's munching so it started to hurt more.
So my tears started to fall more, I also don't want to cry but it hurts like hell and there's no one around so I just let the tears fall.
I stopped the <Devour> skill after refilling my mana capacity.
I coated the side of my body, where I'm being bitten, with mana to minimize the damage I'm receiving. I aimed my gun in King Wolf's left eye and shot my remaining bullets.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Now the damages are serious, its left eye was destroyed revealing some of the King Wolf's skull. But the King Wolf isn't even loosening its fangs.
I dropped my gun, I coated my right hand with mana and formed a fist.
"Aghh!"
I shouted to ignore the pain I'm in.
Bam!
Then I punched the side of the King Wolf's head, having lost a lot of its mana, it took damage. Also it can't use skills anymore.
I raised my fist again.
Bam!
And punched it again
Bam!
And again.
Bam!
And again.
I punched it in the same place with my right hand, continuously.
This wolf tackled a lot of tree on the way, so its body is weakened.
Now I just need to endure till the end.
***
After punching the King Wolf continuously with mana coated fist, and holding it in its position with the dagger for a minute, I stopped.
"Fuck, I'm gonna die."
I mumbled, looking at the sky.
The King Wolf's fangs that are tightly bitten on my side, loosened.
Completely breaking free from its fangs, my body fell to the ground.
Thud-
The King Wolf fell on the ground too, near me.
It's dead.
Bam!
I punched it again with mana coated fist to make sure it's dead, or maybe just out of annoyance.
"You leech-like bastart."
I won against a beast 2 ranks higher than me.
But I can't celebrate because I'm also about to die.
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