In the wolf's body under its domination, getting used to its new sensations and new body, it delves deeper into the forest, without any direction, just advancing, not from hunger, just venturing further into the cold forest.
-(This body is very strange to use, it's effective, but it's not enough. Is there any creature that resembles a humanoid? It's a fantasy world, there should be; as far as I know, in forests there are many of these fantastic creatures. It would be effective to have something similar to a human.)-
The deeper it ventures into the forest, the more it finds traces: recent footprints, claw marks carved into trunks, the smell of wet fur. They were signs of other wolves. The smell was familiar; they were small fragments of memorial scent that the infected wolf knew, but that posed a new dilemma.
-(If I come across another of its species, what will happen to me? Will the wolves accept me? Or is it likely they'll attack me? I have no idea how wolves behave; it's likely the latter will happen, but if it does, it'll be good material to acquire more mutations)-
With a smile etched on its face, it's clear it doesn't fear confrontation with the host's species. With enthusiasm for learning about the life of a predator, it follows the obvious clues they left. Looking at the tracks, there seemed to be 4 wolves following an alpha, and further ahead the environment presented an opportunity to observe without having to expose itself. It hides among the tall undergrowth; from the shadows, it contemplates the pack that the infected wolf belonged to. They were resting by a river, but the wolf that stood out most was the alpha, with fur darker than the other wolves, a more penetrating gaze, and a height that surpassed that of the other wolves. It was very clear that it was an imposing figure for its pack.
The alpha had already noticed the wolf's presence from afar. Its movements were the same, its fur retained its shine, but the alpha noticed something about the wolf that already betrayed small differences: it didn't stop to smell the air, it didn't look at the horizon, it didn't respond to the silent language of the pack, and its empty eyes, black without any hint of soul. There was no fear or aggression, only an obedience that didn't respond to the pack.
At first, the alpha didn't attack. It only approached slowly, showing its authority with posture more than force, displaying imposingness. The infected wolf stopped and looked at it. It didn't challenge it. Nor did it submit. It was simply observing it, analyzing the alpha, not as a simple hostile enemy, but as a possible tool.
It was then that the alpha let out a growl, not as a threat, but as a warning. Still expecting recognition, but the infected one only remained unmoved to respond with one. Empty gaze, not of fear, but of absence. And for the alpha, that was the last straw.
-Graaawr!-
[Danger Detection][Cowardice]
Its body moved instinctively, moving away from the alpha's imminent bite; the contained violence of the pack's chief wouldn't tolerate a stain in its group; it had to remain clean.
-(What the hell! I thought I had done well by staying still. I knew it wasn't going to work, but I was just nervous. It's a shame, I won't be able to coexist with wolves.)-
Applying [Ferocity][Agility][Endurance]
Frustrated, the alpha lunged at the infected wolf and tried to bite it.
From the infected wolf's point of view, it noticed a movement that left an opening for an attack. It slid down and was going to bite the neck. The alpha noticed first, and taking a step back, dodging the bite in the middle of combat, the alpha noticed something that stopped it for a couple of seconds.
It began to observe the infected wolf. It didn't fight as it remembered. Every movement seemed very calculated from its point of view, as if its body were controlled by something that had observed countless fights but had never felt the chaos that inhabited them. It was too perfect. Too cold.
At that instant, the alpha realized it wasn't fighting against a pack brother. It was facing something that had used the body as a mask. And what disturbed it most: the mask was more intelligent; it analyzed, observed, and remembered.
From another perspective, the virus's mind was full of worry and nervousness.
-(Jiiiiiih! T-that was close! I didn't manage to land a hit on that big guy, but... how scared I am of him! He's looking at me ugly! Aaaah! I only moved because it seemed like a good opportunity. In my other life, I once saw a boxing program; I thought that chest-grab movement would work for me, and besides, the bite was a reflex of the wolf's body. I don't want to fight, but I have no choice. If I don't, I won't be able to check if I can get abilities without being inside them... I think that sounded wrong. Never mind, I have to focus.)-
The alpha charged with ferocity. Our wolf only reacted to dodge without yielding to danger. Each dodge, each blow from the alpha, spent more energy in combat; it was increasingly absorbed by fatigue. With a growl, it signaled to join its pack to have an advantage in combat.
The wolves hesitated to fight with their littermate, but the violence of the confrontation broke any instinctive barrier. They surrounded the combat. Worried, the infected wolf realized it was at a great disadvantage, 4 against 1.
-(Gyaaaaaah! Why did this have to happen to me! I'm just a poor virus who hasn't done anything! They're threatening me with death! I don't plan to be any killer! Although I do plan to be one. No, concentrate on this damn fight, but how! I'm fighting with experienced wolves; that bite before was just a coincidence, not mine! But the wolf's! But I think the body still retains muscle memory; I have to make the same movement with another wolf. The alpha is very perceptive. Besides, why are they keeping a distance of more than 2 meters! It's difficult for me to infect them; I have no choice but to attack them)-
While it was lost in its thoughts, the alpha let out a bark to signal the others to attack the infected wolf. The 3 wolves ran in its direction, threatening to attack.
-(Aaaaah! I have no advantage! They're attacking me from 3 directions! What can I do! At this rate, they're going to devour me! I don't want to experience death again!)-
In an instant, it realized that one of the wolves was faster and wanted to charge at it to swipe at our wolf. An opportunity presented itself, and it didn't hesitate to take advantage.
Temporarily strengthening.
[Agility][Ferocity]
In a moment, it went underneath the wolf's gaze, and with a brutal bite, it tore a piece from the throat of the attacking wolf's neck, causing it to instantly collapse due to the sudden wound. The other wolves saw the scene horrified and stopped their attack. The alpha looked at its brother suffering in silence from lack of oxygen and constant bleeding from the wound. And there was the infected wolf with the piece of the wolf's throat still in its snout.
-(Did I do it? Did I just defeat it? I can't believe it! I want to jump with excitement! But I'm in no condition to do it! Hehehe. By the way, I should eat this piece of meat; I just killed it, so it would be rude not to. Well, here I go. Genetic material, may it be delicious!)-
In one bite, it chewed its food in such a way that the other wolves could hear the crunching sounds of tearing flesh, and after swallowing it, it looked at the alpha and smiled at it. The alpha, furious at this mockery, howled for the remaining wolves to attack. Despite the fear they had of the infected wolf, they had no alternative but to obey their leader. A buzz and an announcement were heard.
*New absorbed abilities acquired:*
*[Charge I][Night Vision I][Dexterity I][Vigor I]*
-(Oh! It also works on consumed animals! This [Devour] ability is the best; I'm going to respect you, broken system)-
The others approached slowly with caution, circling around it, waiting for the key moment to attack, and in an instant, both wolves charged simultaneously. In turn, the infected wolf crouched down, and they crashed into each other's snouts.
-(How foolish. If I kill them, I don't think I'll get abilities if I eat them. The best wolf is the one most likely to have abilities)-
It ran forward in the direction of the alpha wolf who was staying on the sidelines of the fight. It approached to bite it, but the alpha had already noticed its plan, and from one moment to the next, a swipe from the alpha opened a deep wound on the side of its ribs.
-(Aaaah! Damn it! This shit hurts!)-
But our wolf reacted to the attack with a precise swipe to the face between the left eye, and the alpha quickly pulled away, warned that it wasn't fighting with an animal.
-(Gyyyyhhhh! This wound hurts, but I gave it a good swipe; I just have to taste this fresh blood!)-
Tasting its paw to try to analyze the blood, a buzz, followed by the announcement.
*Lack of genetic code.*
*Fragmenting genetic code.*
*Reinstalling new genetic code.*
*Readable genetic code detected.*
*New fragmented ability acquired 1/4:*
*[Leadership I]*
-(Eh? What? Only one ability? I lacked genetic code? What the fuck is this cheap excuse? The blood doesn't have enough genetic code; this is a joke, whoever designed this system.)-
Frustrated due to the system's announcement, it sighed and decided to withdraw from combat since it understood it couldn't prolong this combat due to its body, and also because its objective wasn't to eradicate the pack, not yet. Since it had to focus on collecting information, experimenting with the system, mutating its genes.
The other wolves, disconcerted by the infected wolf's attitude, retreated due to the unnatural gaze it emanated. The alpha, looking at it with disdain, decided to let it go for the moment.
-(Hm? They're letting me go, even though they have the advantage; I'll take this opportunity and escape)-
It ventured into the forest, disappearing among the dark undergrowth. A sunset that marked the end of the day advanced on the horizon, not without leaving the pack a memory: a chilling smile before continuing to advance and continue on its path to heal its wounds.