Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Fighting Wolves

They traveled deeper for another twenty minutes. Then Thiago's enhanced senses prickled. A group. A large group of presences ahead, clustered together.

Finally. A real challenge. And a big meal.

He gestured with a paw for the tiger to stay hidden in a thick bush. The tiger seemed to understand, crouching low, its eyes wide and watchful.

Thiago peered through the foliage.

A wolf pack. Seven of them, lounging near a small stream. The memory of the bleeding tiger flashed in his mind. Revenge is a dish best served with a side of essence.

He scanned them systematically.

Alpha Wolf: 9th Tier of the Novice Realm.

Others: Ranging from 5th to 8th Tier.

A huge potential haul. Enough to likely push him into the Student Realm.

His eyes glowed with that faint, dangerous crimson light. Bloodlust, sweet and cold and logical, settled in his gut. This was no longer just about food or points. This was about dominance. About clearing his new territory.

The plan: use his superior speed to blitz the weaker ones first, crippling the pack's numbers before facing the alpha.

He activated . A surge of exhilarating speed coursed through his limbs. He was a black phantom.

He burst from cover, aiming for a 5th Tier wolf on the periphery. It only had time to turn its head. His claws, not even enhanced yet, ripped through its side with brutal force. It was dead before it hit the water.

He pivoted instantly, aiming for a 7th Tier wolf. A blur of grey fur intercepted him. The alpha. Fast. Smarter than he'd given it credit for.

Should have known the pack leader wouldn't be an idiot.

 activated. He swiped at the alpha's face. The wolf, anticipating the move, ducked and twisted, the claws only grazing its shoulder. It counter-attacked in the same motion, fangs aiming for Thiago's exposed neck.

Only Thiago's  speed saved him. He contorted his body, the fangs snapping shut on empty air where his throat had been.

Now, the rest of the pack closed in, surrounding him. Six sets of predatory eyes, coordinated, intelligent. This was bad.

Fine. Time to go all out.

He let them make the first move. A 6th Tier wolf lunged at his flank. Perfect. He activated , his head whipping around with impossible speed. His jaws clamped on the wolf's neck with a crunch that echoed. The taste of blood filled his mouth—coppery, warm. Not bad, his animal side noted clinically.

As he'd predicted, the alpha attacked the moment his jaws were occupied.

Thiago threw the dead wolf's body toward another attacker as a distraction and spun, meeting the alpha's charge.  still active. He didn't aim for a killing blow. He aimed for the eyes.

His claws raked across the alpha's face. A wet, tearing sound. A howl of pure, shocked agony. The alpha stumbled back, pawing at its face, now blind.

The tide turned instantly. A blind leader was no leader. The remaining wolves hesitated, their coordination shattered.

Thiago didn't. He became death itself. He finished the alpha with another , his powerful jaws crushing its spine. The remaining wolves fell swiftly to his enhanced claws and speed, their will to fight broken.

He stood panting in the sudden silence, the scent of blood and voided bowels thick in the air. Seven corpses lay around him.