LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 10: The Beast Awakens
Chapter 10: The Beast Awakens
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Emerging from the dense underbrush, Adam stepped cautiously toward the riverbank.
The soft rustling of leaves faded behind him, swallowed by the thick forest.
His boots sank slightly into the soft, wet earth, the last traces of the battle slowly being erased by the morning mist.
The air was heavy with the scent of damp foliage and the remnants of a recent conflict. Before him lay the aftermath of the brutal skirmish he had just fought—his victory etched into the battlefield.
The Fang Wolves—Eight in total—lay sprawled across the ground near the water's edge.
Their once-vibrant gray fur was now dull and lifeless, their bodies contorted in unnatural positions.
The silence was deafening as Adam stood over them, observing his work.
Every movement he made was deliberate, every step measured. His heart beat steadily, not out of excitement, but rather in the calm aftermath of a controlled execution.
Suddenly, the bodies of the fallen wolves began to glow faintly. Adam's eyes narrowed as the shimmer grew brighter, a bluish aura surrounding the lifeless creatures.
Within moments, the light intensified to a blinding glow, and the wolves' forms began to dissolve.
The spectral remnants of their bodies were absorbed into the radiant energy, leaving behind neatly organized piles of loot.
The forest, once filled with the growls and snarls of battle, was now eerily quiet.
A notification appeared before Adam, its crisp mechanical tone breaking the silence:
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Congratulations, Player AlphaBoss!
You have successfully defeated 5 Level 5 Adult Fang Wolves.
Reward: 2,500 XP.
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Adam dismissed the message with a swift gesture, his fingers brushing the air. His attention shifted, focusing on the scattered loot that lay before him.
With practiced ease, Adam retrieved the daggers he had used in the fight.
He wiped each blade clean, the steel gleaming briefly in the soft morning light, before sheathing them once more.
His movements were meticulous—every weapon, every item, had its place in his inventory.
Satisfied, Adam moved toward the glowing piles of loot. Each pile appeared as a small, luminous chest, its radiance a clear indication that this was no ordinary treasure.
The chest's lid flicked open with a soft click as Adam approached, and he watched as the contents transferred into his inventory without a single gesture on his part.
The loot was gathered in mere seconds, and Adam opened his inventory window to assess the spoils:
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125 kg of Raw Fang Wolf Meat
12 Fang Wolf Fangs
145 Copper Coins
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Adam scanned the items, nodding in approval. "Not bad," he murmured, the faintest trace of a smile on his lips.
While the loot didn't quite fulfill the entirety of his mission's quota, it was a substantial haul.
His focus shifted for a moment as his eyes lingered on the riverbank, now devoid of the chaotic remnants of battle.
A fleeting sense of accomplishment washed over him, but there was no time to linger in the moment. The world around him was ever-changing, and Adam's journey was far from over.
Just as Adam turned to leave, a low, guttural growl shattered the stillness of the forest.
The sound was unmistakable—the deep rumble of a predator, and it sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through his veins.
His instincts flared to life, and he froze, his senses sharpening.
The growl came from behind him. Adam scanned the area quickly, his eyes darting through the trees.
He spotted a sturdy oak nearby, its thick branches reaching high above the forest floor.
In a single fluid motion, Adam climbed up the tree with practiced agility, taking his place on a thick, outstretched branch.
From his new vantage point, he had a clear view of the scene below.
The growl echoed again, closer this time. Peering through the dense foliage, Adam's eyes locked onto the source of the sound.
There, near the riverbank, three wounded Fang Wolves staggered unsteadily.
Their movements were slow and erratic, their once-majestic forms now bloodied and battered.
Their fur was matted with dark crimson, and their labored breaths sent plumes of vapor into the cold morning air.
At first, Adam thought they were remnants of the pack he had just slain.
But as he studied them further, a shadow caught his attention—a massive figure emerging from the depths of the forest.
The creature's presence was palpable, its every movement exuding power and dominance.
The beast was unlike any Adam had encountered before. The Fang Wolf Alpha was a monstrous creature, far larger than its packmates.
Its jet-black fur gleamed ominously in the sunlight, and its glowing red eyes seemed to burn through the underbrush.
Its jagged fangs, visible even from a distance, were long enough to strike fear into the bravest of souls. A faint mist hung in the air around the creature's body, adding to its already menacing presence.
Adam's breath caught as the system alerted him with a sharp notification:
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Warning: Boss Monster Detected!
Fang Wolf Alpha
Level: 10
Recommendation: Player Level 1 should avoid engagement. Leave immediately.
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His grip tightened on the branch beneath him, the bark creaking under his fingers as he absorbed the warning.
The system's message was clear—this was a fight he wasn't ready for. Adam's pulse quickened, but he forced himself to remain still, to think.
Adam crouched low on the branch, his body blending seamlessly with the shadows. The Alpha's presence below was overwhelming, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked beneath.
He observed the three wounded wolves, their bodies hunched and trembling before the Alpha.
The way they cowered spoke volumes—they were not here to fight. Instead, they were seeking the Alpha's protection, shelter from the carnage they had survived.
The Fang Wolf Alpha growled low, its fiery gaze sweeping the area. Adam could sense the power radiating from the creature.
It was no ordinary monster; it was a force of nature, its every movement filled with purpose.
The wolves beneath it seemed like mere pawns in comparison, their lives held in the balance of the Alpha's mercy.
The creature paused for a moment, its red eyes scanning the surroundings as if it could feel the presence of a watcher.
Adam's heart raced. His instincts screamed at him to run, to retreat and avoid the looming threat.
But there was something else—a cold, calculating voice within him. This was a moment of opportunity.
The Alpha was strong, yes, but it was also vulnerable. Wounded wolves, a chaotic battlefield… Adam's mind worked furiously, weighing his options.
"If I leave now, I'll miss my chance," Adam thought, his pulse steadying as his decision took shape. "But engaging now would be suicidal."
With the Alpha's gaze shifting in his direction, Adam crouched even lower, trying to remain unseen.
The next move would be critical—he could either flee or capitalize on the chaos.
The chapter ended with Adam's eyes locked on the Alpha, his mind racing with possibilities as he waited for the perfect moment to strike.