Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Star-Eyed Wolf Hunt
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A massive rock cave.
Deep within its pitch-black interior, two stars were gazing at me.
A Star-Eyed Wolf.
True to its name as an elite monster, an overwhelming pressure emanated from it, something the Compound-Eyed Wolves couldn't even compare to.
That sense of intimidation was something most humans could never possess—an extrasensory realm.
But as my Agility stat rose, this sensation grew sharper and more distinct.
I looked again at the monster lurking in the deepest part of the forest.
Its size was twice that of a normal wolf, and its jet-black fur looked as tough as steel armor.
Its hide blended seamlessly with the cave's darkness.
Unlike the Compound-Eyed Wolves, it didn't growl recklessly.
It simply stared at me silently, with an utterly dominating presence.
Like a king of the hunting grounds judging an intruder.
I didn't deploy [Domain] against it.
Using it once already had left my demi-god power precarious, and besides, Domain was just support—most of my strength came from my stats.
More importantly, this was the perfect chance to test how much raw physical ability and Defense I could handle.
Of course, for safety, I shifted all my demi-god power into Defense, except what was infused in my sword.
The moment I tightened my grip on the sword...
As if refusing to give me any opening since I hadn't used Domain, it lunged first.
The silence shattered, and its massive body shot forward like a shadow.
Its speed was incomparable to a Compound-Eyed Wolf's.
Only my dynamic vision, boosted by Agility over 10, could keep up.
I reflexively raised my sword to block its swinging forepaw.
Kaang-!
A sharp clash like metal on metal rang out, sending a massive shock through my arm and into my whole body.
It staggered back slightly.
Though its bulk dwarfed mine, I stood rooted like my feet were nailed to the ground, unmoved.
No damage taken.
But I clearly felt an unexpected drain on my demi-god power.
Its attack power was on another level from slimes or Compound-Eyed Wolves.
If I'd let those claws rake my flesh directly, even with my Defense, I might have bled.
I pulled back, widening the distance.
The Star-Eyed Wolf didn't stop—it kicked off the ground and leaped again.
Tremendous speed. Even faster than before.
Its Agility felt nearly 10.
This time, its jaws, bared with razor fangs, aimed for my throat.
I twisted my body on instinct.
Right then, a chilling whoosh came from behind as its forepaw sliced through empty air.
Its claws were dagger-sharp, carving deep gashes into the stone floor as they passed.
Missing its strike, it spun without pause, whipping its tail at me.
For a beast, it was ferocious beyond belief.
This time, I didn't dodge—I blocked with my arm.
I'd instantly redirected demi-god power to Defense in that arm.
Thud!!
A heavy thud echoed as a dull force hammered my arm.
I could distinctly feel a chunk of my Defense shaved off.
Just one hit, and my demi-god power in Defense form had visibly dropped.
A few dozen more like that, and my Defense would steadily erode.
After that, it'd start drawing real blood.
Only then did I admit it wasn't just some beast.
Each of its attacks was an instant kill for anyone at Compound-Eyed Wolf strength level.
"Grrr..."
Frustrated that its attack was blocked, it growled low, building up for another charge.
My sword began to hum faintly, glowing with light.
The instant the Star-Eyed Wolf kicked off again, diving into my guard...
I dropped low to evade while slashing shallowly at its exposed flank.
Slash!
I felt resistance piercing its thick hide and muscle.
I hadn't put full power into it, but I could tell it had solid Defense and Stamina stats.
The Star-Eyed Wolf let out a pained groan, twisting to shake me off.
Dark red blood oozed from its side.
First solid hit.
But its eyes burned not with pain, but thicker rage and killing intent.
'Attack and Agility stats near 10—maybe 9.5? Stamina and Defense lower than that. Overall, level 9 strength.'
No point testing more. I'd gauged its power fully.
I sheathed my sword in my inventory.
Then I spread demi-god power through my body and drew it all up.
Just as the Star-Eyed Wolf reared to charge again...
I rushed it at a speed that left it stunned.
The momentum it'd built for its lunge went nowhere.
I seized its head with one hand, halting it.
Caught in my grip, the Star-Eyed Wolf's eyes shook.
The forest lord's intimidation was gone—now it thrashed weakly, just a beast desperate to live.
For the first time, I slammed its head into the ground with full power!
Kwajik!!
Kuung—
The entire cave trembled from the massive quake that hit the earth.
A strike with my full might.
The Star-Eyed Wolf's head exploded completely, leaving only bloodstains to mark it.
The ground was cratered, with just the wolf's corpse left behind.
Silence returned to the cave.
Elite monsters gave ten times the EXP and Gold of normals.
But what caught my eye was the last message.
My first completed item drop—not just materials.
After confirming the wolf's corpse dissolve into dust, I picked up the small ring left behind.
A black metal ring, as if infused with faint starlight.
I immediately checked its info window.
Not huge, but a definite effect.
The rise was tiny, but confirming gear drops from monsters was a huge win.
I slipped the ring on without hesitation.
An unexpected score put me in a good mood as I equipped it.
Slightly heightened senses around me, muscles subtly shifting.
Gear like this would aid future hunts and skill training.
As with shop items, Common gear capped stats at 50.
Once Agility hit 50, I'd sell or store it.
Or trade? Was the community really just for info?
First gear had me a bit excited, thoughts drifting.
No one knows. How the system evolves ahead...
I claimed the quest completion reward.
One more reason to hunt elites.
After dealing with the Star-Eyed Wolf, I exited the cave.
Still wolves left in the forest.
Couldn't miss a single one.
I scoured the woods thoroughly, hunting down the remaining Compound-Eyed Wolves.
Midway, I found another Star-Eyed Wolf, but with its power gauged, I ended it swiftly.
No item from the second— not even materials.
When the forest hunt wrapped, I checked spoils.
Today's wolf tally: 200 total.
2 Star-Eyed Wolves, 198 Compound-Eyed Wolves.
Materials like [Compound-Eyed Wolf Fang], [Compound-Eyed Wolf Hide], [Compound-Eyed Wolf Claw], etc.—18 in all. Item: just the one [Starlight Ring].
Materials useless now, but handy later.
As I left the forest, I pondered.
Do Compound-Eyed Wolves drop items too? Bad luck?
Slimes? Community said nothing.
If slimes drop, probability's tiny.
Why not slimes specifically?
Time will reveal trivia. My focus elsewhere.
Entering Zone 1, I reviewed today's fights.
Demi-god power in weapons satisfied, but consumption heavy.
[Domain] powerful, but three full uses drained it dry.
Sword infusion main strength, but inefficient.
Both skills shared massive demi-god drain flaw.
To grow, raise skill tiers urgently.
Best way to upgrade: use them as much as possible.
I headed back to the familiar Slime Meadow.
Wolf hunts drained demi-god power, but slimes no issue.
Demi-god power needed for skills only.
Raw physicals alone killed slimes plenty fast.
But I alternated barehanded demi-god strikes and Domain shockwaves, massacring them.
Skill proficiency training.
My inner demi-god power neared empty.
Soon, meadow cleared of all slimes.
Last 100 made fine EXP fodder.
Back in town, straight to inn.
Hunt ended in a flash.
100-slime-empty meadow fell silent again.
Today's hunt routine done.
Inn reached, body unfatigued from fights, but mental drain real.
Perched on bed, first opened status.
Level 14. Astonishing growth in four days.
Spawn kills, Zone 2 monopoly, slimes. Exclusive results phenomenal.
All stats broke 18.
No dramatic awakening like at 10, but power felt denser, more condensed.
Awakening probably at 20 again.
Opened inventory for Gold and items.
Current Gold: 6460
11 Weapon Selection Tickets, 18 item materials, secret [???] Key.
Skills: Domain 16%, Demi-God Body 22% proficiency.
100% for 2nd Grade upgrade.
Solid growth. But no complacency.
Level and stats aren't everything.
Skill grades key too.
Skills: next growth engine via upgrades.
NPC said upgrades need usage experience and insight.
Insight uncontrollable. Luck-based uncertainty.
Experience alone can upgrade, so shelved insight.
But heavy skill use for experience? Doable.
Will, effort, resources solve it.
Issue: Mana recovery.
Current regen too slow for satisfying use.
Answer: one.
'Mana Potions.'
Most reliable growth accelerator with my Gold.
No need for shop gear now.
My stats outpace average gear already.
Even top dimension's best shop gear won't catch me.
Stat gains too small.
Gear boosts stats indirectly via effects.
Shop only Common, one per slot. Pricey for minor bumps.
Effect gear too expensive for me now.
If dire danger, sure—but now's growth phase.
Mana potions different.
They compress training time—sole means.
Skills need demi-god power; Mana source recovers slow.
Defense slowest; only natural regen.
No Defense potions.
Only Mana and Stamina potions.
Survival and growth tied to demi-god power—Mana management.
Decision: bulk buy Mana potions.
No reason to hoard Gold. Worth only for growth.
Lowest Mana Potion: 50 Gold each.
Bulk buy pricey, but valuable to me.
One extra skill use > mid-tier gear investment.
Commit nearly half Gold to Mana potions.
Straight to general store, bought 50 Lowest Mana Potions.
2500 Gold gone in flash—no regrets.
Surest investment for future.
With potions, no more post-hunt rest routine.
Left store, habitually opened community.
Check if other dimensions opened Zone 2, new info.
Mostly same as yesterday: baseless guesses, slime sharing woes, unique ability debates, newbie relations.
Closed without lingering.
Downed one Mana potion, awaited demi-god refill.
Meantime, pondered tomorrow's experiment.
Outlined plan mentally.
New experiment.
All my kills so far: fresh 0-level spawns, minutes in.
Inventories empty save Weapon Tickets.
Kills yielded only EXP/Gold.
But kill level 1+? What happens to their hunted EXP/Gold?
System delete all?
Or... I inherit everything?
If latter, growth method shifts again.
Far more efficient than monster hunts.
Tomorrow's spawn point lab rats in mind.
Let them live, send to Zone 1 for slime kills.
Just 5. Basic quest count.
When they taste growth's sweetness... I'll appear behind, claim all.
Thought alone curved a faint smile.
Hoping hypothesis proves true, prepped skills.