The Deceptive Rampage
Question 1: How much damage could an E-rank monster cause if it went on a rampage around here?
It would depend on the individual, its stats, and skills, but if I really put my mind to it, I could create a mess like this too.
Using only my pure physical abilities, without any skills.
That said, I didn't have the stamina to keep it up for nearly a full day like this thing did. Mine would run out first, no question.
No matter how much I dragged it out, I'd probably collapse from exhaustion after 30 or 40 minutes.
Question 2: Why did the Silent Wolves leave it alone, even after it rampaged this much?
This area of the forest is their territory.
They weren't the most prominent monsters in this diverse woodland, but no one could deny that the woods around here belonged to them.
And yet, the wolves hadn't lifted a paw.
Even if the bird was berserk right now, this went way beyond acceptable. They should've stepped in, accepting some losses.
Pack hunters with a D-rank equivalent leader among them—they could've handled it easily enough.
Clearly, they saw engaging it as too big a loss.
Question 3: Did it really lose its reason?
Filled with rage and hatred, destroying everything in sight.
That matched the frenzied state I'd observed before.
But up close, its eyes told a different story.
Cold, sunken fury. The gaze of a hunter lying in wait for prey.
Asking and answering these three questions myself, I realized something was seriously off.
"─────!!!!!"
Still howling like a beast.
It spun toward me as if waiting for my strike, forcing me to halt mid-lunge.
Crisis Detection blared nonstop warnings.
Damn...!
-Shaaa───!!
I twisted away sharply.
Pushing my muscles too hard made my body scream like it might snap, but there was no time to complain about the pain.
Swoosh—
Its razor claws grazed my scales.
If I'd pushed even a fraction less, my head would've been sliced clean off.
Blood trickled from the scraped scales.
Wasn't it out of its mind? Was the whole thing an act?!
-Shiii───
I backed off unsteadily, putting distance between us.
Where was the raging maniac from moments ago? Now it stared me down with icy eyes.
Truly baffling.
Should I have been more cautious?
Vowed not to get careless, and here I was again?
Was I really a hopeless case?
No—this wasn't my failure; the bird had just played it masterfully.
I never imagined the rampage was all fake.
I should've suspected something when the wolves stayed out of it...
Wait... the wolves didn't intervene...? Even if it was acting, it's just an E-rank monster...?
No way...
Chaining those thoughts, a sudden noise snapped me alert.
"Piii────!!!"
The bird screeched sharply and flapped its wings.
Taking to the air, its advantageous domain.
I hurriedly unleashed Intimidation. No effect—it didn't flinch.
Intimidation works on E-ranks... so that confirms it...
My growing suspicion hardened into certainty.
Just then, airborne, it dove at me ferociously.
Screee—
Claws slashed through the air with a whoosh, locking onto me.
I dodged by a hair, grimacing.
This movement. No way it's E-rank.
Chills ran down my spine.
Last time I saw it, it wasn't this strong!
Had it evolved in the interim?
No visible changes, so probably just its speed had surged to D-rank.
Claws came again; I ducked low.
Damn! Did the rage trigger some awakening?
If I'd known, I should've pushed to kill it yesterday, no matter the risk.
Trying to minimize variables and play it safe had backfired spectacularly, handing it an opening and me a massive blunder.
Lesson learned: blind caution won't cut it.
This would make me grow another step.
If I survive intact, that is...!
In that brief exchange, its relentless assaults had left wounds all over me.
Its power must've hit D-rank too—or close—stings like hell.
My smooth scales were chipped and battered in spots.
Luckily, I'd avoided vitals, so I could hold out a bit longer.
Problem was, "hold out" was all I could manage.
Run for it?
I swear it.
Escape this crisis, and I'd never repeat the mistake.
More meticulously. More stealthily. More viciously.
That's how I'd strike next time.
But would it let me go that easily?
"Piii───!!!"
Its reaction said no.
Too slow to shake it and flee—the speed gap was insurmountable.
My agility wasn't bad, but against D-rank-plus? Laughable.
And it could fly. Game over before it started.
Only option left: fight smart...
Easier said than done.
Just enduring felt like death already.
It wheeled high overhead.
As if catching its breath, it glared down without attacking.
I got a moment to recover too.
Good—stamina not that high? Or even if it is, after a near-day rampage... hitting its limit.
Small mercy amid misfortune. Unlike its superior agility and power, stamina seemed average.
Already compromised, sustaining offense must've drained it steadily.
With my relatively fresh reserves, dragging this into a war of attrition seemed wise.
Shallow cuts healed ages ago thanks to Regeneration. Deeper ones mending steadily... time's on my side.
No need to rush.
Focus on defense, evasion, conserve energy—it'd drop first.
Stay calm. No impatience.
Time was mine.
"Piii────!!!"
Re-energized? It banked and dove again.
I twisted past gleaming claws.
Dodging passively wasn't my style, so I slipped in Intimidation subtly.
Unlike my other skills, inefficient head-on, this worked anytime.
Not devastating, but it could make it hesitate.
Seizing that split-second falter, I lunged.
It dodged nimbly.
-Shiii───
A shame.
"────!!!"
That seemed to rile it badly.
It beat its wings hard.
Whoosh-whoosh—
Tongue flicking, I watched intently.
Something big coming.
After wingbeats, its chest swelled hugely.
Then it unleashed a massive screech.
Preeee─────!!!
No mere cry—some skill. Invisible sonic waves erupted.
Crisis Detection warned early; I evaded, but heart skipped.
Figures. Not just physical prowess.
This one stood out, but maybe it'd used others throughout.
Or perhaps the freakish speed and strength are skill-boosted too.
That explained the lopsided stats.
Skills have limits. Cooldowns, risks for that power.
As I pondered, it wheeled high again, resting.
Clicked.
Ah— not just stamina. Buying time to reuse the skill? Can't chain them.
Maybe both.
Might not even need a marathon fight...
-Shiii───
I glared back as it circled, predatory.
It didn't seem so invincible anymore.
Still, I'm at the disadvantage.
It could strike anytime from above; grounded, I waited passively.
Losing first strike in a fight? Brutal handicap. Prospects remained grim.
Not hopeless, though.
Wait. Bide time. Strike in one instant.
Patience and endurance—my forte.
Proven before.
This time, not days of brute waiting—just hold a bit longer.
I coiled tight on the spot.
To the very last second.
Tenacity C has been activated.
And it moved again.
"Piii────!!!"
Same dive, riding wind, claws flashing viciously.
Powerful wingbeats whipping gusts. Talons slicing air. Piercing cry in my ears.
I took it all in.
Limit Break D has been activated.
The world seemed to slow for an instant.
In that sliver, I tracked its pupil shifts, feather flaps, talon angle tweaks.
Slow-motion clarity on every motion.
Eons passed in a blink; claws neared my nose.
Then I exploded into motion.
Coiled muscles unleashed.
Crack—
As talons grazed my brow, jaws unhinged wide, clamping its throat.
My long body whipped around it like a lash, coiling tight.
Full-body squeeze.
We tumbled across the ground repeatedly.
Heavy impacts jolted me, but I held firm.
Stamina duel now.
"Kk...! Kkiik...! Kkiiik───!"
It thrashed wildly—futile.
Once constricted, escape impossible.
If legs worked fully, maybe, but I'd prioritized binding them first.
Its struggles only steadied my grip.
Clueless or desperate, it kept writhing.
Once-mighty wings flailed pathetically.
Feathers scattered.
"Kk... Kkiik───!"
-Shiii───
Amid spasms, its gaze met mine.
Rage, hatred, terror—all swirling in those eyes. Every emotion imaginable.
Could a monster's eyes hold that much?
I met it calmly, tightening further.
Jaws clamped harder on its neck.
Thrashing intensified.
Like prey I'd hunted before, it began convulsing.
I watched every tremor.
Final quiver ended; heart stopped.
A flood of notifications rang in my ears.
I'd won.