"..."
The Silver Dried Wolf moved first.
It vanished again, its body dissolving into a blur of silver. Instinct screamed at Raeshan. He twisted his body and raised his sword just in time.
Clang.
The impact rattled his arms to the bone. Pain shot through his wrists as he slid backward across the dirt, boots carving shallow lines into the ground.
"..."
Too strong.
Raeshan did not stop. The moment his feet steadied, he pushed off the ground and lunged forward, slashing hard at the wolf's flank.
The blade scraped across dried flesh. Sparks flew as iron met bone beneath cracked skin.
The wolf snarled and twisted away, then countered with a wide, sweeping claw.
Raeshan ducked. He felt the wind of the attack pass over his head. Gritting his teeth, he drove his shoulder forward and slammed into the wolf's side.
Both of them tumbled across the clearing, rolling through dirt and shattered bone.
Raeshan hit the ground, twisted, and forced himself up first. He raised his sword overhead and brought it down in a heavy arc.
The wolf leaped back at the last second.
The blade struck the ground instead.
Crack.
The earth split under the force, sending dirt flying.
The Silver Dried Wolf circled him again, movements slower now. Dark fluid seeped from a shallow cut along its side, dripping onto the ground.
So it can bleed.
Raeshan tightened his grip, forcing his breathing to slow.
Rushing would kill him. The wolf was faster, stronger, and far more experienced.
But it was not untouchable.
The wolf lunged again, jaws wide, fangs gleaming.
Raeshan stepped into the attack instead of retreating. At the last moment, he twisted his body, letting the wolf rush past him.
He slashed.
The iron sword cut deep into the wolf's hind leg.
The wolf howled in pain and lost its footing, crashing hard into the dirt.
Raeshan did not hesitate.
He raised his sword and drove it down with all his strength.
Clang.
The blade struck bone and stopped short.
The wolf thrashed violently. Its head slammed into Raeshan's chest, knocking the air from his lungs. He was thrown backward, crashing to the ground as his vision blurred.
Raeshan gasped, chest burning.
The wolf staggered to its feet, one leg dragging, eyes burning with pure rage.
Both of them were breathing heavily now.
Raeshan forced himself up, muscles screaming, arms trembling as he raised his sword again.
"This ends here," he muttered.
The Silver Dried Wolf charged.
Raeshan waited.
Closer.
Closer.
At the last moment, he dropped low and thrust the sword upward with everything he had left.
The blade pierced straight through the wolf's throat.
The wolf's body jerked violently. Its claws scraped uselessly at the ground before going still.
Raeshan remained there for a moment, sword still buried in its neck, breathing hard.
Slowly, he pulled the blade free.
The massive body collapsed.
Silence fell over the clearing.
Ding.
[Mini Boss Defeated: Silver Dried Wolf]
Raeshan dropped to one knee as exhaustion crashed over him. His hands shook uncontrollably, his entire body aching.
"I survived," he whispered.
The forest remained silent.
But deep inside, Raeshan knew.
This was only the beginning.
———
The Silver Dried Wolf's body began to crumble, turning into gray ash that scattered across the clearing. Its silver fur dulled, then vanished completely.
Ding.
[Hidden Mission Complete]
[Kill Pack of Dried Wolf Including Mini Boss: Completed]
[Rewards Pending]
Raeshan looked up, still kneeling.
Rewards.
Before he could react, the ground beneath him trembled.
Crack.
A thin line split across the clearing, spreading outward like a wound. Cold air rushed up from below, carrying a pressure that made his skin crawl.
Raeshan forced himself to stand.
"This isn't over," he muttered.
A blue window appeared again, larger than before.
Ding.
[Tutorial Rift Progress Evaluation]
[Difficulty: Nightmare]
[Survival Status: Confirmed]
[Combat Performance: Above Expected Threshold]
Raeshan narrowed his eyes.
So they were judging him.
His body ached, his arms felt heavy, and his breathing was still uneven, but he stood straight. He refused to look weak.
The system paused.
Then another message appeared.
Ding.
[Special Reward Granted Due to Nightmare Difficulty]
Light poured down from above, wrapping around Raeshan like a cocoon. The pressure in the air eased slightly, as if the rift itself acknowledged his survival.
He raised an arm to shield his eyes as new windows appeared one after another.
[You have obtained: Wolf Fang Ring]
[You have obtained: Basic Agility Manual]
[You have obtained: Extra Healing Potion x1]
Raeshan stared at the rewards.
A ring.
A skill manual.
Another potion.
His lips curved into a faint smile.
"Not bad."
The ring slid onto his finger on its own. A faint warmth spread through his hand, then flowed through his body.
[Wolf Fang Ring Equipped]
[Effect: Agility +5]
He felt it instantly. His body felt lighter, his balance sharper.
The manual dissolved into light and entered his chest.
[Basic Agility Manual Learned]
Knowledge flooded his mind. Footwork. Breathing. Balance. Nothing flashy, but solid.
Useful.
Very useful.
Raeshan clenched his fist, feeling the change.
The system window flickered once more.
Ding.
[Tutorial Rift Clearing Sequence Initiated]
[Preparing Transfer]
The forest began to fade. Dead trees blurred. The gray sky dissolved into light.
Raeshan took one last look at the clearing where he had nearly died.
"I won't forget this."
Light swallowed him completely.
And then...
Everything went white.
———
Author's Note
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