Chapter 6: The Antidote and the Final Predator

I'd run fast across the thick forest, my legs light and quick, skimming over leaves; yet, the poison still got in and weakened me. The new skill of Venom Resistance helped fight most of the worst of it, but with every minute, I could feel my strength going. He'd told me that the antidote was close by according to the system, but considering this was a big forest, the term "near" meant nothing, really.

[Status: Minor Venom Infection]

Effect: Gradual decrease in agility and strength over time. Antidote required within 45 minutes.

I really had no time to waste. Every rustling of leaves, every snapping of a twig-it all seemed to spell doom in case the poison overcame me. The surroundings in that forest were quiet, a tad too quiet. I knew predators were around, but most of them seemed to steer clear of me for now-mostly because they were disrupted by the struggle I had just gone through.

Well, yet another attack of the survival instinct kicked in, driving me through to some small opening, where weird types of plants grew all together: slim, tall stalks with light purple flowers that contrasted with the dark green color of the forest floor. One like this was once seen: a healing plant, applied in cases of poison treatment. Such a system was reliable.

[Item Identified: Purity Blossom]

Effect: Neutralizes most venoms and poisons. Immediate application recommended.

I felt extremely relieved, plucking flowers around in haste and starting to chew them. The taste was bitter, but soon relief came over me. My body stopped shaking, and the pain caused by the poison lessened. Again, the system showed another message, meaning this way I really was healing.

[Venom Neutralized]

Status: Full recovery. No lasting effects.

I let out a sigh of relief as my strength gradually returned. It was the antidote kicking in, yet there was one more task ahead: the final predator.

I looked back at my hill-my land. Something was off with the forest as I walked; plants were getting thicker, and a weight was carried in the air with trepidation. The final predator would show up in due course-there was simply no doubt about that at all. The system said defeating three predators would give me claim to this area, but it said nothing regarding who or what the final challenge would be.

I returned to my hill, sat atop once more; my vantage point gave way to the surroundings of the forest. It was quiet now, but somehow that silence was an omen. Something was en route, something gigantic. My body tensed, ready for whatever would appear.

[Quest Update: Final Predator Approaching]

Time to arrival: 10 minutes

Difficulty: Medium to High

Reward: Predator's Domain ability, 500 XP, Territory Claim

It was about time-the greatest challenge, to take what rightfully belonged to me.

The minutes were crawling-one bigger and heavier to wait for than another. I listened hard, looking at every tree and bush, every shade that moved with the sun. I was to be ready, without surprise.

And then the wind veered. Through the silence of the woods crackling of branches and heavy footsteps approached. Not a sneaky hunter this-a thing to a snake or weasel-but great, crushing and huge.

I was astounded to stop and watch the bushes that shook around the edge of the clearing; then from it emerged a huge, muscular frame of a man. My breath caught in my throat.

A wolf.

It had been no common wolf, for his fur shone, sable black, joining tarry darkness to the shadow of the woods, while its eyes shone some queer red color, full of appetite and ill intent. This could be no less than an alpha, the greatest hunter in these woods.

[Enemy Identified: Shadowfang Alpha]

Level: 8

Status: High-level predator, pack leader

Abilities: Enhanced speed, powerful bite, pack tactics

Weakness: Vulnerable to sustained attacks, stamina drain during extended fights.

I cursed my bad luck. A level 8 predator? This would be my toughest fight. Not that my Quick Strike and the new speed boosts would not be any good, but all the same, I could not go toe-to-toe with such strong power. I really needed to get smart about this.

The big alpha wolf growled softly at me, stared with his red eyes. He did not attack immediately but was watching me-thinking what to do with me-just like I was with him. A predator is never this careless in jumping into the fights.

My heart raced in my chest, weighing options against options. The wolf would be quick against the boar, tough against the snake. I needed to be in motion, to stay out of its reach, and simply wait for an opportune attack.

In an instant, all muscles tensed, the wolf leaped at me.

[Quick Strike Activated]

I jumped in the nick of time, and it missed my head. Very quick, in just a few seconds or so, the wolf was very near. I ran behind one of the big rocks; for cover, the wolf went around, searching for a way to attack.

It wasn't going to be an easy fight-the wolf was too fast to ever hit straight on, and I couldn't dodge from takedowns by the wolf forever. I needed to tire him out and make some mistakes.

The moment it got aggressive again, charging down the hill with many bumps, I leaped high. It was chasing me, yet I was much faster, running between boulders and bushes. After that, at any moment it comes closer, I gave a Quick Strike on its leg or side, never stopping in one place.

It growled-the alpha wolf was frustrated and tired. I could feel my energy getting low too; this was a test of who was to outlast the other, and the time was running out for me.

At last, the wolf managed to attack, this time when I wasn't prepared. His claws ripped into my side, and for the first time, I felt pain, almost fell. My health went down a lot, and I knew I couldn't handle another blow like that.

[Health: 30/100]

It was now or never for me.

Using the last bit of my strength, I attracted the wolf to the top of the hill, where the bushes were thickest. The wolf, hearing me badly and very angry, ran after me without knowing the danger. At the last second, I managed to move out of the way, and the wolf ran into the spiky plants.

A pained yelp escaped as the barbed tendrils tore through fur to skin, and further hindering its movement. Here came my chance.

I sprang onto his back, executing the final Quick Strike at the neck area, finding all his important spots in a dizzyingly quick pace upon which he bucked under me hard, and I bit hard that final decisive blow.

The wolf lay at his feet, defeated, the alpha.

[Quest Complete: Territory Claim]

Experience gained: 500 XP

Level Up! (Level 5)

New Ability Unlocked: Predator's Domain – You can now claim and control a territory, increasing your influence over local wildlife and gaining buffs within your domain.

Panted, I made a backward retreat up the hill. The body of the wolf lay there at its bottom, and my system lit with my win: done it, defeated the last predator, and took my territory.

But standing at the top of this hill in the heart of the very same forest, where a possible threat would be hidden behind every tree, was quite another matter altogether. It belonged to me now; I could feel that in the air, the way the wildlife surrounding me conducted themselves. This is my area now.

[Territory Claimed: Forest Hill]

Buffs: Increased strength, agility, and perception while within your domain. Local wildlife will recognize your dominance.

 Now I was the strongest animal on this side of the forest. Yet, I knew it was only just the beginning; a lot lay ahead, and my journey was very far from over. I gazed into the forest with a strengthened determination, and just then, I wasn't merely surviving anymore; I was living damned well.

And soon, I would control much more besides this little hill.