Chapter 3: Bonding and Discovery

Chapter 3: Bonding and Discovery

Days turned into weeks as Eric continued to adapt to his new life in Eldoria. He had become an integral part of the wolf pack, learning their ways and participating in their hunts. The skills he honed as a pro gamer translated surprisingly well to this world, where strategy and quick reflexes were essential for survival.

One morning, Eric woke up to the pack already on the move. The alpha wolf had a determined look in its eyes, and the rest of the pack seemed tense. Eric quickly got up and followed them, his curiosity piqued.

They moved through the forest with purpose, eventually arriving at a small clearing. There, in the center, stood a large tree with glowing runes etched into its bark. The air around the tree buzzed with magical energy. Eric had never seen anything like it.

The alpha wolf approached the tree cautiously, sniffing around its base. Eric followed, feeling the same strange energy pulsing through the ground. A status panel appeared before his eyes as he focused on the tree.

-----

**STATUS**

[Name: Ancient Rune Tree]

[Type: Mystical Object]

[HP: ???]

[MP: ???]

[Properties: Contains ancient magic, can enhance abilities, and restore mana.]

-----END-----

Eric's mind raced. "This tree... it's like a magical power-up," he thought. The alpha wolf howled, and the rest of the pack gathered around, clearly accustomed to the tree's presence. They began to drink from a small pool of water at the tree's roots.

Following their lead, Eric lapped up some of the water. Instantly, he felt a surge of energy course through his body. His mana pool expanded, and he felt stronger, more alert.

[Ding!]

[Your MP has been fully restored!]

[You have gained +5 MP]

Eric's status panel updated, reflecting the increase in his mana pool.

-----

**STATUS**

[Name: None]

[Title: None]

[Job Class: None]

[Race: Dire Wolf] [Common]

[Level: 13/20] [Exp: 1,070/1,300]

[HP: 100%] [MP: 58/58]

[Strength: 19] [Defense: 9]

[Agility: 18] [Intelligence: 7]

[Vitality: 10] [Free Attributes: 0]

[Element Affinity: Lightning]

**SKILLS**

[Racial Skills: Pack Coordination, Heightened Senses]

[Basic Skill: Charge]

[Unique Skill: Devour]

-----END-----

Feeling invigorated, Eric decided to explore the area around the rune tree. He discovered several smaller runestones scattered throughout the clearing, each emitting a faint glow. As he investigated one of the stones, a sudden movement caught his eye.

From the underbrush emerged a creature Eric had never seen before. It was a large lizard, its scales shimmering with an unnatural light. Instinctively, Eric focused on the creature, causing a status panel to appear.

-----

**STATUS**

[Name: None]

[Race: Luminous Lizard] [Common]

[Level: 19/20]

[HP: 100%] [MP: 35/35]

[Strength: 18] [Defense: 10]

[Agility: 15] [Intelligence: 9]

[Vitality: 12]

[Element Affinity: Light]

**SKILLS**

[Racial Skill: Luminescence]

[Basic Skill: Blinding Flash]

-----END-----

Eric's instincts kicked in. This was a perfect opportunity to test his new skills and gain more experience. He signaled the pack with a low growl, and they spread out, surrounding the lizard.

The alpha wolf gave the signal, and the pack attacked in unison. Eric used his Charge skill, feeling a burst of speed as he closed the distance between him and the lizard. He dodged its initial swipe and lunged, sinking his teeth into its side.

The lizard hissed and tried to retaliate, but the pack was too coordinated. They took turns distracting and attacking it until it finally succumbed to their assault. As the lizard fell, a notification appeared.

[Ding!]

[Experience gained: 300 EXP]

[YOU LEVELED UP!]

[Gained 1 Free Attribute Point]

[Ding!]

[You successfully used the Devour Skill!]

[You gained 9 Mana]

[You Have Failed to obtain the Skill of Your Target, as you do not have an affinity to Light Element]

[Do you wish to forcibly obtain the skill of the target?]

[Reminder to Host: Obtaining skills not compatible to the Host will result in backlash!!!]

Eric felt the familiar surge of energy as he leveled up. He quickly allocated his free attribute point to strength, feeling his muscles grow slightly stronger. He chose to decline absorbing skills not compatible with him, as that might become detrimental to his future growth.

-----

**STATUS**

[Name: None]

[Title: None]

[Job Class: None]

[Race: Dire Wolf] [Common]

[Level: 14/20] [Exp: 70/1,400]

[HP: 100%] [MP: 67/67]

[Strength: 20] [Defense: 9]

[Agility: 18] [Intelligence: 7]

[Vitality: 10] [Free Attributes: 0]

[Element Affinity: Lightning]

**SKILLS**

[Racial Skills: Pack Coordination, Heightened Senses]

[Basic Skill: Charge]

[Unique Skill: Devour]

-----END-----

Eric took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He turned to the alpha wolf, who nodded approvingly. Eric was starting to feel like a valuable member of the pack.

As the sun set, the pack gathered around the ancient rune tree once more. Eric lay down, feeling the day's exertions catch up with him. He looked up at the glowing runes and thought about how far he had come since waking up in this strange new world.

"I need to get stronger," he thought. "There's so much more to learn and discover."

The next morning, the pack was on the move again. Eric noticed a sense of urgency in their movements. They were heading towards the deeper parts of the forest, where the trees grew thicker and the light barely penetrated the canopy.

Eric followed closely, his senses on high alert. They moved for hours, navigating through the dense underbrush until they reached a wide clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a massive, ancient tree, even larger than the rune tree they had visited before.

The alpha wolf approached the tree and howled, a long, mournful sound that echoed through the forest. The rest of the pack joined in, their voices blending into a haunting chorus. Eric felt a chill run down his spine.

As the howls faded, a figure emerged from behind the tree. It was an enormous wolf, its fur shimmering with a mystical light. Eric's eyes widened as he focused on the creature, causing a status panel to appear.

-----

**STATUS**

[Name: None]

[Race: Mystic Wolf] [Lord]

[Level: 47/60]

[HP: 100%] [MP: ???]

[Strength: ???] [Defense: ???]

[Agility: ???] [Intelligence: ???]

[Vitality: ???]

[Element Affinity: Nature]

-----END-----

The alpha wolf bowed its head in respect, and the rest of the pack followed suit. Eric imitated them, realizing that this must be the pack's true leader.

The mystic wolf stepped forward, its eyes locking onto Eric. There was an intelligence in those eyes, a sense of wisdom and power that made Eric's fur stand on end. The mystic wolf sniffed him, then nodded, a gesture of acknowledgment.

Eric felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been accepted by the pack's leader. But he also felt a sense of foreboding. The mystic wolf's presence hinted at deeper mysteries and greater challenges ahead.

As the pack settled down around the ancient tree, Eric lay awake, staring up at the night sky. He had come a long way, but he knew his journey was just beginning. There were still many questions to be answered, and many dangers to face.

"I'll keep getting stronger," he vowed silently. "I'll uncover the secrets of this world, and I'll find my place in it."

With that resolve, Eric closed his eyes and let the sounds of the forest lull him to sleep, ready to face whatever the new day would bring.