Adam remained perfectly still high on a thick branch of a tall oak tree. He pressed himself close to the trunk letting the shadows of the dense leaves conceal him.
He was hiding on purpose watching waiting and following his plan. Below him on the damp forest floor near the riverbank the giant Fang Wolf Alpha stood its ground.
It was a truly terrifying creature huge and threatening. Adam could feel the fierce energy coming from it like heat from a fire but he also sensed a deep tiredness underneath its anger. Its pure black fur shone with sweat. Its bright red eyes burned with a stubborn fury as it scanned the clearing.
Around the Alpha three other Fang Wolves paced unsteadily. These were not from the pack Adam had killed earlier. They were badly injured their gray fur messy with dark patches of dried and fresh blood.
Their bodies showed clear signs of a brutal struggle. Adam easily figured out what was happening. A fight had been going on between these wolves before he arrived. He had accidentally stumbled into the middle of it. But he was not going to sneak away. An opportunity like this finding powerful creatures already weakened from fighting each other was too good to miss.
A faint breeze whispered through the trees carrying the sharp metallic smell of fresh blood. The scent was strong cutting through the earthy smells of the forest and it sharpened his focus.
His eyes scanned the clearing below. He noticed several small faintly glowing loot chests scattered around the area. They had not been there when he arrived. They were silent markers proof of the deadly battle that had already taken place. "Those must be from other Fang Wolves," he realized.
"Wolves that were fighting this Alpha and lost." The thought made him even more determined. This situation was becoming more interesting and potentially more rewarding by the second.
"So this Alpha has already been busy," Adam thought a cold calculating smile touching his lips. It was not a happy smile but one of sharp thinking and growing confidence. Seeing proof that the Alpha was already tired from previous battles made his smile widen.
A clever idea began to form in his mind. He pictured the possible rewards loot from the wolves already dead loot from the three currently fighting and perhaps amazing loot from the Alpha boss itself if he played this right.
"Oh yes," he thought excitement bubbling under his calm exterior. "I am going to get a LOT of loot here."
As if the game system knew what he was thinking a blue system window appeared showing detailed information about the giant beast below.
Species Fang Wolf Alpha (Boss)
Level 10
HP 300 / 1,100
MP 100 / 1,200
Strength 20
Stamina 15
Agility 25
Endurance 13
Intelligence 15
Adam studied the information his eyes focusing on the HP bar. 300 out of 1,100. Less than a third of its maximum health. His smirk widened into a real grin. The beast's heavy ragged breathing which he could hear from his perch confirmed what the numbers showed. It was seriously hurt and tired. Its MP used for special skills was also very low.
"Well well. You're not as tough as you look are you?" Adam mumbled quietly. His confidence soared. The situation was still dangerous. A weak level 10 boss could likely kill his level 1 character instantly. But knowing how weak it was changed everything. It was no longer an impossible fight just an extremely difficult one that required perfect timing and planning.
His plan became clearer. Let the three remaining wounded wolves keep fighting the Alpha. Let them wear it down even more. He would stay hidden watch and wait. Once the boss monster was truly exhausted he would strike. He would jump in finish it off and claim all the rewards for himself.
Down below the three injured Fang Wolves seemed to sense the Alpha's weakness. They exchanged quick nervous glances. Even though they were clearly hurt the need to survive burned fiercely in their eyes.
With a sudden burst of wild energy the first wolf the one with the hurt leg leaped at the Alpha. Its jaws snapped aiming for the Alpha's throat but the attack was clumsy. The Alpha sidestepped the jump with surprising speed.
But before it could retaliate the second wolf darted in from behind its sharp teeth sinking deep into the muscle of the Alpha's back leg. A loud snarl of pain ripped from the Alpha's throat. It twisted violently shaking off the attacker with a powerful shrug. The second wolf landed hard several feet away but quickly scrambled back to its feet looking dizzy.
The third wolf seeing its chance charged straight at the Alpha's back end. It slammed into the giant beast's back legs forcing it to stumble. Adam watched the Alpha's HP bar tick down slightly more. "Good good," he thought his eyes narrowed in concentration. "Keep wearing it down for me."
Hidden in the tree Adam slowly drew one of his steel daggers. The blade felt cool and solid in his hand a familiar comforting weight. He held it ready but his plan did not involve direct combat yet. His decision became clear cold and smart. "Why stop at just killing the Alpha?" he whispered.
"Why leave any possible threats alive? I'll take all of them. All the XP all the loot." Silently he sheathed the dagger and took out a handful of sharp-edged stones he had picked up near the river. They were silent and deadly in his skilled hands. He double-checked his stealth then shifted his position slightly climbing higher for a clearer view.
Down on the forest floor the fight continued fiercely. The Alpha roared a deep angry sound that seemed to shake the very leaves on Adam's branch. The second wolf threw itself at the Alpha once more aiming for its bleeding side. This time the Alpha was ready. It met the attack head-on.
Its huge jaws opened wide then snapped shut with incredible speed around the attacking wolf's neck. A horrible crunch echoed through the clearing. The wolf's body went limp. The Alpha shook its head violently and tossed the dead wolf aside like a broken doll.
The third wolf the last of the wounded attackers did not pause. Seeing the Alpha occupied it leaped onto the giant beast's broad back digging its claws in and scratching viciously down its spine.
The Alpha howled in pain then thrashed wildly trying to shake off the attacker. It took a deep ragged breath its huge chest expanding. A powerful blast of swirling compressed air burst violently from its jaws.
The shockwave slammed into the third wolf ripping it free and sending it tumbling across the ground. It landed in a heap letting out a series of high-pitched whines unable to get back up.
From his safe perch Adam watched the powerful air blast with a mix of respect and cold calculation. "So that's its special skill," he mumbled. "A strong area attack using air. Good to know." He also noticed the way the Alpha stumbled slightly after using the skill its breathing even heavier now. Its dwindling stamina was becoming more obvious.
Seeing his perfect moment arrive Adam focused his attention on the wounded third wolf whining on the ground. He whispered the command "Mark." The familiar red target symbol appeared above the downed wolf's head. Drawing back his arm he took careful aim and threw one of the sharp stones. The stone flew through the air a small dark silent blur. It hit the wounded wolf on its head with surprising force. The hit was instantly lethal. Another system message popped up.
Congratulations! You have defeated [Level 5 Fang Wolf].
Reward 500 XP.
Adam allowed himself a brief moment of cold satisfaction before immediately refocusing. The Alpha had not seemed to notice the silent kill. It was still breathing heavily. It finally turned its massive head its glowing red eyes scanning the now-empty clearing.
It let out a low rumbling growl filled with threat and confusion. Blood dripped steadily from its many wounds. Even though it was clearly exhausted the giant beast's presence was still incredibly threatening.
Meanwhile Adam crouched lower on his branch. His eyes were fixed tightly on the Alpha. It was the only target left. His remaining dagger felt solid and reassuring in his grip. He took a slow steadying breath his mind sharp and focused.
"This is it," he thought his heart pounding not with fear but with focused excitement.
The predator the mighty Alpha was now wounded tired and alone. The hunter hidden and waiting was ready to make his move. "Time to end this."