As Rayven ran, he realized that there were seven or so wrecked wagons on the road… He then recalled from the memories he absorbed that he was actually part of a merchant caravan heading to the City of Hesa.
However, that was not important right now.
Crunch~
Rayven looked back as he realized that the wolf was eating someone else!
Thankfully, it got distracted by the movement of the dying person Rayven had seen a while ago… Although it was unfortunate for the man, it gained him some time to duck behind the wrecked wagon and hide there for a moment.
'I guess it didn't get too angry from that Mana Flick…' He thought as he turned his attention elsewhere.
After taking a deep breath, Rayven opened Coinbound System's interface..
Just like before, it hovered beside his vision like a floating advertisement.
[ Current Balance: 49 Gold ]
[ Skill List ]
[ Skill Market ]
For now, Rayven selected the Skill Market.
[ Open Skill Market? Y/N ]
He mentally selected [ Y ], desperate for options. The blue interface smoothly transitioned and displayed a list of skills.
His heart sank. Perhaps, because he had just activated the system, he didn't have a lot of options.
[ Available Skills: ]
Telekinesis I (Common) – 500 Gold
Quick Mend (Common) – 500 Gold
Toughen Skin (Common) – 600 Gold
Detect Mana Source I (Common) – 750 Gold
Magic Missile I (Uncommon) – 800 Gold
Flame Dart (Uncommon) – 850 Gold
Stone Skin (Uncommon) – 900 Gold
'Four common skills and three uncommon… I can't even buy one of them… Why are they so expensive?' Rayven frowned. He wanted to voice out his complaint, but he didn't want to attract the wolf's attention while it was eating its meal…
Since he couldn't afford anything, he had no choice but to rely on the sword he had grabbed a while ago and his Mana Flick.
However, he doesn't have any experience with the sword, either in his past life or in his current one. He might even get injured while wielding it… Unfortunately, according to the memories he absorbed, Rayven was merely the son of a merchant within the Holt Family. He wasn't even the heir or had any special position in the family at all.
As a matter of fact, he had to join this dangerous mission to earn his keep.
Snap~
The wolf had already finished its meal… Rayven peeked out from the side, and he confirmed that it was closer now…
He clutched the rusty sword in his trembling hands.
'What am I supposed to do here…' Rayven had to think of a way to survive…
He tried to properly hold the sword, but it was heavier than he expected, and its balance was terrible. He had no idea how to use it, but if he was going to die, it wouldn't be sitting down.
He swiped the panel aside and it faded into mist.
"Alright, old school it is. Time to swing and pray."
The wolf had also confirmed his position and pounced on him!
Rayven barely rolled aside to avoid the attack…
Crash! Clack!
Its teeth snapped to where his neck had been a moment ago, and the wrecked wagon was destroyed even more.
Rayven then scrambled to his feet and swung the sword wildly. He couldn't control it as his body was simply not built to hold the larger sword!
As expected, the blade only sliced the air… It connected with nothing.
Still, the wolf seemed to be afraid of his wildly swinging sword. Unfortunately, he couldn't keep it up for too long…
"Okay, calm down. Think. You've got a sword. You've got a trash-tier spell. And you're poor. So poor."
As he was imagining a plan to take down the wolf, he saw it pounce on him again.
This time, Rayven used his Mana Flick to at least distract the wolf!
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. Current Balance: 48 ]
Thankfully, he was able to hit its face!
'Does it have a targeting system involved or something?' Rayven thought as he didn't expect himself to be so accurate.
Thanks to that opportunity, he was able to swing his blade and graze its leg, drawing a shallow wound.
It yelped and backed off... The wolf was now cautious.
Rayven smiled… "Oh, don't like it when dinner bites back, huh?"
He glanced at his hand. "Fine… Let's do this."
Since he might die from this, he might as well use everything he got! If a dozen Mana Flicks wouldn't work, 50 of them might!
Luckily, the skill he was using doesn't consume energy, stamina, or mana, just like what the name implies. It was only consuming his gold coins, and nothing else!
"Mana Flick!"
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. Current Balance: 47 ]
The tiny blue spark flew again, this time aimed directly at the wolf's eyes…
Pah!
The wolf recoiled, and it started whimpering!
'This skill is actually so accurate?!' Rayven was now filled with confidence.
Seizing the moment, Rayven rushed in and slashed downward. The sword bit deeper this time, across the wolf's shoulder.
The beast growled in pain… It then leapt back then circled again. It was slower now since it was wounded, but it was not giving up at all.
The wolf pounced on him again, even though it could barely use its eyes.
This time, Rayven finally recalled that such animals or creatures should have their underbelly or even their throat as their weakness. He had seen it in many documentaries!
Rayven then dodged the attack and let his foot slide beneath it, and cast Mana Flick at its underbelly mid-roll!
"Mana Flick!"
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. Current Balance: 46 ]
It cried out and twisted in the air before landing hard.
Bang!
Rayven quickly moved as he couldn't stop now!
"Mana Flick!"
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. Current Balance: 45 ]
Another tiny spark struck its face. He didn't stop!
"Mana Flick! Mana Flick! Mana Flick!"
[ Current Balance: 42 ]
The wolf was now confused and in pain.
Rayven grinned. He just needed to end it.
He rushed forward and raised his sword above his head before he slashed it down, aiming for the neck.
Ssakk~
Although the Mana Flick looked so terrible and weak, it might actually be stronger than he thought!
Thud!
The wolf finally collapsed to the ground as blood splattered everywhere.
The wolf then twitched once… twice… before it lay still.
"Haaa! I did it!" Rayven dropped to his knees...
[ Quest Complete: Survive First Encounter ]
[ Reward: +20 Gold Coins. Current Balance: 62 ]
[ Note: You can now withdraw and deposit gold coins. ]