Silas landed hard on his two feet—barely standing, boots scraping against the cracked stone floor, just as the system's urgent command rang in his ears.
[System: Emergency Warning! Boss Evolution Detected – Phase Two Initiated.]
A low growl rumbled across the fog-drenched chamber. The Direfang—on its last moments just a while ago, was now standing like nothing ever happened.
Its body arched as if something inside of it was trying to get out of it. Its bones started to crack with grotesque snaps, and blood splattered from the seams of its plating.
Silas's eyes started to widen in horror as he saw it all take place.
Then it happened which he didn't want it to.
A massive horn burst from its skull, twisting upward like a jagged spear. Black fur turned ash-grey, now lashed with blood.
Its body grew larger—more distorted—muscles started ballooning beneath its skin. Crimson veins pulsed violently along its flanks, pumping raw aggression through the creature.
The fog churned as if reacting to the rage of the monster.
Silas then staggered back instinctively. "What the hell...?"
[System: Alpha Direfang – Phase Two]
[Health: ???]
[Known Traits: Horned Mutation, Enraged Movement Boost, Berserker Howl]
[Weakness: Ribs (Left side), Eyes vulnerable post-charge]
Silas gulped, sweat started to drip down his temple. "Those ribs again, huh... easier said than done, system."
The Direfang let out a roar that shattered the last remnants of silence. Then it charged forward—so fast that Silas didn't even notice it move.
He barely rolled aside, but still its claws grazed a small part of his arm, tearing through the fabric of his shirt and the skin alike.
"GAH! That fucking hurts." he grunted, stumbling backwards—blood kept dripping down his sleeve.
The wolf circled around him with unnatural grace. Its eyes gleamed—not with instinct, but with intent, intent to kill.
This isn't a normal beast anymore... It's thinking, it has its brain now... a working brain.
Silas tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. His mana was still low—barely enough for a few more uses of Piercing Thrust. He couldn't afford to waste that tiny bit of reserve he was left with, not now.
"Come on then, you stupid piece of fur." he muttered under his breath, planting his feet. "Let's have a dance of death."
The Direfang lunged again. Silas ducked low, slid under its belly, and tried to stab its ribs—but the bone plating had shifted in the transformation, and his blade skidded off.
Tch!
He rolled away just in time to avoid a crushing stomp. The Direfang snarled, then opened its maw and unleashed a deafening howl—so forceful the air vibrated. The fog rippled, and Silas flinched.
[System: You are affected by Berserker Howl. Agility reduced by 10% for 10 seconds.]
"Even debuffs now? What kind of E-rank is this?!"
Despite the fear clawing at his spine, Silas forced himself to think. He started observing, mapping the beast's pattern. The Direfang charged—then recoiled. It leapt—then waited.
It was toying with him. Every slash was calculated. Every feint... intelligent.
But Silas had seen patterns before—in fights, in life, in pain. He knew how to read chaos.
He then baited the Direfang with a fake stumble. The beast lunged further—and that was his chance, to strike back at it.
Silas twisted his body mid-dodge and thrust his blade straight into the exposed left side of its ribcage.
"Piercing Thrust!"
The blade drove deep down into the skin of it.
The Direfang screeched in agony, thrashing. Silas got tossed back like a ragdoll and slammed against a pillar with full force.
His vision started to blur out, his limbs trembled—body ached in agony.
But he smiled through the blood. "I gotcha, you fucking wolf."
[System: Mana Remaining – 15/80.]
He got back up—barely standing on his two feet. His knees buckled, lungs started screaming for air.
The Direfang was on one knee again, panting, bleeding heavily from its side.
This was it, the final stretch of the battle.
Silas roared and charged forward—not caring about the pain or exhaustion. He leapt, using the last of his strength.
One final strike. One final Piercing Thrust—straight through the eye of the beast.
The Direfang spasmed, its body locking up in one final shudder and then, with a trembling growl, it collapsed on the floor.
The Direfang spasmed, its body locking up in one final shudder. And then, with a trembling whimper, it collapsed.
Dead.
[System Notification: Boss Defeated!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Current Level: 12]
[Stat Points Gained: +36]
Silas then slowly dropped down to his knees, panting for air.
He looked down at his hands which were filled with the blood, then up at the still, massive corpse.
[System: Well done, Boss. That was brutal.]
Silas couldn't even respond in time to it. He lay back on the stone floor—breathing heavily. Staring up at the flickering lights, his chest going up and down with rash breaths and heart pounding.