The cavern rumbled again, dust raining from the jagged ceiling. Elior froze, eyes narrowing toward the tunnel's depths. The blood on the floor had barely cooled, yet the air already thickened with a heavier, darker aura.
> Thud… Thud…
Footsteps, each one like a hammer blow against stone.
Elior gripped his sword tighter. The loot chest at his feet pulsed with light, begging to be opened—but instinct screamed at him: not yet.
From the darkness, twin eyes blazed—a deeper gold than the lesser wolves, sharper, hungrier. The creature stepped forward, towering over its fallen kin. Its fur was streaked with scars, muscles corded like iron. And around its neck dangled crude armor made of bones.
> [Elite Beast Detected: Alpha Wolf – Tier 2]
Threat Assessment: HIGH
Estimated Survival Chance: 29%
Elior's throat tightened. He was stronger now, but the system's cold numbers didn't lie.
The dragon's voice stirred first, low and commanding:
> "A true predator does not cower. Face it. Devour it. Grow."
The vampire system followed, honeyed and cruel:
> "Its blood is thick with dominance. Drink, and its power becomes yours."
The Overflow Engine chimed with unnerving cheer:
> [Notice: Enhanced loot detected. Potential drops include Alpha Core.]
---
The First Clash
The Alpha lunged faster than its bulk suggested, claws flashing. Elior barely twisted aside, sparks flaring as his sword deflected the strike. The force rattled his bones, shoving him back across the stone.
Too strong.
He hissed, blood rushing hot. Blood Frenzy! His wounds burned open again, speed surging through his veins. He ducked under the wolf's bite and slashed upward, carving a line across its muzzle.
The beast howled, crimson spraying—but instead of retreating, its rage exploded. Its roar shook the cavern.
> [Alpha Skill Activated: Pack Authority]
Remaining wolves in the tunnels respond to the call.
Growls rose all around. Shadows moved in the side passages. Smaller wolves, drawn to their leader's fury.
Elior's heart pounded. One against many… again.
---
Blood and Fire
The pack surged, but this time Elior didn't dodge. He welcomed them. His fangs sank into the nearest wolf mid-leap, tearing into its throat. Strength pulsed through him, wounds knitting shut. He swung the sword in a savage arc, cleaving another in half.
The Alpha charged again, but Elior planted his feet. He let the dragon's heat rise—scales flickering faintly across his forearm as he met the beast head-on. Steel met claw. The impact thundered, both predator and man refusing to yield.
The Overflow Engine flooded his vision:
> [Notice: Inventory nearly full. Drops exceeding 100 will auto-convert to Materials Crystals.]
Loot orbs swirled like fireflies around the carnage, vanishing into his pack.
But the Alpha wasn't slowing—it was learning, circling him, waiting for an opening. Its eyes glowed brighter, cunning in their rage.
---
The Roar of Challenge
Blood dripped down Elior's chin. His lungs heaved, sword trembling in his grip. Around him lay corpses, loot shimmering faintly, yet the Alpha stood tall, unbroken.
Then it lifted its head and roared—so loud the cavern quaked.
Elior's knees nearly buckled under the weight of that sound. It wasn't just noise. It was dominance, the primal command of a ruler.
> [Warning: Mental Suppression detected. Willpower check engaged.]
Result: Pass – barely.
He spat blood and raised his sword. "I don't bow," he growled, voice raw. "Not to you. Not to anyone."
The dragon's voice rumbled in approval.
> "Then show it."
The vampire whispered like a lover.
> "Drink it dry."
The loot system chimed sweetly.
> [Alpha Core potential drop: 100%.]
The Alpha crouched, muscles coiled like springs. Elior mirrored it, sword drawn, fangs bared.
In the heartbeat of silence before impact, only one truth remained:
This was a fight to crown the predator of the cavern.