The fourth night was restless. The forest had grown thicker, shadows swallowing the road, and even the faint glowcap jars JP set out didn't ease the unease crawling up his spine.
Then came the howl. Low, drawn-out, answered by several others.
Lyra was already standing, blades drawn, her ears twitching beneath her hood. "Wolves," she murmured. "But… heavier. Stronger."
The Pulse Stakes sizzled as shadows circled them. Yellow eyes gleamed in the dark—Dire Pups, adolescent wolves, already larger than any normal wolf and with faint mana glimmering across their fur.
"Pups?!" JP yelped, fumbling for his staff. "These things are the size of motorcycles!"
Three darted forward at once. Sparks leapt from the stakes, stunning one, but the other two slipped past. Lyra met them head-on, blades flashing in arcs of silver. The first pup crumpled under her slash, but the second lunged low, snapping at her legs.
JP's instincts screamed. He thrust his lantern out, surging electricity into it. The crystal inside flared and burst, blinding the wolves in a harsh white light.
"Now, Lyra!"
She moved like shadow on water, plunging her blade into the blinded pup's neck. Blood sprayed, steaming in the chill night air.
But another wave came—four this time. Their howls rattled JP's bones. He jammed another Pulse Stake into the soil, creating a crackling perimeter, but one wolf leapt high, clearing the sparks entirely. Its jaws closed on JP's arm, and white-hot pain seared through him.
"AGHHH!"
The bite sank deep, but then something inside him snapped awake. His Adrenal Surge triggered, pumping energy into his veins. His movements sharpened, his vision narrowed. He swung his staff in desperation—electricity exploded outward, blasting the wolf off his arm in a convulsion of sparks.
Lyra cut another down, but two remained, snarling and circling. JP's pulse hammered. "Think, think… circuits, circuits—"
He grabbed one of his resin-coated glowcap jars and hurled it to the ground. The jar shattered, resin igniting in a sudden flare of greenish fire. The wolves recoiled, startled by the unnatural blaze.
"Lyra!" he shouted. "Drive them into the flames!"
She didn't hesitate. With precise footwork, she slashed and twisted, herding one wolf into the burning resin. It yelped, caught in fire and sparks, before collapsing.
The last lunged at JP in fury. He lifted his staff, electricity sparking violently along its length. "Not tonight!"
He thrust forward, releasing everything he had. A surge of lightning engulfed the wolf mid-air, its body convulsing before it hit the ground, twitching once… then lying still.
Silence.
JP fell to his knees, chest heaving, his bitten arm trembling. Lyra approached, wiping her blades. "You're reckless," she said, her voice sharp—but there was a flicker of relief in her eyes.
"I call it… improvisation," JP wheezed, trying to grin.
They harvested the wolves in silence, the acrid smell of burned fur hanging in the air.
Dire Pup Hide – Rare, excellent armor material.Fangs – Strong alchemical reagent.Mana-Infused Fur – Uncommon. Retains traces of elemental energy.
JP's vision flickered—his status board flashed before him:
JP – Lv. 11 → Lv. 14
Strength: 26 → 29
Endurance: 30 → 34
Intelligence: 41 → 45
New Skill Acquired: Static Barrier (II) – Stronger electrical shield when guarding.
He let out a shaky laugh. "Level fourteen, baby. Who needs sleep?"
Lyra sat beside the campfire, her cloak pulled tight. "If you keep this pace, you won't live to see Fifteen."
JP smirked, holding up a glowing wolf fang. "Yeah, but at least I'll look cool doing it."
She rolled her eyes but didn't hide the small, amused smile tugging at her lips.
That night, their camp glowed with more than mushrooms—it carried the smell of blood and smoke, a reminder that the road was no longer safe… but also that JP was growing stronger.