Chapter 3: Echo of Instinct
In the wolf's body under its domination, growing accustomed to its new sensations and new form, it ventured deeper into the forest with no destination in mind, simply moving forward. Not out of hunger. It pressed on into the cold forest for no particular reason.
-(This body is very strange to use. It's effective, but it's not enough. Is there any creature in this world that resembles a humanoid? It's a fantasy world, so there should be from what I know, forests like this tend to be full of fantastical creatures. Having something closer to a human would be far more effective.)-
The deeper it pushed into the forest, the more traces it found: fresh tracks, claw marks carved into tree trunks, the smell of wet fur. These were signs of other wolves. The scent was familiar small fragments of scent-memory that the infected wolf recognized but this raised a new dilemma.
-(If I cross paths with others of its species, what will happen? Will the wolves accept me? Or will they likely attack me? I have no idea how wolves behave. The latter is probably what will happen but if it does, it'll be good material for acquiring more skills.)-
With a grin already carved onto its face, it was clear it held no fear of confrontation with the host's species. Thrilled at the prospect of learning what life as a predator was like, it followed the obvious trail left behind. The tracks suggested four wolves following an alpha. Further ahead, the terrain offered an opportunity to observe without exposing itself it concealed itself within the tall undergrowth and, from the shadows, watched the pack that had belonged to the infected wolf. They were resting by a river.
The most striking among them was the alpha: a coat darker than the rest, a sharper and more penetrating gaze, a height that surpassed every other wolf in the pack. It was unmistakably an imposing figure to those under its command.
The alpha had already sensed the wolf's presence from a distance. Its movements were the same, its coat still held its sheen but something about the wolf gave it away through small, telling differences: it didn't stop to scent the air, it didn't scan the horizon, it didn't respond to the pack's silent language, and its eyes were empty black, without even a trace of a soul. There was no fear, no aggression. Only an obedience that answered to nothing in the pack.
At first, the alpha didn't attack. It simply approached slowly, asserting its authority more through posture than force. The infected wolf stopped and met its gaze. It didn't challenge it. It didn't submit either. It simply observed analyzing the alpha not as a mere hostile enemy, but as a potential tool.
It was then that the alpha let out a growl. Not a threat a warning. Still waiting for acknowledgment. But the infected wolf responded only with a blank stare, not of fear, but of absence. And for the alpha, that was the final straw.
-Graaawr!-
[Danger Detection] [Cowardice]
Its body moved instinctively, pulling away from the alpha's imminent bite. The restrained violence of the pack's leader would not tolerate a stain on the group it had to remain untainted.
-(What the heck! I thought I'd done well just staying still. I already knew it wasn't going to work, but I was just nervous. What a shame I won't be able to live among wolves.)-
Applying [Ferocity] [Agility] [Endurance]
The alpha, frustrated, lunged at the infected wolf and attempted to bite it.
From the infected wolf's perspective, it caught sight of a movement that left an opening for an attack. It slid downward and went for a bite at the throat but the alpha noticed first, stepping back mid-fight to dodge the attempt. In the middle of the skirmish, something made the alpha pause for a few seconds.
It studied the infected wolf. It wasn't fighting the way it remembered. Every movement was too calculated as though something had studied countless battles without ever having felt the fear and chaos that truly inhabited them.
The alpha took a step back. Just one. Involuntary.
A growl began to form in its throat and stopped halfway, for no apparent reason. Its ears flattened slightly not in submission, but in something older than dominance or fear. Something its instincts couldn't name, yet recognized.
The alpha realized it was not fighting a brother of the pack. It was facing a thing that wore the body like a mask. And what unsettled it most: the mask was analyzing it. It was more intelligent. And it was looking at the alpha as though it already knew how this would end.
From another perspective entirely, the mind of the virus was a storm of worry and nerves.
-(Jiiiiiih! T-that was close! I didn't manage to land a hit on that big one, but… God, he scares me! He's giving me such a nasty look! Aaaaah! I only moved because it seemed like a good opportunity. In my previous life I once watched a boxing program I thought that move I borrowed from it would work, and besides, the bite was a reflex from the wolf's body, not me. I don't want to fight, but I have no choice. If I don't, I won't be able to confirm whether I can acquire skills without being inside them… That probably sounded wrong. Doesn't matter. I need to focus.)-
The alpha charged with ferocity. The infected wolf reacted only by dodging, never giving ground to the danger but every evasion, every blow from the alpha, burned through more of its combat energy. Exhaustion crept in with each exchange. With a growl, the alpha signaled its pack to join and press the advantage.
The wolves hesitated to fight their packmate, but the sheer violence of the confrontation shattered any instinctive barrier. They closed in and surrounded the fight. The infected wolf realized it was at a severe disadvantage four against one.
-(Gyaaaaaah! Why did this have to happen to me?! I'm just a poor little virus who hasn't done anything! They're threatening to kill me! I'm not planning to be a killer at all! …Although I am planning to be one. No focus on this damned fight! But how?! I'm up against seasoned wolves. That bite from before was just a coincidence and not mine either! It was the wolf's body! But I think the body still holds muscle memory. I need to replicate that same move with another wolf the alpha is too perceptive. Also, why are they keeping more than two meters away?! It makes it so hard to infect them. I have no choice but to attack.)-
While lost in thought, the alpha let out a single bark, signaling the others to attack the infected wolf. Three wolves broke into a run toward it from all directions.
-(Aaaaah! I have no advantage! They're attacking from three sides! What can I do?! At this rate they're going to devour me! I don't want to experience death again!)-
In an instant it noticed that one of the wolves was faster it had lunged forward, aiming to swipe at the infected wolf. An opportunity presented itself, and it didn't hesitate.
Temporarily strengthening: [Agility] [Ferocity]
In a single moment, it ducked under the wolf's line of sight, and with a brutal bite, tore a piece clean from the attacking wolf's throat causing it to collapse on the spot from the sudden wound. The other wolves froze in horror at the sight. The alpha watched its packmate suffering in silence, starved of oxygen and bleeding out from the wound. And there stood the infected wolf, the torn piece of throat still in its jaws.
-(Did I do it? Did I just beat it? I can't believe it! I want to leap with excitement! But I'm in no condition to do that! Hehehe. Oh, and I should probably eat this piece of meat I just killed it, so it would be rude not to. Alright, here we go. Genetic material please be delicious!)-
With a single bite it chewed its meal in a way that made sure the other wolves could hear the crunching and tearing of flesh. Then, after swallowing, it looked at the alpha and flashed it a grin. The alpha, furious at the taunt, howled for the remaining wolves to attack. Despite the fear they held toward the infected wolf, they had no choice but to obey their leader. A buzz, then an announcement.
New absorbed skills have been acquired: [Charge I] [Night Vision I] [Dexterity I] [Vigor I]
-(Oh! It works on consumed animals too! This [Devour] skill is the best I'm going to respect you, broken system.)-
The remaining wolves approached slowly and cautiously, circling around it, waiting for the precise moment to strike. Then, in an instant, both wolves charged simultaneously. The infected wolf crouched low and they crashed headfirst into each other's snouts.
-(How foolish. If I kill them I probably won't get skills from eating them. The best wolf the one most likely to carry skills is the one with the most potential.)-
It sprinted straight toward the alpha wolf, who had kept itself on the edge of the fight. It closed in for a bite but the alpha had already seen through its plan, and in an instant, a swipe from the alpha's paw carved a deep wound into the infected wolf's side, between its ribs.
-(Aaaaah! Damn it! This crap hurts!)-
But the infected wolf reacted to the blow with a precise swipe of its own striking the alpha's face, between its left eye. The alpha pulled back sharply. It had been reminded that it was not dealing with an animal.
-(Gyyyyhhhh! This wound hurts but I landed a good swipe! I just need to taste this fresh blood!)-
It licked its paw, attempting to analyze the blood. A buzz, followed by an announcement.
Genetic code insufficient. Fragmenting genetic code. Reinstalling new genetic code. Readable genetic code detected.
New fragmented skill acquired 1/4: [Leadership I]
-(Eh? What? Only one skill? Insufficient genetic code? What in the hell is that cheap excuse? The blood doesn't carry enough genetic code? Is this a joke? Whoever designed this system…)-
Frustrated by the system's announcement, it sighed and decided to withdraw. There was no point in prolonging the fight. Its goal was not to wipe out the pack at least not yet. It had more pressing matters: gathering information, experimenting with the system, mutating its genes.
It turned and began to walk away.
The remaining wolves didn't follow. They stood frozen, exchanging glances among themselves not one willing to take the first step. The alpha watched them in silence. It knew they had the numerical advantage. It also knew what they had just witnessed: a wolf that killed without rage, that ate without hunger, that smiled without bared teeth.
Letting that thing go wasn't cowardice. It was survival.
-(Hm? They're letting me go? Even though they have the advantage. I'll take this opportunity and get out of here.)-
It pressed into the dark undergrowth to disappear beyond the tree line but before vanishing into the mysterious forest, it turned its head one last time. To leave the pack with something to remember. A chilling smile. One that was wholly unnatural for a wolf.
And with the sunset marking the end of the day a day so full of surprises our protagonist pressed forward through a world with no shortage of them.
What awaits on this journey will be a path paved with misfortune.