Lys stood face to face with the wolves. Their eyes locked on him, hungry and fierce. He was very scared, his heart pounding hard like a drum in his chest. But he gripped his sword tight, his knuckles white from the effort.

  He glanced back at the lady he came to save. Her silver hair was messy, and her face was pale in the moonlight. Her dress was torn at the edges, showing how she had been fighting to stay alive before he arrived.

  He wanted to say something to calm her, but the words stuck in his throat. One moment's distraction might cost him his life. The wolves were too close, their low growls filling the air like a bad dream.

  ‘Maybe I should just run,’ he thought. ‘What's the point of any rewards if I'm dead? The system promised good things, but not if I don't live through this.’

  For a second, he imagined leaving her behind. It would be easy, just turn and sprint into the trees.

  But after glancing at her once, he discarded the decision from his mind. She looked so helpless, so fragile, with her small dagger shaking in her hand. He couldn't do that. He'd feel like a coward forever. Back on Earth, Alex might have run from too many things.

  Not this time. As Lys, he had to be better; he had sworn to be better.

  So he stood his ground, ready for the incoming fight. His breath came in short gasps. The forest around them was dark and thick, with tall trees blocking most of the moon's light.

  The wolves were at least a pack of three, big, gray beasts with fur matted from the wild. Their teeth gleamed white, sharp as knives.

  Just when everything pointed towards his end, his hunting skill kicked in. It was like a switch flipped in his mind. The forest felt like home all at once. He knew every tree, every shadow, every path, like a map drawn inside his head. The skill made him feel the ground better and hear the small sounds more clearly. And with this clarity, an idea came to him fast.

  The three wolves blocked his front. They were pack hunters, smart in their way. His plan needed him to get around them, maybe to their side or back. But he couldn't leave the girl behind him alone. She was backed against a large rock, her eyes wide with fear or trauma.

  He whispered to her, keeping his voice low so the wolves wouldn't charge yet. "Can you use a sword? Or that dagger?"

  "A--a little," she said softly, her voice trembling but trying to be strong. "My father never let me train much. I know how to hold it, but no real moves. Why? What do I have to do?"

  Lys saw how shaken she was, yet he commanded her, because both of their life depended on it. "See that lamp behind you? It's fallen over there in the grass. Grab it quick. There's oil in it. Find something, a sword or your dagger, and dip it in the oil."

  She looked confused, her brow furrowing. "A sword? But why? We need to run!"

  "No time to run. Fire scares them. Trust me. Hurry!"

  She nodded, didn't argue, and moved fast. She crouched low, picking up the old lantern that had fallen from Lys’s hand earlier. Her hands shook as she poured some oil onto a fallen sword's blade. The wolves noticed her movement. One of them snarled, taking a step closer.

  Before she could finish, the closest wolf lunged at Lys. Its body flew through the air, jaws open wide.

  Lys swung his sword, but he was tired from the long walk to the forest and the earlier chase. His arms felt heavy, like they were made of stone. The swing was weak, but it connected. The blade sliced into the wolf's neck, drawing a deep cut. Blood sprayed out, warm and sticky on his hand.

  The wolf yelped in pain and twisted mid-air, its claw swiping at him. Lys ducked just in time, feeling the wind from the swipe brush his hair.

  The hurt wolf landed awkwardly and stumbled behind him. Now it was between him and Lady Elowen. The other two wolves stayed in front, their ears flat, ready to attack.

  "I'm done," she called out, her voice breaking a little. Then she gasped. "Oh no….the hurt one is coming at me!"

  The injured wolf had switched targets. It limped toward her now, blood dripping from its neck, but anger making it look very fierce.

  Lys cursed under his breath. His dodge had put her in more danger. Now he had to fight the two in front while watching her back.

  "Light it! Use a spark from the lantern or rub stones, anything! Fire now!"

  She fumbled with a lantern's flint. Sparks flew, and the oil on her sword caught fire. The blade burst into flame, orange and bright in the dark forest. The wolf in front of her stopped, its eyes reflecting the light. It changed from hunter to scared animal right away, seeing the fire.

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  Lady Elowen waved the flaming sword at it. "Back! Get back!" she shouted, her voice stronger now. The wolf took a step back, whining low.

  "Be careful! Don't burn yourself," Lys warned, glancing over his shoulder.

  "Got it. I can handle this one," she said, waving the sword in slow arcs. The fire crackled, sending small sparks into the air.

  With her holding off the injured wolf, Lys turned fully to the two in front. They were circling him now, one to the left, one to the right. Their eyes glowed yellow in the dim light, like evil stars.

  Lys stepped forward, trying to look big and strong. He swung his sword in a wide arc. "Come on, you mangy dogs!" But they didn't flinch, as if they knew he was tired. He stepped back, sweat dripping down his face.

  One wolf jumped suddenly. Lys swung hard too, knowing his life depended on it.

  The sword hit the wolf's open mouth, clanging against its teeth. It didn't cut deep, but the force knocked the wolf sideways. In return, its claw raked his shoulder. Pain exploded in his head like fire. Blood soaked his shirt instantly.

  "Ahh! You bastard!" Lys shouted, the hurt making his eyes water. He pressed a hand to the wound, feeling the warm blood slipping away between his fingers.

  Even in pain, he waved the sword wildly, back and forth. The wolves danced away, keeping just out of reach. His swings missed by inches, but it tired him more. His breath came in ragged gasps.

  He stopped, knowing he couldn't keep that up. "This isn't working," he muttered to himself.

  "Go eat something else, damn it!" he yelled at them, his voice echoing in the trees. As if those hungry creatures would listen. They just growled hungrily, saliva dripping from their jaws.

  Behind him, Lady Elowen was still waving around that sword. "Take that!" she screamed at the wolf, thrusting her flaming dagger forward. The injured wolf dodged, but she nicked its ear. It howled and backed up more.

  "Good job! Keep it away!" Lys called.

  "I'm trying! But it's fast," she replied, out of breath.

  He started backing up slowly toward her, one step at a time. His eyes darted between the two wolves. The ground was uneven, roots tripping him almost. Between him and her was the injured wolf, growling mad, its tail low.

  He found no choice now. Fight or die. He had to clear the way.

  Lys spun around fast, turning his back to the other wolves for a risky second. His sword came down in a chop. It sliced clean through the injured wolf's tail. Blood spurted, and the wolf jumped sideways, whimpering in pain like a hurt dog.

  ‘Yes! How do you like that, huh!’ Lys thought. He took the chance and ran the few steps to her side.

  "Give me the fire one! Take my sword, it's sharper," he said, swapping weapons quickly. Their hands brushed, and he felt her fingers cold from fear.

  Just as he turned back, the other two wolves charged at his back. They saw their chance.

  Lys also swung the fire sword wide. The flames whooshed through the air. It hit the first wolf square on the side. The blade cut deep, and fire spread fast on its fur. The wolf howled loudly, rolling on the ground to put out the flames. Smoke rose, smelling like burnt hair. It scrambled up but limped away into the bushes, too hurt to fight.

  "One down," Lys gasped. He now looked at the wolves like the roles had suddenly switched. Now he was not the prey; he was the predator, and the wolves had become his prey.

  The last wolf leaped high, claws out, aiming for his throat. Lys thrust the fire sword forward. The point sank into its chest with a sickening thud. Hot blood poured over his hands. The wolf's weight crashed down on him, knocking him to the ground. They rolled together, the fire singeing his clothes.

  "Get off!" he grunted, pushing the heavy body away. The wolf twitched once, but after a while it went still, dead.

  But it was only wolfed down. The tailless wolf wasn't done yet. It had circled around during the chaos. Now it lunged at his leg from the side. Sharp teeth sank into his calf, tearing muscle and skin with it. Pain shot up like lightning, as Lys screamed loudly from pain.

  "Agh! Get off, you shit!" Lys screamed. He bashed the wolf's head with the sword's hilt, over and over. Thud, thud. Blood splattered his face, but it was not letting him go, biting on his leg with all its might. Lady Elowen saw and jumped in.

  "Hold on!" She grabbed his dropped sword and stabbed down at the wolf's back. The blade went in deep between its shoulders. The wolf let go of Lys's leg with a final yelp, then collapsed.

  Lys shoved the bodies off. He lay there, panting.

  Blood was everywhere, on the ground, on his clothes, mixing with dirt. His shoulder throbbed like hell, but his leg was worse. The bite was deep, mangled flesh hanging, bone showing in the moonlight. He tried to stand but fell back, dizziness hitting him hard.

  The forest went silent at last. No more growls, just the sound of their heavy breathing.

  Lady Elowen dropped the sword and knelt beside him, her hands hovering over his wounds. Tears streamed down her face. "You... you killed them all. But you're hurt so bad. Oh gods, your leg…it's terrible."

  Lys nodded weakly, pain making it hard to speak. "Yeah, we... we did it. Thanks for your help." His vision blurred at the edges. He wondered if he'd make it back to the village alive. The injury was grave, and blood kept flowing.

  He was feeling his consciousness slipping away. But before he lost it, the quest notification showed something.

  << Tier 3 Quest: Rescue the Noble Lady >>

  Quest completed

  Reward distributed.

  He saw he had gotten the 500 SP in his status screen. So he instantly opened up his skill shop and searched for a skill he knew he was going to need now, given how badly injured he was.

  Seeing the blood loss, he might not survive even one day at this rate. So he didn’t hesitate to buy the skill with the 500SP.

  Basic Regeneration: Cost 500 SP

  Purchase, Y/N

  Just as he clicked yes, his consciousness finally slipped, and his head fell to the ground.

  Author note: Need some ratings, guys. The story isn't reaching enough people. Ratings help with that. So, please rate the story after reading the chapters.

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