Chapter 731 (1/2)

Although it was strange, Naffur immediately produced a knife from his interspatial watch and slashed his own leg. Blood began to pour out and down his legs. Inwardly, Naffur wondered what others would think of him if they saw how bloody he was. If Mareen-

WHITE. WHITE. WHITE.

Naffur hobbled away toward a bend in the game trail, but he didn’t bother to actually tire himself out with speed. One thing that Naffur had learned from his Skills was the power of timing. Not the least of which was through Cheap Shot, but there were a lot more subtle ways to play with timing.

For example, due to Naffur’s Devil’s Luck with Entrances, it was without a doubt that the wolves would arrive just in time to witness him leaving. If he stood still, of course, they would arrive anyway, but because of his Skill, if he was making a decent effort, they would always arrive exactly as he was leaving.

Congratulations! Your Skill Bloodletting has increased to Level 21!

As expected, when Naffur reached the edge of the line of sight to where the wolf body was still slowly spasming, seven wolves leapt out of the brush and landed on the path. The largest wolf was pale gold in color and looked sharply up the path to meet Naffur’s eyes.

Instantly, Naffur could feel the concentrated hate there. Such was the force of emotion that he shivered, in spite of himself.

Grow strong or die, Naffur thought dully. That’s what this world is.

Just as the golden wolf was about to raise its head to howl, its ears flicked backward. It had heard the shuffling of the dying grey wolf.

It barked at three of the other wolves, and they nodded and tore off down the path after Naffur. For good measure, he hobbled another few steps then sidestepped behind a tree. Wincing at the pain, he pressed a hand against his wound on his leg and allowed his hand to be thoroughly soaked.

Then he flicked his hand forward, covering the path with specks of blood.

Congratulations! Your Skill Beguiling Ruse has increased to Level 30!

Some of Naffur’s newly acquired Skills made him nervous that he was once again moving toward the Path of Cowardice. It remained in his Status Screen, even as Naffur finished other minor Paths to improve himself. But this was different. This was strength. He was growing strong in this way.

It might not be the same method that the Ghosthound used, but-

The three wolves burst around the corner. They sniffed the air forward and continued to dash past the tree Naffur was hiding behind. He noted with pleasure that their eyes were on the drops of blood he had thrown.

Taking a fortifying breath, Naffur stepped out and smashed the nearest wolf with an Intrepid Hammer. He then followed it up with the only other offensive Skill that Naffur had learned since leaving the Orchard, Audacious Knee.

On contact, Naffur felt the ribcage of the wolf he attacked collapse.

The other two howled and stopped themselves. The first twisted around and lashed at Naffur’s arm with its claws, scoring several long scratches. Blood spurted out ceaselessly, as though an artery was struck.

Sensing weakness, the other wolf attacked immediately. Of course, Naffur ignored the Skill Level increase notifications and stopped playing injured. The attacking wolf had its skull shattered by an Audacious Knee. Somewhat stunned, the wolf that clawed Naffur watched its compatriot collapse.

Naffur made short work of the lone survivor.

“I’m not weak,” Naffur whispered to himself. His eyes stun for some reason.

After taking several breaths, he was about to go back for the other wolves when two more barrelled into him. Naffur swore inwardly and started throwing Intrepid Hammers as quickly as he could regenerate Stamina. It was much less pretty than the prior fight, but Naffur still managed to finish the two off.

Afterward, he checked his Health: 67%. That wasn’t low, but it also wasn’t a lot. Naffur knew that most Health was gained through Levels, so his Health was a bit…

Of course, that was offset by his recent fixation on putting points into Endurance. But that only accomplished so much.

Still, there were only two wolves left…

“I’m not a coward,” Naffur said to himself. His chest felt hot and clammy, all at once. But he walked back down the game trail toward the other two wolves.

One seemed to be keeping watch, and when it spotted Naffur, it turned and fled.