The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist Chapter 4 : Battle

Leaves rustled, sending shivers racing down Alex's back. He sensed it—a menacing force lurking in the shadows, eyes fixed on him. Abruptly, it revealed itself.

A Shadowfang Wolf. Moonlight caused its dark pelt to glimmer softly, nearly merging with the enveloping night.

Hunger burned in its scarlet eyes, while a deep growl rumbled through the atmosphere. Alex's thoughts whirled, dredging up all his game knowledge on these beasts.

Shadowfang Wolves hunted by night, famed for their astonishing speed and sneakiness.

Shadow Step, their natural skill, let them blink out of sight and pop up behind foes, rendering them nearly impossible to anticipate.

Even worse, paralytic toxin coated their teeth, gradually sapping strength and pace from prey.

'Damn it... a high-speed ambusher,' Alex mused, clutching his sword's battered grip. 'I can't afford to take a single bite from it.'

The wolf pounced.

Alex twisted away just in time, barely dodging the lethal jaws.

He countered with a quick swing at the creature's open side, yet the wolf vanished in mid-leap—Shadow Step! Moments later, peril loomed at his rear; he dove ahead, air whooshing as fangs clashed mere inches from his throat.

'Its movement patterns are too unpredictable. I need a way to force it into a direct fight!'

A gap amid the trees caught Alex's eye—fewer hides meant limited spots for the wolf's trick. He bolted there, drawing the monster in pursuit.

Upon entering the open space, a thunderous howl shattered the quiet.

Further leaf stirrings. Additional crimson glares pierced the gloom. Two extra wolves stepped forth.

'Shit! Three at once?!'

Alex clenched his sword harder. One had been tough enough; three? His pulse thundered with surging adrenaline, survival urges yelling to bolt.

But he didn't.

He couldn't.

Running would just invite pursuit. No, victory lay in battling onward.

The trio prowled around him in unison. Alex drew steadying breaths, studying their flow.

The lead wolf stood out—swiftest and fiercest. Its smaller companions seemed like flankers, experts in joint strikes.

One struck from the left, another aimed low at his right leg. Alex spun at the final instant, evading both while booting the nearest assailant.

It yipped and rolled away, though claws from the third grazed his flank, spilling blood.

Teeth clenched, Alex shoved the agony aside.

'I need to end this fast before the bleeding slows me down.'

Channeling mana to his legs, he surged ahead, catching the alpha off guard with explosive pace.

A clever fake lured it into Shadow Step—yet Alex anticipated. He whirled and struck where it would likely rematerialize.

Steel met flesh.

The leader howled in agony, staggering with crimson soaking its midnight coat.

No chance to rejoice—a survivor charged his unguarded rear.

Unable to pivot, Alex decided in a flash.

His spare hand scooped earth and hurled it at the wolf's gaze. Blinded, it whined briefly.

Capitalizing, Alex drove his blade into its neck, silencing it forever.

Two down.

The last wolf paused, eyeing its fallen kin. Alex's frame throbbed, breaths coming in gasps, yet quitting wasn't an option. He pressed on.

Mustering his last reserves, he pretended fatigue, dipping low just a bit. The beast bit, rushing for the seeming sure kill.

In the nick of time, Alex dodged aside and hammered his sword downward with full power.

A gruesome crack resounded in the woods as the edge hacked muscle and skeleton. The wolf issued a last mewl, then slumped dead.

Silence.

Alex remained, heaving for air, crimson leaking from injuries. Metallic reek hung heavy. Victory was his.

Barely.

He dropped to his knees, exhaling unsteadily, fingers shaking from fatigue and rush. Countless game fights lay behind him, but this felt worlds apart.

This was real.

No longer a mere gamer. No quests for gear or levels.

Survival was the stake.

For the first time, its true weight hit him.