Chapter 85: The Alpha's Last Howl - The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Armiger

[14th Everdusk, 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest Country

I glanced once more at the heap of monster corpses littered across the clearing. There was nothing left to do here. Most of the creatures had already been culled—only a few stragglers remained... and the boss.

“I need to find him if I want to move on,” I muttered, turning on my heel.

As I walked off, deep in thought, another figure emerged from the shadows of the forest—the opposite direction from where I'd come.

It was a wolf—but not an ordinary one.

Massive, feral, and wreathed in bloodlust, the beast froze at the sight of its fallen pack. The rage in its eyes ignited as it lowered its snout to the blood-stained soil.

Sniff.

Growl...

Then it vanished, tearing through the underbrush at blinding speed.

Several minutes away, I trudged forward, absorbed in my thoughts, when I suddenly remembered something.

“Oh... the points!” I snapped my fingers, remembering the ten unassigned stat points I’d earned upon reaching Level 7.

Pulling up my status screen, I quickly distributed them.

{Stats}

Health Points (

): 240 --> 270 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (

Regen

: 1.35/minute = 27*.05)

Mana Points (

): 330 --> 340 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (

Regen

: 1.70/minute = 34*.05)

Strength (

STR

): 26 --> 28

Agility (

AGL

): 30

Vitality (

VIT

): 24 --> 27

Intelligence (

INT

): 33 --> 34

Endurance (

END

): 22 --> 23

Stamina (

STA

): 25 --> 28

Unassigned Stats: 00

Attack Power: 70+7 {Physical} [

ATK

: STR+AGL*1.2], 51 {Elemental} [

MAG

: INT*1.5]

Defense: 51+12 [

DEF:

END+STA*1]

“I’ll need to be careful now. That boss could ambush me at any moment—”

Before I could finish, a violent force crashed into my back, sending me hurtling forward. I slammed through a tree, then another, and another—each one cracking and collapsing under the impact.

Pain flared through me as blood spattered the grass.

<−89 HP>

“Argh… feels like a thousand needles stabbing into my back!” I hissed, barely able to move.

I twisted around—and saw it.

Growl. Growl. Growl.

A massive wolf stepped into the light. Rage glimmered in its crimson eyes.

“So you're the boss… huh,” I muttered, standing slowly with a grimace. “Came looking for your fallen pack, did you?”

The Alpha didn’t answer. It lunged.

I barely managed to block with my sword. The impact sent a jolt through my arms.

‘Even after my stat increase from Plunder… I’m still weaker. Of course I am—he's a boss. That title isn’t just for show.’

I gritted my teeth and parried another blow.

“Fine, have it your way.”

I leapt back, breathing heavily, and unleashed a combo.

<−32 MP>

The Shadow Bolt hit first, striking the Alpha’s back. The Bone Fang followed, but the wolf dodged it with surprising agility.

Its HP bar appeared—slightly chipped.

Not much defense, huh?

Confidence surged.

Big mistake.

I rushed in to press the advantage, but the Alpha’s eyes didn’t waver. It moved like the injury meant nothing. Faster. Meaner.

Before I could react, it vanished and reappeared—claws aimed at my throat.

I blocked just in time, but blood trickled from my forearm. My grip trembled.

Why isn’t it finishing me off?

Then I realized.

Cooldown. That dash skill must be on cooldown.

Grinning, I summoned my skeletons.

<−60 MP>

[72/340 MP Remaining]

“Buy me some time,” I ordered.

As the skeletons charged in, I circled around the Alpha, pulling up a lesser-used skill on my screen.

“This should do it…”

I lunged.

<−15 MP>

At the moment my blade slashed across the Alpha’s flank, a random enchantment triggered.

FWOOSH.

Flames burst from the sword, searing fur and flesh. The Alpha yelped and vanished again—reappearing nearby with a gaping wound along its side.

Blood streamed freely. Its HP dipped below 50%.

Then it howled.

HOWL. HOWL. HOWL.

I braced myself. A boss’s howl usually meant reinforcements.

But only three wolves appeared.

That’s when I smiled.

You were expecting ten, weren’t you? Too bad—they’re already dead.

My skeletons immediately intercepted the new arrivals. I turned back to the Alpha, whose fury had curdled into desperation.

“You ready for the end?” I muttered, tightening my grip.

Our battle resumed.

This time, he was sluggish. Sloppy.

The earlier wound was bleeding him dry, and with each blow I landed, his movements slowed further. His strength waned.

Still, I didn’t let up. Blow after blow, I cut through fur and bone, driving him further into the dirt.

His HP bar was almost empty.

Then—he locked eyes with me.

As if to say:

If I die, you’re coming with me.

He vanished again.

I spun around, eyes scanning.

There!

He reappeared to the northeast, claws stretched toward my throat.

But I was ready.

SHHK—

I drove my blade through his body.

The Alpha froze mid-motion. His paw twitched.

Then, he collapsed.

Lifeless.

“Sorry, buddy. I’m not dying here. Not this time. Not even the gods can stop me now,” I said softly.

I glanced at my skeletons, who stood guard by the corpses of the fallen wolves.

We had won.

No...

were the victors of this blood-soaked battle.

To be continued…