The next day, I decided to try the other route. Since I gained confidence fighting level 15 monsters, I wanted to see how [Dire Wolves] would stack up and if they have any skills worth taking.


    I walk out of town, and proceed to hunt [Dire Foxes] as I made it deeper and deeper into the forest. Like the [Ravenous Coyotes], the [Dire Wolves] lived farther away from town. After killing about 3 [Dire Foxes] and traveling 3 hours, I pick up the scent of mammals I did not recognize.


    Of course when I say I did not recognize it, I mean I have not exactly met up with the owners of this smell before. Considering I have spent some time in the leather goods shop, I can definitely find some smell similarity to the smell of the [Dire Wolf] leather goods.


    By the smell of things, there seem to be 4 of them…


    I would have preferred to start out with 2 or 3. But I don’t think 4 should be a problem. Especially if I am cautious.


    As I get closer, they easily picked up on my scent and begin heading my way while attempting to surround me. Of course I am not exactly just going to let them have their way. As they get closer, I activate [Sprint] and run towards one of them. And when I shrunk the distance, I activate both my [Throw] skills focused on speed, and fling a rock right at the [Dire Wolf] in front of me.


    The [Dire Wolf] attempts to dodge to the side, but is a tad too late and ends up hit in the shoulder. Personally though, I wasn’t even counting too much on the [Throw] to hit as it was more of a distraction, not that I am complaining or anything... I then quickly [Charge] straight at the [Dire Wolf]. Imbuing my katar with wind and activate [Slash], I shred the [Dire Wolf] in half.


    Realistically speaking, I didn’t really need the wind blade on my katar to kill this wolf, but as I mentioned before. I am not exactly thrilled about being surrounded by 4 monsters around my level, even with my increased stats. Killing the first one ASAP makes it easier for me to be on defensive. So after I killed it, I quickly turned around and took up a defensive stance.


    Soon the other 3 [Dire Wolves] closed in and looked awfully pissed about me killing one of their own. As they came closer, they again started to spread out trying to surround me. Though I am not exactly going to just stand there and do nothing now am I?


    I again use [Throw], this time focusing on strength and aim the rock right at the [Dire Wolf] on the left I then activate [Charge] despite the higher stamina cost due to early activation, and head straight at the [Dire Wolf] on the right. Catching it completely off guard, I use [Slice] and wind blade to promptly behead the [Dire Wolf].


    Now that it is down to just two of them, I plan to fight them a bit more normally without relying on the wind blade.


    This time around the two [Dire Wolves] decided to stick together instead of splitting up after seeing how quickly I dispatched them one by one. It seems like they are thinking that if I [Charge] one of them, the other will attack me from the side.


    Since that is what they want, I’ll give them just that and activate [Charge] aiming for the one on the right. But half way into my [Charge], I activate [Throw] on my [Holy-steel Healing Dagger] with full speed right into the left [Dire Wolf]’s face. With the left one out of the picture for the time being, I imbue my katar with my old favorite triple combo of [Penetrate], [Impale] and [Thrust], though now with a new flavoring of [Plunge], stabbing the [Dire Wolf] right in the neck.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The [Dire Wolf] ends up flying back due to the impact and I land right on top of it, then after the short stun wears off, I quickly roll off the wolf and get in defensive position.


    At this time the last one gets its act together and charges straight at me, I use [Evasion] and wait things out hoping to see if it has any useful skills. After playing around with it for 2 minutes or so, noticing it has no useful abilities left I finish it off.


    After I disassemble them and store them in my [Item Box] I move on. Too bad there wasn’t 5 of them, or I would already be done… now I have no choice but to either luck out and find a lone [Dire Wolf] or have to take on an entire pack. Not that I can’t do so, but one thing my gear doesn’t help too much vs a similar stat adventurer is my lack of stamina.


    In about an hour or so, I killed 2 more [Dire Foxes], thus completing that quest. Then after another 15 minutes of walking, I pick up the scent of a lone [Dire Wolf].


    Using the opportunity, I head straight for it.


    As I begin to get closer, I suddenly stop. The reason is because despite my [Smell Sense] telling me there is only a [Dire Wolf] there, as I got closer my [Presence Sense] picked up 3 other presences with the wolf. After locating their presence, I try to focus harder on my [Smell Sense] and realize there is some unknown scent in the air, but it is super weak, to the point that I normally wouldn’t notice it.


    This confirms that whatever that is, it is somehow hiding it’s scent to an extent. Which points to some sort of intelligence. As curious as I am, I head towards the location…


    NOT! Do I look that stupid?!?! I am not some literature hero who after hearing a roar of a dragon goes “What’s that noise? Lets go check it out”. If I don’t know what it is, or it looks suspicious in any shape or form, it’s not my problem! Someone else can gladly handle it!


    “Shit!” I yelped suddenly realize something and activate my [Sprint] running away as fast as possible!


    The problem is that if I am in the range of [Presence Sense], there is no way that a [Dire Wolf] would not be able to pick up on my scent…


    Unfortunately my worst fears have come to pass as one of the presences merged with the [Dire Wolf] and started heading for me!


    The worst part of it is, even with [Sprint] at level 3, I don’t think I can outrun it... Well if I use the option on my boots and start chaining [Charge] I may be able to outrun it for a short while, but it would eventually catch up to me and I would lack stamina to fight it. Thus guaranteeing my death.


    It is better off that I find some sort of defensive position, if whatever that is riding it is stronger than me, I can at least use the best of my ability to injure the [Dire Wolf], and then make my escape.


    Looking around, I find a dense pack of trees and head straight for it. Since I have the convenience of a katar not occupying my hand, I quickly climb the tree with my claws with little pause. I then move around to the neighboring tree and hide in the leaves using [Blend Stealth].


    My heart beats rapidly in anxiety as I wait for my unknown foes...


    Soon afterwards, the [Dire Wolf] and the one riding it comes into my view...


    <table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td valign="top" bgcolor="#006699" width="100%">


    You have acquired a new skill [NA][Wolf Riding] Level 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ha? How does that even make sense?!?! I freaking can’t get [Horse Riding] even though I see horses every single day! But [Wolf Riding] which is probably a harder skill to get just pops up like nothing? Where in the world am I gonna get a wolf to ride? Do I have to tame a wolf? Or do I just get a wolfkin to give me a piggy-back ride?!?!


    Okay, Okay... I need to focus!


    The one that seems to be riding the [Dire Wolf] is a [Forest Goblin: Wolf Rider]. And its level is 25! Even the [Dire Wolf] he is riding is above its average at level 20!


    Of course my position should be safe for now at least. From what I remember of the previous [Dire Wolf] pack, their [Sense Smell] is at about level 3. Even if this higher level [Dire Wolf] has it at level 4, it isn’t enough to pinpoint my exact location. It knows around where I am, but not the exact location. And even if it did, relaying anything but the general direction of my location to its rider would be difficult… the issue is…


    “AHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”


    <table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td valign="top" bgcolor="#006699" width="100%">


    You have acquired a new skill [RA][Howling Call] Level 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...to an extent... that! So far, only the [Dire Wolf] and its muscular green rider came. But there were two other presences... Which means if I don’t dispatch this [Forest Goblin: Wolf Rider] soon, they will come here and make things difficult. Even worse would be if those two called for reinforcements. Either way, regardless of what I plan to do, I need to do it soon... In a battle of attrition, I am guaranteed to lose!