章節 17: Chapter 17: The Pack Leader’s Wrath
Chapter 17: The Pack Leader's Wrath
The ground trembled as the Dire Mauler Pack Leader landed, its claws tearing deep furrows into the earth. It was larger than its kin, with fur that shimmered faintly in the dim light and muscles rippling with raw power. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Adam and his team, radiating fury and cunning.
Adam steadied his breath, his mind racing. The beast wasn't just stronger; it was smarter. Every move would have to count.
<System Alert:
Final Dire Mauler: Pack Leader (Elite Variant)
Stats: Strength S+, Agility A, Intelligence B+
Abilities: Alpha Roar, Shadow Pounce, Regeneration>
"Well, that's new," Adam muttered. "It can heal itself."
Bren gripped his axe tightly. "This one's not like the others. You can feel it."
"It's faster too," Kaelith said, her eyes narrowing as she nocked an arrow.
Adam activated Beast Insight (B), his vision shifting to reveal faint patterns around the Mauler. Its movements were fluid, its intentions almost readable—but only just.
"This one isn't going to walk into a trap," he said. "We'll have to force it to make mistakes."
The battle began with a roar. The Pack Leader charged, its bulk moving faster than seemed possible. Bren barely had time to raise his axe, the force of the Mauler's swipe sending him stumbling back.
Saria darted in, slashing at the Mauler's flank, but the beast pivoted with alarming speed, forcing her to retreat.
Kaelith fired an arrow, aiming for the beast's eye. The Pack Leader jerked its head, the arrow grazing its cheek instead.
"It's reading us," she said, frustration evident in her voice.
Adam gritted his teeth. "Then we'll have to outsmart it."
He activated Strategic Attraction (D), sending out a faint pulse to distract the creature. The Mauler hesitated, its head snapping toward the source of the disturbance.
"Now!" Adam shouted.
The Shadow Wolf Alpha lunged, its fangs sinking into the Mauler's leg. The beast roared, shaking the wolf off, but the brief distraction gave Bren an opening. He swung his axe in a wide arc, striking the Mauler's shoulder.
The creature staggered but recovered quickly, its wounds beginning to heal almost instantly.
"That regeneration's no joke," Kaelith said, loosing another arrow.
Adam's system chimed, offering a glimmer of hope.
<System Alert:
Temporary Ability Unlocked: Predator's Mark (B)
Effect: Weakens target's regeneration and increases damage taken. Duration: 5 minutes.>
Adam didn't hesitate. He activated Predator's Mark (B), a glowing sigil forming on the Pack Leader's chest. The beast let out a guttural snarl, its movements growing more erratic.
"It's working!" Saria shouted, her daggers flashing as she struck at the marked area.
The Pack Leader retaliated with Alpha Roar, a deafening soundwave that sent the group reeling. Adam felt the force in his bones, but he pushed through the pain, focusing on the fight.
"Keep moving!" he yelled. "Don't let it pin us down!"
The Mauler launched into Shadow Pounce, its massive form disappearing into the shadows before reappearing behind Kaelith. The elf dove to the side just in time, the Mauler's claws raking the ground where she'd been.
Adam rushed in, his sword glowing faintly as he activated Strength Surge (C). His strike connected with the Mauler's hind leg, the force staggering the beast.
Bren and Saria followed up, their combined attacks keeping the Mauler off balance. The Shadow Wolf Alpha lunged again, targeting the marked area on the Mauler's chest.
The Pack Leader roared in fury, its regeneration faltering under the onslaught.
The tide of battle began to shift. Adam's team pressed the advantage, their attacks coordinated and relentless.
Kaelith landed a critical shot, her arrow piercing the Mauler's eye. The beast howled in agony, its movements growing desperate.
Adam saw his opening. Activating Heightened Perception (C), he moved with precision, his strikes landing on the Mauler's weakened spots.
With one final roar, the Pack Leader collapsed, its massive body hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
<System Alert:
Final Dire Mauler Eliminated. Quest Complete.
Rewards: Beast Affinity Gem (Advanced), Rare Resource Cache, +10% Experience Boost.>
The group stood in silence, their breaths heavy. The forest around them seemed to exhale, the oppressive tension lifting.
"We did it," Bren said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Kaelith lowered her bow, her hands shaking. "That… was too close."
Adam knelt beside the Pack Leader's body, his thoughts racing. The rewards were significant, but the fight had revealed gaps in their strategy. They needed to prepare for even greater threats.
The system chimed again, delivering an unexpected notification.
<System Alert:
New Ability Unlocked: Alpha's Command (SS)
Effect: Enhances leadership and grants temporary strength boosts to allies. Can influence beasts within a wide radius.>
Adam felt the new power settling within him, its potential immense.
"This will help," he said quietly, standing. "But we can't stop here. There's more to do."
Back at the settlement, the group was met with cheers. The news of their victory spread quickly, lifting the spirits of the inhabitants.
Leila approached, her eyes filled with pride. "You've done more than just protect us, Adam. You've shown everyone that we can survive here. Thrive, even."
Adam nodded, the weight of responsibility still heavy on his shoulders. "This is just the beginning. We've cleared one threat, but there will be others. We need to keep building, keep growing stronger."
As the celebration continued, Adam stared into the northern horizon, the memory of the battle fresh in his mind. He knew the challenges ahead would only grow more daunting.
But with his abilities—and the trust of those around him—he was ready.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票