Rimelion: The Exploiter

It turned out that Wulves were like gray wolves—but not quite. Their crimson fur, slick and reflective like wet barcloth, shimmered under the two moons' light. The sheen made them seem strange, as if they had stepped out of some horror. Instead of rolling in the mud like ordinary wolves, they seemed to bathe in blood, the sickly metallic tang of it hanging heavy in the air.

Katherine's sword glinted in the moonlight as she strapped on her shield, her eyes full of anticipation just as in her streams. With a fierce scream, "Come at ma!" she charged first into the darkness, her movements rushed. She still needs time to improve.

[Wulf Lv.10]
Type: 1-common | HP: 173/173

A sudden gust of wind hit me, carrying the sickening stench of blood. We're not their first target tonight.

Not wanting to lag behind, I followed Katherine's lead. Willing my shield to unfurl from the bracelet on my wrist, I gripped the handle of my whip. Around us, Wulves crept closer—three growling and baring their teeth in front, and at least two more circling from behind.

No time to hesitate. System cast Princess' Grace!

I didn't have time to draw the runes manually or kick myself for ignoring my inherent skill so far. I could have practiced while waiting in the guildhall. The system took control, and my hand moved gently, guided by the system. Six glowing runes formed in a perfect circle before me. Watching their precision left me shocked. First try? On my own? Yeah, right...

The Wulves weren't polite enough to wait. With a chorus of snarls, they lunged at Katherine. She back-stepped nimbly—two swipes missed entirely, and her shield blocked the third with a deafening thud.

The runes finished forming just as the Wulves regrouped. Pouring my mana into the spell, I shouted, "Princess' Grace!"

The circle of runes blazed blue, and the energy shot forward like a wave, enveloping the only ally I had: Katherine.

[Player Katherine's strength increased by 15!]

Without hesitation I jumped down, my feet met with a muddy ground, burying into it a bit and right away dodged to the right when I felt a warm breath on the back of my neck. My maneuver sent the slippery mud flying all around me, and a wulf's crimson fur brushed over my arm as he missed and crashed headfirst into the mud. Mud wulf!

My next step was obvious - I needed speed!

[You have used the Agility Potion]
[Agility increased by 50]

Amidst the chaos, the stench of sweat and blood mingled with the rank smell of fear—fear that didn't belong to us, but to the stupid Wulves. My gaze darted through the fray as I searched urgently for Katherine, my heart hammering against my ribcage. Then, a sharp whimper sounded, and I locked onto the source.

There she was, a fierce amateur. Katherine stomped down hard on a fallen Wulf, her sword flashing in the moonlight as she roared with laughter. "Brin' it on!" she taunted, her voice carrying over the snarls.

With a quick swing of my whip, the crack split the air, striking the Wulf between us. Its yelp sent it scrambling backward, clearing a path. Wasting no time, I sprint-stumbled forward. "Kit, hold them! Casting!" I yelled, each word coming in ragged gasps. Stupid stamina. The muddy ground squelched beneath my heels as I wobbled to her side, the heels digging into the soil.

The moment I felt Katherine's back press firmly against mine, a wave of security flooded through me.

"Don' worry. Got 'em covered!" she shouted, her shield deflecting another blow with a metallic clang.