Rimelion: The Exploiter

31. A muddy fight

With my pulse pounding in my ears, I focused on the task at hand. No system shortcuts this time—I'd write the Ice Dance runes myself. My fingers traced the faint glow of mana into the shapes I needed, but the Wulves had no intention of giving me the time.

The first Wulf pounced, its claws sparking against my shield with a sharp buzz of magical energy. The impact vibrated through my arm, forcing me to grit my teeth as I held my ground. Before I could recover, a second Wulf lunged. Its growl echoed around me like a drunken song in the morning. In the dim light, its saliva glistened as it snapped its massive jaws inches from my face.

I saw it too late.

The beast's paw tore through the left side of my robe, rending fabric and flesh alike. Pain erupted across my ribs as a bloody gash opened, hot and stinging.

[You lost 10 HP.]

"Gah!" I hissed, stumbling back. The Wulf's eyes twinkled with pride, its blood-soaked fur bristling as it prepared for another strike.

Behind me, Katherine roared, "Don' touch ma Charlie!" Her words cut through the haze of pain, snapping me back into focus. Stupid reality limit. My hand tightened around the whip's handle, and I took a steadying breath. The fight wasn't over—not even close.

Despite the pain in my side and the chaos, as an experienced warrior, I focused on the runes, tracing each one with precision. Somehow, I completed the sequence on my first try.

"Ice Dance, bastards!" I shouted, pushing mana into the runes. A brilliant blue light burst forth, slicing through the darkness like a quadrupled whisky. The air chilled instantly, frost spreading outward in shimmering tendrils. The ground, the Wulves, even the nearby trees glistened under a layer of ice. Katherine, however, stood untouched in the frosty glow.

"Wau, Charlie!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration. Her awe was short-lived as four of the Wulves shook off the frost and lunged at us, relentless in their attack.

"Kat, jump right!" I commanded, leaping to the left without waiting for a response.

Without hesitation, she darted to the right, her agility higher than mine, as she dodged the snapping jaws. "Attack! Two hours!" I yelled, steadying myself as my heels skidded in the frost-covered mud, steadying me. Footwear advantage now, bastards! My shield rose just in time as I braced for the next assault.

The swift movement had saved us from two of the Wulves, but the pack wasn't giving up. They quickly regrouped, circling us.

Katherine was already in action, her sword flashing. A pitiful whimper followed by a sickening crunch of steel meeting flesh as one of the Wulves collapsed.

Their focus shifted to me.

Two Wulves charged from opposite sides, their claws tearing through the frost as they lunged.

I raised my shield just in time, slamming it into the one on my left with a reverberating clang. The force of the impact sent a jolt through my arm, and despite my pitiful strength, I held firm.

The second Wulf was faster, its bloodshot eyes locked onto me. Its jaws snapped inches from my face, but my whip was quicker. With a sharp crack, the tip lashed out, striking its head and coiling around its snout.

I yanked hard, jerking the beast's head back, and with another precise snap, I slashed the whip across its eyes, scoring critical AP!

The Wulf howled in pain, thrashing wildly as blood streamed from its blinded eyes.