Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 9: Log & Roll

Another half hour passes, and Alex is carrying his third small tree back to the village. "Tree" is a generous description; what he has chopped down is more like a large sapling compared to the thicker logs used in the village palisades. It's frustrating, especially as he watches Thato finish hauling his fifth tree. Thato's logs are noticeably thicker and larger, making Alex cringe with a mix of envy and irritation.

Alex feels the urge to push himself harder, but he quickly shuts down the thought. He knows better than to let his ego get the best of him. His stats are much lower than Thato's, and trying to overdo it would only make him look like a fool. After returning his third load of wood, he ventures back into the forest, his thoughts still swirling with mild frustration when he suddenly hears a scream, followed by a distinct, bone-chilling howl.

"AWOOOO!"

"Thato?!" Alex shouts, his heart racing as he bolts toward the sound.

He crashes through the underbrush, branches scratching at his arms as he hurries toward the source of the scream. Bursting through a cluster of trees, he sees Thato lying on the ground, struggling beneath a large, wolf-like creature. The beast has its jaws clamped around the handle of Thato's axe, which Thato has shoved into its mouth to keep it from biting down. Blood soaks through his clothes, evidence that the wolf has already scratched him with its claws.

Panic grips Alex. His first instinct is to turn and run, just like he did during the car accident. But then he remembers where running had gotten him before. It led to his death.

"Not this time!"

He hesitates for a moment, then, summoning every ounce of courage, decides to charge toward the wolf. However, instead of running in blindly, Alex circles around the creature, moving in an arc toward its back. He grips the axe tightly, adrenaline surging through him. This is no game, this is life or death.

In a clumsy but determined motion, he swings his axe overhead. His inexperience shows as the heavy axe head wobbles slightly in his grip, throwing his aim off target. The wolf, sensing his approach, turns just in time for Alex's poorly aimed strike to hit where it hadn't been intended, right on the wolf's head.

You have dealt 18 * 3 = 54 damage to Young Navalia Wolf.

You have killed Young Navalia Wolf.

Due to killing Young Navalia Wolf near the village, you have earned 50 contribution points.

The wolf collapses, its skull split cleanly in two from Alex's accidental but fatal strike.

Thato, still pinned on the ground, stares up in disbelief. He can hardly believe that Alex, a man who has lived his entire life in peaceful Europe, just delivered such a devastating blow. He looks astonished, but also deeply grateful, as he thanks Alex profusely.