They walked in the forest toward the north, Olivia walked beside him and watched her brother jog-walk toward the main road. Rhax noticed that the tense in her shoulders had disappeared and her face looked more relaxed. But she still couldn’t meet his eye, and blushed every time she talked or said something. He concluded that she was just socially awkward and she was not scared of him anymore, at least he hoped this was the case.

“So,” he said in his most gentle tone as to not scare her, “what does your parents work as?” He wasn’t that interested in what her parents did, but it was a good conversation starter and maybe if he befriends her parents, he can get something good.

“M-my fa-father is a blacksmith,” She stuttered like crazy trying to say the sentence. Rhax can tell she was just shy and wasn’t afraid anymore. “And m-my moth-mother is a seamstress.”

Rhax made a humming sound indicating that he got it. He wouldn’t like to be a blacksmith, but that doesn’t mean that he hated the job. But on the contrary, he respected blacksmiths, because without them he would not have his weapons and thus he can’t fight. And seamstress is something everyone needs, because without them then people would have to go out naked. And Rhax really doesn’t want to go out naked.

“Did your father make this knife?” He asked while patting the knife in his right pocket.

Olivia seemed lost for a moment but then she seemed to remember about the knife and nodded her head vigorously. “Yes,” pride was clear in her tone, “my father made the knife, it was Adam’s birthday present.”

Rhax nodded, it was not uncommon for blacksmiths or any other person in a medieval society to gift their children with weapons on their birthdays. At least that is what the books and games made him believe.

He took out the knife from his pocket, he knew it was a dumb move, him holding a knife with a little girl walking beside him. But as always, he didn’t think about it. That’s because he was studying the knife in his hand, it was an average knife, the blade was 15 cm long and the hilt was made out of wood that was wrapped in leather.

He studied the knife from all angles, he estimated that this knife is a pretty good knife. The quality is pretty good and he can see that the blade took a lot of time to make. The blade just gave the feeling that it was made with love and care.

He then remembered something. ‘Don’t I have a system?’ He completely forgot that this was a game and not the real world, thus he forgot about the system.

He looked at the knife for a few seconds then a blue panel appeared in front of him.

Item: Knife (Not classified)

Effects: None

Description: A knife made by a loving father to his son on his birthday. It is better than the average knife because of the material and the care that was put into making it.

‘Well, what did I expect?’ He was not disappointed; it was a normal knife and not a weapon.

“This knife is good quality, I bet your dad is a great blacksmith.” He gave Olivia a smile, which she returned with a pride filled one. “Yes, he is.” The shyness he felt radiating from her suddenly disappeared. “Dad is very well-known in Rlia, a lot of people come to him so he can make them weapons.”

A name drew him in: Rlia. He was pretty sure it was the name of the city but he asked anyway. “Is Rlia the name of the city we are headed to?”

Olivia nodded her head. “Yes, it is our city. It is ruled by the Vermot family.”

‘Vermot family, huh? Interesting.’ He thought in his heart, his mind started working, if he wants to become someone big, he has to have a person backing him, at least in the beginning. So, maybe he will offer his service to the Vermot family when he gets his Warrior class.

“Tell me,” he said in a gentle tone, “how many members are in the Vermot family?”

Olivia seemed to think for a few seconds and then answered. “Well, there are 4, there is the City Lord, Lord Bram, his wife Lady Julia, their eldest daughter Lady Octavia and finally Lord Crispen.”

Rhax hummed in acknowledgment, this was good, the more information he got the more he is to know what can he do and can’t.

“Can’t wait to meet them.” He whispered under his breath.

“Did you say something?”

“No, I did not.”

A comfortable silence took over them, Rhax was still holding the knife in his hand, he started to twirl and play with it unconsciously. Then like thunder on a rainy night, there was a rustling in the woods they were walking in. Adam was nowhere in sight; their first thought was that Adam was coming toward them.

“Adam?” Olivia shouted, Rhax heard the trembling in her voice. She was scared! So, he did what he thought was the best action at the moment. He brought her behind him and he stood in front of her facing the direction the voice came from.

He held the knife in his right hand, this was not new to him. He has been in countless fights, but this time it felt too real. If he was to fight and get injured then he will feel the pain like the real thing. He is not ashamed to say that he was afraid, he was not afraid of losing his character, he just started after all, but he was afraid of the pain that would come upon him.

He stopped his hand from trembling, but still felt the sweat coating it. He felt the individual sweat drop slide against his skin making him more anxious by the second he stood there, waiting.

He felt Olivia tremble behind him, her tiny hands were gripping his thigh, he felt her nails digging into his flesh, if he was not focused on what was in front of him then he would’ve winced from the pain. “M…. Mr., are we going to die?” She asked in a fear filled voice.

“Don’t worry Olivia, I will protect you, today you will hug your mother and father, I promise that.” He smiled at her in a reassuring gesture. But in his heart, he knew what he just said was complete bullshit. Don’t get him wrong, he will protect her. But if the situation was not in his grasp, then he would do the reasonable thing and escape. He was not a good person, and she was an NPC.

They quieted when another sound came from the direction, it was of something walking. It was not human of that Rhax was sure, the sound was of a creature that uses four limbs to move.

Then like a shadow, a black wolf appeared from the thick bush in front of them. The wolf was massive! It was like a small pony. It had crimson red eyes and black as midnight fur coating his body.

The wolf walked with elegance and looked majestic with the way it moved its limbs. It was like the wolf was saying: This is my kingdom and I’m the King.

Rhax couldn’t stop himself from shouting. “What in the actual fuck is this beast?!” He was afraid, he is not ashamed to admit that. Who wouldn’t be afraid of being faced with a giant of a wolf that wants to kill and eat you?

“Oh Gods, it is a Direwolf. It was rumored that a Direwolf made this forest its home but it was just like that, a rumor.” Olivia said with a trembling voice.

Rhax was perplexed, a Direwolf? Isn’t that an extinct species of the wolf they have on Earth?

The wolf started moving left and right, it was watching them like they were his dinner for the night. It seems that Rhax’s height and build didn’t scare the wolf.

Rhax focused on the wolf and in a matter of seconds the blue panel of the system appeared in front of his eyes.

Creature: Direwolf

Description: A species of wolves, it is larger and more vicious than normal wolves. It usually travels in packs.

Rhax was perplexed, this was not what he expected to get from this. He practically knows nothing about the Direwolf. It doesn’t mention its powers or anything except for the name and background of the creature.

“Gulp!”

Rhax didn’t know what to do, this was bad, no, scratch that, this was a disaster.

He tightened his grip on the knife, his fingers were now white from the pressure he was putting in his grip.

“Olivia,” he whispered, “I need you to run as fast as possible when I give you the sign.” Olivia wanted to object but he cut her off. “Shut up and follow what I say!” That made her shut her mouth and nod in agreement.

“Hey, big guy, what are you doing in this forest? Aren’t you supposed to live in packs, where is yours? I can’t see anyone else?” Rhax started mocking the Direwolf, he was pretty sure the wolf couldn't understand him, but trying wouldn’t hurt him, he hoped at least it won’t.

To his surprise and horror, the wolf snarled and looked even more angry. ‘Holy shit, did I just make a wolf the size of a small horse angrier?’

The wolf started to move toward him slowly, he immediately used his left hand to gesture to Olivia to run. Olivia getting the message immediately started running the way they were supposed to go.

The wolf didn’t like that and looked in her direction, Rhax saw that it was preparing to sprint, he couldn’t let it happen. Olivia was his hope, if somehow, he survived for a couple minutes and Olivia made it to the main road then maybe she can save him. At least that was the plan.

The wolf was about to sprint, but Rhax made something that he thought was impossible a few seconds ago. He charged at the wolf!

He didn’t scream while charging, but the wolf noticed him nonetheless. The wolf snarled, and Rhax swore it looked like a smile.

Rhax held the knife with both hands, the wolf charged too. It was less than 2 meters between them when Rhax realized his mistake. He was charging against a wolf with only a knife, so, without thinking he threw himself on the ground when he saw the wolf jump.

His body connected against the hard forest ground; it sent a jolt throughout his body. But he immediately went back up. The Direwolf was watching him, it studied him with those crimson eyes.

Then like lightning the wolf attacked, it crossed the distance between them like lightning in a stormy night. Rhax couldn’t dodge in time and the wolf’s body impacted with his own. He felt the air leave his lungs.

His body went down, the wolf was pinning him, Rhax saw the big maw open, preparing to tear into his tender neck flesh and drink his sweet blood. The bite came, but Rhax in the last minute with power he didn’t know he had, moved to the left. The wolf missed his throat, but it got his right shoulder instead. Razor sharp teeth tore into the tender meat of Rhax’s shoulder, blood started to pour from the wound. Rhax let out a cry of pain. The pain was unbearable! It was too much. He felt like his mind was going to break at any moment.

He was after all from a peaceful society and violence was something very uncommon in his life. So, this pain was a new experience to him.

Rhax cried again when the wolf ripped the meat from his shoulder.

With strength he didn’t know or care where it came from, he kicked the wolf in the place between the legs. In the moment he prayed to every god and goddess that the wolf was a male.

It seems that the gods and goddesses love him as the wolf was in fact a male. When his foot connected with the wolf’s testicles, the wolf let out a sharp cry of pain.

That was what Rhax needed as when the wolf was distracted, he moved his legs and pushed. The wolf’s weight was immense but with some luck he pushed it away.

Blood was pouring from his right shoulder like a waterfall, the pain made him wince every time he moved a finger on his right arm.

He looked around him trying to see where the knife was, he dropped it when the wolf ran into him. It was good that it was still daytime so the light reflected on the blade and it made it to his sight. The knife was 3 meters to the left, he heard a snarl and saw the wolf was looking at him with hate in those blood red eyes.

It charged at him, Rhax immediately moved to the left and threw himself. The pain in his shoulder was forgotten, he moved his right hand and grasped the knife. The action made a jolt of lightning shoot through his nervous system. But he ignored it so he could survive.

The moment he grasped the knife he felt the wolf’s weight on him, it was using his paws to claw into his flesh. Blood poured like a waterfall from his body.

He guarded his vital organs, the wolf’s movement slowed down and Rhax used that chance. He moved his hands from his head, knife in hand. But what he saw was a claw coming straight for his face, he couldn’t dodge because of his position. The claw connected with his face, pain shot into his body, he cried out in pain. He didn’t notice that his left vision went out, because the wolf attacked again, this time using his maw!

Rhax saw the terrible razor-sharp teeth of the predator coming for his throat. He felt like a hare at the moment, a hare that was going to be killed. He almost surrendered to his fate. He can always create a new character, was the only thought in his mind.

‘No! I will not be killed by this fucker.’ His resolve regenerated.

Even though his resolve regenerated, a set of razor-sharp teeth was still coming for his throat.

He was still holding the knife in his right hand, he gritted his teeth and moved his arm, it sent a sting throughout his whole body but he bared it.

The wolf’s open mouth got closer and closer to his throat, with his teeth gritted, Rhax brought his right arm and extended it as much as he can in the little space he had left.

His hand holding the knife went straight through the wolf’s mouth. The sharp teeth peeled the skin from his arm, the sound of his skin getting flayed was like the sound of wet paper getting slapped on a wall. The wolf was surprised, but it welcomed the new meal and was about to close his mouth to rip Rhax’s arm off. But in the last second Rhax stabbed upwards with all the might he had in his damaged body.

The sound of a knife going through muscles rang throughout the quiet forest. The wolf let out a howl that was filled with pain, then his eyes lost all life in them and he collapsed on Rhax. Rhax’s arm was still in the wolf’s mouth and when he collapsed, his arm got twisted and the sound of bone cracking rang throughout the forest. Then the howl of a man in pain filled the momentary quietness upon the forest.

Rhax laid there bloody, beaten and scarred. His breathing was coming in short huffs, he felt cold from the blood loss….

He had the urge to close his eyes and rest, but he stopped himself from doing it, because he knew that if he closed his eyes, he would never wake up again. Every inch of his body was hurting him.

Then a blue screen appeared in front of him.

[Player gained 3 points in Strength]

Then after five seconds another message popped up.

[Player gained 3 points in Stamina]

Also, after five second the message disappeared and another one appeared.

[Player gained 2 points in Dexterity]

Rhax smiled weakly at that, this was a good gain. But the pain shot through him again making him lose his smile.

The message disappeared and the head of the Direwolf was there watching Rhax with its lifeless eyes.

Rhax wanted to laugh, but he knew if he laughed then he would definitely vomit blood until not a drop of blood stays in his body.

“I got you, fucker!” Rhax spat a gulp of blood at the wolf’s head.

Rhax’s vision was getting darker and darker by the second, he felt it was harder and harder to keep his eyes open.

He fought vigorously trying to keep his eyes open. Waiting for Olivia to come with aid.

He closed his eyes to blink, but they never opened again. Darkness enveloped him and brought him to its dark and cold arms. Welcoming him into its clutches with open arms.

Marcus Ricci or as he likes to call himself Rhax, lay there on the cold forest ground covered with his own blood and blood of a Direwolf. While said Direwolf’s body was slumped over his body with a knife sticking out of its calvaria.