Chapter 19

For the second time in my short puppy life, I was revived from the brink of death. Well, this time was a little different than when Dad brought me back from literal death, but my shift from barely being able to move to so much sudden strength felt quite cathartic.

Name: ???

Race: Hell Hound

Path: Veinseer Pup

Level: 7

Body Development: 80%

[ACTIVE BONUSES]

+20 to all attributes

+100% experience gain

Vitals

Health: 150/155+100

Mana: 165/ 130+100

Stamina: 200 / 148+80

Attributes

Strength: 31+20 (+14)

Dexterity: 37+20 (+12)

Vigor: 31+20 (+8)

Sense: 51+20 (+21)

Attunement: 33+20 (+13)

Active Skills

Pulse Sense LV 3

Passive Skills

Enhanced Smell LV 1

Basic Fighting LV 4

Poison Resist LVL 1

Traits

Predator’s Focus lvl 2

Bonus damage when attacking from stealth or targeting unaware enemies.

Camouflage lvl 3

Bonus to stealth when not moving.

Pack Bond lvl 1

You now gain experience from anything killed by a member of your pack during a hunt in which you are involved.

Even without that temporary bonus, my attributes went up by a LOT. Strength had been at 16 before my level-ups and was now 31, meaning it nearly doubled naturally, but with the temporary boost, it more than tripled!

I sniffed, picking up scents with a new clarity. I couldn’t distinguish the locations of any creatures, particularly, but I did know something was rotting not far away. Since Pulse Sense was already so overpowered for tracking prey, I could just use my natural senses more for avoiding danger, probably.

For now, I snuck into the undergrowth while I decided what to do.

It was starting to get darker; what I could see of the red sky overhead was becoming more of a dark purple. There was already so little light in the forest, but I could imagine in no time it would be pitch black and impossible to see.

Normally, it would be foolish to try hunting in the dark, but I felt that I had to take advantage of the combined stat bonus and experience gains.

One thing I knew for sure is that if I wanted to survive, I needed to get stronger, and there was one way to do that…

…Or, two ways.

My body development was at 80%, and the last time I reached 100% I got to choose my Path. Not only that—didn’t I just get something about an evolution hint?

I thought, “Check available evolution paths,” and instantly a blue screen popped up in front of me.

[Available Paths]

Rare - Veinseer Nightstalker

Your eyes adapt to see in the dark, and the night brings out your true strength.

Stat Scaling: Sense - B / Attunement - C / Strength - D

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Bonuses: Improved eyesight, camouflage, and damage at night.

“You think the darkness is your ally?”

Requirements

Stage 3 Development

Dexterity: 40

Sense: 55

Required Achievement: One with the Night

Rare - Veinseer Bloodhound

Your sense of smell develops to detect scents from further away, and once you mark your target, there is no escape.

Stat Scaling: Sense - B / Attunement - C / Dexterity - D

Bonuses: Improved smell and the ability to mark prey.

“They can run, but they can’t hide.”

Requirements

Stage 3 Development

Attunement: 40

Sense: 55

Required Achievement: Sniff them out

Epic - Whisperfang Juvenile

Path hinted, further details currently unknown.

Hint 1: You have looked into the eyes of one who knew death was coming and saw the lines blur between predator and prey.

Hint 2: Locked

Hint 3: Locked

Requirements

Stage 5 development

Attribute Requirements: Unknown

Required Achievements: Unknown

So there’s an epic path I could attain, but I really didn’t have much direction on how to go about getting it. Either way, I wouldn’t be able to evolve into that one until stage 5, so I suppose it wasn’t worth thinking about now. Between Bloodhound and Nightstalker, both seemed like viable options, but I think I’d lean towards going with Nightstalker once I’m able to.

Granted, it might be the fact I was terrified and surrounded by a dark, spooky forest that pushed me toward a path that would let me see in the dark.

With that thought, I activated {Pulse Sense}.

It seemed the recent battle scared anything nearby off. There were some smaller heartbeats either up the trees or some reasonable distance from me, but nothing I would find concerning.

As much as I wanted to just find somewhere safe to hunker down for the night, I realized the bonus to my attributes and experience gains could be a rare opportunity. Even in the dark, Pulse Sense would allow me to hunt efficiently, and I hadn’t eaten all day. Plus, if I can get a decent meal tonight, my body development should get a nice boost in the morning. I could potentially reach my next evolution within a day if I was lucky.

I frankly had completely lost my sense of direction at this point, so I decided it wasn’t worth thinking too hard about whether or not I was moving towards my den right now.

Instead, I direct my Pulse Sense lower, trying not to get confused by the heartbeats in the trees, and picked one out that was not too far away.

I began prowling through the undergrowth.

Apparently, my evolution paths required getting certain achievements. While it didn’t explicitly tell me how to get them, I could infer one had to do with hunting in the dark and the other with sniffing out my prey.

Taking Pulse Sense for granted had really caused me to put little effort into smelling out prey, but I figured with my increased attributes tonight, now was a good time to start. Once I had a good idea of a direction with several small heartbeats, I let it wear off and began putting my sniffer to work.

The forest floor was much more pleasant than the dusty hunting ground where we first learned to hunt. Thinking of it hurt my heart, but I tried to put it out of my mind for now. I needed to focus on finding prey.

What really drew me in was the rotting smell, but I tried to ignore it and pick up something else. I didn’t even know what prey to be looking for here in the first place. I certainly didn’t pick up anything that smelled like a bunny, or at least I don’t think I did.

I thought I was on their trail for a little while, but then the rotting smell caught my senses again, and I completely lost it.

Frustrated, I gave up on hunting this way and activated {Pulse Sense}.

Surprisingly, I had gotten much closer than I thought I was.

There was a small fluttering heartbeat just about twenty yards from me. The other achievement I needed was called One with the Night. Did that mean I just needed to successfully hunt in the dark?

Well, hopefully this would work.

I took a quick check of my surroundings, making sure nothing was there, and when I felt it was safe, I made my move.

I first crept forward slowly towards the clear pulse in front of me, keeping my body low to the ground. Each pawstep was slow and careful, being sure not to snap any twigs or rustle the grass or leaves too suddenly.

Then, as I slowly pushed through a weave of vines, I saw a vague silhouette in front of me.

It was in pouncing range, so without any more hesitation—I struck.

I burst from the vines, fangs bared, slamming into the unknown creature and instantly sank my teeth into flesh.

It shrieked a high-pitched scream and began thrashing. I bit down harder, but this was not the soft flesh of a rabbit; its hide was thick and leathery. I gave it a good shake, but I didn’t hear that satisfying snap I would normally hear when I did this to a rabbit.

Instead, it screamed louder and, with a sudden twist, broke free from my grip.

I chased after it, still not more than a silhouette in the darkness, but it was slow. I had injured it, and it wouldn’t be getting away!

As I prepared to close the distance with another pounce, it suddenly curled into a ball and lifted its tail.

W-Wait—Whats—?

Something shot out from under its tail. Like some kind of ink, and it sprayed all over my face.

I growled in frustration for only a moment before I realized—it burned!

Despite being unable to open my eyes, my Pulse Sense still guided me. Its heartbeat was fast and terrified. I got over the burning sensation in my eyes and pounced on it.

My jaws snapped air, but my paws did find it just enough to drag it back and try again. My second bite found flesh, with spiny bone underneath. I must have gotten its back.

I didn’t care if I missed the sweet spot on the back of its neck; I locked my jaws tight and shook.

It continued to scream.

Soon I was rolling around with it, my play fighting with Luke certainly coming into practical use now, and once I was on top, I snapped down again.

This time I got it on its neck, just under its long face with an anteater-like nose. This time when I shook, I heard the snap, and its screams died to a slight gurgle before falling completely still.

Prey Eliminated! Level 7 Scoursnout

Experience Gained!

I whined, batting at my eyes. The prey was down, but my eyes still burned.

Pulse Sense had worn off, so I quickly used another one to make sure nothing was coming for me.

I didn’t even sense any small fluttering heartbeat except for the ones in the tree, so I took the luxury of letting out a painful whine.

The worst part was that I didn’t even gain anything from doing that! No levels, no achievements, not even any skill level ups!

I hunkered on the ground, paws over my face, hoping the burning would end.

It didn’t. It only became more bearable for the fact I had gotten to the point of accepting my situation.

I hate this forest! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! I thought angrily.

After getting over my tantrum, I did my best to look on the bright side. I did manage to kill some prey. That means I would have dinner tonight.

I squinted my eyes open. They still burned, but I could barely make out the silhouette of my kill lying on the forest floor before me.

I sniffed it and winced. Up close, it didn’t have a very pleasant smell.

I decided to check the encyclopedia and found a new entry.

[Scoursnout]

A small creature that ejaculates a burning venom from its backside. Acceptable for prey, but may give you a stomachache.

I remembered one of the Paths I had not chosen back before I’d ever left the den. I think it was Gutgnarl Pup. If I had chosen that one, I’d feel more comfortable about risking it.

But… I knew I did have to risk it. I hadn’t eaten all day, and the sooner my development went to the next stage, the sooner I could evolve and have a better chance at surviving in this damn forest.

I’ll just eat half, I thought reluctantly, as I lay down with my kill between my paws and tested it.

Its back and sides were tough, but as I moved it around with my nose, I found its stomach was quite soft.

Okay… time to dig in, I thought reluctantly, and took my first bite.

It tasted oily and not entirely pleasant... But, it was edible, though I’d give anything to have a nice rabbit or bone to gnaw on instead.

I wanted to cry.