CHAPTER 24: SURROUNDED BY HYENAS AND A INJURED GIRL—CAN I SURVIVE? 23

[Low-level monster appeared]

"Low level?" He checked the mini-map.

There were several red marks gathering near a green one... and one of the red marks was bigger than the others.

"I think... I should check it..." He hesitated. "But... they’re low level. Which means, the moment they see me—they’ll attack. Then I’m damned! ...Well, no time to think. Just take a look."

He tapped the panel, pulling out a drink.

Glop... Glup...

He gulped it down. Suddenly, his hands, legs, and even his body began to fade—becoming transparent. He was invisible.

"It’s... really working."

[Invisibility Potion]

Rank: Rare

Info: Become invisible for 5 minutes.

He dashed forward, activating another item.

[You have used a Temporary Skill Card]

[Panther Sprint]

Rank: Rare

Info: Increases speed by 20% for 10 minutes.

Leaping over bushes and weaving through trees, he arrived within minutes.

Crouching low, he crept toward a bush near a tree. Carefully, he pushed the leaves aside—

—and froze.

[Monster Detected]

▶ [Hyena]

Type: Beast Monster

Attributes: High Damage · Ferocious Attack Power

Info: A savage predator that hunts in packs. Known for its relentless strikes and bloodthirsty nature, the Hyena targets the weakest first and tears through armor with ease.

Around ten Hyenas prowled there. Their terrifying bodies, their dagger-like fangs, and those bloodthirsty eyes—

They were viciously attacking something.

But the problem was... they were all around Level 40–50.

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Hyena ]

Level: 42

HP: 1650

Attack : 250

Defense: 150

—-

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Hyena ]

Level: 47

HP: 1800

Attack : 350

Defense: 180

—-

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Hyena ]

Level: 50

HP: 2000

Attack : 490

Defense: 200

And the largest one—far more terrifying than the rest—was the leader of the pack.

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Hyena Hound]

Rank: Rare

Level: 75

HP: 2600

Attack: 920

Defense: 420

Speed: 250

Skills:Savages, Blood Lust, Higher Animal Instinct.

"It could be dangerous..."

"Ah..." someone was fighting them—her body already badly injured.

"What should I do? ...Should I help her?"

[Hyena Hound used Higher Animal Instinct]

[Higher Animal Instinct]

Rank: Epic

Info: Can easily detect its prey and sense any life-threatening presence.

[Hyena Hound’s Blood lust is directed toward YOU]

"What... it spotted me? ...Shit!"

"HawLL!"

The Hyena Hound howled, commanding the others to close in on Nawfi.

"Kesh... kesh... sowh..."

Some rustling sounds came from behind the bushes near Nawfi. He turned to look—

Suddenly, a low-level hyena lunged at him, its fangs almost tearing through his head.

"Use Swift!"

[You have used Swift]

He dodged the strike and stumbled out of the bushes.

"Oh... that was close."

[Invisibility Potion effect has worn off]

"Not now... damn it!"

He was surrounded—

Hyenas with bloodthirsty eyes circled him, their fangs bared. They could attack at any moment... and divide him among themselves.

"Heheheh... I’m dead this time, for sure."

His legs trembled in fear and couldn’t stop his body from shaking.

"Hah..." He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus on the hyenas.

At that moment, he heard some creeping, dead-like voice flowing into his ear.

"Help... He..."

"What was that sound?" He was a bit confused and afraid.

Suddenly, something grabbed his leg with a slimy hand, and he heard the same voice again.

"Help... He..."

He instantly looked and was terrified .

"It’s a zombie... Ah..."

A person, bleeding from all over her body, her face hidden beneath the blood, clung to him.

"Ah... Ah!" He moved his leg fast to separate it.

The hyenas were also trying to attack him. He was dodging their strikes, and meanwhile, she held onto his leg.

"Hey... I’m... not... a zombie... save... me..."

She fell unconscious to the ground.

[Character Status Window]

▶ [ Name : Elina]

Race: High Elf (Elven Princess)

Class: Royal Mage

Level: 68....

"That’s a relief... it’s not a zombie." He calmed himself.

"Rrr... HOWL...!"

He dodged the hyenas’ attacks, quickly pulling a healing potion from the panel—and threw it at her.

The green liquid from the potion took effect, and her wounds began to heal gradually.

"Scratch!"

He tried to dodge, but the hyena’s claw grazed him, leaving a deep cut—blood dripping down his side.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a healing potion and drank it.

[You have used Healing Potion – Epic]

"Ah... I can’t dodge and protect her at the same time... It’s too hard. I need support..."

He instantly opened the panel.

"It will do"

[You have used 5 Monster Cards – Wolf]

Five wolves, each larger than a hyena, appeared in front of Nawfi. Their glowing eyes locked onto the enemies, fangs bared and ready to strike.

"Wolves! Kill them all!"

The wolves instantly obeyed his command, charging forward and clashing with the hyenas.

Using that moment, Nawfi rushed to check on her condition.

She was recovering—the potion was working. Her injuries were external, so they weren’t life-threatening.

"I need to get her out of here... and fast."

He glanced back—the wolves were fighting fiercely, but they were outnumbered by the hyenas.

"I need to use something to support them... What should I take out?"

A panel opened in front of him,

[★Monster Card★]

[Slime (Common) ×15]

[Bird (Common) ×4]

[Horse (Uncommon) ×2]

[Ogre (Rare) ×2]

[Eagle (Rare) ×1]

[Bloodthirsty Rabbit (Rare) ×3]

[Froststag (Epic) ×1]

"Which one should I use...? I need to think fast."

[One of the Wolves has died]

"Damn it! ...I have no time for this.. Use all Ogre and Bloodthirsty Rabbit cards!"

[You have used Ogre Cards]

[You have used Bloodthirsty Rabbit Cards]

Two giant Ogres and three Bloodthirsty Rabbits appeared before him.

The ground trembled under the Ogres’ heavy steps, while the Rabbits’ crimson eyes glowed with savage hunger as they bared their sharp fangs.

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Ogre]

Rank: Rare

Level: 42

HP: 2,600

Attack Power: 210

Defense: 600

Speed: 110

Skills: Stone Skin, Ground Smash

—-

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Bloodthirsty Rabbit]

Rank: Rare

Level: 44

HP: 1,600

Attack : 700

Defense: 160

Speed: 460

Skills: Frenzy Bite, Crimson Leap

"Ogres! Help the wolves and Rabbits—attack the Hyena Hound!"

The remaining three Wolves were injured, but with the Ogres and Bloodthirsty Rabbits now in the fight, the situation finally seemed a bit more favorable.

"Phew~... Now, how am I going to carry her out of here, though?"

He focused on her while checking the panel.

[Monster Card: Ogre has killed a Hyena]

[You have gained EXP]

[Monster Card: Wolf has killed a Hyena]

"They’re doing well, I guess."

While fighting the Bloodthirsty Rabbits, the Hyena Hound suddenly stepped back and howled, like giving some sort of signal.

HOWLL...

Nawfi looked at it and had a bad feeling.

Suddenly, a monstrous sound came from behind him.

"GRR!... GRRHH!..."

He was terrified to look back.

"Gahh... GAHH... GAWLLL..."

The other hyenas also started howling.

He felt something coming close from behind—almost hitting him. He grabbed the Girl tightly.

"Use Eagle Card!"

[You have used Monster Card "Eagle" (Rare)]

A massive eagle swooped down, grabbing them in its claws and lifting them into the air instantly.

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Eagle]

Rank: Rare

Level: 43

HP: 1,900

Attack : 250

Defense: 180

Speed: 520

Skills:

Sky Patrol – Can scout large areas quickly, detecting enemies and hidden objects.

Keen Eye – High intellect allows it to identify weak points in enemies or recognize traps.

Loyal Bond – Extremely loyal; will protect and obey its owner without question, even risking itself in battle.

"Luckily I had an Eagle... but... why is there another pack leader?" he wondered, confused.

[Monster Status Window]

▶ [Savage Hyena]

Rank: Epic

Level: 97

HP: 12,500

Attack : 1,450

Defense: 950

Speed: 620

Magic: 1,200

Skills:

Berserk – Temporarily increases attack power and speed dramatically.

Blood Lust – Gains more attack power with each successful strike, making prolonged fights deadly.

Savage – Increases overall damage output and critical hit rate in close combat.

High Animal Instinct – Can predict enemy movements and dodge attacks more effectively.

Sonic Howl – Emits a devastating sound wave that deals ranged damage and disorients enemies from a distance.

"What should I do now?"