The deep gash along the Alpha Wolf's flank pulsed, dark blood welling and matting its midnight fur. In the immediate aftermath of Usato's strike and the Alpha's initial bellow of rage, an unsettling silence fell across the gorge. The sounds of the ongoing skirmishes between the tribe and the remaining Dark Wolves abruptly ceased. Every eye, both human and lupine, was fixed on the wounded Alpha. The only sound was the Alpha's ragged breathing, heavy and strained.
Then, the silence shattered. A bloody, guttural roar ripped from the Alpha Wolf's throat. It was a sound that was far more primal and terrifying than any it had uttered before, laced with raw pain and unbridled fury. The roar echoed through the gorge, a clear and unmistakable signal that something had changed. This was the activation of its "innate skill".
As the roar subsided, the Alpha Wolf's body began to transform. Its muscles visibly bulged beneath its dark fur, its frame seeming to grow larger and more menacing. The crimson stain on its chest deepened, and its eyes now burned with an intense, malevolent red light. This was no longer a cunning leader; it was a creature consumed by a berserk rage.
Usato felt a chill run down his spine. The palpable increase in the Alpha's power was undeniable. Blood Frenzy, he realized, bracing himself for an even more ferocious assault.
The Evergreen Tribe members, who had just moments before felt a surge of hope, were now gripped by a renewed sense of dread as they witnessed the Alpha's terrifying transformation. The silence had been replaced by a tangible wave of fear.
The remaining Dark Wolves, however, reacted with a surge of primal loyalty. Their leader's enraged roar seemed to ignite a similar fury within them, and they renewed their attacks on the tribe with reckless abandon, matching their Alpha's berserk intensity.
The Alpha Wolf, now radiating an aura of pure, unadulterated rage, turned its blazing red eyes towards Usato. It let out another deafening, blood-tinged roar and launched itself into a furious charge, its earlier calculated movements replaced by a purely instinctual, berserk attack, driven solely by the desire to tear apart the one who had dared to inflict pain upon it. The true battle had just begun.
Following the Alpha Wolf's terrifying transformation, Usato knew he couldn't afford to waste any time. The surge of raw power emanating from the creature was immense, and he understood that his base strength wouldn't be enough to contend with it in this berserk state.
Without hesitation, Usato focused his will, channeling the unique energies of his mimicked Ancestral Totem: the Golden Cicada. A faint, golden light began to emanate from his body, starting from his chest and spreading outwards like ripples in a pond. His movements became slightly faster, his senses sharpened, and a thin layer of shimmering, golden energy seemed to cling to his skin, providing a subtle protective aura.
The power-up was significant, a noticeable increase in his capabilities. However, even as he felt the surge of energy coursing through him, Usato could sense that it was still dwarfed by the sheer, unrestrained power radiating from the Alpha Wolf's "Blood Frenzy". The crimson glow in its eyes intensified, and its already formidable presence seemed to have doubled.
Despite the disparity in their power levels, a determined glint appeared in Usato's eyes. He gripped his nanobot daggers tighter, his stance low and ready. He might be outmatched in terms of raw power, but he wouldn't back down. This was his fight, and he would face this berserk Alpha Wolf head-on to protect the Evergreen Tribe.
Sky's voice echoed in Usato's mind, cutting through the adrenaline rush. "Host, my analysis indicates the Alpha Wolf is exhibiting a skill similar to the 'Berserk' mode common among monster bosses in Eternity Realm. Given the visible blood aura and the chaotic energy surrounding it, a more fitting name in this context might be 'Bloody Frenzy'."
Usato nodded internally, his gaze never leaving the Alpha Wolf. "Bloody Frenzy," he thought. "Suits it." Knowing the nature of such a skill from his gaming experience only heightened his awareness of the immense threat he now faced. He had to be even more cautious, more strategic, to survive this onslaught.
Usato didn't hesitate as the berserk Alpha Wolf lunged, a blur of crimson fury. Sky's voice immediately echoed in his mind. "Host, my analysis of similar 'Berserk' skills suggests they typically have a limited duration. Your priority should be to evade and endure. This is now a fight for endurance. Buy time until its 'Bloody Frenzy' wears off."
Hearing Sky's analysis, Usato shifted his tactics. The golden energy around him shimmered as he focused on agility and evasion, darting to the side to avoid the brunt of the Alpha's enraged assault. The Alpha Wolf, now driven by pure fury, attacked with relentless power, its claws and teeth snapping wildly. While each blow carried immense force, its movements seemed less precise, fueled by rage rather than calculation.
Usato, empowered by the Golden Cicada's enhancement, focused on defense, using his nanobot daggers primarily to parry or deflect the Alpha's attacks rather than attempting direct counter-strikes. He moved with fluid grace, narrowly avoiding the enraged beast's furious swipes, his mind focused on Sky's words: Endure. Wait it out.
The battlefield around them continued to rage, with the tribe fighting desperately against the emboldened Dark Wolves. The Alpha's berserk fury had undoubtedly ignited a similar ferocity in its pack, making their attacks even more dangerous. However, the Evergreen Tribe, spurred on by Usato's initial success and their own will to survive, held their ground, each member fighting with grim determination.
Usato continued his desperate dance with the berserk Alpha Wolf, his Golden Cicada enhancement allowing him to narrowly evade the creature's relentless assault. However, the Alpha Wolf's speed, amplified by its "Bloody Frenzy", was becoming overwhelming. Despite Usato's best efforts to predict its movements and sidestep its attacks, the enraged beast was simply too fast.
With a savage roar, the Alpha Wolf feinted to the side, then in a blinding burst of speed, whipped around and slammed into Usato from behind. The force of the blow sent Usato sprawling forward, his body hitting the ground with a jarring thud. Soil and torn grass flew outwards from the impact, and a sharp pain shot through his back. He stumbled and fell onto his hands and knees, coughing up a mouthful of blood that stained the ground a dark crimson.
From her vantage point, Syka, her keen eyes having followed the entire exchange, cried out in alarm, her voice filled with panic, "Usato!!"
Despite the pain searing through his back and the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, Usato forced himself to look up, his gaze meeting Syka's worried eyes. With a strained smile, he called out, "I'm okay, Syka! Focus on your own fight!"
Hearing Usato's words, a wave of fury washed over Syka. Seeing their leader, the one who had brought hope and direction to their tribe, injured so brutally ignited a fierce protectiveness within her. With a guttural cry of rage, Syka focused her will, and the markings on her skin, representing her Ancestral Totem, began to glow with a vibrant azure light. Activate: "Sharp-Eyed Falcon". A palpable aura of focused energy emanated from her, her eyes sharpening with an intense, hawk-like gaze.
The sight of Usato's injury had a similar effect on the other core members of the tribe. Kael, his jaw clenched in grim determination, felt a surge of power coursing through him as his Bear Totem manifested, his muscles visibly growing larger and his stance becoming even more formidable. Gorthok roared in outrage, his Boar Totem activating, a thick hide of bristly energy enveloping his body and his warhammer glowing with earthy power. Vala, her movements becoming even more fluid and swift, channeled the essence of her Panther Totem, a sleek, black energy wrapping around her like a living shadow. Elara, her face etched with concern, focused her healing energies through her Nature Totem, a soft green light radiating from her hands, a silent promise of aid. Even Ren, his lone wolf spirit now fiercely protective of his newfound tribe, felt the power surge within him, dark energy swirling around his reinforced branch and shield.
The battlefield was now illuminated by the glowing totemic energies of the Evergreen Tribe's most powerful warriors, a defiant display of power in response to the Alpha Wolf's brutal assault on their leader.