System Architect: Infinite Upgrades

The forest was no longer a terrifying, deep green mess. To An, it was gradually becoming a set of variables, a complex system he had to decipher to survive. Every tree trunk was a potential hiding spot, every rustle of leaves a data point to be analyzed.

He had been away from the goblin pack's territory for several hours. The hazy mountain in the distance was his only guide, a target large enough to keep him from getting lost in the labyrinth of trees. Hunger and thirst began to torment him again. The energy from leveling up and the horrific meal before was depleting quickly. He needed water. And he needed another meal.

While following a gentle slope, his pointed ears twitched. A long, savage howl echoed from ahead, causing the birds in the forest to take flight all at once. Immediately, An dove behind a large tree, his heart pounding. The System panel appeared.

[Gray Wolf Pack]

[Level: 2-4]

[Description: ▯▯▯▯▯▯. They work in groups.]

"Wolves," he whispered. The buggy description once again provided just enough information to be terrifying. "They work in groups." That meant there was more than one.

He activated [Peeking]. His vision pierced through the dense foliage. Just as he'd guessed, there were three wolves. They were larger than any wolves he had ever seen in documentaries, with shaggy gray fur and wild, glowing yellow eyes. One looked significantly larger, probably the alpha, and was standing on a small rock outcrop, surveying its territory.

A direct confrontation was suicide. His Strength might have increased, but it was still only 4 points. He couldn't fight three predators at once. He needed to separate them. His analytical mind went into overdrive. He observed the surrounding terrain. There was a thick thorn bush nearby, and a few tall trees with branches low enough for him to climb. A plan began to form in his head, a risky one, but his only option.

He picked up a rock and threw it in the opposite direction from his position. A dry "clack" echoed. One of the two smaller wolves immediately turned its head, ears perked. After a moment's hesitation, it split from the pack and ran toward the sound to investigate. Just as predicted. Curious and territorial.

An wasted no time. He burst from his hiding spot, running at full speed toward the separated wolf, trying to make as much noise as possible. The wolf was taken by surprise; it turned to see a small green creature charging at it with a sharp rock in hand. Provoked, it growled and lunged to attack.

This was the moment An was waiting for. He didn't meet it head-on. Instead, he abruptly changed direction, diving into the thick thorn bush. The sharp thorns scratched his skin, but he ignored it.

[-1 HP]

[-1 HP]

The wolf, with its speed and ferocity, lunged in after him. But its thick fur got tangled in the thorny branches, slowing it down considerably. An spun around, facing the furiously snarling beast. Using all his strength, he threw the rock in his hand at its eye. The [Rock Throw] skill was still awful, but at this close range, he couldn't miss. The wolf let out a pained howl, blood pouring from its eye socket.

Taking advantage of the moment it was disoriented, An rushed forward, using his body weight and the sharp rock in his hand to stab repeatedly at its neck. Hot blood sprayed everywhere. It was a dirty, primitive, and desperate struggle.

[-4 HP]

A bite from the wolf in its death throes grazed his shoulder, but he didn't let go. Finally, its struggles weakened and then stopped.

An collapsed to the ground, panting, his whole body aching. The howls of the other two wolves were getting closer. He knew he couldn't stay here. He quickly broke off the two sharpest fangs from the dead wolf and stuffed them into the tattered pouch at his side.

Just as he scrambled out of the thorn bush, the other two wolves appeared. They stopped when they saw the corpse of their packmate and its small, blood-soaked enemy. An stood up straight, though his legs were trembling. He held up the two bloody fangs, looked directly into the alpha's eyes, and let out a defiant roar. It was a gamble. A gamble based on animal psychology. He was trying to present himself as a dangerous prey, a lunatic not worth fighting.

The alpha wolf bared its teeth, growling. It took a step forward, then stopped again. It looked at the corpse of its packmate, then back at An. Finally, after a breathtakingly tense moment, it turned its head, grabbed the dead wolf's body, and disappeared into the forest with the remaining one. An let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if he had just escaped death's door.

And then, the familiar sound rang out.

[You have gained 25 EXP]

[LEVEL UP!]

The warm energy flowed again, healing his wounds.

[Level: 3]

Strength: 4 -> 5

Agility: 6 -> 7

Stamina: 5 -> 6

Spirit: 3 -> 4

He looked at the two fangs in his hand. They were much sharper and harder than his rock. A new weapon. He had learned another rule of this forest: Never fight fair. Divide the enemy, use the terrain, and attack their weaknesses.

As night began to fall, he found a small hollow under a rock, just big enough to shelter him. He was exhausted, but his mind was clearer than ever. He opened the System interface to check it again and noticed a change.

[SKILLS]

...

Fleeing (Proficient) -> Guerilla Tactics (Beginner): Increases speed and judgment when in a state of hit-and-run.

An was stunned. The skill had changed. It didn't just level up; it had evolved based on his actions. This System wasn't a set of rigid rules. It was observing. It was learning. It was adapting to him.

This discovery was more important than leveling up. It meant he could shape his own development in ways he couldn't have imagined. With a tired but hopeful smile, An curled up in the small hollow, his hand still clutching the two sharp fangs. Tonight, he had survived. And tomorrow, he would keep moving forward.