It had been two days since he had fought those goblins. After that encounter, he hadn't gone far during his explorations, and he hadn't faced other monsters either. During those days he focused on absorbing the monster cores and training inside the inner realm.

His focus had benefited him greatly. The energy in the bar in between those two solar systems had been fully filled up to the second level. He hadn't felt anything different after that, but he was optimistic about that. He had confidence that the bar would give him a good result and an amazing surprise in the future. He was having this good feeling as if he was the luckiest person.

After spending almost nearly four days in that forest he had experienced great change in his body and mindset. Even after not eating good food for so many days he was healthy much more than he had ever been. His body was changing rapidly. He was always fit and athletic albeit tilting to a slender side rather than muscular, but he felt he had gained muscle in those few days not much, but it was evident.

He had been practicing various martial arts and fighting techniques when he was on earth, so his body was sturdy but in those few days of residing in the forest, he felt he had gained more strength than all of those practicing journeys. He felt more power generated while punching, he was faster than before, and he was more perceptive to various situations than before. He had been adapting well to the environment.

Those sudden gains boosted his confidence and gave a sure assurance to his motivations to survive the foreign surroundings.

With everything ready, he decided to further explore the forest. Taking note of his signs he quickly arrived at the point where he had last fought those group of goblins thanks to his sturdy legs and reflexes. Surely, he noticed the absence of dead bodies of goblins he had killed there. He acknowledged the possibility of the presence of another animal nearby. After going forward a little he met the culprits behind the absence of bodies.

Amidst the ancient trees of the dense forest, Alex found himself on the verge of a fierce confrontation. The air was charged with tension as the tranquil serenity of the woods transformed into an arena for survival. A pack of unusually large wolves, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent, encircled him, their fur blending seamlessly with the shadows beneath the towering trees.

They were fast and agile. They knew how to use the environmental advantage of this forest. Their eyes were devoid of any hesitation and fear as if having the confidence to take down anyone.

'Huge!... Are they Shadow Wolves... I mean they look that part.'

It wasn't the time to contemplate their name. Armed with a spear and a slingshot, Alex assessed his new guests. The wolves, larger than the average, moved with a predatory grace that hinted at their strength and cunning. Alex tightened his grip on his spear, eyes focused, and senses heightened.

As the first wolf lunged towards him, Alex swiftly sidestepped, the gleaming fangs narrowly missed his leg. With practiced precision, he counterattacked, thrusting his spear towards the wolf's flank. The sharp point of the spear found its mark, causing the wolf to yelp in pain and retreat, momentarily disoriented.

The forest echoed with the growls and snarls of the pack, as another wolf charged. Alex, undeterred, aimed his slingshot with finesse. A well-aimed shot struck the approaching wolf on its nose, eliciting a pained howl. Seizing the opportunity, Alex lunged forward, driving the spear into the creature's side.

However, the skirmish was far from over. The wolves, fueled by a mix of aggression and a survival instinct, circled Alex, testing his defenses. It was then that he decided to tap into his knowledge of magic spells, which he had forgotten during his last fight with goblins.

With a focused mind, Alex conjured a small ball of fire in his palm, shaping it into a Fireball. His practice and control had been transformed in those two days after repeated practice and stubbornness. He was able to conjure the spell even under pressure without mishap.

He hurled the fiery projectile toward the encroaching wolves, hitting one wolf. The flames danced, casting flickering shadows across the forest floor. The attack burned that wolf turning it into a coal statue. With that successful attack, the other wolves hesitated, momentarily held at bay.

Embracing the silence, Alex wielded his spear with renewed determination. Another wolf lunged, but this time, he anticipated the attack, parrying with the spear and thrusting it forward in a graceful arc. The wolf, now nursing its wounds, retreated, wary of the resilient intruder.

As the confrontation reached its peak, Alex harnessed the power of the wind itself. Whispers of the wind guided him as he cast Wind Slash, an abstract blade of air that cut through the surrounding foliage. With a sweeping motion, he unleashed the invisible force that sliced apart the nearest wolves into clean halves. It was too much gruesome for Alex. He was having the urge to vomit.

Holding back his urges he continued his attacks. As the battle progressed it was getting easy for Alex as he was able to predict every move of the wolves.

The forest, once a battleground, now settled into an uneasy calm. Alex, though battered and bruised, stood victorious. The larger-than-average wolves, thwarted by his prowess in both combat and magic, got slayed, leaving him only their dead bodies and monster cores to loot. After that long turmoil, he finally got to catch his breath.

In the aftermath of the intense battle with the shadow wolves, as he termed them, Alex surveyed the fallen enemies lying amidst the shadows of the dense forest. The air was thick with a mix of tension and victory, and he knew that he needed to make the most of this hard-fought triumph.

He was used to the process but still, it was difficult for him to make it a habit. His 18 years of mindset, environment, life, and experience couldn't be defeated with four days of new life experience. He was adapting well considering the situation. Reading about it and practically doing it both are so far and far apart.

With a dagger obtained from the fallen goblin in his last skirmish, Alex approached the first wolf carcass. The dagger, crudely fashioned but sharp enough for the task, glinted in the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. Alex knelt beside the wolf, his movements amateurish and awkward.

As he wasn't knowledgeable about the anatomy, it was understandable. Suddenly, a bloody stream sprayed toward his face. His fair face had red blood stains posing him as a perfect image of a famous serial killer in a TV show.

He albeit sluggishly began by carefully extracting the monster's core, the essence of the creature's magical energy. The dagger sliced through the fur and flesh, revealing the pulsating core nestled within. Alex, with a mixture of caution and curiosity, delicately extracted the core, its radiant energy momentarily illuminating his face.

Moving on to the more practical aspects of survival, Alex turned his attention to harvesting meat from the fallen wolves. He had finally found an animal that he could consider eating. As for eating slimes, that was impossible, and goblins were bipedal and humanoid. So, Alex was eager to get his protein requirements fulfilled.

Using the dagger, he slowly carved through the tough hide and muscle, separating the choice cuts from the carcass. The cuts were uneven, but he got the meat at least. It wasn't as if he would sell those here. The forest echoed with the rhythmic sounds of slicing and the rustle of leaves underfoot as he worked. As he continued, he made a point to learn the process of butchering inside his mind. It would be a great value-added skill as per his living environment.

The process was awkward and ugly, and Alex wasted much more than he harvested. As he continued his task, the once fearsome predators were reduced to a source of sustenance in this mysterious realm. The forest, a witness to the cycle of life and death, now bore the marks of a survivor adapting to the challenges of a new world.

Alex, once cores and meats were secured, collected all the cores inside his pockets and covered those meats with large leaves, and decided to return. The forest, though momentarily disrupted by the recent conflict, began to reclaim its silence as Alex, burdened by the weight of his actions, prepared to return to his base through the same path in the ancient woods.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the ancient forest, Alex made his way back to his base- a concealed cave nestled within the heart of the dense woods. The entrance, hidden behind a natural curtain of small and big protruding stones, provided both shelter and seclusion for the young foreigner turned adventure.

Entering the dimly lit cave, the soft glow of a magical flame flickering in front greeted Alex. The fire conjured through his adept use of simple spells, illuminated the rough stoned walls and the rustic charm of his makeshift leafy bed. Shadows danced as if celebrating his return.

With the bundle of protein as spoils of battle in tow, Alex set to work on the evening's food preparations. The aromatic scent of burning wood mingled with the raw aroma of freshly harvested wolf meat. Alex retrieved the neatly packed monster meat, carefully laying them out on a flat stone that served as his makeshift table.

His dagger, still stained with the essence of the forest's challenges, was once again brought into action. With precision born of necessity, he carved the meat into manageable portions. The flickering firelight cast an ethereal glow on the scene, painting a vivid painting of survival in the heart of the wilderness.

Alex, embracing the elemental powers at his command, conjured a controlled flame above the makeshift fire pit. He wasn't producing the fire but controlling the already available fire. The fireball hovered in mid-air, dancing to an unseen rhythm, as he regulated its intensity. The warmth radiated through the cave, creating a comforting ambiance against the backdrop of the forest's night sounds.

He skewered the meat on sturdy and slim branches, fashioning impromptu skewers. Holding the skewers over the flames, Alex began the process of roasting the meat. The sizzling sounds filled the cave, accompanied by the tantalizing aroma of searing flesh. The flickering light played on his face, revealing a mix of weariness and determination.

Once the meat had acquired a perfect char, Alex removed the skewers from the fire. The forest's silence seemed to amplify the satisfying crunch as he bit into the succulent, cooked meat. The flavors burst forth, a combination of the primal essence of the forest and the seasoned touch of survival.

Sitting on the cushiony leafy bed, surrounded by the ancient walls of his hidden abode, Alex relished the meal. The cave, now infused with the scent of cooked meat, became a sanctuary- a place where the trials of the day were momentarily forgotten, and the cooperative living within the forest continued in a delicate balance between man and nature.

After the delicious change of foods, Alex was ready to dive inside the inner realm and commence his daily activity of absorption and training.