Chapter 40: Fierce Battle with the Elite Rotwolf

[Enemy Name: Elite Rotwolf]
[Type: Mutant Beast]
[Hunting Level: 1]
[Special Ability: Venomous Claws]
[Strength: 3.3]
[Constitution: 3.1]
[Agility: 3.4]
[Spirit: 1.4]

A yellow powder from the Rotwolf drifted through the air, and at the same time, a transparent status window appeared before Zhang Ran’s eyes, displaying the attributes of the leading Elite Rotwolf in the distance.

“Luckily, it’s only the weakest type of Elite Rotwolf. With the AM41 automatic rifle in my hands, I actually have a chance to turn the tables!”

Seeing the attributes of the Elite Rotwolf, a spark of hope ignited within Zhang Ran. The tension that had tautened every nerve eased a little, and his mind grew calm.

The strength gap among Elite Rotwolves was, in fact, significant. The weakest among them barely broke the threshold of three points in strength, constitution, and agility, while the more formidable ones boasted abilities on par with second-level Evolvers.

If he had encountered an Elite Rotwolf equal to a level-two Evolver, even with his AM41, Zhang Ran would have almost no chance of locking onto the target as it moved at high speed—defeat would be inevitable. Yet luck was on his side this time; he hadn’t run into such a formidable beast.

During this time, the distance between the Rotwolf pack and Zhang Ran had shrunk from three hundred meters to just two hundred. Meanwhile, the anti-wolf powder in the air began to take effect. Catching its scent, the Rotwolves started to slow, and a few even seemed poised to turn away.

But at that moment, the leading Elite Rotwolf let out a sudden howl. Immediately, those Rotwolves that had begun to turn away reversed direction and charged once more at Zhang Ran. Of course, compared to before the powder was released, the speed of the ordinary Rotwolves had dropped by nearly twenty percent.

“Damn it! As expected, the Elite Rotwolf’s command is more effective than the repellent powder!”

Frowning slightly at the approaching horde, Zhang Ran raised his AM41 and fired a series of controlled bursts, bullets whistling toward the ordinary Rotwolves.

With his precise marksmanship, blood blossomed from the bodies of the Rotwolves as they fell one after another—some killed outright, others grievously wounded and rendered incapable of further combat. Even the Elite Rotwolf took several hits.

In less than two seconds, all the ordinary Rotwolves at the Elite’s side had been eliminated by Zhang Ran’s gunfire. The Elite Rotwolf itself was left with several bleeding wounds. In this situation, a savage glint flashed in its eyes, and it quickened its pace even more.

As the Elite Rotwolf charged, Zhang Ran displayed deft skill in reloading. One hand kept firing the AM41, while the other swiftly ejected the spent magazine and slammed in a fresh one. By then, the distance between Zhang Ran and the Elite Rotwolf had shrunk to less than thirty meters!

“Die!”

Clearing all distractions from his mind, Zhang Ran focused every ounce of concentration and willpower. With the aid of the chip in his brain, he frantically calculated and predicted the Rotwolf’s movements, tracking its path with a calm face and steady hands as he squeezed the trigger.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each gunshot sent another bullet screaming from the barrel of the AM41, tearing through the air towards the onrushing Elite Rotwolf.

Unlike the previous magazine, this one was loaded not with standard rounds, but with specially crafted armor-piercing bullets—each worth ten times more than an ordinary round, and far deadlier, able to penetrate the hides of low-level mutant beasts.

What’s more, Zhang Ran had further modified these armor-piercing rounds, inscribing special patterns on them to enhance their power at the cost of some accuracy. This was why he had saved them for when the Elite Rotwolf drew close.

Bullets streaked across the space, raking toward the Elite Rotwolf, which weaved and dodged, trying to evade the hail of death.

Though the Rotwolf’s speed was formidable, thanks to the chip’s predictions and his own superb marksmanship, several bullets still grazed its hide, carving long, bloody furrows.

The assault slowed the Rotwolf by about fifteen percent, but it still retained an overwhelming speed advantage over Zhang Ran. In just a few flickers of movement, it was upon him, a claw lashing out.

“So fast!”

Feeling the Rotwolf’s lightning strike, Zhang Ran barely managed to twist aside. The beast’s razor-sharp claws, trailing a blast of wind, slashed past his side.

Despite his desperate dodge, the Rotwolf’s speed was simply too great. Zhang Ran couldn’t avoid the full force of the attack; the claws shredded his combat suit, tearing a large swath of flesh from his side.

Immediately, a vivid green hue appeared at the wound, rapidly spreading. Zhang Ran felt the injured area go numb and itchy, and then sensation began to fade.

This was the Elite Rotwolf’s ability—Venomous Claws. Its talons carried a deadly toxin that instantly infected any wound, causing numbness within fifteen minutes, and as it spread, all affected tissue would rot and lose feeling.

“Damn it!”

Pain twisted Zhang Ran’s face, but he had no time to tend to the injury. Gritting his teeth, he swung the AM41’s muzzle toward the Rotwolf at his side and fired with all his might.

Bang!

At such close quarters, the Rotwolf’s danger sense was keen—it twisted its body the moment Zhang Ran raised his gun.

But the modified armor-piercing round exploded from the AM41’s barrel, smashing into the Rotwolf’s claw and blasting its right forepaw clean off in a spray of blood.

At such point-blank range, even the Elite Rotwolf’s evasive skills couldn’t save it from the devastating shot. The beast was grievously wounded.