Chapter 17 – Predator Against Predator
The narrow corridor between the machines was silent.
Three pairs of glowing silver eyes watched Ronan from the darkness.
The Shadow Fang Panthers had stopped their immediate attack, but that didn't mean the danger had passed. Predators were patient. They waited for weakness.
Ronan understood that.
He slowly adjusted his grip on the iron dagger.
His shoulder still stung from the earlier scratch, but the wound was shallow. Nothing that would slow him down—at least not yet.
The first panther stepped forward again.
Its body moved with terrifying grace, muscles rolling under its dark fur like coiled steel.
Behind it, the other two predators spread out, circling slowly.
They were coordinating.
Testing angles.
Looking for an opening.
Ronan inhaled slowly.
Then exhaled.
His mind became quiet.
In a direct fight, three elite monsters were overwhelming.
But Ronan had something else—strategy.
And the environment.
Behind him stood two massive rusted conveyor machines, their metal frames forming a tight passage.
If the panthers attacked from all sides, he would die.
But if he controlled the space…
He could force them into single combat.
The first panther lowered its body.
Its tail flicked once.
Then it launched forward.
The monster moved like black lightning.
Ronan stepped sideways at the last possible moment.
CLANG.
The panther's claws struck the metal machine instead of his body, leaving deep scratches in the rusted surface.
Ronan countered instantly.
His dagger flashed upward toward the creature's throat.
But the panther twisted its body mid-air.
The blade grazed its jaw instead of its neck.
Dark blood splashed across the floor.
The monster landed lightly and retreated several steps.
Its silver eyes burned with anger now.
Behind it, the other two panthers growled.
Ronan noticed something.
The injured panther had moved back.
The others had moved forward.
So they rotated positions.
One attacked.
Two waited.
Then they switched.
Intelligent.
Far more intelligent than goblins.
Ronan's lips curved slightly.
"Good."
That meant they could be predicted.
The second panther suddenly dashed forward.
This one was slightly larger than the first.
Faster too.
It didn't attack from the front.
Instead, it leapt onto the side of a machine, using the metal frame like a wall.
Then it launched itself toward Ronan from above.
Aerial attack.
Ronan reacted immediately.
He rolled forward instead of backward.
The panther crashed behind him, claws tearing through empty air.
Before the monster could recover—
Ronan turned and drove his dagger down.
The blade struck deep into the creature's shoulder.
A furious roar echoed through the factory.
The panther twisted violently and knocked Ronan away with its body.
Ronan slid across the floor and slammed into a metal crate.
Pain shot through his ribs.
But he forced himself up instantly.
The wounded panther had retreated again.
Blood dripped from its shoulder now.
The other two stepped forward.
Now all three monsters looked serious.
The playful testing phase was over.
Ronan wiped the blood from his dagger.
His breathing was heavier now.
Three elite predators.
Even controlling the corridor wasn't enough to fully neutralize their advantage.
But then—
A familiar blue light appeared before his eyes.
---
Battle Analysis Complete
Enemy Pack Behavior Identified.
Suggested Strategy: Isolate Injured Target
Bonus Effect: Combat Focus Activated
Perception Increased.
---
Ronan's vision sharpened.
He could see the monsters more clearly now.
The smallest movements.
The muscle tension before they jumped.
The shift of weight before an attack.
He focused on the injured panther.
That one was slower now.
If he eliminated one…
The balance would change.
The three predators moved again.
This time they attacked together.
One from the front.
One from the side.
One from above.
Ronan moved.
His body reacted before his mind finished thinking.
He ducked under the first swipe.
Spun sideways to avoid the second.
Then drove his shoulder into the injured panther's body.
The impact surprised the monster.
Ronan grabbed its fur with his left hand.
And stabbed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The dagger plunged into the same wound repeatedly.
The panther roared and threw its body violently.
Ronan lost his grip and rolled across the ground.
But the damage was done.
The wounded panther staggered.
Blood poured from its shoulder and chest now.
The other two monsters became more aggressive immediately.
Their attacks grew faster.
Sharper.
They understood what Ronan was trying to do.
Protect the weak member of the pack.
The larger panther lunged again.
Its claws swept toward Ronan's chest.
Ronan barely blocked with his dagger.
The force pushed him backward several meters.
The second panther came from behind.
Its jaws snapped toward his neck.
Ronan ducked.
The fangs closed just inches above his head.
Then he kicked backward with all his strength.
His boot struck the monster's jaw.
The panther stumbled slightly.
Just enough.
Ronan sprinted forward.
Straight toward the injured one.
The wounded panther tried to retreat.
Too late.
Ronan closed the distance in three steps.
The monster slashed desperately.
Its claws cut across Ronan's arm.
But Ronan ignored the pain.
He drove the dagger forward with all his strength.
The blade pierced deep into the creature's chest.
Straight toward the heart.
For a moment—
Everything froze.
Then the panther collapsed.
Its body crashed onto the floor, lifeless.
---
Enemy Defeated
Shadow Fang Panther Eliminated
Reward:
Experience Gained
Energy Absorption Available
---
Ronan stepped back, breathing heavily.
One down.
Two left.
But the battle was far from over.
The remaining panthers stared at the fallen body of their pack member.
Their eyes burned with rage now.
Low growls filled the factory.
The temperature of the room seemed to drop.
Then something unexpected happened.
The two surviving panthers slowly stepped backward.
Not retreating.
Watching.
Listening.
Ronan frowned slightly.
Why had they stopped attacking?
Then he heard it.
A deep rumble.
Not from the panthers.
From deeper inside the factory.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the darkness beyond the broken machines.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The two panthers lowered their heads.
Not in aggression.
In submission.
Ronan's eyes narrowed.
That meant only one thing.
Something stronger was coming.
The shadows shifted at the far end of the hall.
Then a massive shape emerged from the darkness.
Much larger than the others.
Nearly twice their size.
Its fur was darker.
Its fangs longer.
And its silver eyes glowed like cold moonlight.
The true ruler of this nest.
---
New Enemy Detected
Species: Shadow Fang Panther (Alpha)
Threat Level: Very High
---
Ronan slowly raised his dagger again.
Behind him lay the body of the fallen panther.
Ahead of him stood the Alpha.
And the two surviving predators.
Three monsters again.
But this time…
Their leader had arrived.
The real hunt was about to begin.