Struggling as a Villain

Target name: Earth Wolf. Grade: E. Skills: Heightened senses, enhanced agility, Paralyze Roar.

Richard had the basic knowledge of the beasts he might have to face on this continent. And thanks to that, he knew that his presence was already sensed the moment he neared the seven-foot-tall wolf.

The red eyes of the Bate stared at Richard from behind the bushes. Its lanky and slightly bent body gives a sinister view to anyone who catches its sight at this hour.

The Bate sniffed the air, possibly assessing if its target was weak enough to hunt.

However, Richard was not patient enough to let his opponent assess him before initiating the battle.

Two blazing fireballs appeared on both of his hands, the dark forest illuminating instantly before Richard launched them at his target with accurate precision.

While he was at it, he tried to tie his ether threads around them to manipulate the fireballs; however, due to lack of concentration, he failed.

*OUUUUUUUU*

The wolf howled, just long enough to alert its pack before leaping out of the way, letting the attack slam into the tree trunk behind it.

Richard's instincts flared as he activated 'Detection', his eyes struggling to follow the Earth Wolf's blistering speed.

"Behind!" Richard shouted, ducking just in time to dodge the wolf's vicious claw swipe. Without a second thought, he shot his hand out, catching the beast's forearm and unleashing a torrent of flames.

*SHLINK*

The wolf's thick, brown hide sizzled, steam hissing from the scorched flesh.

The wolf yowled in agony, but before Richard could capitalize, it lashed out with its left leg, smashing into his exposed side.

"FUCK!" Richard gasped, feeling his ribs crack under the force.

In that split second, it hit him—he hadn't activated Body Enhancement!

Cursing his mistake, Richard triggered the enhancement just as the wolf lunged for his head, jaws wide to tear him apart. But Richard was ready. With his new reflexes and strength, he managed to halt the deadly fangs just inches from his face.

"*GHLUONG*?" The wolf growled, its confusion evident.

Richard grinned wickedly. With a roar of his own, he ignited his hand in flames, clamping it around the wolf's throat, the fire searing through fur and flesh.

The beast thrashed violently, but Richard held firm, his smirk growing wider as he watched the wolf's eyes fill with fear.

'They are coming!' Richard could sense multiple presences incoming as he got up on his feet with his hand still clutching the thin throat of the predator.

The wolf clawed Richard using every ounce of its strength but Enhancement was working quite brilliantly to protect Richard from any of those attacks.

Finally, having enough training done with this one, he clenched his fist, and with the help of his ever-burning flames, he was able to pry through the thick skin and choke his enemy to death.

"Easy play." Letting the dead wolf fall to the ground, Richard dusted off his hands.

Just based on his Detection he couldn't launch an attack. The range of his Detection wasn't extensive, and if he allowed the enemies to enter his zone, it would be already too late.

'Should I retreat...' The doubt came only for a fragment of a second only to get washed away as Richard held his intention to come here, firmly.

Summoning the bo staff he received from the system for saving Ethan's mother, Richard elongated it while keeping himself bound to its top; his body enhancement reducing up his weight by three times.

The base of the bo staff remained firmly planted on the ground as Richard brought himself high enough to look around more clearly.

"Exactly twelve of them." He counted, finding it easy to locate the wolves because of their blazing eyes in anger.

Like they all were mentally connected, their feet scratched against the ground, and simultaneously, they came to a halt. Their eyes transfixed at Richard who stood atop for the bo staff. His eyes connected with the biggest one in the group who seemed the leader of the pack.

Suddenly, all of them stood on their hind legs; raising their faces.

Richard was about to attack them with Flame Arrow when suddenly he was attacked by the wolf, which he deemed dead just now. The bo staff was hit from the base with enough force to throw him off balance.

'It can't be...' Richard looked at the system screen and found the count hadn't moved from 0.

Which means...

*AWOOOOOOOOOOO*

A deafening thunderous roar echoed through the jungle and, at the epicenter, received the most damage. Richard covered his ears and fell off. His mind turned numb under the tormenting sensation while he lost control over his Body Enhancement.

His eyes became blurry as he saw his enemies proceeding in his direction. However, the numbing sensation was infectious, completely paralyzing Richard from head to toe as he lay on the ground while covering his ears.

'Get up....get up...for god sake!' He gritted his teeth and did his best to move. But it was too late, the enemy was already inches away. He won't make it.

*KLANG*

Richard instantly parted his eyes wide upon hearing the sound of the collision. His vision caught the familiar figure of a brown-haired girl shielding him with her barrier.

"Open your mouth and swallow it," He heard another familiar voice from behind before his head was turned to look at a pair of warm eyes, and soon a bitter liquid was poured down his throat.

Richard moved the liquid down and found himself regaining control. His hands twitched and soon he was able to clench his fists.

His breathing returned to normal, and his ruptured eardrums also got patched up.

Richard slowly moved his body and found Lilia was using a barrier to protect them.

"We won't interfere in your battle from now on," Amelia assured as she also got up while helping Richard.

Richard nodded in her direction, thankful for the help.

Just as he started building a spell to attack the dogs, Lilia's voice interrupted him,

"Why are you forcing yourself, master?"

Richard frowned, "What do you mean?"

The brunette didn't turn to look at him as she spoke, "When you can do much better in combat, why are you forcing yourself to fight as a mage?"

He was rendered speechless and the magic circles disappeared from his palms.

He remained silent, and couldn't muster a response as he heard Lilia continuing, "Being the son of a renowned Witch doesn't oblige you to become a mage as well." Glancing at him over her shoulder, she stated, "Make your unique identity, my lord. You have it in you."

Richard clenched his fist, reprimanding himself for realizing it so late.

That's right ..why was he so fixated on improving his spells when all his previous life, he had fought with his own hands? He couldn't become a master in something which was introduced to him a month ago. But surely, he can polish the skills he has been utilizing for ages.

A thin smile extended his lips as Richard again summoned his staff in his hand before telling her, "I will listen to your words, master."

Lilia gave a brief nod before she finally unveiled everyone and escaped from the spot as soon as she could. Amelia followed the lead and soon, the duo was standing on one of the branches from where the whole battlefield was visible.

Amelia glanced at Lilia before asking, "Why didn't you help him before he got hurt?" They have been with Richard ever since he left the mansion. Thanks to Lilia's instruction—someone who knows Richard closely—Amelia was able to keep enough distance from him to get sensed by Richard until now.

Earlier, when the whole pack was advancing in Richard's direction, Amelia instantly got up to help him. However, Lilia stopped her and only intervened once Richard was down on the ground.

Was it a strategy to make Richard dependent on her?

Lilia smiled without letting her eyes waver from her lord as she answered, "He needed a reality check to understand what he was best at. After all, there won't be a backup in every battle he would face."

Amelia raised her brows, clearly surprised by the wisdom of the brunette.

Silently, she also turned towards the arena and closely studied Richard.

As Lilia said, Richard was extremely versatile when it comes to combat. He was not only using his bo staff to strike his enemy, but he switched weapons very fluently. Using his body most efficiently, he dodged every attack, and while showcasing his excellent control over Enhancement, he treaded through the pack easily.

'Hmm?!' Amelia exclaimed upon seeing Richard suddenly teleporting from the front of a wolf and appearing behind the beast in the next moment with his bo staff raised high.

**CRACK**

The heavy crown of the staff completely demolished the head of the wolf, making Amelia startled.

"How did he do that?" She couldn't help but ask the person beside her.

Lilia patiently explained, "Master reduced his body weight and enhanced his speed to appear suddenly behind the enemy, seemingly like he just teleported. Then, in the next instance, he increased his weight by three folds so he could swing his staff with utmost strength, resulting in the wolf's ultimate demise."

Lilia described each transition word by word, making Amelia wonderstruck.

Just how amazing Sir Richard is, she wondered.

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A/N:- A brief fight scene to help him realize his forté. I hope you all liked the chapter. Drop some PS and shower the chapter with comments.