Chapter 6: Is that Little Red Riding Hood?
“I still prefer that arrogant and defiant look you had just now.”
Rhodes slowly walked up to the werewolf, looking down at the creature that was barely clinging to life.
Werewolves have an extremely powerful regenerative ability. According to the lore from movies and TV shows, only weapons made from silver or those blessed with holy water can truly kill one. He had confirmed it himself. The damage inflicted by his revolver was perfectly healed after the werewolf transformed. Wounds fatal to ordinary humans meant nothing to it.
However, it was clear this regenerative ability had its limits. After taking a close-range blast from his shotgun, half the werewolf’s body was blown to bits. No matter how strong the regeneration, it couldn’t recover from such a serious injury.
“If I trade you, I should get a pretty good return, right?”
Rhodes squatted down, staring coldly at the terrified werewolf. He slowly placed his palm on the creature’s head.
A bright light flared from his palm. The pain on the werewolf’s face disappeared as its flesh and soul gradually dissolved into nothingness. After completing the exchange, Rhodes’s face showed a hint of anticipation.
“I wonder what I’ll get this time.”
Last time, when he sacrificed a Belgian Blue bull, his strength and physique greatly improved. This time it was a werewolf, an imaginary creature from fantasy.
At the very least, it had to be better than a cow, right?
As Rhodes pondered, his body suddenly began to itch. Looking down at his hands, thick gray-black hairs began to sprout from the pores, shiny and tough like steel needles. Then, all his bones started twisting and reshaping, becoming sturdier. His nails grew rapidly, turning sharp and blade-like.
His bulging muscles ripped his clothes apart, and a violent energy surged inside him like a raging storm. It felt like his body was going to be torn apart by this immense power. But soon, his body adapted to the pain. There was a malevolent energy in its place, yearning for release.
Rhodes let out a long howl toward the sky. Only then could he vent the bloodthirsty beast inside.
“This time’s return is… werewolf bloodline?”
Rhodes shook his head and looked up at the moon. The previously ordinary moon now seemed to emit some kind of powerful magic, stirring something feral and savage in his instincts. Still, the influence wasn’t enough to make him lose control.
Rhodes adjusted to his werewolf form. With the werewolf bloodline fused into him, his strength and physique nearly doubled compared to his normal state. The most significant improvements were in his speed and explosive power. Additionally, he now possessed the werewolf’s remarkable regenerative abilities. As long as the damage wasn’t fatal, his body could recover from almost any wound.
He had all the powers a typical werewolf would have, and more. Since his original physique was already much stronger than a normal human, after transforming, his strength exceeded that of an ordinary werewolf by a long shot.
Suppressing the violent and bloodthirsty urges, Rhodes’s fur slowly receded, and he reverted to human form. The werewolf transformation wasn’t uncontrollable; it required strong willpower to resist the primal bloodlust.
“Pretty good ability… only, ruins my clothes.”
Rhodes pulled a fresh outfit from his storage space and got dressed. During the transformation, his body bulked up significantly with the increased power. Low-quality clothes were torn to shreds instantly. His last set of clothes was now just rags. Fortunately, he had prepared extra changes of clothes. Otherwise, he’d be running around naked.
Now dressed, Rhodes sat by the campfire, lost in thought. Clearly, this world wasn’t as simple as he had hoped. He’d just arrived and had already encountered a dangerous, mythical creature like a werewolf. Who knew what other horrors lurked out there?
Still, it wasn’t entirely bad news. The bigger the risk, the greater the reward. In that sense, it was good news too.
He loaded his revolver, restored himself to peak condition, and continued.
Since werewolves lived here, there had to be a human village nearby. Otherwise, the werewolves would have starved to death long ago. It’s just common sense.
After walking for about half an hour, a faint light appeared in the distance. Getting closer, Rhodes saw it was coming from a simple wooden cabin.
Just as he approached, a hoarse, old woman’s voice called from inside, “Is that Little Red Riding Hood outside?”
Little Red Riding Hood?
Rhodes blinked in confusion. So, he was the Big Bad Wolf, huh?
After thinking for a moment, he replied calmly, “I’m a lost traveler. It’s dark, and I’m looking for a place to rest for the night.”
Footsteps sounded heavily inside. The wooden door creaked open slightly, revealing a pair of amber eyes peeking through the gap. Under the moonlight, a sturdy young man stood outside the door. The old woman’s eyes lit up, and she warmly opened the door wide.
“Come in, young man!”
Seeing the kind smile on the woman’s face, Rhodes relaxed his guard slightly.
“Sorry to bother you!”