He did not panic; using his heels as pivots, he continuously rotated his body, with the long spear in his hand always pointing at the swiftly moving Wolf, ensuring that his front always faced the lone Wolf, giving it no opportunity to exploit.

This was a contest of will and physical strength; the Wolf was depleting what little energy it had, and Lin Yu’an’s spirit was also being rapidly exhausted under high tension.

A few minutes later, it seemed that the Wolf finally lost its patience. Its injuries made it incapable of prolonged maneuvers.

It let out a roar, abruptly changing its rhythm, and at the moment when a fake move to the left diverted Lin Yu’an’s attention, it suddenly darted from the right, not attacking Lin Yu’an’s body but lightning-fast, biting towards the Spear Shaft in his hand!

"It wants to destroy my weapon!" Lin Yu’an instantly understood its intention!

But he didn’t withdraw the spear; instead, he used a ruse, suddenly thrusting the Spear Shaft forward!

"Crack!"

The Wolf’s massive jaws, capable of crushing bones, bit hard onto the firm birchwood shaft!

And at the moment it bit into the Spear Shaft, Lin Yu’an’s other hand had already let go of the shaft, and in a flash, he drew the sharp Hunting Knife from his waist!

With a quick lunge forward, seizing the rare opportunity as the Wolf’s snout was entangled by the spear, the Hunting Knife in his hand turned into a silver streak, plunging fiercely into the soft carotid region just below the Wolf’s eye!

"Pfft——!"

The sound of the blade entering flesh was heard!

"Owooo——!"

A scream, shorter yet more piercing than any before, rang out! The Wolf never imagined that this human would have a second weapon!

The lone Wolf released its jaws and jerked its body backward, but it was already too late! A hot liquid, carrying the warmth of its life, spurted from its carotid, staining its chest red.

Lin Yu’an, having succeeded with one strike, again stabbed near the wound with his spear after the lone Wolf released its bite on the spear, aggravating its injuries.

The lone Wolf quickly tasted the flavor of its own blood.

An ice-cold helplessness that it had never experienced before instantly extinguished the fury and ferocity in its heart.

The lone Wolf knew it was going to die.

It did not attempt to escape again, for all its injuries amassed: the hind leg torn by the Wide-Headed Arrow, the fore-shoulder bone joint, the waist and abdomen crushed by the Spear Shaft, and the carotid currently experiencing massive Bleeding, made even standing exceedingly difficult.

It only staggered back a few steps, locking eyes with the cold gaze of Lin Yu’an.

In its rapidly dimming golden pupils, the image of this two-legged creature was reflected. It couldn’t comprehend why this seemingly fragile being could unleash such terrifying power.

In its mind might have flashed its life as a sovereign on this icefield, the thrill of its first successful hunt of a Snowshoe Rabbit, the craftiness in challenging a bear’s authority and succeeding to snatch food, and the pride in driving away all competitors and claiming territory.

But all this ended today, before this suddenly emerged, more formidable predator.

The lone Wolf dragged its continuously Bleeding body, slowly yet with great dignity, lay down.

It did not whimper like a defeated dog but instead raised its head high, using the last ounce of its strength to straighten its spine, spending its last seconds staring at the adversary that had bested it.

Lin Yu’an did not step forward immediately but stood quietly on the spot, watching its life slowly ebb away, offering it a final respect.

He could read the language in those eyes, where there was reluctance, confusion, but more of all, an apex predator’s pride refusing to yield, even in defeat.

He saw that the Wolf’s breathing became increasingly weak, each breath bringing out more frothy blood.

Its once power-filled body was slowly cooling and slackening.

A few seconds later, that once-high head finally drooped powerlessly, striking heavily into the snow tainted by its own blood, utterly still.

Lin Yu’an then stepped forward, gently tapping the Wolf’s already dulled eyes with the spear tip, confirming that its corneal reflex had completely vanished.

"Alright, guys, the battle is over." He spoke into the camera, exhaling a long breath while vapor rose before him; on his face was a confidence mixed with a trace of complex emotions.

He didn’t start working on the spoils immediately but squatted down, quietly examining this powerful adversary who had just been locked in a life-and-death struggle with him.

"Look at its eyes," he brought the camera closer, focusing on those golden pupils that had lost their luster.

"In the last few seconds before it died, I read something from inside. It wasn’t fear, nor hate."

"It was a kind of... confusion. It didn’t understand why it lost. In its World, it was the only king of this territory. It was smart, strong, patient, and followed all the hunting Law etched into its genes over millions of years. Yet it still lost."

He reached out his gloved hand, gently stroking the lone Wolf’s rough yet strong fur.

"It did not lose to me as a person, it lost to humanity’s ultimate weapon over millions of years - the ingenuity and tool-making ability."

"In nature, the competition between animals is fair; they compare strength, speed, endurance, and sharper teeth and claws."

"Every hunt for them is a dignified, instinct-based duel. Like this Wolf that discovered my trap and took my prey; in its Law, it was legitimate because it was stronger than that fox."

"But humanity’s involvement broke this balance."

"We don’t have the fastest speed, the greatest strength, nor the sharpest claws. But we can think and create weapons that transcend the natural Laws themselves, like the bow and spear in my hand."

"It spent a lifetime learning how to become a top-notch Wolf. Yet humans can manufacture a tool capable of effortlessly killing it in a single afternoon."

His tone lacked the boastfulness of a victor; instead, it carried a deep sentiment and respect for this adversary.

"Its defeat was merely unfortunate, having encountered a predator from another dimension that reasoned less. Though unfair, it has never been benevolence and fairness that allows us humans to stand atop the food chain."

"I respect it, and the greatest respect one can offer to prey is to use every inch of it reasonably, allowing no waste."

Lin Yu’an looked at those eyes that had lost their spark but were once filled with intelligence and arrogance, and said: "Now, you are mine."

————————

(I feel this Chapter turned out alright; readers who agree can cast monthly votes to let me know how many recognize this!)

(Readers who do not agree, feel free to offer valuable feedback!)