The Wolf King's Life As An Olympian

Chapter 1

[1]

I used to be a lone wolf from Vosridge; I was always a step ahead, chasing dreams of Olympic glory. But reality hit hard when I found myself benched, failing to secure a spot on the national team.

"Why are they moving so slowly? They look exhausted!"

Spectator: "Is he turbocharged? His speed is unbelievable!"

National sprint coach: "You should consider another sport! You've got incredible talent!"

After that setback, everyone assumed I'd resign myself to obscurity.

But then, during a friendly match, I got a chance to play. I dashed like lightning, scoring touchdown after touchdown.

From that moment, my career took off, and I quickly rose to become the team captain.

Then the off-season came, and I was unexpectedly dragged into participating in a reality show.

Online fans: "Help! Someone mute his voice, blur his face, and cover those abs!"

"Move over, girls! He's mine!"

Of course, I couldn't resist adding my humor to the mix. I posted on Twitter, tagging the latest TV heartthrob: "Sorry, in our clan, when we commit, it's forever."

[2]

I am the fearless leader of a pack of thirty wolves, patrolling and safeguarding our grassland territory. Though we weren't quite invincible, we were a force to be reckoned with.

Until I found myself as a substitute on a football team.

When I opened my eyes, the mighty Wolf King had been transformed into a frail human? I stared at my thin arms, legs, and waist, struggling to comprehend my new reality.

A system prompt appeared: "Welcome to the Human World Adventure Plan. Best wishes on leading your team to the Olympics!"

A huge question mark slowly formed in my mind.

The system added: "Good luck, Mr. Howard~"

"Bryan, are you okay?" Ian, the team captain, burst in with a group of players, examining me worriedly.

I was still full of questions.

The system clarified: "Sorry, the previous owner of this body just had a little accident..."

I swallowed hard. "Captain, I'm... fine."

Despite the setback, determination surged within me.

"Your physique is incredible!" Ian said, slapping me on the shoulder.

"Wow, you're really okay. You must have a lot of luck."

"If only we could share some of that luck with the team, we might make it to the Olympics one day."

Ian coughed to signal them to stop talking, but they kept chattering away like birds squabbling over crumbs.

I shot them a stern look, and they fell silent, whispering amongst themselves.

"Whoa, Bryan's glare... it's intense!"

Ian stammered, "Uh, Bryan, we didn't make it again this time. Three sponsors have left, and we might... have to cut some players."

The system showed me some headlines and comments.

"Stestan Men's Football Team Fails Again!?"

"Men's Football Misses Olympics, When Will This End?"

"Spending money on a bunch of losers, even a single state in another country is bigger than ours!"

"That number 8 weakling (which I assumed was me), either doesn't play or falls when he does!"

Ian looked at me meaningfully. "So... you understand, right?"

"No, I don't."

Giving up was never an option for a leader like me.

Chasing a ball that doesn't move? How could that be harder than chasing a running deer?

"Captain, give me a chance, and I'll score twenty points." I gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

To my surprise, he started crying, tears streaming down his face. It startled me; I hadn't even used any force!

"Bryan!" He sniffled hard, turning red. "Our team hasn't scored twenty points in two games combined. I'll trust you this once! Score twenty in a single game, and I'll beg the manager to keep you!"

With three months until the friendly match, I began training relentlessly.

I pushed the treadmill to its limits.

"Bryan, are you testing the treadmill's maximum speed?!"

I finished lifting the weights.

"Bryan! How am I supposed to unload these weights now?!... Please, help me hold them for a bit..."

In the cafeteria.

"Bryan! Why don't you just eat like a horse! Leave some for us!"

I didn't even lift my head from the pot.

The human world was amazing; I could eat my fill of beef!

On the day of the friendly match, I was full of spirit and determination, striding confidently toward the field.

"Sit down!" The coach ordered, and I found myself back on the bench...

At halftime, we were trailing by a large margin.

Ian's head was hanging so low, it could touch the ground.

"Let me play in the second half!" I directly told the coach.

"You? You playing is worse than me playing! I'm a fifty-year-old man defending our goal, and you..." He looked at me, stunned for a few seconds. "Alright, you go."

Without looking back, I walked onto the field. A teammate asked the coach why he suddenly changed his mind.

"You didn't see his terrifying look... I was afraid he'd tackle me to the ground..."

I grabbed the ball and sprinted like a madman. Scoring? They were all left far behind.

The opponents didn't dare stop me.

Without even catching my breath, I scored with lightning speed.

For a moment, the entire stadium was silent, everyone staring at me.

"Why aren't you cheering for me? Scared, huh? Hahaha!"

I proudly looked up at the scoreboard. Why hadn't the points been added?

Damn!

It seemed... I had scored in the wrong goal!

Chapter 2

The next moment, the entire stadium erupted in a chorus of boos, mixed with some harsh jeers.

One of the opponents jogged over with a broad grin and patted me on the back, his thick regional accent evident, "Thanks, buddy!"

The live chat exploded.

"Seriously?! Hahaha, is this guy here for laughs?"

"Are you a mole sent by the other team?!"

"He looks strong, but who knew his brain doesn't work."

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

Ian walked over, clearly disappointed, his eyes red with frustration. "Bryan... Physical fitness is important, but you also need to keep your head in the game!"

I gave him a half-hearted smile.

But it seemed my teammates were now too scared to pass me the ball, fearing another blunder. We kept losing points, and morale hit rock bottom.

I cursed under my breath.

Another point lost, and the team hung their heads like players who hadn't scored in ages.

"Come on! What are you afraid of? Give me the ball! Quick! Stop hesitating!" I couldn't help but shout.

Ian hesitated for a moment, then passed the ball to me.

Clutching the ball, I started to sprint.

Opponents lunged at me, but I dodged left and right, evading them. They weren't as strong as buffaloes.

One even tried to tackle me from the side.

I've tackled bigger guys than you; I'm not afraid of you.

I used my shoulder to shove him away, and he flew back.

In that instant, I felt like I was back in the wild, dodging predators while protecting my territory.

Back then, I had only one belief: if I didn't score, the team would lose. My feet moved so fast they felt like they were flying.

The further I ran, the fewer people were around me.

I glanced back at them and grinned.

I was the fastest runner in the pack; if they wanted to catch me, they'd have to turn into cheetahs first.

"Stestan's number 8 scores a touchdown!"

The extra point was a perfect shot, securing eight points!

Boom!

The stadium erupted into deafening applause and cheers.

Ian ran over, tears streaming down his face, and hugged me tightly, patting my back hard.

The rest of the game turned into my personal showcase.

Every time I got the ball, I ran, and no one could touch me.

When I scored my fourth touchdown, I finally smiled.

"Are they crawling? How can they be so slow?"

With my final burst of energy, we won 48-39, breaking our ten-game losing streak.

Ian's tears flowed like a river again.

Even the coach, usually stern, joined the team in lifting me high into the air.

I was terrified. Despite running fast, I was genuinely afraid of heights.

Online comments were ablaze: "Does he have a motor? That speed is insane!"

Someone even captured a screenshot of me looking back, "He had time to look back! And he wasn't even out of breath after running!"

My old photos surfaced, "Three months, from skinny to buff!"

Even the national sprint team coach posted on Twitter, "Switch sports, you're a natural talent!"

My teammates dragged me to the victory party, but I waved them off. I'm more of a lone wolf when it comes to celebrations.

"But if it's an all-you-can-eat barbecue, you'll help us get our money's worth!"

"Barbecue?"

"Yeah, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, seafood, all you can eat!"

"Let's go!" I turned and started running, "Hurry up, don't dawdle!"

By the time I finished my 58th plate of meat, the waiter couldn't help but snap a photo of the towering stack of plates.

After eating, they dragged me to a karaoke bar.

The room was dim, and the moon was high outside. I resisted the urge to belt out a howl.

"Bryan, if you want to sing, just say so! You're the hero tonight! Here's the mic!"

A wolf appeared on the screen, and the music started. I raised the microphone.

"I am a wolf from Vosridge, walking in the endless wilderness~ The piercing winds blow~ The endless landscape sweeps by~"

Full and satisfied, they walked out, arms around each other.

I habitually shook myself, only to remember I didn't have a tail.

"Hahaha, Bryan, why are you shaking your butt?"

I gave him a playful slap, "You're the one wobbling from drinking too much. I wasn't shaking my butt!"

They got in the car, but I chose to run back.

Not running enough miles made me uncomfortable.

As I ran, I got hot and, seeing no one around, took off my shirt and continued.

Suddenly, I caught a familiar scent, a woman's scent.

Chapter 3

A girl in sportswear was jogging ahead of me at night. Her scent and silhouette were strangely familiar, but how could I have a familiar feeling towards a human?

I was about to catch up and ask her when my phone buzzed with a notification: "A burly man, reeking of alcohol and shirtless, is following the jogging girl. Be mindful of your actions."

The girl sensed someone behind her and picked up her pace to escape.

I returned to the dormitory and fell asleep immediately. Not having to take night shifts was such a relief.

Early the next morning, a group of people burst into my room. Startled by the noise, I jumped up instinctively, baring my teeth, only to realize it was Ian and the other teammates. The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

"Hehehe, Bryan, your teeth are really white. You must brush them diligently."

"Yeah! Healthy teeth mean a good appetite, and everything tastes great."

"You're a role model for us, hahaha!"

I retracted my teeth and sighed. "What's going on?"

"You're famous! Do you know that, Bryan? You're super famous!" One of my teammates, eyes gleaming, handed me a phone.

It showed me running on the field yesterday, looking determined and swift.

"Running dynamo, always with the dork! Love you, Bryan!"

"Scored forty points! The men's football team has hope!"

There was also a video of me singing at a karaoke bar.

"Talented and handsome! Let me, I can do it!"

"Please make this a ringtone!"

There were even photos of me jogging shirtless from the previous night.

"Bryan, he's really making me cry, those abs, that back, those biceps!"

"Do all sports fans eat this well?"

I swallowed hard and asked, "What does 'dork' mean?"

"Bro, you have a fan club now! They call themselves 'Goofed Out,' and they refer to themselves as dorks."

Overnight, my social media account gained millions of followers. From that day on, no matter where I went, there were always followers trailing behind me.

This really annoyed me. Being followed was a big no-no for my clan.

On the way to the training ground, groups of girls handed me pink envelopes and various small roses. Some even gave me a big bundle of fragrant lamb skewers.

That day was the happiest since I took human form. I finally had all the lamb I could eat!

The manager found me later. "Bryan, an investor is interested in you. They want you to shoot a commercial."

"What kind of commercial?" I asked, chewing on the skewers. "For lamb skewers?" I continued chewing.

"A clothing brand, Eight Wolves."

I nodded and kept chewing.

The manager turned to leave but then doubled back, wiping my mouth gently. "You should watch your image, you're all greasy and messy."

I got goosebumps.

At the live shooting site, I wore a suit. The live stream comments went wild again.

"Ah, being handsome is quite a feeling!"

"I can't imagine what a beautiful body is hidden under that sharp suit!"

"I'm a dork, and I'm proud!"

I felt a bit restrained. The glaring flashlights reminded me of the sparks from hunting rifles. Many of my clan had died under guns.

During a break, I passed by a nearby studio and heard a girl's clear voice.

"I refuse to wear this! This is real animal fur, and I don't accept it!"

I peeked through a gap and saw a wolf fur coat, my heart pounding.

"Just wear it... Don't act so high and mighty. You're not that big of a star!" The staff's harsh words grated on my ears.

I felt my breath heating up, barely holding back a growl.

"I don't want this endorsement, and I won't wear it." The girl was firm. From my angle, I could only see her slender back.

The staff member raised his hand to push her. Without thinking, I leaped forward and pulled the girl behind me.

I bared my teeth, breathing heavily. "I suggest you stay away from her."

The man shrank back, a coward who bullied the weak.

"Get her a different outfit, didn't you hear?" I continued.

"But..."

"No buts!" I advanced on him.

"Don't animal lives matter? Do you know how many poachers kill animals for money? Do you know what it feels like to be skinned alive? Do you know what it's like to watch your loved ones die in front of you, powerless to help?"

The man, terrified, nodded quickly.

I didn't want to stay any longer and turned to leave.

But I didn't hear the girl behind me whispering.

"Bryan, do you remember me?"