We entered the forest with much more vigilance than we had before. The fact that we had been attacked by bandits even before we could step under the trees already showed how dangerous this entire area was.
I was actively scanning our surroundings every few meters we traveled by using [Echolocation] and [Vibration Awareness]. My [Danger Sense] was also acting up quite a bit, basically telling me that letting my guard down for even a second could cause us serious trouble.
So carefully, we slowly walked through the thick forest.
We encountered a few wild animals along the way, but most of them just ignored our group and went about their business. Well, a large bear did try to jump out and attack us, but Geremie and Albert, the two mercenaries traveling with us, took care of it very swiftly.
After that, I let them go on ahead while I stayed behind with the excuse of guarding the back. But honestly— I just went and drank the bear’s blood so I could further strengthen my [Bone Density] skill.
Then, about half an hour after we had ventured inside the forest... We encountered some real monsters.
-GRRRRR...!
-ARRRRR...
It was a pack of Dire Wolves, or at least that is what Geremie and Albert called them.
There were eight of these wolves surrounding us in a circle, with four standing at the front and another four blocking the back. They look just like normal wolves at first glance, but they are quite a bit bigger, almost reaching the size of a human each. If they decided to stand up on their hind legs, they would probably be as big as the carriages we have.
Well, one of them does stand out from the rest— it was the one standing in the front of our group, the nearest one to me.
It was slightly bigger than its pack mates and its mane was thick, looking close to a lion’s. It was also very silent, simply observing me and the two mercenaries as we drew our weapons. [Danger Sense] was also buzzing in my head, warning me specifically about this one.
"Be careful, they are very fast and they are much stronger than common bears. Their coordination is something to be feared too."
Geremie warned as he made Miguel and the coachmen take cover again inside the safety of the carriages.
"The one in the front is probably the alpha, we need to take care of it first."
Albert followed, looking at the bigger wolf with a serious expression. Both of them sounded really tense as they prepared for the fight.
I glanced at them for a moment, then opening my mouth—
"Can the two of you take care of two each of these wolves?"
I asked that.
"Huh? Yeah."
"Of course, it’s not that hard if it’s just that."
They answered, and that was all I needed to hear from them. I nodded my head and climbed down from Bong, patting his head gently as I did so.
I turned my attention to the leader of the Dire Wolves, which was also looking at me with piercing, predatory eyes. I smiled at the beast, then opening my mouth again—
"Take care of Bong and the others, I’ll take care of the rest."
I declared that.
BAM!
Then I kicked off the ground without even waiting for their replies. I headed straight for the leader!
FWOOSH!
I thrust my sword forward as fast as I possibly could, but I only hit the empty air. The leader quickly stepped to the side, and it was so fast that I almost missed its movement entirely.
Tap—
As soon as my feet touched the soil again— BAM! I kicked off once more, but this time I was rushing at the three wolves standing behind the leader.
SLASH!
I swung my blade horizontally to target all of them at once, but only one of them got hit, and the wound was shallow... They really are incredibly fast. But there were no worries on my end— I had already done more than enough to get their attention.
I landed safely past the four wolves. I immediately turned around to look at them... And I saw that they were all eyeing me like they wanted to kill me more than anything else. I smiled at that sight, and pointing the tip of my sword directly at them—
"Come and kill me if you can."
I provoked them even more.
-GRAAAAAAAAAAA--!!!
The leader roared out in pure anger, and the sound sent goosebumps all over my back. Then at the next moment— SWOOSH!
The four of them started running toward me at once, and they were so fast!
BAM—
I didn’t waste any time and started running deeper into the forest, intentionally separating myself from everyone else. I also made sure that the leader and the other three were still following closely behind me.
And seeing that they didn’t have a bit of a plan of letting me go, I just smiled to myself and continued running.
*****
I ran deep into the heart of the forest, then once I felt I had gotten far enough— I stopped and faced the four Dire Wolves.
They skidded to a stop a few meters away from me as well, being very wary of my sudden halt.
"This is far enough, I don’t think they can see me here."
I mumbled that to myself. Then after that—
SHHHP—
I went ahead and sheathed my sword for a moment, and I also removed the dark coat I was wearing. I don’t want it to be damaged during the fight, after all.
Seeing me do this, the leader of the wolves started to circle around me... It probably thought I was surrendering. The other three wolves followed suit, copying their leader’s movements.
I just ignored their circling. Instead— I looked up at the space above me.
The trees are very tall and the leaves are lush, casting deep shadows all around me. And the sun... It was nowhere to be seen from this spot.
"Haha..."
I let out a small laugh before looking back down at the wolves again. They were slowly closing in as if to trap me in their circle.
SHHHHHK—
[Black Scales] grew rapidly under my clothes, protecting my body like armor. Then with a wide grin on my face— B A M—!
I kicked the ground with my full, unrestricted force. My vision blurred from the speed, and the next thing I knew— I was standing right in front of one of the wolves!
SLASH!
I swung my right hand, my claws hitting him squarely. It was a shallow hit again, but because of my skill, [Paralysis Touch]— the wolf froze instantly, completely unable to run away.
It will only last for a few seconds, but that is more than enough time for me. I pulled back my left hand and formed a tight fist, and then as strong as I could— BOOM!
I punched the paralyzed wolf right in the face, and its head exploded on impact.
"Fighting with unrestricted strength is the best."
I said that.
FWISH-!
Then I immediately ran toward the next wolf— FWIP!
I grabbed it by the neck with my left hand, my claws digging deep through its skin. And as I was smiling— SPLASH! I pulled back my hand with force, tearing its throat wide open.
At that moment—
"...?"
[Danger Sense] sent sharp goosebumps on my back. I couldn’t turn around in time to block, so I just hardened the [Black Scales] on my back as much as possible.
BAM—!
I felt a strong force slam into my back, and my face crumbled a bit from the impact. I slammed onto the ground and rolled for a bit, but I immediately stood back up and regained my balance after that.
I looked back and saw the leader of the wolves, it was growling at me like it had gone crazy.
-GRAAAAAAHHHH-!
It probably got angry after I killed two of its kind. In that aspect, he’s way above that fat bastard from earlier.
TAP!
Anyway, I deeply planted my feet on the ground to get a good grip. And using that solid footing— BAM!
I jumped forward and propelled myself straight toward the leader!
-GRAAAAAAAAAA!!!
It also rushed at me, its mouth opened wide. I stared at its sharp teeth, then as we got closer to each other— SWISH!
I drew my sword again in a flash and continued the motion into a sharp upward swing!
-GRRGH?!
But because of its quick reflexes, the leader was able to move at the last second to avoid a fatal wound. It did get scratched and it had to move out of my way to dodge, and because of that movement—
"Sorry, pup. It’s time to die."
PHUCK—!
I reached the other wolf that was left open, and I immediately stabbed my sword into the middle of its head. I didn’t even bother getting back my sword after that. Instead— I looked back and faced the leader of the Dire Wolves once again.
"It’s just the two of us now, we can finally fight properly."
Then I said that with a smirk on my face. The leader was looking at me with such angry, hateful eyes.