Chapter 27. Combat

I briefly faced off against the alpha wolf in front of me.

*Growl.*

…This guy’s aura is seriously unsettling.

It reminds me of the ogre I saw at the Colosseum.

At least High-Tier, no, maybe even higher than that.

“Hah…”

The fact that it was leading the whole pack was already a bad sign.

Looks like I’ve run into another tough opponent.

I gripped my sword, focusing Aura in my eyes.

When it first appeared earlier...

If it hadn’t been for Intuition, I would’ve been caught completely off guard by that Raid.

That’s why I prepared to use Track and glared at it.

However.

It only stood its ground, not making the first move.

Puzzled by its behavior, I examined it closely and noticed the white fur around its abdomen was stained red.

…Is it injured?

That would make things easier.

Still, it’s stronger than I initially thought, so I circulated my Aura, tense.

Just like that.

In this volatile situation, the standoff between me and the alpha wolf continued.

*Twitch.*

The wolf, uncharacteristically, lifted a finger and pointed at me.

And then.

*Krooong!! Kaak!!*

The surrounding Werewolves all lunged at me at once.

…Trying to wear me down, huh?

Smarter than I thought.

*Swish.*

I decapitated the Werewolf leading the charge, while keeping a close eye on the wolf leader’s movements.

It's fast, so I need to be careful not to get caught off guard.

However.

*Swish- Thud!*

*Clang!*

Even as I continued to cut down its subordinates, it didn't budge.

Hmm, still observing?

Maybe it's more seriously injured than I thought.

If that's the case…

I played along with the Werewolves for a bit longer, concentrating my Aura.

If it won’t come to me, I’ll go to it.

I channeled Aura into my sword.

‘Rush.’

*Boom!*

With a light swing and a burst of Aura, I saw the Werewolves frantically rushing towards me hesitate.

Taking advantage of the opening…

*Swoosh.*

I pretended to sheathe my sword, focusing all my Aura.

In that brief respite, I gathered my Aura with extreme concentration.

When I opened my eyes again...

I saw the slowed movements of the Werewolves charging at me and the alpha wolf watching me from beyond them.

Then.

*Ssooook-*

A faint red trajectory appeared between the alpha wolf and me.

Immediately.

As soon as I drew my knife from thin air…

My body shot forward.

Even while using Track, I felt the scenery rushing past me. I kept my eyes on the alpha wolf, which, surprisingly, was trying to swing both its arms in its bipedal stance as if reacting to my speed.

However.

Unfortunately, this isn't regular Fleet.

*Chwaak!!*

Immediately after, blood spurted from my knife as it grazed it.

…A bit shallow?

The moment the knife was about to sever its neck, it dramatically twisted its body.

It shouldn't have been able to react...

It felt like it dodged with an instinctual sense.

*Growl…!*

But there was no time to think about it. An enraged wolf's howl echoed from behind me.

*Bang!!!*

I immediately turned and blocked the attack.

“Huu…”

It slammed down its massive claws, and I hurriedly raised my sword to block.

This bastard, it’s even bigger up close.

Isn’t it twice my size?

With this huge wolf bearing down on me, it felt like I was being crushed by a building.

Moreover…

*Growl.*

I could feel an unfamiliar energy.

At first, I wondered if it was Aura... but it felt rawer than that.

One thing's for sure, it's a similar type of power.

That's why it’s overpowering me even with my Aura.

“Grit.”

I clenched my teeth, trying to push back against the claws, but it wasn't easy.

As I was thinking about how to escape the pressure…

*Whoosh-*

The wolf lifted its other paw and swung it towards my exposed side.

Since it can stand on two legs, it can use both its front paws like arms!

*Kwang!!*

I immediately put up a Guard around the impact zone, but a tremendous shock ripped through my side.

“Kugh!”

My vision spun as I felt myself flung into the air.

*Roll, roll, roll, roll-*

My body tumbled down the hillside several times before...

*Thud!*

“Urk!”

I crashed into a tree.

“Cough! Hack!”

The internal impact is significant.

If it hadn’t been for the Buff Coat I received as a gift, my side would’ve been ripped open.

What kind of monstrous Monster is this?

Fuck, fighting two Ogres would be easier.

*Kwooor!!*

My whole body ached from the impact, and blood continued to rise in my throat, but...

I turned my head towards the wolf, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

It’s coming this way.

Charging towards me with killing intent.

Just as the wolf was almost upon me…

*Flick!*

I threw a handful of dirt I had picked up from the ground.

*Kwooor!!*

However, as if it were nothing, it jerked its head to the side and then opened its massive jaws towards me.

Looking at the enormous mouth that could swallow my head whole…

I immediately pushed off the ground with my legs.

And, focusing as much Aura as possible into my legs…

*Whack!*

I kneed it in the jaw.

*Groan!*

Even a cornered rat will bite a cat. This is a full-powered attack from an Aura User.

When the wolf momentarily faltered from the impact to its jaw, its head shaking violently…

I quickly scanned for my sword.

The sword I dropped when I was flung away… Right, it fell over there in the corner.

Hah, I need that to stand a chance.

I have no confidence in piercing its thick hide barehanded.

I immediately dashed towards the sword.

I stumbled slightly from the impact of the earlier attack.

But I gritted my teeth and threw myself forward, grabbing the sword.

And right then.

*Zzzt-*

A sense of danger coursed through my head, no, my entire body, and I rolled to the side.

*Kwang!!*

Just like before, the wolf slammed its claws into the spot where I’d been.

…Look at the size of those claws.

They could easily tear me to shreds.

The proof was the tattered leather on the area where I was hit earlier.

Damn it, ripped to shreds after I just got it.

I heard it was expensive, I wonder if it can be repaired.

Well…

*Whoosh- Bang!!*

I need to survive this first before I can worry about repairs.

Still, the fortunate thing is…

*Thud*. *Thud-thud*.

Was it because more and more blood was dripping from the wound I saw earlier?

I know that feeling all too well. This bastard must be the type who doesn't care about their body, just like me.

Feeling a sense of camaraderie, I sprung up from the ground.

And…

Since I felt like I could use Fleet again soon, I focused my Aura.

Just as a massive forepaw swung towards me…

*Whoosh!*

I used the now familiar Vision Fleet.

Looking down at the back of the bastard who had just swiped at my afterimage, I thrust my sword with all my weight to finish him off.

*Thud-*

The sword went in, narrowly missing the heart, piercing the area beside it.

Did he twist his body in that split second?

He was huge, so he couldn't dodge completely, but if he was my size, he would have moved nimbly enough to make my sword miss.

…I've been feeling it since earlier.

The fact that he dodged Fleet, which uses Vision Track, my so-called ultimate move, and also… this bastard, it feels like he has some kind of sense.

*Tingle*.

Yeah, just like this feeling of mine, constantly ringing alarm bells.

*Bang!*

Since I'd already used Fleet, I was sent flying by the wolf's hind leg as it swung.

The fortunate thing was that the impact wasn't that great, probably because he’d put less force into it with the sword stuck in him.

*Thud*. *Thud-thud*.

I rolled on the ground for a bit, but managed to execute a successful breakfall and regain my footing.

But…

*Pant*… *Pant*…

While I was getting back into position, the bastard just sat there in the same spot, catching his breath.

Well, the sword did go in pretty deep. With its heavy weight, it must have had considerable destructive power when it pierced him.

Plus, he already had a pretty big wound to begin with, so my attack must have been the final blow.

So, should I finish him off now?

The mission objective was capture, but… how the fuck do I capture something like that?

It'd be asking for trouble if I tried some stupid shit and ended up getting hurt instead.

It wasn't my mission anyway. The mercenary bastards would probably be okay with mission failure instead of death.

And so…

Just as I was approaching, gathering Aura to finish him off cleanly…

*Thump!*

The bastard kicked off the ground hard and stood up.

He still has the strength to move?

Damn, if I could just pull out the sword stuck in him, it'd be my victory.

Since I just used Fleet, I’ll have to try to create an opening with Rush, which should be usable soon.

And so…

I cautiously approached, wary that he might still have some tricks up his sleeve.

*Thud!* *Thud-thud!*

The bastard, after getting up, started running towards the forest.

“Hey! You son of a bitch!”

Startled by the sight, I immediately gave chase.

Aside from letting the prey I’d almost caught escape… that damn sword! Fuck! I’m screwed if I lose that!

However, the wolf disappeared into the forest with incredible speed, as if some unknown force was propelling it.

“Ha, for fuck's sake.”

This is driving me crazy.

I briefly looked around.

The Werewolves were too scared of me to approach.

Judging by the sounds, the mercenaries over there seemed to have gained the upper hand.

In that case…

It’d be best to chase after him before it gets any darker.

Sigh.

I have to do this shit again.

Clutching my aching side, which started throbbing after the fight ended, I followed the direction in which the alpha wolf had fled.

He was completely out of sight now, but…

*Rustle*.

He was a bastard who fled with a sword stuck in his back.

Naturally…

*Rustle*.

Bloodstains and rough paw prints remained clearly visible on the ground.

Being so large, the amount of blood he was spilling and the size of his footprints were considerable.

This makes it impossible not to chase him. I could've tracked him even if there were fewer traces.

Earlier, I let it go to see what the mercenaries were capable of, but tracking was kind of my specialty before I was reborn.

Anyway…

I started following the footprints quickly.

Through the bushes, past rocky hills, I gradually ascended the mountain.

Seeing the increasing amount of blood loss as I went, I could see his end approaching.

I figured he'd probably collapse somewhere along the way.

He already seemed to have lost enough blood to be considered hemorrhaging.

And so…

As I continued the pursuit until it was so dark that it was hard to see the tracks…

*Rustle*.

Following the trail, I discovered a cave bathed in moonlight.

A fairly large cave, and…

“Hmm.”

The smell of blood was incredibly strong.

It seemed to be due to the monsters lying around the cave entrance.

What the hell, did he pile up the bodies like this?

There were Intermediate-level Monsters as well as High-Tier Monsters, meaning he probably dragged them here from the middle and high-altitude zones.

Ah, then maybe…

The blood trail led into the cave, so I briefly examined the bodies before entering.

On the side of the cave…

Among the relatively large corpses, I saw a grey-colored monster lying dead.

“There you are.”

It’s the first time I’m actually seeing one, but it looks exactly as I’d heard.

Its enormous size was comparable to the alpha wolf from earlier, and its skin had cracked patterns like rock.

Thick limbs and broad hands and feet.

And…

I could see large fangs protruding from its tightly closed mouth.

This was a lucky break.

I immediately stepped onto the Troll and extracted two fangs.

It looked like it hadn’t been dead for long, so these should be fresh.

I put them in my pocket and then entered the cave.

The cave was pitch black, with even the moonlight struggling to penetrate.

Since the wolf might be hiding in wait for an ambush, I used Track to examine the surroundings.

The interior, as seen through Track, which could pierce even darkness, was tidier than I expected. And on the floor, continuously dripping blood had created a path.

This bastard sure is holding on for a long time.

*Thud*. *Thud*.

I slowly walked deeper into the cave.

Despite being tense and prepared for an ambush at any moment…

“What the…”

My tension dissipated just as quickly.

The alpha wolf, located in the large chamber at the back of the cave, was lying curled up, motionless.

…Dead?

I went over and checked – it wasn’t breathing.

Guess he wanted to die in his den.

*Thud-*

I pulled out the sword that was embedded in the wolf’s back.

I went through hell because of this. If it wasn't stuck in him, I wouldn’t have chased him this far.

Well, thinking it was a good opponent, I was about to turn around when…

Maybe because I was still using Track…

I noticed a slight movement within the curled-up body of the alpha wolf.

What is it?

Is there something there?

I carefully approached and lifted the blood-soaked fur.

And then…

*Whimper* - *Whimper* -

There, within the slowly cooling embrace of the alpha wolf…

I saw a Wolf Cub, its white fur still barely visible, its eyes not yet fully opened.

“Fucking hell.”

Shouldn’t have checked.