CHAPTER 71: I SAID AT STARTING....PLEASE NO WOLF!

Chapter 70: I Said at Starting....Please no Wolf!

Lirael’s eyes widened as a thought clicked into place. "Ethan... these wolves... they weren’t normal strays. That pack from earlier—they must’ve been the broken ones. Wolves who lost their alpha, scattered by an opposing leader. They were sent to gauge us, to test our strength." Her voice tightened, urgency creeping in. "Now that they’ve measured us properly... they’ll attack for real. Ethan, what do we do?"

Ethan’s lips curled into a sharp grin. "Don’t worry. If the need arises, I’ll summon the rest of my soldiers. But for now, let’s see if we can handle this. We fight smart, we fight together."

Lirael gave a curt nod, determination lighting her blue eyes.

Meanwhile, Darian’s face had turned pale as chalk when the distant howls reverberated again, deeper and closer. His knuckles whitened around the reins. "Wh-what... what is that sound?"

"Trust us," Ethan said, his voice steady, reassuring yet carrying the weight of iron. "You’ll be safe."

The trees swayed, leaves rustling in unnatural waves as something massive pushed through the undergrowth. The sound of heavy paws striking soil echoed like thunder. Then, from the gloom, it emerged—

A beast of nightmare.

The Alpha Gale Wolf.

Its hulking body was nearly four meters long and two meters tall at the shoulder. Its fur was dark grey, matted and scarred from countless battles. A jagged scar ran diagonally across its face, blinding its left eye but giving its snarl a more menacing cast. Rows of sharp, blood-stained teeth gleamed as it growled, breath steaming in the cool air. Old scars laced its hide, each one a badge of dominance.

And behind it, spilling from the trees, came its pack—thirty, maybe forty wolves, each one larger and healthier than the starved scouts before. Their eyes glowed with hunger, their sleek muscles rippling under their fur as they spread out, circling the group.

Ethan’s gaze hardened. "Soldiers—defend the cart at all costs! Cut down their numbers. Lirael—find your moments. Strike where you see fit. I’ll handle the Alpha."

"Understood," Lirael answered, already drawing an arrow, her expression sharp as steel.

Ethan narrowed his eyes and whispered under his breath. Inspect.

Gale Wolf – Alpha

Level – 21

STR: 22

VIT: 19

CON: 20

AGI: 24

STA: 21

INT: 16

Mana: 18

A grin tugged at his lips. "Manageable."

And then he moved.

In a blur, Ethan launched forward, his boots striking the earth like a coiled spring released. The Alpha roared, charging to meet him, claws raking the ground, the force of its stride shaking the soil.

Steel clashed against fang.

The impact echoed like a thunderclap, sparks flying as Ethan parried a snapping jaw and twisted, slashing along the wolf’s flank. The beast howled, spinning with feral speed, claws cutting through the air like blades. Ethan ducked low, rolling beneath the strike, his sword flashing in retaliation.

Around them, chaos erupted.

The soldiers engaged the pack with mechanical precision, blades slicing through fur and flesh in perfect formation. Wolves lunged only to be repelled, cut down, or skewered in seamless counters. One soldier was bitten across the shoulder, blood spraying—yet instantly, a golden light flared across the wound, knitting it shut. The soldier pushed forward again as if nothing had happened.

Darian’s jaw fell open. They’re healing... instantly? That light—holy? Are they tied to the temple? Then... then what is Ethan?

Lirael’s bow thrummed as arrows streaked through the air, piercing wolves mid-leap, dropping them before they could reach the cart. Her eyes darted constantly, sharp and focused, waiting for the right openings. And when she saw the Alpha rear back, jaws wide to crush Ethan, she loosed—an arrow streaking straight into its exposed shoulder. The beast roared, staggering just enough for Ethan to drive his sword across its chest.

The Alpha and Ethan clashed again and again, neither yielding. The wolf’s speed was inhuman, claws slicing air like scythes, but Ethan matched it blow for blow. His talent—Will of the Crown—burned in his veins, dulling pain, forcing his body to obey even as scratches and shallow cuts bled freely across his arms and sides.

"Ethan! Be careful!" Lirael’s worry palpable.

The battle stretched on, a brutal rhythm of steel, fang, and blood. Wolves fell by the dozens, cut down by soldiers whose wounds closed as fast as they were dealt. Their golden aura grew brighter with each regeneration, making them appear less like warriors and more like divine knights sent from the heavens. The forest floor became slick with blood and fur, the metallic tang heavy in the air.

Still the Alpha fought, relentless, cunning. But Ethan’s unyielding assault left it no room to retreat. Every slash, every thrust drove it back, leaving more bruises, gashes, deep cuts across its hide. The beast’s breaths grew ragged, its once-powerful growls breaking into labored pants. Blood dripped from its maw, its body trembling under the strain.

Ethan, though battered and bloodied, stood tall. His movements never slowed, his eyes blazing with focus, as if pain itself dared not touch him.

Finally, as the last of the wolves fell under the soldiers’ blades, silence swept the battlefield save for the Alpha’s labored growl. The beast, scarred and broken, stumbled backward, its one good eye glaring at Ethan.

But Ethan pressed forward, sword raised high, his figure illuminated faintly by the same golden glow that wreathed his soldiers.

Darian sat frozen on the cart, heart hammering. Impossible... these aren’t adventurers. This is... something else entirely. A holy warband. And Ethan... he’s not just some C-ranked fool. He’s... he must be a from a worrior noble family. Perhaps more. I have to—no, I must—gain his favor. This man... is dangerous.

And with that final clash, the battle neared its end.

Ethan’s breath came ragged, his chest burning as his muscles screamed. This... this is the reason I hate wolves as enemies... his thoughts snarled, every strike and parry echoing the truth of it. They don’t fight alone. They fucking move in a pack. One slip and they tear you apart.

The Alpha lunged, its massive frame blurring with unnatural speed despite its wounds. Ethan barely slipped past the snapping jaws, his blade carving a line of blood across its flank. The beast roared, the ground trembling beneath the weight of its fury.

But Ethan’s fatigue was catching up, every motion heavier than the last. His legs felt like lead, his lungs like bellows ready to collapse. Gritting his teeth, he flicked his thoughts into the system shop, desperate.

[System Shop – Consumables]

Mid-tier Stamina Potion — 800 SP

Mid-tier Healing Potion — 1000 SP

Mid-tier Mana Potion — 1500 SP

"Damn the cost..." he hissed under his breath and purchased two of each. Blue-glass vials flickered into his inventory, waiting to be drawn. He stretched his fingers, ready to materialize one into his palm—

"Ethan!"

Lirael’s voice cut through the clash like an arrow through still air. Urgency. Sharp, trembling. "Some people—are observing us!"

Ethan froze for half a heartbeat. What? His head whipped slightly, but the Alpha gave him no room, another crushing paw slamming toward him. He twisted aside, sparks flying as claws scraped steel.

Through the chaos, Lirael’s eyes darted to the tree line, her bow already drawn and taut. Shadows moved between the branches, too still to be beasts, too measured to be mere wanderers. Watching. Waiting.

Ethan’s mind raced. Scavengers? Bandits? Or worse... adventurers? Whoever they were, they had chosen the perfect moment—hidden eyes on him while his summons revealed their unnatural nature, while he and Lirael bared strength that was not meant for casual display.

His jaw tightened. "Lirael—don’t provoke them. Keep your focus." He ducked another snapping bite, his blade flashing in retaliation. "We’ll deal with the Alpha first. If they move... then we act."

Her answer was clipped, tense, but steady. "Understood."

Darion, pale as chalk, sat frozen atop the cart. His hands clenched the reins so hard they quivered. He hadn’t noticed the figures yet—too transfixed on the glowing soldiers tearing through the wolves like holy avengers.

The Alpha growled, blood and froth dripping from its maw, circling him with a predator’s patience. Ethan exhaled slowly, drawing on every scrap of willpower. One problem at a time. First, this beast... then the vultures in the trees.