[Level 27: Dire Wolves]
[Species: Monster]
[STR]- 25 [VIT]- 21 [MEN]- 3
[DEX]- 26 [INT]- 5 [LCK]-1
I browse the octet wolves circling like sharks, cornering us with their numbers. I did not expect that their levels would be this high in contrast with all four of our forces combined, despite having the elite elf with us.
[Level 30: Alpha Dire Wolf]
[Species: Monster]
[STR]- 30 [VIT]- 24 [MEN]- 3
[DEX]- 29 [INT]- 8 [LCK]-2
The Alpha wolf has more strength in his status than to those seven hounds, befitting for a leader. Monsters are simple-minded creatures that follow the more robust kin that help them hunt their prey. It is also why this canine is the foremost candidate for being an obstacle for us to live.
Miguel wraps his shivering arms around my waist and uses my body as a shield of some sort. He was afraid of the ogles from the wolves.
Natalia shares the identical fear and slowly creeps away, with her body also quivering in despair. Despite her desperate movements, the distance between the hounds and her was still clear to see, unable to progress from the ground.
Because of my passive ability, I am unaffected by the fear and was the only one left that can stand on the ground, lionhearted amidst everything.
I immediately materialise another set of spells and combine my strongest attacks in the foe's direction. My [Water Jets], [Water Sphere], [Torrent], and [Scald] dashes forth on the battlefield, hitting every eight wolves on a widespread scale. I do not want to use [Hail] and cause more discomfort for our team, where the twister may immensely affect my allies.
I also summon my enchanted quiver and recurve for good measure with the mixture of the skill of [Aimed shot and Scald] directed at the pack. All these abilities drained my arcane almost instantly, especially that I have to make it larger to hit my enemies.
Six of the wolves could not dodge the catastrophe and took all the damage to themselves. The other two-with the Alpha wolf-eludes the attack with ease. They read my strike like an uncovered book in the centre of a library. With all my abilities and magic exhausted, it left me immobile on my post while staring at the wolves' leader.
[Congratulations! You are low level 15!]
I hurriedly swipe my window away and add the extra status points in my intelligence, increasing my magic damage and arcane capacity. It is safe to assume that I killed the six of them already, with the remaining Alpha and Beta wolf alive.
The second hound that is not the leader survived in a breadth's length after rolling itself towards the side, swerving the hot torrent. Although the scorching temperature barely touched its skin, the heat was enough to burn a part of the animal's body.
The Alpha wolf shifts its gaze towards the wounded relative and quickly licks the area scraped by the fire. We can witness the dread from its eyes that its loved one may lose its life if the battle prolongs.
I have enough arcane to cast one more [Scald] to these curs, and yet I do not have the will to claim their lives. The chief of the pack surveys its surroundings and notices that he had fought a losing battle.
After realising its position, the dog urges its ally to run away as far as possible, where its injured leg can take it and be free. It took a fighting stance and jolted in front of the disabled mongrel and swiftly obeyed its command while buying it some time.
However, because of the damage accumulated, the dog could not handle the stress and fell off from the ground, nearly hitting its head on the soil. The occurrence made the Alpha hound startled and rushed to its aid, crying with its sorrowful voice.
My body instinctively approaches the wolf in anguish, wanting to provide any means of help to its family. Unfortunately, the leader misinterpreted my actions and hastily returned to position and attempted to bite my thigh. The pooch halted its movements, afraid that if it dies, then its brood will also die with it. So, it stood its ground against me, eyeing for any funny business that I would make.
"I am sorry that I killed your brethren. If I haven't, then you could have gnawed me," I utter, hoping that the animal would understand the language (note: Lake is using both human and sprite language skills here).
In this world, being mighty is everything. You can control the lives of other people, the Kingdom, and also the lands, which is why the world could not retort in front of the enemy who had killed its party.
The dog whined in sadness and ignored my words, with its eyes still locked on the dying wolf beside it. I, who shuffle near the two, staring silently at the scene.
"Lake, what do you think you're doing?" Natalia tries pulling me out from the canine's side, thinking that I may get in trouble if I stay too long in the vicinity. After all, these two creatures are still animals that want to murder as alive as before.
"Can you leave the site, Natalia, and bring Miguel with you?" I politely asked, hoping that the lady elf would understand.
"But Lake, I-,"
"Nothing wrong will happen to me," I answered whilst looking straight into her eyes, affirming the phrase that I spoke. "Have a little faith for this peculiar goblin, okay?"
The teary eld could only weakly nod as she pulled the shaking shoulders of the little boy to safety. She glances back one last time, praying that I can arrive home with her after a few minutes of her departing.
"Can you stay, soldier," I direct my question to the elite elf beside me, wanting to have more protection in case something tragic might happen inside the dark wood."
"I understand, sir,"
A translucent force-field appears around us that deflects light shocks and matters. It doesn't have the power to absorb any violent projectiles and get easily destroyed by dynamic magic. A defence spell only specialised elves can use under the surveillance of Beatrice, the Defense Queen.
"Thank you," I acknowledged the blockade surrounding us and made my head at ease.
"Hu...m…"
Unexpectedly, the dire wolf snivelling sound became alphabets I can understand. With my language proficiency, my system allows me to convey the hound's dying voice.
"Please spare...my brother," The maimed hound miserably uttered whilst coughing out dark liquid with its occult blood.
"What are you saying, Irma! You are going to see the sun for tomorrow," The Alpha wolf howls while gyrating its folk.
"Lay two tokens on my eyes for the ferrymen,"
"Imra, what are you-,"
"I can sense the dragon's silhouette, hovering through the darkest moonlight." The wolf continues blabbering words that both the Alpha wolf and I could not interpret.
"Leave me alone, and I shall perish here and now!"
"Imra, will you stop spouting nonsense for the love of Kukulkhan," Finally, having enough of their dispute, the Alpha wolf bites the undamaged limb, grabbing the attention of the boisterous hound.
"It hurts, brother!"
"Then cease your strident and focus on healing," The Leader of the dogs scowled while sniffing on the ground, hoping to find something in its mind. "I will try to look for herbs that may succour the pain. For now, please rest on the log."
"You, talented goblin, what is your decision?" Before the wolf could even pursue his hunt, he turned his attention to me, waiting for my response. "Would you allow us to live or perish us this instant?"
The Elven warrior looks in my direction, uncertain of what had happened for this event. Suddenly, I now have the responsibility to take their life or help them live and tell the tale.
"This has never happened before," The ranger mumbles to himself while shifting his gaze from our figures. "Shall we kill them?"
I can sense his grip from the strings of his bow, ready to fire at any second, waiting for my command.
"Let them live,"
The eyes of the two animals broaden from the few words that I have said. We can see their tails wagging energetically, celebrating the good news of having to live for now.
"Thank you, goblin. You have my loyalty and gratitude," The Alpha wolf remarked while bowing his head close to the ground. "But for now, I have to depart and seek this herb for my sister, Imra,"
"I may be able to heal her,"
"Do you speak the truth, green sprite?"
I firmly gave him a nod to his question, confident that I can rejuvenate her open wounds in just mere seconds. After all, I have the title of an S. Class priest that can restore surface wounds and other minor injuries.
"Let's just pray that her organs are still intact inside her body, undamaged and functioning,"
At once, I kneel on the ground and chant the incantations needed to conjure the powerful healing spell and activate its effects.