At the critical moment when everyone was anticipating the deadly blend of the terror wolf's superior hunting skills and its brutal slaughter, the broadcast suddenly paused, prompting boos and curses from the audience. In a major livestream, such an incident was a serious mishap, and the host would be heavily criticized. However, Caron had nothing left to lose and decided to fully embrace his carefree attitude.
"Dear bros, it's not your broadcast equipment that's malfunctioning, nor is it a network issue. We've slowed things down on purpose. In the next moment, you will witness either a bloody massacre or a dramatic reversal. Now, I need your votes. You have two minutes—just two minutes—to decide whether you choose 1 for the terror wolf's feast or 2 for the boy's narrow escape."
Mr. Kim, experienced as ever, smoothly took over the broadcast."Dear brothers, this is your golden opportunity to make a fortune. The odds of the boy turning the tables are currently 1:9. If someone seizes this chance, they will become a winner in life!"
Mr. Kim's words were met with more boos."That skinny boy isn't even as big as a single terror wolf. He'd be lucky to survive, let alone win. You're a fraud, you black-hearted scoundrel!" A woman with heavy makeup vented her anger. Some viewers placed bets online, and soon, the odds for the boy's reversal shifted to 1:10, clearly indicating that more people were betting on the terror wolf killing the boy.
Two minutes later, Caron successfully captured the audience's attention, even if it was out of anger. He leisurely returned the livestream speed to normal, and all the viewers eagerly awaited the bloody spectacle. Some mothers covered their daughters' eyes, though their own eyes were wide open.
The villagers and students crowded in front of the school gate, anxiously waiting. Fear and unease were written all over their faces, as if an invisible pressure filled the air.
A little girl tightly held her mother's hand, tears glistening in her eyes. Her mother whispered comforting words, but her voice trembled. A nearby villager kept looking around, loudly urging the people in front to hurry up and enter. The more panicked they became, the more people stumbled and were trampled, making the congestion even worse.
In the crowd, some whispered prayers, while others nervously bit their nails. Many didn't dare to look back, too afraid to face the impending horror. The low howls of wolves nearby sent shivers down everyone's spine. Villagers and students felt their hearts race and their breaths quicken. The physics teacher tried to guide everyone into the school, but fear had already spread. People began to push and shove, desperate to reach the only refuge. The principal, outside the line, grew increasingly anxious as the cries of children and the shouts of adults mingled into a chaotic noise.
A child was dragged out of the line, her mother frantically trying to pull her back, only to be attacked by two or three terror wolves, who dragged her away as well. Some villagers knelt in prayer, seemingly spared as the wolves leapt over them, preferring to attack the weaker students. The defense line was broken, and those who fell had no chance to rise again.
All this was a common sight for the cosmic onlookers during unexpected events, yet what truly unfolded before them was a scene of calm and order, an incredible stillness.
The shadows of the terror wolves drew closer, their howls now at the edge of the line, bringing death and slaughter to the unarmed crowd. The outer villagers fought with all their might, their soul-deep roars and the dull thuds of weapons striking the wolves filling the air. Each strike seemed a battle against fate, sweat and blood mingling into a tragic scene.
Behind them, elderly villagers formed a second protective circle, holding hands. They couldn't hide their fear, many closing their eyes, only to groan in pain when sharp wolf teeth tore at their flesh. Their hands trembled, yet they held on, forming a shield of flesh and blood. In the middle, students, women, and children quickly and silently entered the school. Many were too scared to look up, tears silently streaming down their faces. The silent actions and strength felt eerie and unusual.
The night wind carried a heavy scent of blood, mixed with the howls of the terror wolves. The ground was stained with blood, the cruelty and ruthlessness of the battle evident everywhere.
Many viewers of the live broadcast couldn't help but ask,"How can these people maintain such eerie order and calm?" Their voices echoed through the screen, as if trying to pierce through the veil of mystery.
"Do they often face such dire situations?" one viewer asked, eyes glued to the live feed, filled with confusion and unease.
"Do they have some mysterious religious belief that teaches them to face death in silence?" another viewer murmured to themselves, as if in a private conversation.
But more viewers focused their attention on the young boy, Alai. He stood there, his breathing rapid, as if awaiting the verdict of fate. The cunning hunters circled him, their eyes glinting with a cold light, having finally found the perfect moment to strike.
"Is this boy about to be dismembered?" The viewers held their breath, hearts pounding, as if they could hear the drumbeats in their chests. The air was thick with tension, as if time itself had come to a standstill.
Just then, Alai moved. His actions were swift as the wind, like a nimble leopard.
"Stab, squelch"—the sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh and blood spurting out. But it wasn't A-Lai who was injured.
Everyone had underestimated the boy, thinking he knew nothing. But A-Lai, who had no idea where his parents had gone since he was a child, had grown up eating at the homes of various villagers. Without a claim to any land, he had to collect herbs on the mountain from a young age and had seen many wild wolves, foxes, and black bears.
He had long seen through the cunning terror wolf's tricks but was willing to play along. Just as the other terror wolf thought it had seized the opportunity and launched a sudden attack, A-Lai's spear tip instantly shifted direction, seemingly waiting for the wolf's soft underjaw. The terror wolf, already mid-leap, couldn't alter its course.
Though the spear had a wooden tip, the wolf's weight drove it deep into its skull. A-Lai used its forward momentum to swing in a half-circle in the air and landed a heavy blow, smashing the head of the showy terror wolf. The sharp crack of breaking bone and a howl of agony followed as the two massive terror wolves collided and collapsed, motionless.
The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. The other terror wolves were the first to react, barking furiously at A-Lai, as if cursing him in a language he didn't understand. Some bettors behind the screens regretted not betting on the boy's victory, while those who won money lamented not wagering more. This gambling scene revealed the varied nature of human hearts, much like on Earth.
But A-Lai felt no joy. His instincts made him wary, and he realized the situation was far from simple.