As the campfire is built by Alia and Kremlias, Aron and Garmian sit together on the trunks, forming a circle.
The words of Garmian lingered in the mind of Aron. Aron knew that he should not trust the words of strangers. especially not in this world.
But he knew, or felt from his mind and soul, that Garmian must be telling the truth.
As the silence thickened, Alia was the first one to speak to break the silence. She looked at Aron and asked.
"May I ask something, Mister Aron?"
Aron looked at Alia and nodded.
"I would like to know if you have killed any demons and undead while traveling."
Aron stopped to think for a second. Garmian looked at Aron and thought. "Truth be told, I too want to know it. I had my guesses, but I am not sure."
After some time, Aron answered.
"Yes, I killed three demons and one undead on my way to Red Fire."
Alia and Kremlias looked at each other and nodded.
"We are students, as you know from our Master Garmian, and we concluded that you are using fire spells; is that true?"
Aron thought for a second and then did not know what to say.
Garmian started talking, seeing that Aron had no answer to Alia's question.
"It is not wise to ask too many questions. Alia, Mister Aron doesn't know us much, and he may not like to speak much about these things."
Alia, after being warned by her master, nodded and then looked at Aron and bowed slightly.
"Sorry for my question; I did not think it would bother you."
Aron shook his head and added.
"It is not that I am bothered by it; it is just that I don't like sharing information about myself."
Alia and Kremlias nodded, and Garmian stayed silent.
As Garmian was an older man and had more experience, he understood that people like Aron existed and that their numbers were large.
Most of the pathtakers, especially the stronger ones, would like to keep information about them to themselves, not sharing it unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.
At that time, a howl sounded out from the Fool Forest.
The echo of howls sliced through the air, reaching Aron, Garmian, Alia, and Kremlias as they were sitting.
Garmian, ever attuned to the sounds of the wilderness, immediately rose to his feet, a solemn expression etched on his face.
"Get ready. A pack of insane brown wolves is approaching," Garmian announced, his voice carrying the weight of experience. The atmosphere grew tense as the group prepared for the imminent threat.
Aron's eyes scanned the surroundings, a mix of anticipation and caution in his gaze. He mentally reviewed the abilities at his disposal, focusing on the power of existence that lurked within him.
Aron then concluded.
"I need to name and train on some of my abilities. If I name them and train on them, the energy expenditure and casting time will lessen."
Aron made a mental note and prepared himself for the combat.
Alia and Kremias exchanged glances, silent communication passing between them. Garmian's words had set a serious tone, and the trio readied themselves for the primal challenge that awaited them in the Fool Forest.
As the four people waited for the wolves to show themselves, Garmian started talking.
"In the Fool Forest, the Insane Brown Wolves form packs of ten to fifteen individuals. What makes them particularly dangerous is their peculiar trait—when one of the wolves in the pack dies, the rest experience a 5% increase in their total abilities."
"Also, this effect gets stuck, which means that every time we kill one of them, all the rest will keep on improving. The last one standing will be more than %60 stronger than the first stage."
"In low numbers, they are no danger, but I heard in the legends that sometimes these insane titled wolves had hordes of ten thousand or even one hundred thousand."
Aron absorbed the details, his mind processing the strategic implications of facing such adversaries. The revelation added an extra layer of complexity to the imminent confrontation, forcing the group to factor in the wolves' interconnected strength.
Within seconds later, about ten wolves showed themselves. In the nighttime, it is hard to see that their huge body size, akin to that of a lion, could not be easily missed.
Aron closed his eyes for a moment and whispered.
"Night Vision."