Teacher Xue Musheng realized how foolish he had just been and quickly shifted his focus. He quickly asked, "Mo Fan, you seem very familiar with these monsters?"
"I've been hunting monsters outside the safe zone ever since my first field training." Mo Fan replied.
Everyone around him suddenly understood why Mo Fan was so calm and composed. Who would've thought that while they were training with wooden dummies, Mo Fan had already been out hunting real monsters.
"Alright, no need to be scared. Just do what I say, and I'll try to get all of you back to the safe zone alive." Mo Fan continued, turning to He Yu. "If you're going to be part of the vanguard, you need to overcome your own fears first. Otherwise, you'll endanger everyone, including yourself."
"I... I understand," He Yu replied timidly.
In fact, He Yu was quite talented compared to the average person, but she was a bit insecure. Although she was one of the top students in school, she lacked confidence when it came to real combat against monsters. Yet, she had still chosen to join the vanguard.
"Zhang Yinglu, Zhang Xiaohou, you two keep scouting ahead. Be sure to watch for any monsters, and no matter what you see, stay calm. Also, keep an eye on your surroundings. Right now, Bo City is no different from the wilderness. Fear will only get you killed. Stay calm, and you'll have a better chance to survive." Mo Fan instructed.
"Got it, Brother Fan." Zhang Xiaohou responded enthusiastically.
Zhang Yinglu, however, was still visibly shaken, her legs weak from the encounter earlier. After all, she had just narrowly escaped death. But she understood Mo Fan's point. Fear would only speed up her death.
"If you think you can't handle it, you can wait for the main group to catch up and follow them." Mo Fan added.
"I… I can do it." Zhang Yinglu said, shaking her head.
With that, the two continued scouting ahead, and the rest of the group kept moving.
The group progressed along the main street without encountering any more monsters, though they did find some elderly people who hadn't made it to the safe zone in time. The vanguard couldn't escort any civilians, so Xue Musheng told the elders to wait for the main group and follow them when they arrived. Otherwise, they'd be in grave danger.
Most roads were blocked by abandoned vehicles, and some people still foolishly thought they could drive to the safe zone, only to be forced to abandon their cars and walk. Xue Musheng and Zhou Min told those they saw on the streets to find shelter and wait for the main group.
Thanks to Mo Fan's warnings and his ability to guide them through danger, the small team was able to handle individual encounters with monsters like the Colossal-Eyed Ape Rats. There was one moment where He Yu failed to complete her star path spell, but Mo Fan quickly used his Bone Scythe Shield to save her. Though it was a bit of a waste, it helped He Yu successfully complete her star path later on.
The last kilometer of their journey took them through a typical commercial-residential district, with small, winding streets that made it easier to avoid monsters but also increased the risk of being ambushed.
The group of nine moved nimbly, unlike the larger group behind them, which would struggle to make quick turns. At one point, Zhang Yinglu returned from scouting and asked, "It looks like there are other mages fighting up ahead. Should we join them?"
"They're too busy to help us. Let's keep moving." Mo Fan responded.
As they descended from a higher vantage point, they suddenly spotted a massive wolf head slowly rising from behind a building. The wolf's head was covered in bone-like spikes, making it look incredibly fierce.
At that moment, Zhang Xiaohou and Zhang Yinglu froze, not even daring to breathe. They frantically signaled to the others to stay quiet. Just as Zhou Min was about to ask what was happening, Mo Fan quickly covered her mouth.
Then, they all saw it — the Bone-Spiked Direwolf.
The group swiftly hid behind a wall, their faces filled with terror.
Thud! Thud!
Each step of the creature shook the ground, making the surrounding buildings tremble.
Zhang Xiaohou and Zhang Yinglu were practically pressed against the wall, frozen with fear. The massive wolf head was almost level with them, and they could feel the creature sniffing the air in their direction. Zhang Yinglu, pale-faced, covered her mouth tightly, terrified that even the slightest sound would give them away.
Mo Fan could handle the Bone-Spiked Direwolf, but its presence likely meant there were other direwolves nearby. In this situation, Mo Fan couldn't afford to act recklessly. He had the lives of thousands of people on his shoulders.
Luckily, the Bone-Spiked Direwolf didn't linger long and left the area. Once it was gone, the group continued their journey.
"We're almost there! Look, you can see the glowing barrier, like a giant wall. We're so close!" Zhang Xiaohou shouted excitedly from atop a power pole.
Though the group had faced some battles along the way, they had avoided the worst of it. Now, only a stinking city river lay between them and safety.
As they crossed a bridge, they spotted a large, blue wolf-like creature on the other side. Unlike the upright, one-eyed wolves they had seen before, this creature moved on all fours, its fur bristling from its head down to its shoulders.
At first, the group was startled, but then they saw a man riding on the wolf's back and immediately felt relieved, especially the students.
Just as they were about to move forward, Mo Fan raised his hand to stop them.
Everyone was confused, including Bai Yang, the man on the wolf.
"Lightning Strike: Wrath Shock!"
Before Bai Yang could react, Mo Fan had already unleashed a Lightning spell.
Boom!
The man and his wolf dodged the attack just in time, but the sudden strike shocked everyone.
"What the hell are you doing, Mo Fan?!" Bai Yang shouted, bewildered.
"Mo Fan, are you crazy?!" the others chimed in, equally confused.
Mo Fan ignored them and stared at Bai Yang with a cold expression and said, "You scum from the Black Vatican, how long do you plan to keep pretending?"
Bai Yang's warm smile froze, and a vicious glint appeared in his eyes. His face twisted into something sinister as he said, "Oh? I never thought you'd suspect me."
His words stunned everyone. Bai Yang's confession meant that Mo Fan had been right—he was indeed part of the Black Vatican!
Without wasting time, Mo Fan cast another spell: "Fiery Fist: Exploding Heavens!"
The earlier low-level spell was just to force Bai Yang to reveal himself. Now that his identity was confirmed, Mo Fan wasn't going to waste any time.
The Fiery Fist unleashed a massive wave of flames, catching Bai Yang and his wolf off guard. Bai Yang, a summoner mage, was far too weak to withstand such an attack.
Bai Yang: ???
Boom!
The blue flames engulfed Bai Yang and his wolf, leaving behind nothing but their charred remains.
As they burned, the wolf left behind a glowing soul essence.
(End of Chapter)