(Lina's POV)
The air was thick with tension as we stood in the center of the formation, surrounded by the E-rank adventurers. The D-rank leader, Harlan, took the front line, his sword ready as he barked orders to everyone. The wolves had us surrounded, but we were ready—at least, we thought we were.
Then it happened.
One of the wolves, broke through the defensive line, charging straight toward us.
"Watch out!" Harlan shouted, but it was too late. The wolf was already upon us.
My heart leaped into my throat as I saw the creature's glowing eyes fix on us, its snarling jaws open wide. It was massive, its fur dark and matted, with claws that looked like they could tear through armor.
(Leon's POV)
Damn it! I should've been watching closer, but that wolf was fast—too fast.
"Derrick! Marie! We need to stall it!" I shouted, drawing my sword. The E-rankers were still busy holding off the rest of the pack, and Harlan was locked in combat with the alpha wolf. No one else could help us right now.
Derrick raised his shield just in time as the wolf lunged, its claws raking against the metal with a screech. He grunted under the weight of the impact, his feet skidding back.
"We can't hold it for long!" Derrick yelled, his voice strained. The wolf was far stronger than anything we'd faced before.
(Marie's POV)
I threw a fireball at the wolf, but it barely singed its fur. It was like my magic wasn't even phasing it. This wasn't just a regular beast—it was stronger than any wolf I had ever seen.
"It's an E-rank!" I shouted to the others, panic creeping into my voice. "We can't handle this!"
(Derrick's POV)
The wolf slammed into my shield again, harder this time. My arms were already trembling from the strain.
"Stall for time!" I heard someone shout from behind the battle line. "We're coming to help!"
But how long could we hold it off? I gritted my teeth as the wolf snarled and lunged again, this time aiming for my exposed legs.
(Lina's POV)
I fired an arrow, aiming for the wolf's head, but it only grazed its fur. The beast barely flinched, its attention still focused on Derrick.
"We can't take this thing down on our own," I muttered, fumbling to nock another arrow. My hands were shaking, but I forced myself to focus.
"Just stall it!" Leon shouted, swinging his sword at the wolf's flank. He managed to draw its attention away from Derrick for a moment, but the wolf barely seemed to notice the blow.
(Leon's POV)
This thing was on another level. Even with all three of us trying to fight it, we were barely making a dent. It was like swinging at a wall.
"Come on!" I yelled, slashing again, trying to draw its attention away from the others. "We just need to buy some time!"
The wolf growled, turning its gaze toward me now. Its eyes glinted in the dim firelight, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
This wasn't going to end well.
(Third-Person POV)
The wolf lunged again, its claws raking across Leon's sword as he barely managed to parry the blow. Derrick staggered back, still holding up his shield, but it was clear that he wouldn't last much longer.
The wolf was relentless, its attacks growing more ferocious with each passing second. Its eyes burned with a savage intensity as it circled the F-rankers, looking for an opening.
Then, with a sudden burst of speed, it lunged again—this time aiming directly for Lina.
(Lina's POV)
I barely had time to react before the wolf was on me, its claws slashing toward my face. I stumbled back, firing another arrow in desperation, but the shot went wide.
"Leon! Derrick!" I screamed, trying to backpedal as fast as I could, but the wolf was too close.
(Leon's POV)
"No!" I shouted, throwing myself between Lina and the wolf. I swung my sword in a wide arc, aiming for its head, but the beast was faster. It ducked under my strike and slammed into me with its full weight.
I hit the ground hard, my sword clattering out of my hand. Pain shot through my ribs as the wolf's claws dug into my side.
"Get off him!" Derrick roared, charging at the wolf with his shield raised. He slammed into the beast, knocking it off balance, but the impact barely slowed it down.
(Third-Person POV)
The F-rankers were barely holding on, struggling to fend off the E-rank wolf that had breached their line. Sweat dripped from their brows, their weapons shaking in their hands as they fought to survive.
In the distance, Harlan and the E-rankers were still locked in combat with the rest of the pack, unable to come to their aid just yet.
"Hold on!" Harlan shouted, his voice strained as he parried another attack from the alpha wolf. "We'll be there soon!"
But even as he said it, he knew they were running out of time.
(Derrick's POV)
I slammed my shield into the wolf's side again, trying to push it back, but it was like hitting a brick wall. My arms were numb from the strain, and my legs were shaking from the effort of holding my ground.
"We can't hold it!" I yelled