"Prepare for defense!"
Golden Bow's voice boomed with authority. "Willow and Bastion, stay in the center! The rest of us will guard three sides. I've already fired the signal flare—help should arrive in ten minutes at the latest!"
He glanced at the group, his expression grim. "Demon wolves aren't that high-level! Just don't let them break the formation, and we can hold on!"
The group swiftly moved into position under his command. Luckily, there was a massive boulder nearby that they could use as a natural barrier, greatly reducing the angles they needed to defend.
Despite this, their faces betrayed their anxiety.
Even though the demon wolves were individually weaker than Golden Bow, the sheer number—at least a hundred by Chloe's estimate—was overwhelming. If it had been just a dozen or so wolves, they might have stood a chance with proper coordination. But against this horde, their only hope was that reinforcements would arrive in time.
Soon, pairs of blood-red eyes emerged from the shadows of the trees.
The demon wolves stepped forward, their muscular frames rippling with menace. Their bloodshot eyes gleamed with feral hunger, and their alpha stood out—a massive, hulking figure exuding an air of dominance.
Drool dripped from its sharp fangs, sizzling as it hit the ground.
Bastion immediately used Appraisal on the alpha.
[Mutant Demon Wolf (Elite)]
Level: 10
Strength: 120
Spirit: 88
Agility: 100
Endurance: 90
Combat Skills: Bloodthirsty Frenzy (Bronze), Wolf Howl (Bronze), Wolf Claw Strike (Silver), Corrosion (Bronze), Pack Frenzy (Silver)
As expected, the mutant demon wolf's stats far outshone those of the others. It was elite-level, with an unsettling intelligence gleaming in its eyes. For a moment, Bastion felt as though he wasn't looking at a beast but at a calculating predator.
The regular demon wolves hovered around levels 8 to 10, their restless movements signaling an imminent attack.
The alpha suddenly threw back its head and let out a long, bone-chilling howl.
The rest of the pack followed suit, their collective howls resonating through the forest like a death knell.
The Wolf Howl skill was unleashed.
Bastion's vision swam, and the wolves seemed to grow larger and more menacing in his mind. Their fangs glinted like daggers, and a primal fear gripped his heart, paralyzing him for a moment.
"Calm!"
Willow's voice cut through the haze as her staff glowed with soothing white light. The light washed over the group, dispelling the unnatural fear.
She glanced at Pyra and noticed that the summon hadn't been affected by the fear at all, standing firm with an unshakable presence.
The mutant demon wolf snarled in frustration when the fear tactic failed. Without hesitation, it signaled its pack to attack.
The wolves surged forward.
Golden Bow swung his dual axes in wide arcs, cleaving through the nearest wolves with practiced precision. His higher level gave him a clear advantage, and he dropped one wolf after another, though they kept coming relentlessly.
Chloe, standing on the flank, loosed a flurry of arrows, her bowstring humming as multiple shafts found their marks. Even with her accuracy and speed, however, the wolves continued to close the distance.
Hunter, however, was struggling. His fireballs blasted into the incoming wolves, but his lower level meant the damage wasn't enough to thin their ranks effectively. Sweat dripped down his face as his attacks began to slow.
"I can't hold them off much longer, Captain!" Hunter shouted, his voice tinged with panic.
Golden Bow's eyes narrowed as he focused on the mutant demon wolf. Its commanding presence made it clear that the pack's coordination and aggression stemmed from it.
If they could kill the alpha, they might have a chance.
"Chloe, cover me! I'm going in for the alpha!" Golden Bow roared.
He activated Whirlwind Slash, spinning into the mass of wolves like a human tornado. His axes became blurs of steel, carving through the pack with devastating force. Blood sprayed, and yelps of pain echoed as wolves were mowed down.
The alpha's crimson eyes followed his every movement. Its fur bristled as it sensed the danger, but it remained in place, a general commanding its troops from the rear.
As Golden Bow's skill ended, he found himself panting heavily, his stamina drained. He looked up and cursed.
He was still five meters away from the alpha, and between them stood dozens of snarling wolves.
The alpha tilted its head, as if mocking him.
Wolves surged toward him, their drool sizzling as they closed in.
Golden Bow gritted his teeth, despair creeping into his heart. He'd thrown everything he had into his assault, but it wasn't enough.
"Damn it! If only I hadn't ignored Bastion's warning earlier…"
Just then, a startled cry rang out from behind him.
"Chloe?" Golden Bow whipped around, dreading what he might see.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Blood.
The ground was soaked with it. The bodies of demon wolves lay scattered, their charred remains still smoldering. Standing amidst the carnage was Pyra, her fiery markings glowing brighter than ever.
Bastion followed closely behind, his expression calm and unshaken, as if the surrounding wolves posed no threat to him at all.
"Get back! You're walking into a death trap!" Golden Bow shouted, thinking Bastion had merely taken advantage of the path he'd cleared.
The alpha's eyes locked onto Pyra, and for the first time, it crouched low, baring its teeth in a defensive stance.
It snarled, and a dozen wolves abandoned Golden Bow, turning their attention toward Pyra.
Golden Bow's heart sank. He could already imagine Pyra being torn apart by the vicious pack.
But then he noticed the markings on Pyra's fur starting to shift.
The intricate patterns glowed, twisting like living flames.
In that moment, Pyra leaped forward. The air around her shimmered with heat, and a fiery gale erupted from her body.
Flame Storm activated.