"Shadow Technique Twin Strike!"
"Skill Copied: Flame Storm!"
Bastion's calm expression concealed a brewing storm as Pyra's shadowy double materialized behind him. The fiery markings on its spectral form pulsed with life, shifting and twisting like a living flame.
In a blinding flash, Flame Storm burst forth again.
The vortex of fire surged outward, consuming everything in its wake. The Elite-tier mutant demon wolf, sensing the explosive energy radiating from Bastion, froze mid-step. For the first time, its blood-red eyes betrayed fear.
It turned to flee, but the storm was faster.
The searing flames engulfed the wolf, burning its fur to ash and searing its flesh. The sizzling sound of its body being incinerated was drowned out by its howls of agony.
In mere moments, the mutant demon wolf's HP was obliterated, leaving behind only a charred husk.
The surrounding demon wolves, caught in the fiery maelstrom, fared no better. They writhed and screeched as the flames devoured them, their cries silenced as their bodies turned to blackened cinders.
The air reeked of scorched flesh, and the ground was littered with smoldering corpses.
[Congratulations! You have defeated Level 10 Mutant Demon Wolf (Elite-tier). Experience Gained: +800]
[Congratulations! You have defeated multiple demon wolves. Experience Gained: +500]
Golden light enveloped both Bastion and Pyra, signaling their level-up.
[Level Up! Current Level: 8]
The surge of energy restored Bastion and Pyra to peak condition, wiping away their fatigue.
Golden Bow and the others stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock.
"That's... a Fire Fox?" Golden Bow finally broke the silence, his voice trembling.
Chloe blinked, shaking her head in disbelief. "No way... That's not a normal Fire Fox. And this kid... what kind of Beast Summoner is he?"
Hunter's pride as a mage shattered completely. Watching Bastion and Pyra wield Flame Storm—not once, but twice—left him speechless.
He muttered under his breath, "He's just a Summoner... How does he have Flame Storm? I can't even afford to learn that skill yet!"
Just as the group began to process what had happened, a gray blur darted from the shadows toward Willow.
"Look out!"
Before anyone could react, a surviving demon wolf pounced on the young priestess, sinking its teeth into her arm.
Willow let out a scream of pain as the wolf's Corrosion skill activated, eating away at her flesh.
"Damn it!" Hunter roared, his staff igniting with flames. He unleashed a barrage of fireballs, joined by Chloe's explosive arrows. Together, they managed to kill the wolf, but not before it had inflicted severe damage.
Willow collapsed, unconscious, her right arm hanging limply, nearly severed.
"Stay with us!" Golden Bow barked, grabbing Hunter by the shoulders. "She's not dead! If we can get her to a high-level healer, she can recover!"
Hunter nodded frantically, cradling Willow's severed limb as he muttered, "We can still save her. We can still save her..."
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the forest.
The group tensed, but their relief was palpable when they saw a squad of heavily armed soldiers emerging from the treeline.
At the head of the squad was a towering figure clad in full plate armor, wielding a massive greatsword. His level hovered clearly above his head:
[Robert, Greatsword Warrior, Level 22]
Robert surveyed the scene, his eyes widening as they landed on the charred remains of over a hundred demon wolves.
"This... What happened here?"
Golden Bow stepped forward, quickly summarizing the events leading to the ambush and the mutant demon wolf's unusual behavior.
As Robert listened, his frown deepened. "A mutant demon wolf that orchestrates ambushes and sets traps? That's unheard of... This isn't normal monster behavior. I need to report this immediately."
He then turned to Bastion, his gaze lingering. "And you... You're the one who saved them?"
Golden Bow nodded. "If not for Bastion and his Fire Fox, we'd all be dead. The sheer number of wolves alone would've overwhelmed us before you got here."
Robert studied Bastion, his expression unreadable. A level 8 Summoner taking down an Elite-tier wolf and dozens of its packmates was almost beyond belief.
"I need a full debrief when we get back to the city," Robert finally said. "But for now, we'll escort you all out. Willow needs immediate medical attention, and this situation with the mutant demon wolves is too strange to ignore."
Golden Bow glanced at Bastion, his respect clear. "Kid... no, Bastion. I don't know what kind of Summoner you are, but... you've got my gratitude. And my respect."
Bastion simply smiled, his demeanor calm as ever. "Let's get Willow to safety first. We can talk later."
The soldiers began clearing the area, while the adventurers regrouped to head back to the city.
As they walked, Robert couldn't help but glance at Bastion and Pyra again.
"A level 8 Summoner," he muttered to himself, "with that kind of power... just who is this kid?"