Munna's tense eyes scanned the horizon, his gaze lingering on the endless tide of wolves surging toward him as he covered the large area. The wolves closed in, their jaws snapping with ravenous hunger, drooling saliva, and their eyes radiating menace.
His spear arm trembled, but clenching his teeth, he thrust the spear into the skull of a wolf. Lifting the weapon, he hurled the lifeless body into the others.
Thud
The other wolves stumbled over the fallen one, their legs giving out as they slumped to the ground.
Without hesitation, the remaining wolves trampled over their fallen comrades, leaping at Munna. The same fate befell those struck by arrows, each projectile finding its mark in their skulls.
....
With a dagger in his grip, Raushan danced with death, his movements contrasting his wiry frame.
Swish
He slashed a wolf's face, following up with a swift sidekick.
Clink
Another beast's claw collided with his dagger. A bullet whizzed past him, piercing a wolf's eye. The next moment, the wolf's head was severed cleanly.
As the space around him began to close in with wolves, Raushan pushed off the ground, flipping his body to land perfectly on a wolf's back.
Thud
The wolf's legs buckled under his weight, snapping as it collapsed to the ground. Death seemed ever-present.
"Someone prays for these cruel deaths," a voice murmured amid the chaos.
The leader, Aman, was both tackling the beasts and overseeing the team's situation.
"Everyone, don't tire yourselves!" he commanded.
"Yes, sir!" came the unified response.
A wolf lunged at Aman, claws flaring.
Swish
A head flew through the air, separated from its body.
Ding
A sidekick sent the headless corpse crashing into another wolf.
Swish
An arrow whizzed past him.
"Don't waste arrows on beginners!" he shouted.
"Leader, there's an elite in front of you. Be careful."
Aman's eyes widened as he spotted the abnormal size of a wolf hidden among the others, poised for a lethal attack.
"Thanks," he said, narrowly dodging.
Another arrow flew past him.
"Leader don't worry about it. The arrows are coated in poison."
"Good work. Keep me informed," he replied, refocusing on the beginner wolves. Despite the elite's presence, Aman prioritized the immediate threat.
Blood flowed freely, and wolf carcasses littered the ground, reduced to nothing more than meat paste.
Roar!
A shockwave erupted from Emberfluff's mouth, instantly killing five or six wolves.
Swish
With its hind legs boosted by elemental wind, Emberfluff swiftly decapitated an elite wolf.
Continuously firing arrows, Rahul's keen eyes analyzed the battlefield. The toll of the battle was beginning to show.
Swish
With precise movements, he released an arrow, the projectile claiming the life of another elite wolf.
"Thanks."
"Be careful, leader. There's another elite far away," Rahul warned, choosing not to waste an arrow at that distance. His focus remained within his designated range, prioritizing elites and only targeting beginners when necessary to protect his teammates.
"Hey, buddy, are you alright?" Rahul asked, noticing Rishikesh's labored breathing.
"I'm fine. Just running low on energy to condense bullets."
"Sit down and rest. I'll handle it."
"Leader, Rishikesh needs rest," Rahul informed Aman.
"Rishikesh, take a break. Rahul, maintain both roles."
"Got it, leader."
"Everyone, Rishikesh is resting. Hunt within your limits and avoid recklessness," Aman commanded.
"Understood, leader."
Swish Swish Swish
Rahul's workload increased as he fired arrow after arrow, sweat dripping down his face.
Wiping it away, he nocked another arrow and fired at an elite beast. The exhausting task took its toll.
"Ahhh!" a cry pierced the air.
"Rahul!" Aman called out.
Suddenly, Rahul turned and released an arrow, striking down a wolf mid-leap.
Meanwhile, Raushan, bitten on his arm and leg, trembled as his movements slowed. More wolves closed in, but a series of arrows flew past him, granting him a moment's reprieve. Slashing his way through beginner wolves, he retreated.
"Leader, I don't think I can hold out much longer."
"Rishikesh, can you take over?"
"Yes, leader."
"Raushan, fall back. Rishikesh, cover him and fire only wolves which are within your range."
"Understood, leader."
With arrow and bullet support, Raushan safely retreated, his wounds manageable despite the pain.
"Munna! How are you holding up?"
Panting heavily, Munna's hoarse voice crackled through.
"Le… Leader. I can manage."
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to persist. Avoid unnecessary risks."
"Understood," Munna replied, his spear arm trembling as he fought off another wave.
Rahul marveled at Aman's composure amid the chaos, though he knew the situation was spiraling.
"Emberfluff, how are you holding up?"
Roar!
"Alright. Play to your heart's content."
Roar!
As if spurred by permission, the orange stripes on Emberfluff's body glowed.
With a deafening roar, it tore through the beginner wolves, vanishing momentarily only to reappear, leaving a trail of lifeless bodies behind.
"Hey, buddy, don't overdo it," Rahul called out.
Roar! Emberfluff's expression seemed almost smug, as though taunting Rahul.
Ignoring the mischievous creature, Rahul redirected his focus to his teammates, ensuring their safety.
Swish
An arrow coated with poison penetrated an elite wolf's eye.
"Leader, that was an elite beast."
"Good. Keep that up for every elite," Aman encouraged.
"Got it."
Swish
An arrow flew past Munna, piercing a wolf's skull.
"Munna, are you alright?" Rahul asked, noticing his sweat-soaked body and trembling spear arm.
"My strength is fading," Munna admitted.
Aman's mood darkened. With one teammate recovering and another nearing exhaustion, the battle's stakes were rising.
Grrrrrrwhhhh!
A deafening growl reverberated across the battlefield.
"That's…"
"The Mysterious Long Wolf."