Year 0002, The Imperium
---
After an hour of waiting for the advance party to report back, the Grimfangs that were sent ahead have not yet returned.
The veteran wolf, after sensing its battle-hardened gut, was telling him something must have gone wrong inside.
If the advance party were taking a lot of time to take care of the inhabitants inside.
Suddenly it had a bad feeling about it.
It seems like it miscalculated the situation; looking at the village from the outside, it looks like nothing.
But if you dive in deeper and focus yourself, you would find that there is actually a very strong entity that lives in there.
It felt threatened by it; it smelled human and, at the same time, not.
It's more akin to a powerful beast.
It couldn't tell before, since the village is mixed with different kinds of smells, and it had to work on that knowledge alone.
So the veteran had to smell the air again to confirm its suspicions.
*Sniffff ... sniff... sniff
The blood of its brethren assaulted his nose; they have all been killed!
And it seemed like they couldn't even retaliate before being one-sidedly slaughtered.
This place was too strong, although it may not seem like it from the outside.
They might have to use their entire remaining force to assault the place.
Or they could tuck tail and run away, back home, and come back stronger with more reinforcements.
But that is the coward's way out.
These beasts are proud creatures that wouldn't back down from any challenge presented before them.
The veteran wolf had to think fast and choose the most optimal path.
Should they assault and eliminate the powerful entity before them and risk offending it further?
Or should they tuck tail and retreat back home with the information they got for now, while also facing humiliation?
It wouldn't take long till the others who came with it would notice that something must have gone wrong.
---
Back in the village, August had already briefed the two teams about what he found out and what they are dealing with beyond the wall.
It seemed like they were currently being invaded by a small pack of Grimfangs.
There were varying reactions from the residents, but they all remained positive overall.
They needed to prepare themselves, so August ordered the others to rest for now, while they still can, and be prepared to fend off the assault again.
But he is worried about something else; you can see it on his face.
They got lucky; the first assault was not the entire pack; it was only a scouting vanguard.
Or they might have lost someone already or, worse, faced annihilation.
They also had the surprise advantage at that moment because of the scouting team's incompetence, but now it's gone.
---
There was actually a stronger Grimfang there; it seems like it has been to a lot of battles already.
It is evident on the scars you can find all over its body.
Although it wasn't a Commander Ranked Grimfang, the aura emanating out from it is much more powerful.
At least twice as strong as the last Commander Ranked Grimfang that he fought in the forest.
And right now they have already lost the surprise factor against it.
It worked before since they caught the advance party by surprise.
But right now it can use the other ability, in which wolf-type monsters are most famous for.
And that is their ability to hunt in packs; it was the solid teamwork that they are already inborn with.
---
And when they are in a group like right now, especially when they are out to purposely hunt you, then you are pretty much screwed.
You would need at least a small battalion of veteran soldiers to deal with this many Grimfangs.
And even with that, more than half of the battalion would be wiped out.
Not only are they strong when they are in a pack.
But it seems like the one leading this wolf pack right now is wise and has seen a lot of combat.
And right now, there are only 8 of them who would have to deal with a solid 10-strong wolf pack.
The people with him right now aren't strong enough to fight this many.
---
What to do... August walked back and forth mulling on what they could do with the problem in front of them.
He wanted to fight with that leader solo, but he doubts it would even allow him to do that.
He knew that he could take it on, one-on-one, but what after that?
There are still 9 more remaining that he would eventually have to deal with.
And saying that the rest of his group would manage to defeat at least 2 of the wolves
He would have run out of mana by then, trying to help defeat the rest...
---
Seemingly the group that was with him noticed his concerned look.
The anxiety exuding out of him was starting to rub off on the rest of them.
It was the first for the trio and Gel to see him like that; they were worried, but they still had their faith in him.
But for Jonathan and Christopher, who had been through the battlefield already.
They knew what that face meant; it meant that they were pretty much screwed.
As they have seen many commanders who are much older than the boy panicking in the field of battle, especially when they are on the losing end.
He and Chris nodded to each other; they understood what they had to do.
Jonathan approached August and signaled to him to go somewhere.
"August, come with me, lad; I need to talk with you for a moment."
Is all that Jonathan said.
The boy was stopped in his tracks; he only nodded in agreement.
It seems like Uncle Jonathan had an inkling of what was going on already.
His experience on the battlefield is truly an invaluable asset for the future of the village.
---
When they reached a faraway and safe distance, away from the prying ears of their team members, Jonathan spoke again.
"I'll be direct; what are our chances of winning, lad?"
August raised his head to meet the man's eyes, and he replied.
" Around 30%, and if we played our cards right, then it would rise to 50%.
I'm not confident enough that we wouldn't lose an arm or two or a person even or even face complete annihilation.
I can take down the leader by myself since it is the biggest threat of them all.
But the problem would be the remaining Grimfangs; there are about 10 of them outside right now, ready to pounce at any moment's notice.
And even if we decided to not fight it out and retreat somewhere, we would have nowhere else to go as we are trapped in here.
They have laid siege over the entirety of the outside perimeter of the wall. "
---
The odds are currently stacked against them.
*Sigh
"I see, I might have to lay down my life today; can you promise me to please take care of my daughter?"
August was taken aback by this, but he already might have a solution for their ongoing problem.
Although it would be risky to do so, since he would have to go out of the village himself.
And there is a good chance that he might die in the process.
But it would increase their chances of victory.
"Uncle, do not worry; I have already formulated a plan, although it would be a bit too risky for me.
But it would increase our chance of winning and surviving this entire ordeal by 70%."
Jonathan paused and thought about it for a moment; he would have to hear it out at least and consider the child's proposal.
"Okay, let's hear it."
Is all Jonathan said, the boy began explaining to him what he wanted to do.
Since they have lost their surprise factor already, they just needed to create one for themselves.
---
August began his bold plan; the others were tasked with distracting the enemy.
While he would sneak out and take the wolves that are furthest to the main group first, reducing their overall combat prowess.
The others positioned themselves in the gates; Jonathan was the main bulwark-vanguard, and while Christopher was a supporting tank.
While Gel, Betty, and Bren were the damage dealers supporting the tank at the front.
Meanwhile, Red and Erik will be the ones who deal damage in the long range.
Once the plan was ready to be executed, Jonathan bellowed a mighty.
They slowly opened the gates of the village to distract the beasts away from their senses towards August.
---
August was already running towards the right side of the outermost edge of the wall.
When he reached there, he paused for a bit; he waited for the cue to begin his own task.
A moment later Jonathan's mighty war cry can be heard, and he dashed straight into the forest.
And he was gone from the Grimfangs senses, who were tasked with watching that part of the village.
But how long could he keep this up? Only time would tell...