Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Carol's Gratitude

As Alita Miller grew exhausted, Horton Martin stepped forward.

No matter how different their factions were, when faced with danger, they would still choose to join forces.

"The radiance of flames falls, dispelling all evil, leaving darkness nowhere to hide—Flare of the Firelight!"

With the incantation, a dazzling light erupted from Horton Martin's staff. Strong fire elements converged from all directions, quickly forming a fireball that floated above everyone like a miniature sun.

"Ahhh!"

In an instant, bloodcurdling screams echoed as the monstrous wolf-like creatures were engulfed in flames, burning their skin and flesh.

Seeing this, Dean Bruce nodded slightly and thought to himself, [Even though he's changed his aura and appearance, he's still using fire magic. It seems that people like Alita Miller, who can master multiple elemental magics, are quite rare.]

The more Dean Bruce interacted with Alita, the more he sensed how unusual she was, and the more wary he became of her.

Although Horton Martin's spell caused the wolf-like creatures to hesitate briefly, and they seemed to suffer greatly, it wasn't enough to kill them!

On the contrary, after their skin had been scorched, the monsters became even more ferocious. Their howls echoed one after another, and they dropped to the ground, rolling around like real wolves.

Sizzle—

As they rolled, the flames gradually extinguished. The next moment, they leaped forward suddenly, their sharp claws swiping through the air, capable of slashing the throats of anyone who couldn't dodge in time.

Even though the group reacted quickly, they couldn't completely avoid the swift attacks. Shoulders or chests were grazed by the claws, and blood spurted out instantly.

At this moment, the woman who had previously obstructed Lina Jones no longer hid in the background. She stepped forward, clutching a thick book, her lips moving silently as if reciting something in a low whisper.

Buzz—

In the next instant, a silver radiance burst forth from the book, transforming into shimmering light screens that enveloped everyone on the battlefield.

Even Dean Bruce was no exception. Almost the moment he was covered by the light, he was astonished to feel countless elements and magical energy swirling around him, rushing into his body. His mind became incredibly clear, far sharper than before.

Not only that, but when the wolf-like monsters charged forward again, colorful flashes of different elements appeared and repelled them, sending the creatures crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Hurry and strike! Don't just stand there! I can't maintain this magic for long!"

As the trembling voice rang out, everyone snapped back to reality. Taking advantage of the moment, they rushed forward, fiercely attacking the fallen, bizarre creatures.

Horton Martin swiftly retreated, raising his staff high as he chanted, "As long as hope remains, even in the bitterest winter, the flames shall endure! Sparks... shall ignite the prairie!"

Boom—

The staff slammed into the ground, and in an instant, a strange force surged through the entire mountain range. The dying flames on the bodies of the monsters and the grassy hills around them flared up again, burning with renewed intensity.

Crackle, crackle!

The sound of the roaring fire filled the air. The flames burned even hotter and more ferociously than before. No matter how the strange creatures writhed on the ground, they could not extinguish the fire.

At his words, the fear in the group lessened somewhat. Yes, they had defeated them before—why should they be afraid now?

At worst, they could just regroup and rest again!

Alita Miller and Horton Martin took the lead, standing at the front, while Carol Lane once again opened her ancient tome.

The howls grew louder, accompanied by the rapid thudding of footsteps. This time, not only were there monsters appearing from above, but the strange wolf-like creatures began emerging from both sides of the mountain path as well!

"Prepare for battle!"

Alita Miller shouted, casting another spell. But before the green vines could spread to entangle the bizarre creatures, dozens of purple beams of light shot down from the full moon hanging in the sky.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The purple light rained down, instantly triggering another transformation in the wolf-like monsters. Strange patterns emerged on their skin, and their bodies began to swell like balloons, expanding rapidly.

In just the span of two or three breaths, they had grown to the height of two or three men, radiating an intimidating presence. Dean Bruce and the others watched in shock, their pupils contracting in disbelief.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

A series of crisp sounds echoed as the green vines shattered before they could bind the creatures. Leaves and branches scattered across the ground.

"Fall back!" someone shouted.

"Damn it, I didn't expect they could get even stronger!"

Horton Martin cursed in fear, as everyone began retreating. But the newly mutated creatures moved with astonishing speed, like bolts of lightning. Before the group could even retreat a few steps, the creatures had already surrounded them, their hulking forms blocking any route of escape.

Surrounded by the towering creatures on all sides, even Dean Bruce felt an overwhelming sense of pressure, his breath growing rapid.

"What... what do we do now?"

"Oh God! How can there be such a dangerous place?"

Cries of alarm rang out one after another. Alita Miller, Lina Jones, and the others instinctively gathered around Dean Bruce, their eyes filled with hope as they looked toward him.

In their gazes, there was a deep longing—they desperately wished for Dean Bruce to pull off another miraculous victory, just as he had before.

Dean Bruce's brow furrowed tightly. His mind raced, searching for the right spell to counter these bizarre creatures.

"Awooo!"

Another piercing wolf howl erupted, and the mutated creatures swung their now-massive claws, aiming to crush Dean Bruce and the group.

Whoosh—

The air roared as if space itself were being torn apart. The immense pressure felt like a mountain crashing down on Dean Bruce and the others, rendering them motionless. They could only watch helplessly as the giant claws descended toward them.

But just as the claws were about to strike, a brilliant white light descended from the sky. In an instant, hundreds of the strange creatures around them seemed to freeze in place, as though they had been stopped by some invisible force!