CH 63

Episode 63 – The Angry Wolf’s Tenacity 

Just like last time, my opponent was also a lone Angry Wolf. If that was the case, the same tactics should work.

“Byrne, Lyra. I’ll join the vanguard.” (Lewin)

When I told them that, I stepped up and stood in line with them. For a moment, Byrne looked over at me in surprise, but when he saw the Magical Grass in my hand, he must have guessed that I had a plan in mind. Earlier, thanks to the Magical Grass, we were able to make a narrow escape from the pursuing Angry Wolves, after all.

“Lewin, are you going to be alright?” (Byrne)

“No, probably not. That’s why, I was hoping you and Lyra would support me.” (Lewin)

“Alright. We’ll be on standby, ready to step in the moment you need help.” (Byrne)

“I’ll also make sure to support you alongside Lyra and Byrne.” (Porta)

Hearing their trustworthy replies, I stepped forward and ignited the bundle of Magical Grass with the flint and steel. When I came to the front, I thought I saw the Angry Wolf grin mockingly for a second. But as soon as it caught a whiff of the intensely foul stench of the burning Magical Grass, it let out a cry that sounded like a scream for help, just like the Angry Wolf I fought last time.

As I expected, the stink of the Magical Grass was super effective against the Angry Wolf. But… this time was strikingly different because while it was still suffering at the hands of the stench, it was nonetheless fully ready for combat. If possible, I wanted to approach it while it was suffering from the stench of the Magical Grass and hit it with the vial of poisonous Slime liquid, just like last time… But there was no way it was going to be that easy.

“Lewin! It’s coming!” Lyra shouted, sensing that the Angry Wolf was about to move before anyone else. At the same time that I heard her voice, the Angry Wolf moved. Its expression seemed to be warped in disgust by the harsh odor, but it never took its eyes off me as it approached. Flying towards me with a speed that seemed to bend space and time, the Angry Wolf rushed in to deal me a fatal blow.

Holding the burning Magical Grass as far out as I could, I waited for its approach.

Just a little closer. Just a little bit more—NOW!

At the exact moment I thought it would be impossible for the Angry Wolf to dodge, I lobbed the vial of poisonous Slime liquid straight at it. Almost as if it had predicted my movements beforehand, it crouched low and evaded it.

“Get out of here.”

Those words were ringing in my head like alarm bells, but my body couldn’t keep up. With the Angry Wolf literally looming over me, an imminent dread gripped me as I fell backwards and landed on my rear end. I was desperately clutching the burning Magical Grass, holding it out as far as I could, but the Angry Wolf was still showing no signs of stopping.

I’m going to get eaten…

In that instant, I could clearly see the details on the Angry Wolf’s ugly maw as I stared death straight in the eyes.

“[Anti-Heal]!” (Nina)

As I sat there with my butt on the floor, Nina’s spell barely grazed over my head. The green orb smashed into the jaws of the Angry Wolf, who by that point, was about to kill me. It was blown back by the impact and its movements finally dulled. For a moment, the Angry Wolf began to suffer with eerie bloodshot eyes, but it opened its mouth wide to try to bite me. Long lines of sloppy drool dripped from its maw, but it did not stop approaching me with trembling, painful movements.

One step, and another step… it approached with staggering, faltering steps. I felt the blood drain from my face as I was overpowered by the pressure of the insane killing intent it was giving off.

“I will definitely eat you alive.”

As if it was howling those words at me, it gave a thunderous roar that sounded almost like a war cry, and it closed in with a speed that completely betrayed its earlier injured state.

At that instant–

“[Power Slash]!” (Byrne)

Byrne, who was behind me ready to support, jumped forward and cleaved at the Angry Wolf’s chest. Perhaps it didn’t have time to avoid it, or perhaps it didn’t feel like avoiding it… but Byrne’s slash tore deep into the Angry Wolf, causing hot blood to spurt out. But even that didn’t stop it from lashing out with its claws. It totally ignored the damage from Byrne’s slash and just kept coming for me, without a single regard.

“Lyra! Porta!” (Byrne)

“It’s okay! Leave it to me! [Wolf Fang Burst]!” (Lyra)

“Me too! [Auto-Bravery]! HAAAAHH!!” (Porta)

One step behind Byrne, Lyra leapt forward and aimed her skill at the Angry Wolf’s head. The moment it was about to hit, Porta swung his buffed staff at full force towards the Angry Wolf’s lower jaw.

Porta’s powerful blow was perfect, and the Angry Wolf spun once in the air before crashing into the ground.

…But even in this state, the Angry Wolf was still showing signs of resistance.

“It’s not over yet! It’s still alive! We gotta finish it off! –[Slash]!” (Byrne)

It was still twitching, trying its best to keep fighting, but Byrne stabbed down with all of his might, piercing the heart of the Angry Wolf. And with that, the Angry Wolf finally stopped moving.

…Would it move the moment I let my guard down?

Everyone seemed to be thinking this same thought as a tense, apprehensive silence permeated the air.

After dozens of seconds passed with no signs of movement, we were all finally convinced that it was dead. I felt my deathly stiff body finally slacken as a sense of relief rushed through me.