Soon, a thick stench of blood filled the air. The four calmly harvested valuable monster materials. Instead of leaving quickly, they settled down to rest right there.
Such a strong blood scent would definitely attract carnivorous monsters. Were these four really adventurers—or clueless idiots?
Leyang didn’t plan to warn them. Suddenly appearing might not be trusted. They could mistake him for a looter. Besides, a child in the Monster Woods was clearly abnormal.
“Awooo!”
Suddenly, multiple wolf howls echoed.
Everyone’s faces paled. They jumped up, grabbing their weapons.
“Bad news—it’s a wolf pack!”
“The blood scent drew them. Damn, we were careless. Move!” one adventurer man shouted urgently.
Go? Probably too late.
Leyang crouched in the bushes, thinking silently.
He wasn’t some bored do-gooder. He just needed to confirm if these were Unihorn Wolves, then adapt. Even for him, escaping a massive wolf pack unscathed wouldn’t be easy.
“We’re surrounded! These beasts blocked all paths!”
“What now? We’re doomed.”
“This is your fault! Resting here? Killing monsters attracted them. None of us escape!”
“How’s it my fault? You agreed too!”
“Stop arguing! Want to be their food?! Fight out—we still have a slim chance!” the leader roared. The others fell silent; he clearly held authority.
“Fara, Bella, cover us! Don’t hold back magic. Charge out full force!”
“Got it!”
Bella, the archer, nocked two arrows and nodded solemnly.
“I… I’ll try.”
“Great Water Spirit, grant me sacred power to annihilate my enemies before me—”
“Charge!!!”
A brutal battle erupted. Heart-shaking howls filled the air as the wolf pack charged ferociously.
Gray wolves leaped out, each with a sharp horn on its head, seemingly imbued with magic.
“They really are Unihorn Wolves.”
Leyang’s gaze sharpened slightly. A faint smile curled on his lips.
His quest required a second-tier Unihorn Wolf’s horn. Ordinary horns weren’t worth eight Small Yala Coins. Scanning the pack, most were first-tier. Only one second-tier wolf hid among them, directing the attack.
The beast was cunning. It trapped the four, denying escape. It harassed them occasionally, waiting for exhaustion before finishing them off.
“My magic’s almost gone! Are we dying here today?” Fara’s voice trembled near tears. Her water bullets weakened, then failed entirely.
“I’m out of arrows too. They surround us. Only fighting to the death left,” the archer said. She dropped her quiver, swinging her wooden bow like a club to smash any wolf’s head that neared.
Seeing its pack thinning, the second-tier Unihorn Wolf finally attacked. It targeted the weakest—Fara. Its claws sliced through the air with a screech. Before anyone noticed, it tore four bloody gashes into her pale back.
“Ahh!”
Fara screamed. Her face turned ghostly pale. Blood poured from her wound.
“Fara!” Bella gasped.
Smelling human blood, the wolves’ ferocity surged. Their aggression spiked.
“It’s over. A second-tier monster too. No escape today,” one man shouted in despair.
Suddenly, a Silver Blade Dagger shot out. It struck the second-tier wolf’s head while off guard.
The wolf howled in pain. Its eyes glazed over. It collapsed, dead—seemingly wondering why victory slipped away. Who killed it?
“Someone’s here!?”
Shock flashed across their faces. A spark of hope flickered in their eyes.
But seeing the newcomer—a small, hooded figure—their hope dimmed. How could such a frail person save them?
“You go first. I’ll hold off the wolves.”
Hearing Leyang’s youthful voice, their faces changed again. This wasn’t just small—it was a child! Barely ten years old.
“What kid?! This place isn’t for you!”
“Shut up! I’m Evil Slaughter, a second-tier adventurer of the Adventurers Guild. Go straight that way—don’t look back. You’ll exit the Monster Woods soon. Here’s healing potion for claw wounds. Apply it once safe.” Leyang punched a first-tier wolf dead. He tossed the potion to the archer, pointed coldly, and ignored their stares.
“A second-tier adventurer?! Never heard of Evil Slaughter.”
“Don’t question it! This is our lifeline. Go—we’ll remember this debt!”
Three hurriedly supported Fara. Leyang yanked the Silver Blade Dagger from the dead wolf’s head. A spray of crimson blood bloomed, eerie and vivid.
Leyang ignored them. Any wolf showing aggression was instantly smashed into tree trunks. They spat blood, unable to rise.
With the leader dead, the remaining first-tier wolves posed little threat. Leyang handled them alone easily.
“So strong!”
“No need to worry. We met a benefactor. Fara can’t last—move!”
“Mhm, Fara, hang in there!”
...
Leyang guarded the exit point, cold killing intent in his eyes.
The wolf pack hesitated, leaderless and confused.
“Get lost!”
“Awooo… awooo…”
