Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Black Wolf Leader, Requiem
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wolves seemed to have used their heads quite a bit. Kaseun's individual prowess was undoubtedly formidable, but with him mixed in among the soldiers like this, there was no way to counter it. Using an area-of-effect attack that could sweep up allies by mistake was too risky.
Kreng!
A black wolf leaped out from somewhere in front of Yuda, drooling as it bared its gums. Without slowing down, she kicked up forcefully at the wolf's jaw with the tip of her foot. With a thud, its gaping maw snapped shut, shattering its teeth into pieces. She drove her sword into the forehead of the unconscious beast, now limp on the ground, to make sure it was dead.
As she fended off the wolves charging at her without respite, Yuda glanced far off toward where the 10th squad was positioned. The soldiers' shouts mixed with the wolves' howls, creating a racket that grated on the ears.
'It'll be fine.'
She was anxious, but there was no need to worry too much. Considering their levels, they wouldn't go down to mere wolves. And selfishly speaking, as long as they came out unscathed—even if the others died or got hurt—it didn't matter. She wanted to rush over regardless of what happened here, but the situation made it tricky to plunge into the darkness.
"Whoa, these crazy bastards! Swords aren't cutting!"
A soldier who had slashed at a black wolf with his blade shouted. Though the sword was sharp, their weapons weren't even close to being masterworks. Cutting through a black wolf's hide with such a blade wasn't easy. Stabbing was far more efficient anyway. The problem was that opportunities for it rarely arose.
The black wolf grazed by the soldier's sword scowled at the wound but stood firm on all fours. It bared its gums, drool dripping steadily, looking utterly furious. The soldier who met its gaze backpedaled in panic, shielding himself with his shield as he prepared a counterattack.
Yuda dashed over and swung her sword upward without hesitation. She felt the blade slice through hide and sever the muscle beneath.
Shwaaah!
Blood sprayed up after the blade. It was a world of difference from when the soldier had swung.
"If you lack the strength to cut, don't try to slash—stab instead! It's much better that way!"
The nameless soldier nodded in disbelief.
At Yuda's words, the soldier nodded. Nearby soldiers who overheard began prioritizing thrusts over slashes. It worked. The downside was a drastically reduced attack range, but it beat failing to deal proper damage altogether. The soldiers cheered, stepping over the corpses of fallen black wolves.
"Stick together! You there, don't advance—fall back!"
Turning at the voice, she saw a knight directing the soldiers. Thanks to them, they could steadily reduce the black wolves' numbers amid this chaotic melee.
The knights' skills were incomparable to the soldiers'. Even clad in heavy plate armor, they moved faster than the infantry and hunted black wolves effortlessly with their powerful strikes.
But the black wolves weren't just dying meekly. Using their numerical advantage, they pounced on soldiers, tearing into them. One soldier being ripped apart alive spat curses and screamed for help. Yuda, about to hurl the leather belt from her waist, realized she had no daggers left.
'I need to use Heresy Arts...!'
As she gathered mana to activate Lesser Black Artifact Creation, Yuda frowned and hesitated. But she quickly invoked the Heresy Arts anyway, forming a dagger of shadow in her grasp.
Just as she reared back to throw it, several golden blades flashed before her eyes, embedding themselves in the black wolf.
This was...
It triggered a déjà vu, a memory from somewhere. It was one of the skills of [Gabriel's Sword], the Holy Knight. And there was only one person with that class.
'Cain!'
Turning her head, she saw Cain standing alone in Holy Knight armor, having left Liel somewhere. His visor was down, hiding his expression, but he rushed over and pulled the soldier pinned under the black wolf.
"Are you okay!?"
"Ugh! Damn it, it bit my leg!"
The soldier spat roughly. Blood poured from his thigh where the wolf's teeth had sunk in. Ironically, the flesh hadn't been torn away thanks to his armor made from black wolf hide. Cain hoisted the immobile soldier onto his back and dashed toward the cluster of soldiers. Yuda just stared blankly like an idiot.
Kyeng!
"......"
A wolf pursued Cain, who was carrying the soldier. Watching it, Yuda silently hurled the Heresy Arts dagger in her hand. It whistled through the air, burying deep into one of the wolf's legs.
She approached the tumbling beast and swung her sword. Blood droplets scattered through the air along the slashing blade. A few splattered onto her cheek, trickling down. Yuda's gaze shifted from the black wolf back to Cain.
'That's the kind of guy he is.'
Cain was a good guy. He helped others and acted for justice. Such actions drew goodwill and favor. It was the same in the game and here. He embodied the classic RPG hero perfectly—an foolish one, she thought—yet she envied his ability to act that way.
-Kill him.
-He's dangerous.
-He'll block your path later.
-He'll challenge you to a duel for the fragment.
She had always thought that way. But seeing him now stirred her heart deeply. She felt ashamed for thinking the others—except Tia and Jeanne—could die or get hurt for all she cared. She saw herself as ugly for keeping distance, telling herself he was someone she'd have to kill someday.
'Shit!'
It soured her mood for no reason. Yuda turned away. Perhaps seeing her alone as easy prey, black wolves abandoned other soldiers and charged her way. Her eyes locked on the lead wolf leaping forward. A faint red glow began to flicker in its black pupils.
+ + +
Cain set down the soldier he had carried. He tried to place him gently, but urgency made it more like dumping him. Apologizing with a sorry look, he was instead gripped firmly by the soldier, who stared wide-eyed.
"Thanks!"
Porters soon rushed over and began treating the soldier's wound. The lord had stocked plenty of potions before they set out, so as long as flesh wasn't massively torn or severed, wounds healed quickly. Their edge over the wolves' numbers came not just from the knights' command and Kaseun's presence, but from the potions too.
"Block!"
Thud!
A black wolf rammed a shield, making nearby soldiers flinch back.
"Thrust!"
At the simple command, soldiers jabbed their swords through gaps in the shields. The sound of blades piercing flesh was followed by a yelp that carried over. In that instant, a wolf leaped over the soldiers from behind and charged. Of the four huddled together, two quickly turned, shields out. The wolf hit with a thump and bounced back. Seeing it, Cain hurriedly circulated his mana.
The power granted by the Third Holy King—Gabriel—manifested with minimal mana cost. Four radiant golden swords formed in midair, streaking like arrows to pierce the rebounding wolf. The soldiers nodded gratefully and refocused forward.
Then Cain remembered leaving Yuda alone amid the wolves. As he ran that way, he heard soldiers chattering.
"Whoa! That guy's the real deal!"
"He's beating black wolves like puppies."
Unlike soldiers fiercely battling elsewhere, these ones were gawking and exclaiming inappropriately.
'The direction Yuda was in.'
He slowed and walked through the soldiers. Hearing his clanking armor, they turned, muttered "Look at that," and parted. Through his visor slit, he saw Yuda whirling her sword like a dancer in the dark.
"Whoa...!"
He understood why the soldiers gawked in awe. She was surrounded by nine wolves, fighting them off. Rather than thinking he should help, he first thought how impressive she was. Clearly under siege and multi-attacked, yet Yuda danced through their midst like an acrobat, felling black wolves one by one.
Wielding a bastard sword one-handed freely was amazing, but even cooler was hurling daggers from her left hand. Strangely, a new dagger appeared in her left hand each time she threw one—like magic. Was he seeing things? He lifted his visor, but no.
The thrown daggers perfectly disrupted the wolves' attack flows, and she never stopped moving. Moments later, a black wolf would crumple, spurting blood. It was a fight you could only watch, entranced.
Nine.
That was how many wolves Yuda had fought—and how many lay dead on the ground. And she hadn't taken a single hit. Covered in blood, breathing heavily, staring at the ground lost in thought, Yuda looked up. Her gaze turned this way. Her eyes gleamed with something like madness. Soldiers who met them gasped here and there.
"......"
Cain realized Yuda was looking at him. He couldn't read the meaning in her eyes.
"Yu...!"
Awoooooooo─────────!
As he tried to call her name, a massive howl echoed from afar. The long, powerful cry made his body instinctively freeze. Just a howl, yet it felt like his heart was being ripped out.
The black wolves glaring at the human wall with bared teeth fled without looking back at the sound, just like yesterday. Simultaneously, the fallen wolves' bodies turned to dust and blew away on the wind.
Soldiers stared at the vanishing corpses in confusion, unable to grasp the situation. A sharp sound of someone kicking off the ground rang out. Turning, Cain saw Yuda grabbing a rolling torch and sprinting off—not somewhere, but toward the howl's source.
"Yuda!"
As he moved to follow, a nearby soldier grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Cain! Where do you think you're going? It's dangerous!"
"I have to follow Yuda! Sorry, mister! Tell Grandpa for me!"
Cain shook off the hand with force, snatched a torch from its stand, and chased after the receding Yuda. The soldiers couldn't hold him back.
"Cain! Yuda! You're insane—what do you two think you're doing? You idiots!"
The soldier yelled in frustration, but Yuda and Cain ran on as if deaf. Watching them, the soldiers stamped their feet in panic, unsure what to do. One soldier hurriedly ran off to find Kaseun.
Meanwhile, Cain and Yuda vanished amiably into the dark forest.
* * *
──────────────────────
Tip 19. Boss monsters possess special skills and fixed patterns. If you want to take them down, identify their patterns and skills first!
──────────────────────
========== Afterword ==========
I wish someone would lock me up, blast the AC, feed me chicken, and not let me out unless I hit my writing quota.
I keep dipping into games and browsing the internet while writing, so progress stalls... ㅁㄴㅇㄹ
Of course, if they rotate flavors—seasoned, fried, soy sauce chicken, different menu every meal—I'd happily be farmed.