Proving Strength in the Wolves' Den
We headed to the classroom, our resolve to protect burning strong. Just as we reached for the door, the instructor was already waiting out front. He spoke the moment he spotted me.
“Park Sung-jun.”
I halted my steps. The instructor continued, “Like you wanted last time…”
“A gate has been secured.”
I paused for a beat but nodded soon after. “Yes.”
Then he added one more word. “…but.”
The air grew a touch heavier.
“This time, unlike before, I can’t go in with you.”
I mulled it over briefly, then nodded quietly. “That’s fine.”
It was exactly what I’d expected. The instructor eyed my reaction for a moment before giving a light nod of his own. He handed over the same gear as last time: the basic defense vest and bracelet. And one extra item. “This one’s for emergencies.”
I took it. He went on, “If you break this bracelet…”
“Forced ejection from the gate.”
I slipped it onto my wrist. “Got it.”
The instructor said no more and turned. “Follow me.”
We made our way straight to the gate location. As we moved, he gave a quick briefing. “This gate’s different from the last one.”
“Terrain: grassland.”
“Wide open sightlines, but almost no cover.”
I listened quietly, nodding along. The instructor pressed on. “Main monsters are wolf-types.”
“They hunt in packs.”
My expression tightened a bit.
“And.” His voice dropped lower. “There’s an alpha specimen.”
“It’s always got a bunch of others around it…”
“Be extra careful.”
“Yes.”
The instructor gave me one last look. “Prove your strength this time—on your own.”
I took in his words and turned quietly to the gate. With that, I stepped inside alongside Psi and Dmol.
The moment we passed through, a vast grassland stretched out before us. Endless open fields, grass swaying in the wind. I scanned our surroundings slowly.
Psi crouched low beside me, on high alert.
“……”
No letting our guard down. I glanced at Dmol perched on my shoulder. “Dmol.”
“Scout the area from above.”
She nodded and shot straight into the sky. Psi and I slipped into the shade of a nearby tree to hide.
A short while later, Dmol descended and landed back on my shoulder.
“Kik, kik.”
Dad.
There’s a wolf pack right ahead.
Six of them.
I nodded and gave her head a gentle stroke. “Good girl.”
I adjusted the gear on my back: the Sword of Bond and the Command Flag. I gripped the sword briefly to get the feel, then advanced slowly.
Soon enough, the pack emerged from the tall grass—six wolves total, heading our way.
I steadied my breath and murmured low. “Here we go.”
“Psi.”
“Feather Missile.”
“Dmol, Sky Leader.”
In that instant, Dmol rose into the air, flapping her wings wide. My body felt noticeably lighter. At the same time, the wolves’ movements slowed to a crawl.
Buff and debuff applied simultaneously.
The next moment, Psi leaped into the air. Feathers poured from her glowing red tail.
Shooo!
Dozens of feathers rained down on the wolves’ heads.
Thud! Thud-thud-thud!
The wolves crumpled without even reacting. The fight was over in seconds.
I let out a breath. “Nice.”
“You both did great.”
Psi chirped shortly, and Dmol flapped her wings proudly. I stroked each of their heads once.
“Let’s keep moving.”
We pressed on across the grassland. Smooth sailing so far.
But not for long. Up ahead loomed a massive cave. The entrance oozed a dark, damp aura.
I stopped short. “…Psi, Dmol.”
“Stay sharp.”
Psi nodded at once and shifted back to her dinosaur form. Dmol scanned sharply from my shoulder.
We crept inside cautiously, steps muffled as we delved deeper.
That’s when it happened.
“Arf!”
A wolf burst from behind the cave wall, lunging straight at me.
“!”
But Psi was faster. She launched herself, twisting midair to clamp onto the wolf’s throat.
Thud!
The wolf collapsed without much fight. I caught my breath. “…Good one.”
“Nice job, Psi.”
No relaxing, though. I regripped my sword. “Not over yet.”
“Onward.”
We took down a few more as we went, until a wide-open cavern chamber came into view.
I halted. “…Hold up.”
I steadied myself. “Let’s wait a bit before going in.”
Too risky to rush. I looked at Dmol on my shoulder. “Dmol.”
“Can you scout inside?”
She met my eyes, then nodded. “Kik.”
She flew off into the depths. Psi and I held position near the entrance. Tension hung thick in the air.
About five minutes passed. Dmol returned and settled on my shoulder.
“Kik, kik.”
Dad.
Huge wolf inside… and a ton more.
The space is massive.
I stroked her head slowly. “Got it.”
“Good work.”
I gave her a moment to catch her breath, then looked at them both. “…Time to go in.”
“Ready?”
Psi and Dmol replied in unison.
“Pip!”
“Kik.”
I nodded curtly. “Let’s do this.”
We charged in together. To seize control right away, I shouted, “Psi, go!”
“Feather Missile!”
I gripped the Sword of Bond and dashed forward. Psi’s feathers showered down, blanketing the surrounding wolves.
Thud-thud-thud!
I swung my blade, mopping up the rest in quick order. The area cleared in a flash.
That’s when it appeared. From the deepest part, high up, the colossal alpha wolf rose slowly.
Overwhelming size. I held my breath. “…Here it comes.”
The next instant, the alpha closed the distance in a blur and slashed with massive claws.
Boom!
I barely blocked with my sword. The impact jolted up my arms.
“Ngh…!”
I gritted my teeth and yelled, “Dmol!”
“Sky Leader!”
“Psi, fall back!”
“Keep distance and support!”
Dmol ascended, wings flapping. My body lightened again. The alpha’s movements dulled noticeably.
Psi retreated, prepping her next attack. I traded blows with the wolf—sword clashing claws, sparks flying.
Breath growing ragged. Wounds accumulating on my arms and sides, blood trickling.
But the alpha was tiring too. We broke apart, panting, facing off in silence.
Then—
“Grrr…!”
The alpha roared and charged anew. I backpedaled, parrying, then counterattacked.
“Psi!”
“Dmol!”
We kept at it through several more exchanges.
But stamina was plummeting.
In that moment, the alpha lunged with its last reserves.
Crunch!
It sank teeth into my left shoulder.
“Ngh…!”
Agonizing pain surged through me. But I clamped down hard.
Letting go meant death. With all my strength, I swung the sword in my right hand.
Straight into its nape.
Squelch.
The alpha’s body shuddered violently. Moments later, it collapsed.
“Hah… hah…”
I dropped to one knee, gasping. Blood poured from my left shoulder—deep wound.
Psi and Dmol rushed over. I gritted through the pain. “Dmol…”
“Check the surroundings.”
“Might not be over.”
Dmol nodded, trembling as if holding back tears, then flew up to scout.
Psi stood frozen, staring at me, unable to approach.
Soon, Dmol returned.
“Kik…”
Dad… nothing around.
I managed a weak smile. “Good…”
“Thanks for the hard work…”
Only then did Psi come closer. She’d shifted to human form. Rifling through the bag, she pulled out bandages and medicine, wrapping my shoulder with shaky hands.
“Dad… Dad…”
Her voice quivered.
I said softly, “…I’m okay.”
“Just… hurts a little.”
I stroked her head gently. “You did great.”
“Both of you…”
Psi’s voice cracked. “Dad… don’t get hurt…”
Her small hands trembled.
Watching, Dmol felt frustrated at her own helplessness. She hated just crying here.
She wanted to protect Dad, help him—like her big sister.
That’s when it happened. A window appeared before my eyes.
Affection Level Limit Breached & Strong Desire Confirmed
Hidden Common Trait Unlocked — Humanization
Dmol’s body suddenly enveloped in light.
“Kii…?”
The glow intensified. And in the next moment—
As the light faded, no small dinosaur remained. In her place stood a little girl with long blue hair. Thin wing membranes still stretched between her arms and body.
Dmol.
She didn’t fully grasp what was happening and rushed straight to me. “Dad…!”
I blinked in surprise. “…Huh?”
But I pulled myself together. I quickly stripped off my t-shirt and draped it over her. The loose fabric enveloped her frame.
Carefully, I scooped her up. Dmol buried her face in my chest.
“Dad… Dad…”
I patted her back slowly. “It’s okay…”
That’s when Psi wedged in from the side. Tears welling, she clung to me too. “Dad…”
I wordlessly embraced them both. Arms wrapped tight around the pair.
And stroked them gently.
In that instant, the dam broke. Psi and Dmol burst into sobs together.
“Dad… Dad…!”
“I thought you were gonna die…!”
“I thought… you were gone forever…”
I couldn’t speak. I just held them tighter.
“…Sorry.”
I murmured low. “Dad’s… sorry…”
My hands shook. I kept stroking their heads.
“From now on…”
“…I’ll be more careful.”
Psi clutched my clothes fiercely. Dmol sobbed into my chest without stopping.
For a long while, only their quiet cries echoed through the cave.