Moon Wolf Domination

Before arriving at the factory complex, as I recalled the situation from the game, I'd had a brief conversation with Parnello.

'Parnello, Father said the reason we're moving as a pair is to keep Calione from being exposed to the Villain Union, right?'

'Yes. There's no benefit to Calione if we tip them off that we've planted a spy in their midst.'

In other words, this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mission was focused solely on 'rescue'. According to the plan, we'd secure Latte and make a straight escape.

But for some reason, I kept feeling like this rescue op was a trap.

'What if it really is their trap? That could expose our identities.'

'Certainly a possibility. In that case... wouldn't we have to annihilate them?'

'Annihilate?'

'Yes. Just in case, the Don entrusted me with something. Given what you've said, young master, I should give it to you now.'

With that, Parnello handed me an orange revolver-shaped flare gun and explained.

'Communications will be cut the moment we enter the complex, so they won't easily leak info about us to the outside. So we just need to ensure no one escapes with that information.'

'That's when this comes in?'

'Exactly. The Calione hitmen coming by follow-up chopper number twelve in total. They're meant to block any enemies escaping the factory perimeter... but if you fire this, young master, the entire hitman team will converge there.'

In short, it was a tool to abandon the perimeter siege and pull everyone to one spot—use only when absolutely necessary.

'Got it.'

And that's what I now held in my hand: the flare gun. Firing it would draw every hitman surrounding the area straight here.

"What the hell did you do?!"

Blanca, slowly regaining her vision, screamed through tears.

"Nothing much."

I glanced up at Latte on the upper level. While the bastard was fully focused on me, she'd used her rat control to sever the ropes binding her. That was why I'd played along with his pointless chatter and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠frontal assault from the start—to draw all his attention here.

Carefully angling myself so she could see, I'd signaled her in Calione hand code to cut the threads on the wall.

And the result: that explosion just moments ago.

"You goddamn bastard! You Calione scum are always like this! Right now—"

────!!

In that instant, Blanca's body was shoved backward as a purple flash erupted from her shoulder. Though her enveloping aura blocked any injury, the impact hit her full force.

"Which crazy bastard interrupts me with magic...!"

────!!

Another flash. Her body tilted back sharply again, but only slight scorching on the surface—no real wound.

"...You think this kiddie magic can faze me?"

"Yeah, figured that, so I prepped a bit more."

I spun, smashing my fist through the rear wall. Black-suited men emerged simultaneously, heavy weapons and active spells at the ready.

"Take her down."

A deafening barrage engulfed the area, hammering toward her. No wounds, but enough firepower to make her hesitate.

As she faltered, I slowly reined in my raging aura.

"Young master. You alright?"

The leader of this follow-up squad glanced at Blanca as he approached. A former operative who'd fought alongside me at Incheon Port under the codename Eagle—and the one who'd just sniped her with magic.

"Yeah, for now. Enemies around?"

"Tightening the perimeter—visible foes eliminated. Jackal's currently facing off with Parnello."

Meaning the only remaining threat was Blanca right in front of us.

"Secure Latte first and treat her from the rear. Then back me up per the anti-Awakener manual."

"Understood, young master."

He bowed without hesitation and relayed orders to the team before withdrawing.

"Cease fire!!"

At his shout, I charged Blanca, thrusting my fist forward.

-Kwaaang!

The clash echoed like no mere human collision—a thunderous roar.

"Round two, huh."

"Calling in backups? No shame at all...?!"

"Why be ashamed? If it's my power, this counts too."

Blanca gripped my fist, swinging her left arm to crush my right. But a distant sniper shot staggered her, and I amplified my aura at the point of contact with her palm, unleashing repulsive force.

"Bloodline and authority—if those are power, aren't they mine too?"

"You fucking bastards...!"

"Got time to look away?"

As repulsion intensified, she shoved me back to create distance. But another headshot snapped her neck back. Seizing the gap, I drove my knee into her jaw.

"Kuhk...!"

"Dogfight starts now."

I stomped toward her fallen head; she rolled aside, evading.

"Seriously! You got no honor?!"

"Honor? Oh, left it in my room before coming. Thanks for the reminder."

"You little shit!"

Another kick sent her tumbling pathetically again as she tried to rise.

"Aura looks beastly—rolls like one too."

"...The brat who was getting pummeled by me just now!"

"That how it looked? If you're that mad, call your pals. Oh, wait—the rest are locked up, can't escape."

"...I'll kill you."

My taunts landed; her playful tone and grin vanished, replaced by cold murder in her eyes.

But...

"Too late for that."

────!

────!

────!

Not ordinary rifles—anti-tank sniper rounds thundered like lightning, relentlessly harassing her.

With this support, pouring on attacks would subdue her soon. As I closed in for the finisher...

The snowy white fur-like aura cloaking Blanca exploded in blinding light. I shielded my eyes reflexively, extending my arm to deflect the incoming strike.

A grating ki-geek— from my sleeve.

"Tried to slice clean through, huh..."

She'd closed in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at blinding speed—even the support team couldn't react—swinging aura-formed claws at my arm.

"...Faster than expected."

Thankfully, no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tear in the fabric, but scratches on a unique-grade armor from one swipe meant her physicals had skyrocketed.

That was the phase 2 form from the game.

"You look shocked."

She tilted her head, speaking. A bullet struck behind her, fragments flying.

"In a hurry, I see. Using that already."

Dodging supersonic rounds meant senses beyond imagination. Her form more feral, senses enhanced too.

"...Didn't wanna use this, but you've played all your cards anyway."

In-game, heavy recoil made it rare. But this power? Worth it.

"Oh, right."

She approached slowly.

"Know what this is?"

Moonlight poured through a hole in the colorless ceiling's center. Like a spotlight on a stage aria, Blanca stood nobly at its heart, extending her hand skyward.

"I've never once said I was alone."

Moonlight cascaded over her head. Absorbing it like a baptism, her snow-white hair took on ethereal glow. The light pooling on the floor coalesced into form.

A wolf.

"Wolves hunt in packs, originally."

As moonlight fully shaped the wolf...

-Awoooooooo!!

Dozens howled in unison. Blanca joined the chorus, signaling full phase 2 entry.

Wolves poised to lunge at me triggered the in-ear comms from support, bullets raining into the building.

But the wolves evaded like forest prowlers, Blanca's pack matching effortlessly.

"Think your toys can catch my children?"

Mocking, she crouched quadrupedally, her encircled wolves baring fangs, ready to strike.

"The boss probably won't mind losing a limb or two. Time to end this, Calione brat."

Coiled to spring, she commanded slowly.

"—Bite."

The storm hit. Wolves scaling walls relentlessly—their motion alone strained the brain.

Feint defense, they retreat; check one, another attacks. In the frenzy, I...

"Thanks."

"...What?"

I couldn't suppress my grin.

"Was waiting for you to summon the wolves."

To see these messages right before my eyes.

A crimson storm rose from my body, devouring the surroundings. Boosted further by my new [Villain Hunter] title and Dis Pater, the aura swelled massively.

The building, filled moments ago with white afterimages from the wolves, now drowned in my red aura.

"What the...?"

She flinched at the bizarre sight. The moon tinted red, light-forged wolves collapsing, writhing.

My bloodline dominated her phase 2 pattern—summoning aura wolves—which I'd seen countless times in-game.

Whittle her aura with Calione firepower, corner in tight space, max out [Bloodline: Calione] to seize the weakened familiars.

Perfect success.

"Come."

At my whistle, wolves bounded over loyally, nuzzling my legs. Tough catches in-game, but cute up close.

"Ah...!"

Blanca stared blankly, dumbfounded.

"Sure you wanna just stand there?"

I smiled, pointing at her with my index finger.

"Bite."

Blanca's face twisted in despair.