The black wolves, pressing in from front and back, did not stop. They gradually closed their ranks, forming a circle that completely surrounded Vili and the four mercenaries.
The encircling pack of black wolves continued to press forward, the distance to the humans growing ever smaller.
Vili’s gaze swept carefully over the pack of black wolves, as if he were searching for something.
"Chief, what should we do?"
Vilin’s expression was exceptionally grim, and she was already gripping her longsword tightly.
Vincent didn’t respond immediately. He was doing his best to calm down, forcing himself to think of a way out. But the beads of sweat forming on his brow revealed the immense pressure he was under.
"Let’s break through."
The usually quiet Kariel suddenly spoke up. He gripped the steel Long Spear hanging from his saddle, ready for a fight.
"We can’t break through."
Vincent immediately shot down Kariel’s proposal. "If we try to break out, knowing the nature of these black wolves, they’ll swarm us. They’ll use their teeth and claws to hook themselves onto the horses, drag them down, and then devour the riders. If that happens, at least one of us will surely end up in a wolf’s stomach."
Kariel shook his head lightly. "In a situation like this, can we really guarantee that every single one of us will get out alive?"
Vincent gave a bitter smile. He was right.
"This time, listen to me. You all go first; I’ll hold the rear. The black wolves will focus all their attention on the slowest person. As long as I’m the one at the back, they won’t bother chasing you."
Kariel’s gaze was incredibly resolute.
"No, you can’t!"
Lanni and Vilin protested in unison.
As comrades who had been through life and death together, they couldn’t just watch Kariel sacrifice himself as bait.
"No, listen to Kariel."
Vincent, too, seemed to have made up his mind. "If no one stays behind, we’ll all die. It’s better for one meaningful sacrifice to buy the others a chance at survival!"
"However, the one staying behind won’t be Kariel. It’ll be me."
Vincent raised his voice, his Cross Sword at the ready.
"Chief..."
Kariel wanted to say more, but Vincent cut him off.
"I’m the captain. This is an order, and you must obey it."
Looking at the increasingly restless wolf pack, Vincent knew they didn’t have much time. He looked back at Vili, who was on Vilin’s horse, and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Vili, for getting you into such a dangerous situation. But rest assured, they will do everything in their power to get you home safely."
Vili shook his head. The unity and selflessness this mercenary squad displayed had already earned his respect.
"It’s my responsibility. Since I accepted payment, I was mentally prepared to face this kind of danger."
Vili’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Besides, this isn’t necessarily a hopeless situation. We might all be able to leave here alive."
At Vili’s words, a spark of light appeared in the eyes of Vincent, Kariel, Vilin, and Lanni, only to dim a moment later.
’How could everyone possibly walk out of Morse Forest alive in a situation like this?’
Vili saw the dejection in their eyes and pursed his lips.
Vili hadn’t said they could all escape just to comfort them. He was actually somewhat confident that he could disperse the pack of black wolves.
The hunting experience granted by his Junior Hunter ability included a detailed description of this type of black wolf.
When this species of black wolf participated in any kind of group activity, it was always because the alpha wolf had given the command. During a group hunt, the alpha would hide within the pack. It wouldn’t charge into the fray or put itself in danger, but would instead hang back from the chaos, continuously issuing commands to manipulate the pack.
’If I can find the alpha among these fifty or so black wolves and kill it, the pack will break and flee.’
’This was a defining trait of this type of wolf pack.’
’Killing the alpha was the only way for everyone to get out of this alive.’
GROWL...
Some of the black wolves in the front rank could no longer suppress their hunting instincts and were becoming eager to pounce.
"We can’t wait any longer!"
Seeing this, Vincent bellowed, "Kariel, you charge first and break their line! Vilin, Lanni, follow right behind him! I’ll stay at the back and hold them off!"
"Chief!"
Lanni and Vilin’s eyes reddened at the rims, and Kariel took a deep breath.
"Take care of my wife and kids for me."
Vincent added this final request, his eyes on Kariel.
Kariel nodded solemnly.
He yanked the reins, and the horse beneath him suddenly charged toward the weakest point in the wolves’ line.
Kariel let out an explosive roar. A few black wolves were instantly knocked aside as he swung his Long Spear, tearing open one wolf’s throat.
"Keep up!"
Vincent shouted.
Vilin and Lanni followed behind Kariel, charging toward the opening.
Seated on Vilin’s horse, Vili watched as black wolves lunged fiercely toward them.
With swift reflexes, he drew the long blade from the other side of Vilin’s saddle and swung it at a black wolf about to leap onto the horse.
The combination of his rich hunting experience and the adrenaline of a life-or-death struggle allowed Vili to unleash one hundred and twenty percent of his potential. With a single clean strike, he shredded the black wolf’s throat.
More and more black wolves gave chase to the three of them.
"Over here, you beasts!"
Vincent roared and swung his Cross Sword forcefully, diverting the pack’s attention to himself.
ROAR!
At the sight, a portion of the black wolves that had been chasing Vili and Kariel’s group instantly turned back and pounced on Vincent.
More than thirty black wolves surrounded Vincent and his horse, lunging at him ceaselessly.
Vincent could no longer see his surroundings clearly. He could only feel sharp teeth and claws piercing his skin and his own blood draining away at an alarming rate.
’I hope you all make it out of here alive.’
Vincent struggled to break free from the tearing jaws of the black wolves, using every last ounce of his strength to kill those around him.
"Chief..."
Kariel and the two women pushed forward, practically gritting their teeth.
Vincent had drawn the vast majority of the wolves’ aggression. Only about ten were still chasing them. As long as they didn’t get bogged down in a fight, they could fend them off and escape.
’Where the hell is it...’
Vili regulated his breathing, his Hunter’s instinct keeping his mind perfectly clear.
He was still searching for their last chance, his gaze constantly scanning for the one black wolf that was different from the rest.
’That’s...’
Suddenly, Vili’s eyes lit up.
Behind the black wolves swarming Vincent, another one that looked no different from its kin was lingering on the outer edge of the pack. It was constantly letting out low growls but made no move to attack. Its eyes held not only a ferocious glint but also a cunning intelligence.
’That’s the one!’
Vili tightened his grip on the long blade and, to the astonishment of Vilin and the others, leaped from the back of the horse.