United in Hatred Arc: Chapter 20.
The group stopped, each of them hiding behind a tree. The growls of the manifested wolves echoed around the forest. Around thirty wolves were residing in a clearing. The wolves appeared similar to a regular grey wolf, albeit bigger, while their forms would sometimes ripple like disturbed water.
"There they are, the manifested wolves..." Biggy Dakpanay said, equipping the two small axes.
"They look like normal wolves," Geese said, crouching behind Virgin Besong.
"Yeah, but look at their forms, they'd shimmer," Virgin said. "That's how you can tell they're manifested summons. One other way to tell is by sensing the air."
"The concentration of mana around the air is thicker than usual..." Virgin finished, preparing her staff. She mutters a quick prayer, causing her staff's crescent shaped tip to glow.
"Alright. Lamion, Winter, and I will charge ahead." Biggy said as Winter and Lamion rose, preparing to strike. Winter gripped his scorch dagger tightly while Lamion unsheathed her sword and proceeded to dip it in an oil mixture.
◆ [ Wolves are added to the bestiary. Territorial and aggressive, dependent on pack tactics to hunt. Their threat level is moderately low. ] ◆
"Dippte, Geese, and Groze. You three will protect the Virgin."
Virgin's eye twitched. "My name is a noun. Don't use 'THE' in it." She complained while her staff glowed in white brilliance.
"Prayer Word: Minor Strength." She said it with pride; it was her commonly cast spell.
The whole group glowed in reddish light for a moment, even Winter. Their strength has been slightly improved. The manifested wolves have noticed them and proceeded to charge at them with energetic vigor.
"Minor Strength." Biggy jumped out of his hiding spot and hurled both of his axes, hitting a wolf in the head. It was struck twice in the head before it died and then dissipated. The two axes then returned to his hands.
Winter whistled, impressed.
"Minor Speed. Towered Strength." Lamion chanted and leaped forward. Two manifested wolves lunged at her, but she sliced them both with one strike. The wolves died and then disappeared.
"Towered Strength... That sounds familiar." Winter muttered, sprinting forward and meeting three manifested wolves head-on. The wolves then slowly encircled him.
◆ [Analyzing enemies: Employs pack tactics. Distract, Attack, and Dodge. Verdict: Do not let them get behind you. Dodge and attack. ] ◆
"Ah, I see." He said as one manifested wolf, then lunged from behind.
Biggy was concerned, but Lamion kept an interested eye while slicing down another wolf that lunged at her.
Virgin quickly muttered a prayer.
"Prayer Word: Ward." Winter was then enveloped in blueish light.
As soon as Virgin finished chanting the spell, Winter cut down the lunging manifested wolf with relative ease. The wolf dropped, spasming on the ground in scorching pain.
The wolf then disappeared.
"Thank you." He said, giving a thumbs up to the surprised Virgin.
(Even if I was a bit late, he still would've killed that wolf...) Virgin thought.
"Minor Strength, Minor Speed, Fleet-foot, Minor Agility, Enrage."
Winter activated five techniques at once, massively shocking his temporary allies. Virgin and Geese were the most shocked, while the rest kept a surprised expression with dropped jaws.
Lamion was distracted for a second, almost letting a wolf bite at her, but she managed to dodge and cut the wolf down. She trained her eyes on Winter, who was now cutting the wolves down one by one.
Two minutes was all Winter needed to cut down all the manifested wolves. He struck with frustrated fervor, as if he was imagining striking something else instead of the wolves. He felt a slight strain in all his muscles, but it was manageable.
The manifested wolves have already disappeared. The magical concentration in the air has dwindled, a sign that there won't be any manifestations for a long while.
A surge of power coursed through him; his stamina and fatigue had subsided. However, he pretended to be out of breath. He dropped to his knees, panting somewhat heavily.
"Whew..."
Heavy footsteps approached him, along with a soft one. "What the hell was that?" Biggy said, eyes furrowing. "You activated five techniques in a row!?"
Winter turned to the surprised Biggy, also noticing Lamion with a pensive stare. "Yeah, five techniques in a row."
"B-but you're a bronze plate adventurer..." Biggy added.
"I just got my plate today, but that doesn't mean I am weak," Winter said, standing up and giving a satisfied smile. "The job's almost done."
"We can discuss this later..."
"Wait!" A feminine voice cried out, it was Virgin. "Let me soothe your muscles." She hurriedly approached Winter with glowing hands. She placed her hands on his biceps, arms, back, chest, and legs.
(Yeah... That doesn't do anything. My body's built differently.) Winter thought, returning a welcoming smile. "Thank you, that eased some of the pain."
"Did you even need us in the first place?" Lamion added, eyes full of suspicion.
"I can't do everything, and besides, I think I am kinda out for the count," Winter said, feigning exhaustion. "I can stand and walk, maybe swing my sword, but that's it."
Virgin's eyes furrowed, still soothing Winter's muscles. "Technique fatigue is a debilitating condition, but it seems that your body can handle some of it." She said, finally finished with the soothing spell.
Biggy sighed and exhaled, closing his eyes. "Well, we'd better get to it. There's still one patch that we need to clear. Lamion and I will lead the way. Winter stay with Virgin."
"Understood." Winter obliged, walking beside Virgin, who then happily mingled with him. Dippte joined in on the conversation, eager to know more about Winter.
The group has continued walking, heading to the next location. Lone manifested wolves would occasionally attack them, but Biggy and Lamion consistently struck them down.
Groze even managed to cut one wolf that was aiming for Virgin.
After some thirty minutes of walking, Geese approached Winter with a shy voice. "D-do you b-by chance have some heroic blood on you?" He asked in a low voice.
Virgin heard the question but kept silent.
"In a way, yes," Winter answered.
"R-really!?" Virgin snapped, eyes full of stars.
Biggy motioned for the group to stop and lower their figures. "Enough conversation, we're here, the last patch." His eyes widened in surprise, along with Lamion.
In front of them was a large gathering of manifested wolves. There were more than one hundred wolves. Biggy couldn't help but gulp.