The Forest Wolf pack charged at us simultaneously.
They spread out in a fan formation, flanking from different directions.
The leader was the largest Forest Wolf.
It let out a low growl, and the other wolves immediately coordinated their actions.
Two from the left, two from the right, one from the front, the leader commanding from behind.
"Shell, frontline!" I shouted.
"Horn, support the left!"
"Spike, Shadow, harass the right!"
"Venom, keep eyes on that leader!"
"Yes!"
Shell charged to the front, blocking one Forest Wolf.
But just then—
The two wolves on the left suddenly accelerated.
They coordinated seamlessly—one lunged low, one leaped high.
Target: Horn.
"BAM!"
The lunging wolf struck Horn's flank.
Horn staggered.
The leaping wolf seized the chance to bite at Horn's neck.
"SLASH!"
[Horn HP: 155/180]
Horn cried out in pain.
But it immediately reacted, shaking its rock horn forcefully.
"BAM!"
The rock horn struck that wolf's waist.
[Forest Wolf HP: 105/130]
That wolf was sent flying, crashing to the ground.
But another wolf had already circled behind Horn.
Jaws wide open, preparing to ambush.
Just then—
A silver-gray figure flashed from the side.
Spike!
Its speed was astonishing.
Tail stabbed like lightning toward that wolf's hind leg.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 115/130]
That wolf screamed, movements immediately slowing.
Toxin taking effect.
Meanwhile.
The two wolves on the right were trying to flank me.
One drew my attention from the front.
Another leaped from a tree, trying to ambush from above.
But Shadow had already locked onto it.
"SCREECH—!"
Shadow made a sharp cry, diving from the air.
Claws slashing directly at the airborne wolf.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 108/130]
Two beasts collided in midair.
The Forest Wolf's ambush was interrupted, crashing heavily to the ground.
I seized the chance to pounce on the frontal wolf.
It reacted quickly, immediately turning to bite me.
But I was faster.
Dodged its fangs sideways, twisted back to bite its neck.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 105/130]
That wolf cried out, trying to shake me off.
But I bit down tight.
It rolled on the ground, trying to pin me underneath.
I was forced to release, leaping aside.
That wolf immediately scrambled up, pouncing at me again.
Just then—
"SPLAT—!"
A stream of green venom sprayed from the side.
Precisely hit its head.
"HOWL—!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 85/130]
That wolf screamed, eyes seared by venom.
It lost vision, running around blindly.
I seized the opportunity, sprinting at full speed.
Leaped, biting toward its throat.
"CRUNCH!"
Fangs pierced through flesh, crushing the windpipe.
[Forest Wolf HP: 35/130]
That wolf struggled a few times, collapsing to the ground.
I finished it with another bite.
[Defeated Forest Wolf]
[Multiple participants detected, experience distributed evenly]
[Gained 7 Experience]
The first wolf fell.
But the battle wasn't over.
Shell was under siege from the frontal wolf and the leader.
Two wolves coordinated well.
One feinted from the front, another tore from the side.
Shell's armor made crunching sounds from the bites.
Though couldn't break through defense, it was being suppressed by two wolves.
[Shell HP: 235/250]
"Shell, Taunt!" I shouted.
Shell immediately used the skill.
Let out a low roar.
An invisible force spread out.
That frontal wolf's eyes immediately turned red.
Completely abandoned defense, frantically pouncing at Shell.
"BAM! BAM! BAM!"
Three consecutive bites.
But all struck the armor, couldn't break through defense at all.
The leader wolf sensed something was wrong.
It wasn't affected by the taunt.
Immediately retreated, trying to gain distance.
But Venom had already aimed at it.
"SPLAT—!"
Venom sprayed out.
The leader wolf reacted quickly, dodging sideways.
The venom grazed its shoulder.
"HISS—!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 118/130]
Though not a direct hit, still caused damage.
The leader wolf realized the situation was bad.
It let out a long howl.
Other wolves immediately received the signal.
Began changing tactics.
They no longer dispersed but gathered together.
Five wolves back-to-back, forming a defensive formation.
"They're consolidating defense now." I said.
"Spike, Shadow, harass from air and ground simultaneously!"
"Horn, frontline pressure with Shell!"
"Venom, keep ranged output!"
"Yes!"
Spike became a silver-gray blur.
Moving at high speed around the five wolves.
Sometimes ambushing from the left, sometimes from the right.
Tail constantly stabbing out.
"SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!"
Though each hit wasn't high damage, toxin kept accumulating.
Shadow circled in the air, occasionally diving down.
Claws rending wolves' backs.
"SLASH!"
Forest Wolves wanted to counterattack but couldn't touch it.
Shell and Horn pushed from the front.
Two heavyweight beasts advancing step by step.
"THUD! THUD!"
Heavy footsteps made the ground shake.
The leader wolf knew this couldn't continue.
It howled again.
Five wolves suddenly dispersed.
Not fleeing, but actively attacking.
But this time, their target was—
Venom!
Three wolves simultaneously charged toward Venom.
"Venom, retreat!" I shouted.
Venom immediately jumped back.
But the Forest Wolves were fast.
About to catch up.
"Shell!" I shouted.
Shell immediately rushed over, blocking in front of Venom.
"BAM! BAM! BAM!"
Three wolves crashed into Shell's armor.
Shell was pushed back half a step.
[Shell HP: 215/250]
But it held steady.
And immediately used "Taunt."
Three wolves' attention was forcibly drawn.
They frantically tore at Shell.
But couldn't break through defense at all.
I seized the chance to charge at the other two wolves.
They were attacking Horn.
Horn was struggling somewhat under the pincer attack.
[Horn HP: 135/180]
I ambushed one from behind.
Leaped, biting toward its nape.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 95/130]
That wolf yelped, trying to turn.
But Horn seized the opportunity.
Its rock horn thrust forcefully.
"BAM!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 60/130]
That wolf was knocked flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
Spike immediately rushed over to finish it.
Tail stabbed out repeatedly.
"SLASH! SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 35/130]
Shadow also dove down.
Claws tearing its belly.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 10/130]
I rushed up, biting through its throat.
[Defeated Forest Wolf]
[Multiple participants detected, experience distributed evenly]
[Gained 7 Experience]
The second fell.
The remaining four Forest Wolves completely panicked.
The leader wolf let out urgent howls.
Four wolves immediately abandoned the fight, turning to flee.
"Chase!" I shouted.
Spike and Shadow immediately pursued.
Spike's speed was extreme—caught up to the last wolf in seconds.
It attacked from the side, tail stabbing at the wolf's hind leg.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 100/130]
That wolf fell.
Shadow dove from the air, claws rending its back.
"SLASH!"
[Forest Wolf HP: 80/130]
I also caught up, biting toward its throat.
"CRUNCH!"
[Defeated Forest Wolf]
[Multiple participants detected, experience distributed evenly]
[Gained 7 Experience]
The third fell.
Spike continued pursuit.
It targeted another injured wolf.
That wolf was poisoned, speed already much slower.
Spike made several leaps, catching up.
Tail stabbed out repeatedly.
"SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!"
That wolf staggered and finally fell.
[Defeated Forest Wolf]
[Multiple participants detected, experience distributed evenly]
[Gained 7 Experience]
The fourth fell.
The remaining two wolves had fled far.
One was the leader.
They disappeared into the forest depths.
"Forget it, let them go." I said.
Spike stopped pursuing, returning to my side.
Battle over.
From contact to killing four Forest Wolves, less than ten minutes total.
Very smooth coordination.
And almost no injuries.
I checked all members' status.
Shell, Horn, and Spike had minor wounds.
Other members basically uninjured.
"Very well done." I said.
Everyone gathered around.
Spike gasped but eyes full of excitement.
"Boss, we won!"
"And so easily!" Horn also said.
I nodded.
Indeed, compared to a month ago, we were so much stronger.
Each member playing their role.
Spike handled high-speed harassment and pursuit.
Shell handled frontline damage absorption and drawing fire.
Horn handled off-tank and charging.
Shadow handled aerial reconnaissance and ambush.
Venom handled ranged output and control.
Plus my command and Spatial Mark.
Six coordinating together far exceeded six individual strengths combined.
I began processing the Forest Wolf corpses.
Put meat in the space.
Then distributed some to everyone.
"Eat, recover."
Five subordinates began eating.
I also ate a piece.
[Gained 5 Experience]
[HP: 220/220]
[MP: 170/170]
[Experience: 197/200]
Almost level 21.
After eating, Shell's HP recovered to 240.
Horn also recovered to 170.
Basically no major issues.
"Keep looking for markers." I said.
Spike immediately acted.
A few minutes later, it found a new arrow near the battlefield.
Still pointing northeast.
"Let's go." I said.
We continued following the markers.
Night grew deeper.
But both Spike and Shadow had excellent night perception.
Didn't affect travel.
As I walked, I thought.
Were Waspy and Brownie okay?
They'd encountered battles.
Though they left markers, didn't mean they weren't injured.
I had to find them as soon as possible.
After about another hour.
Spike suddenly stopped.
It turned to look at me, eyes somewhat confused.
"Boss, ahead... there's light."
"Light?" I walked over.
Peered through gaps in the trees.
There was indeed light.
Firelight.
"Shadow, fly higher and see what that is." I said.
"Yes, boss."
Shadow flew up, higher and higher.
A few seconds later, it flew back down.
"Boss, there's a camp ahead." It said.
"Camp?"
"Yes, there are beasts there." Shadow said.
"Looks like a temporary camp."
A camp?