Boom!
The beast slammed into the barrier.
The impact echoed like thunder.
sending a deep rumble through the ground beneath their feet. Birds scattered from nearby trees.
startled by the force. But the shield held firm.
Its jagged teeth bared in primal rage. It raised one clawed paw and struck the barrier. Again.
And again.
Sparks flew each time its claws raked, but it was useless.
The barrier remained unscathed. not even a flicker of damage in its protective glow.
Liam stood frozen for a second. caught between awe and tension. Then
"Attack!" he shouted, snapping out of his daze.
Henry and his archer unit instantly obeyed. raising their bows with practiced ease.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
A volley of arrows slices through the wind.
Most of the arrows bounced off the monster's thick fur. They left shallow cuts.
The creature snarled louder.
enraged.
But then
Thunk!
One arrow hit its mark.
Harry's shot pierced the beast's ankle joint with deadly accuracy. A cry of pain tore from its throat. The massive wolf stumbled under its weight.
Its movement slowed down.
The other wolves charged at the barrier. They hurled themselves at it with reckless abandon, claws scraping, fangs gnashing.
They threw their bodies at the shield over and over.
But the barrier held firm.
No matter how wild their attacks, they could not break through.
Realizing they couldn't reach their prey, the pack began to retreat.
"They're fleeing," Emma warned, eyes sharp as she tracked their movement. "My Lord, the wolves are retreating into the forest!"
Liam didn't hesitate.
"Archers, don't let them escape!" he commanded. "Warriors hold the B-rank in place."
The archers shifted their aim in unison.
Swish. Thwip.
Arrows rained down from above like divine punishment.
One by one, the wolves fell. Pierced through the neck, heart and whatever opening the archers could find, they struck true.
The pack tried to scatter but the arrow storm gave them no time. They dropped like rain.
In just minutes, silence blanketed the forest again.
Dozens of furry bodies littered the field lifeless and cold.
The silence didn't last.
Howl!!!
A bone-chilling roar cut through the air.
The B-rank wolf watching its pack die one by one before its eyes, let out a scream of fury.
Its crimson eyes widened and began to glow.
The light in them twisted and turned dark.
Its muscles bulged. Its breath turned ragged. Steam hissed off its body as raw energy surged through its veins.
The beast had gone berserk.
A wave of dread washed over the group.
For a second, no one moved.
"The beast has gone berserk..." someone muttered under their breath.
"Snap out of it!" he barked. "We still have the barrier's protection. It can't reach us inside!"
"Sigh..." A collective breath of relief passed through the party.
But there was no time to relax.
"Focus all attacks on the B-rank!" Liam shouted.
Arrows whistled through the air.
They pressed the assault. Strike after strike, they cornered the berserk beast.
The monster howled again, flailing with crazed fury, but it was too slow and wounded.
"Slash~"
Noah dashed in, his blade glowing faintly with energy. With one swift, he cleaved through the beast's thick hide.
The sword sank deep.
Then it fell.
Its massive body crashed to the ground, shaking the earth one final time.
The battle was over.
A dull buzzing filled Liam's head as system notifications poured in.
[DING!]
[Host, your subjects have killed 30 D-rank wolves. You have gained 30 points.]
[Host! Your subject, Noah, has killed a B-rank wolf. You have gained 50 points.]
[Congratulations on your first B-rank Lord kill in the world.]
[You have received the title: "Wolf Slayer."]
Liam's brow lifted.
"Hmm? "He narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
"System, what is the title 'Wolf Slayer'?"