Crowne was pushed back. Blood dripped from his body, but on the other hand, his opponent was just as wounded.
The wolf nearly fell but managed to stay standing, leaning on the greatsword in his hand.
"You're strong, human," the wolf praised. He pushed himself up to stand tall again, then looked at Crowne once more. "You remind me of the human who defeated me before. I don't know how long I've been dead, but I'm sure it's been ages. Even though this isn't my full power, you're still impressive."
Crowne smiled. "Thank you."
"Are you an adventurer of rank S?" asked the wolf.
Crowne shook his head. "I'm still rank F."
The wolf was stunned by his answer. "Are you serious? I know some of my strength has been lost after being resurrected as an undead, but I'm sure I'm at least equal to a rank S adventurer." He narrowed his eyes. "Are you lying to me, or just being modest?"
Crowne shrugged. "Don't ask me. The guild decides that, not me," he replied.
The wolf wanted to say something but changed his words midway. "Looks like the human ranking system has become ridiculous."
He sighed deeply. His body had recovered enough to fight again. He wasn't planning to lose here, even though he hated his current existence.
Being revived as an undead was a humiliation to him, yet he couldn't disobey the command of the one who brought him back. It was not only disgraceful—it was a stain upon his honor as a knight.
"Fight me until one of us dies," challenged the wolf.
Crowne nodded. "That's what I planned to do. Come!"
Both of them charged at the same time. Two powerful slashes collided, forming an explosive blast that sent them both flying backward.
Crowne used his skill Wind Step Slash. In an instant, he appeared behind his opponent. The wolf only smirked. He turned around swiftly and blocked Crowne's strike, forcing Crowne backward.
Then the wolf took position to deliver a counterattack. However, just as he swung his sword—Crowne vanished.
The wolf's eyes widened. A moment later, he sensed something from behind, but before he could turn around, a slash appeared right in front of him.
Slash!
Blood dripped from the wolf's chest—fresh blood. Even though he was undead, he was a perfect version of one, nearly indistinguishable from the living. But one similarity remained—they could heal without potions, albeit very slowly.
The wolf quickly stepped back, but at the same moment, Crowne appeared behind him. Before the wolf could react, Crowne channeled mana into his sword. Wind magic surrounded the blade, and one precise thrust pierced through the left side of the wolf's chest.
Stab!
The wolf was wounded again, but this time was different. His vision blurred, and the wound didn't heal. Crowne's strike had pierced the core of the undead wolf—the Core of Soul, the weakness of all undead.
The Core of Soul was a sphere that continuously circulated mana throughout an undead's body—serving as both its brain and heart.
"Ah, I've been defeated by a human once again," said the wolf.
He wasn't angry. In fact, he looked satisfied, for he had finally been freed from the lich's control. When Crowne pulled his sword out, the wolf sat down cross-legged.
"Thank you," he said.
Crowne flicked his sword to shake off the blood, then patted the wolf's shoulder. He was exhausted, yet his determination and pride kept him standing. Facing such a powerful opponent thrilled him deeply.
"You're the best fighter I've ever faced," Crowne said.
The wolf smiled. "Thank you."
[Target failed to be tamed!]
Crowne tried again, but the result was the same. He couldn't tame the wolf before him, even though he truly wanted a follower with a knight's soul. Of course, that frustrated him.
[Target failed to be tamed!]
The wolf turned to him. "Don't force it! I already told you it won't work. I'm a beastman—a demi-human. You can only tame beasts, magical beasts, or creatures like them. Besides, I'm undead. Only a necromancer class can make me their servant."
[Target failed to be tamed!]
Crowne kept trying despite repeated failure. Even now, he continued attempting to tame the wolf.
"Thank you for choosing me, but I'm sorry—it seems that won't happen," the wolf said again.
[Target failed to be tamed!]
Crowne clicked his tongue in frustration. He was annoyed, but there was nothing he could do. The wolf was reaching his limit—blood dripped from his mouth, his vision faded, and his body grew weak.
In his final moments, the wolf still managed to smile. "Thank you for giving me an honorable battle," he said.
A second later, his body fell to the ground—this time for good. Slowly, his body crumbled and turned into dust. As the wind blew, there was no trace of him left. Crowne remained silent in place.
[Target failed to be tamed!]
...
[Target not found!]
Once again, Crowne sighed in frustration. He had been genuinely impressed by the wolf he fought, but he failed to make him his companion.
It was somewhat depressing—he was a Beast Tamer, yet he hadn't successfully tamed even a single beast. Sylvara and Velrisa weren't results of his skill either; both were creatures he had summoned through his system.
"This sucks," Crowne muttered.
BAAAM!
A loud crash echoed nearby. Crowne immediately turned toward the source of the sound—it came from the cave ahead.
He tilted his head. "What's going on in there?"
**
Velrisa smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Is that all you've got?"
The lich coughed blood. His body had just been slammed against the wall, and his spine cracked. Yet he stood back up, his eyes glowing red.
He grabbed his staff and slammed it against the ground.
"I don't know who you people are, but since you've entered my home, I'll make sure you suffer!" the lich roared.
A second later, a magic circle appeared on the floor, and dozens of skeletons rose from the ground. Each one held a weapon and moved slowly forward.
The lich pointed his staff at Velrisa. "Kill her!"
The skeletons immediately charged toward Velrisa. At the same time, she smiled—interested.
"Oh, interesting. Come then!" she said.