United in Hatred Arc: Chapter 21.
(Did several minor changes in some early chapters.)
The manifested wolves have managed to take in some unfortunate goblin prisoners. Despite them not being intelligent, they knew how to coordinate like an elite pack. The goblins were crying, begging for their lives.
The goblins were huddled together, holding sticks and rocks. The goblins numbered no more than ten, and they were in the middle of the clearing. The wolves howled and gnarled, as if they were enjoying the show.
There were goblin limbs and pieces scattered throughout the ground. The wolves were taking their time, eliminating the goblins one by one.
"This is why manifested monsters are dangerous. They're a step above when it comes to intelligence." Virgin Besong said, directing her words towards the trembling Geese.
A manifested wolf saw an opportunity, a weak injured goblin collapsed. The wolf instantly bit on the injured goblin's head and dragged it away from the goblin huddle. The huddled goblins screamed in terror but still raised their makeshift weapons.
They could only watch as one of them was dragged and then slowly killed. The wolves didn't go in for the kill; they bit, gnawed, and ripped. The injured goblin suffered for a whole minute before succumbing to its injuries.
Only then did the manifested wolves rip the goblin apart, eating it.
Dippte Ann Jew's face soured upon observing the ordeal. "Natural wolves aren't sadistic, nor do they ever behave like this." He said with a grim tone. "Biggy, we need to leave, now!"
"This is beyond us; there's probably more than a hundred of them," Lamion said, supporting Dippte's sentiment. "We should retreat and inform the league."
Biggy Dakpanay kept a solemn expression. "If, for some reason, we're able to kill all of them. We'd be instantly promoted to silver..."
"I doubt we could do that, and even if we did. We all wouldn't survive. We'd be like those goblins there, most likely." Groze said, sheathing his sword.
Virgin pointed her staff at the manifested wolves' camp. "Snapshot."
Snapshot is a spell that snaps a moment in time, recording it. It's an intermediate-level spell, only accessible to those who are magically dedicated. The snapshot can then be transferred to an enchanted, high-quality paper for viewing purposes.
"This isn't a silver-tiered request. This has to be gold or upper silver tier." Virgin added.
"The league will still pay us a hefty sum for this information," Biggy said.
(Damn, I could really use the experience. I can level up maybe twice. If I can manage to kill all those wolves.) Winter thought, sighing.
*Crack!*
A loud, audible crack from behind. It was Geese, accidentally stepping on a dry piece of wood. The manifested wolves were alerted, and they barked, signaling the wolves who didn't hear it to be alert.
"Shit!" Lamion cursed, taking out several daggers.
"We have to run!" Dippte said.
"We can't outrun them, we have to fight or at least climb the trees!" Winter said he didn't want to run and waste some experience.
The manifested wolves howled, now fully aware that there were people around, and half of them charged, whereas the other half remained, torturing the huddled goblins.
The group quickly climbed the trees, but Winter remained on the ground. "Virgin, please give me all your helpful spells. The rest of you, please cover me."
"What are you doing!? Are you out of your mind!?" Geese shouted with teary eyes.
The first manifested wolf has arrived, and it was instantly cut down by Winter.
"Minor Speed, Minor Strength, Fleet-foot, Minor Agility. Enrage."
Winter activated five techniques again, instantly cutting down three manifested wolves. The manifested wolves have encircled him and kept up a relentless assault.
Every time he'd take down a wolf, one other wolf would lunge at him from behind, but that wolf would then be instantly cut down. The wolves kept attacking, nevertheless.
"Prayer Word: Minor Strength. Prayer Word: Minor Fortitude. Prayer Word: Minor Relaxant."
Virgin cast three spells at once, exhausting her mana. She was about to fall from the tree because of the nausea, but Dippte managed to hold onto her.
Four manifested wolves lunged at him at once, but he swiftly dodged all of them; a lone wolf managed to bite his right leg. Sensing the opportunity, five wolves charged, but they were instantly cut down along with the wolf who gnawed on his leg.
*Clang!* A wolf was struck in the head with a hurled axe.
*Clack!* A wolf was stabbed in the abdomen with a throwing dagger.
*Splash!* A wolf was doused in water. Geese threw one out of desperation because a wolf was attempting to climb the tree.
"Please, watch my back!" Winter shouted and sliced another lunging wolf.
*Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!*
Three minutes of continuous assault from the manifested wolves, but slowing down every minute. Winter's right leg was bleeding, along with his left arm. The wolves have stopped their attack and kept their distance instead, still growling.
The manifested wolves were determined, but Winter's accurate counterattacks have left them unable to properly coordinate. Their numbers have dwindled, and there are barely half of them left at this point.
The ranged attacks of both Lamion and Biggy avoided any proper exploitation.
"Go back, you stupid fucking wolves!" Dippte said while throwing a dagger at a manifested wolf that then sidestepped the thrown dagger.
"Minor Speed, Minor Strength, Fleet-foot, Minor Agility. Enrage."
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What are you doing!?" Lamion shouted. She couldn't quite wrap her head around Winter's thought process. A person activating more than four techniques at once wasn't unheard of, but it was taxing and was only done in desperate or controlled situations.
Upon activating a technique, a person should activate another technique after six seconds have passed for the body to properly adapt and regulate the power. Improper activation would risk severe muscle strain and combat inability for weeks.
But Winter was activating it without any second thought. Without any regulation.
*Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!* *Slash!*
Winter continued his assault; this time, he was the relentless one. The manifested wolves desperately tried to stop him, but it was of no use.
Another three minutes later...
Winter stomped on the head of a bleeding wolf, finally killing it. The manifested wolves didn't retreat and didn't even try. They were hesitant, but they kept attacking until none remained.
Winter was now full of bites and tears. If it weren't for his senses and subconscious dodging, he'd be dead by now. He was thankful for his instincts; he managed to avoid any serious injuries. In that fight, he felt his power surge twice.
"Holy shit..." Groze said, climbing down the tree. Virgin quickly climbed down and tried to stabilize Winter since he was bleeding heavily.