"AAAAARRRRUUUGGHH!"
The roar that filled the room was overwhelming. Crowne and Ronan instinctively covered their ears. A second later, the ground began to tremble. Heavy footsteps echoed closer. Crowne clicked his tongue in irritation again. He realized the Gorthaks would appear once more.
And he was right. Seconds later, dozens of Gorthaks came rushing in. Crowne and Ronan braced themselves to fight, but the monsters completely ignored them. Instead, they ran past in a frenzy, not even sparing a glance, as if they were terrified of something. Soon after, other wild beasts followed, fleeing in the same direction.
They were all running north—away from something coming from the south. Crowne narrowed his eyes.
"Let's go!" Crowne urged.
He and the others pressed forward, ignoring the fleeing Gorthaks and wild beasts.
**
Dorian and the adventurers with him also fell silent. Their eyes widened at the sight of Gorthaks sprinting desperately alongside feral beasts. This was something different, something unnatural.
Dorian placed his hand on the shoulder of the adventurer who had just spoken to him. "Take them back to the guild. I'll investigate this on my own," he said firmly.
"Guildmaster, I don't think that's a good idea. It would be better if you—"
Dorian nodded with unshakable determination. The adventurer hesitated for three seconds before finally nodding as well, agreeing to Dorian's decision.
"But you must take care of yourself. If the situation turns truly dangerous, it would be best for you to retreat immediately," the adventurer warned.
Dorian nodded once more. "Trust me! I'll return safely."
Moments later, he dashed south, leaving the others behind.
The adventurer entrusted with Dorian's orders watched his broad back as it grew smaller in the distance. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled heavily, then nodded.
"I hope you come back safely," he muttered, before rallying the remaining adventurers to return to Stromhall City.
**
Elsewhere, Crowne, Ronan, Sylvara, and Velrisa slowed their pace. Their footsteps grew cautious as an overwhelming aura pressed from ahead.
Crowne's face hardened. "This must be what drove the Gorthaks into a panic."
Ronan nodded grimly. He too could feel the suffocating force from the direction before them.
The further they advanced, the stronger the sensation grew, sending chills racing down their spines. Ronan's grip on his sword tightened, every muscle tense, ready to strike without leaving any opening.
"I fear this is not an enemy we can defeat, young master," Ronan said.
Crowne didn't reply. He felt the same, but something compelled his feet to keep moving forward—almost as though fate itself was dragging him to that place.
The oppressive aura thickened until finally, crimson energy, like liquid blood, spilled into the air.
Ahead, a figure sat waiting. A massive wolf clad in iron armor, with a greatsword resting by its side. Its left eye glowed blood-red, while its right shone icy blue.
Its fur bristled like steel quills. The moment its gaze locked with Crowne's, the armored wolf rose to its feet.
"Oh… at last, something interesting," the wolf spoke.
Crowne opened his mouth to respond—
Slash!
In an instant, the wolf was already before him, swinging its blade with terrifying speed. Crowne's eyes widened, barely able to react.
Triiiing!
He managed to block the strike, but the force sent his body flying. He crashed through two trees before tumbling violently across the ground.
Blood spilled from his lips as he coughed harshly. Wiping his mouth, he struggled to rise—only for the wolf to appear in front of him again, raising its massive sword high. This time, it aimed to cleave him in two.
"You're targeting me specifically, huh? Interesting," Crowne smirked.
Baaam!
Their blades collided once more, Crowne bracing himself this time. Their eyes locked, both wearing a grin of excitement, intrigued by one another. A second later, they both leapt back, adjusting stances, ready to continue.
Crowne glanced at his right hand. It trembled uncontrollably from the sheer force of the wolf's blow. That strike had been monstrously powerful.
"My lord, can you handle this?" Velrisa asked.
Crowne nodded. "You three continue on! I'll deal with him here."
Velrisa obeyed without hesitation. But when Sylvara tried to step toward Crowne, his hand suddenly shot out, pulling her back. At the same time, Ronan froze, uncertain of what to do. Velrisa placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.
"Come with us," she urged.
Though still stiff and reluctant, Ronan followed Velrisa and Sylvara toward the cave ahead. From within that cavern, an aura even stronger than the wolf's emanated. Ronan could not sense it—but Velrisa and Sylvara certainly could.
**
Once Ronan, Sylvara, and Velrisa had moved far enough away, Crowne inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, tightening his stance further. His body coiled like a spring, prepared to move at full speed.
"Tell me your name, human!" the wolf demanded.
"Crowne. Remember that name, for it is the one that will defeat you," Crowne declared.
The wolf grinned wide, genuinely intrigued by Crowne's confidence. It was refreshing. Ever since his transformation, the wolf had fought nothing but Gorthaks—and they were dull, unworthy opponents.
No one in this forest could match him. The monotony had driven him to sit idly before the cave, simply waiting.
"Very well. Let's begin, then!" the wolf challenged.
He leaned forward, ready to dash—
But before he could even move, Crowne had already closed the gap, his sword flashing toward the wolf's throat with incredible speed.
The wolf smirked again. "So, you're fast too."
Traaaang!
Their swords clashed with explosive force, blasting them both backward. Without hesitation, they lunged forward again, their blades colliding in a storm of strikes, parries, and evasions. Blow after blow, neither gave an inch—their skills evenly matched.
[Wind Step Slash activated]
Crowne vanished, reappearing instantly behind the wolf. His blade swung toward its neck with flawless precision. But just as it was about to connect—
The wolf vanished as well, leaving Crowne's strike to slice nothing but air.
Crowne's eyes widened.
"Got you!" the wolf's voice rang from behind.
Crowne's heart skipped. He had been outpaced. His greatest pride—his speed—was surpassed. It was a brutal realization, slamming into him like a cold truth: there was someone faster than him. His Wind Step Slash still had room to grow.
Shhhk!
Blood sprayed from his back as the wolf's sword cut into him. Crowne staggered, gritting his teeth. He had moved just enough to prevent a fatal blow, sacrificing his back instead of his life.
"Oh… faster than I expected," the wolf remarked with amusement.