I stared at those stats, heart racing.
Level 25.
Level cap 50.
Strength 68—more than twice Shell's.
Speed 52—even faster than Spike after evolution.
HP 800, Defense 45.
These numbers far exceeded any member of my team.
This was the strongest enemy I'd encountered so far.
No exceptions.
Even the Forest Bear we'd fought before was only level 14.
But this Wolf King was level 25.
And it had evolved.
My gaze shifted from the panel, carefully observing the area around the wolf den.
I counted. At least fifteen Forest Wolves.
Some lying on the ground resting, some gnawing on prey, some patrolling.
I checked their levels one by one.
The nearest one, level 12.
The one beside it, level 15.
A bit farther away, level 18.
And several level 20+ ones scattered around the den.
The highest was level 22.
Levels varied, but none were low.
And there were so many.
Plus that level 25 Wolf King.
This lineup was far stronger than the seven-wolf patrol we'd just encountered.
I pulled back my gaze, quickly assessing the team's condition.
Waspy's MP: 60/280.
Brownie's MP: 100/300.
They'd both just evolved and used their skills. Magic hadn't recovered much.
Other members had healed their injuries, but stamina consumption wasn't insignificant.
Shell had just taken the Forest Bear's heavy blow. Though the cracks on his armor were repaired, his body was still somewhat fatigued.
Spike and Shadow had been moving at high speed constantly. Stamina also depleted considerably.
Horn had exerted too much force ramming the Forest Bear. His rock horn still ached faintly.
Venom's poison reserves weren't much either.
What about me?
Level 22, experience 515/550.
About to level up, but hadn't yet.
HP and MP were full, but couldn't say I was in optimal condition either.
If we fought, what were our chances?
Hard to say.
The other side had numbers, plus the Wolf King holding the fort.
Our side had newly evolved Waspy and Brownie, but their magic was insufficient.
A direct confrontation would be very dangerous.
But if we retreated...
Waspy's antennae trembled slightly.
"This is the place..." it said quietly.
Voice carrying a trace of trembling.
Brownie stared at the distant wolf den. "A month ago, they chased us from here."
"Those wolves drove us all the way to the cliff edge."
Its voice was calm, but I could hear the suppressed emotion.
Spike lowered his voice. "They're the ones who hunted you?"
Brownie nodded. "Yes. This pack."
Waspy added, "I remember that Wolf King's scent."
"Very strong, very dangerous."
"Back then it just stood in the distance watching while its subordinates forced us to the brink."
Their tone carried both fear and anger.
The hunt from a month ago had clearly left a deep impression on them.
That terror of being hunted. That helpless despair.
But now was different.
They'd evolved. Become stronger.
And they had me and the other companions.
Retreat?
Impossible.
We'd already come this far, and we'd already killed their patrol.
Those seven Forest Wolf corpses were still two kilometers away.
The Wolf King definitely already knew.
If we retreated now, the Wolf King would certainly send more wolves to hunt us down.
That would be even more troublesome.
Besides, Waspy and Brownie had both evolved. Team strength had greatly increased.
We might not be without a fighting chance.
The key was to fight smart.
Couldn't go head-to-head.
Had to utilize coordination, utilize spatial marks, utilize Waspy and Brownie's new skills.
Brownie's Forest Bind could trap large numbers of enemies.
Waspy's Mind Control could make the other side fight amongst themselves.
Plus coordination from other members.
If tactics were right, maybe...
While I was thinking about tactics, the Wolf King in the distance suddenly raised its head.
Its nose sniffed the air.
Then those sharp eyes locked directly onto this direction.
Locked onto where we were hiding.
Damn.
We'd been discovered.
The Wolf King let out a low growl.
"Grrowl—"
Not loud, but full of authority.
All the Forest Wolves immediately went on alert.
They rose simultaneously, movements uniform.
Then scattered, forming an encirclement.
The nearest wolves charged left, circling to the flank.
Others ran right, blocking another direction.
Several more lunged straight here, blocking the front.
Two more wolves circled behind, cutting off retreat.
Movements swift and orderly.
Coordination seamless.
Not at all like beasts—more like a well-trained army.
In less than ten seconds, all escape routes were blocked.
"We've been spotted," I said.
Shadow circled nervously in the air. "They're surrounding us."
"And moving fast."
Shell growled low. "Too late to retreat."
"Wolves on both sides, behind too."
Spike sniffed. "At least four in the rear, six on the left and right flanks."
"Five more closing in from the front."
Really was too late.
The wolf pack's encirclement had formed.
If we ran now, we'd only expose our backs and get torn apart.
In that case, we fight.
In the distance, the Wolf King rose from the rocks.
Massive in size.
Almost twice the size of normal Forest Wolves.
Muscle definition clear, every inch radiating power.
Fur deep black, gleaming with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
Its eyes were amber, showing cold indifference and killing intent.
Four paws thick and powerful, claws glinting coldly.
Tail thick, hanging naturally, appearing calm and unhurried.
It walked forward step by step.
Each step carried heavy oppressive force.
The ground seemed to tremble.
The surrounding normal wolves automatically cleared a path, making way for a wide passage.
They lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the Wolf King.
Some even trembled slightly.
This was level suppression.
This was a king's authority.
The Wolf King walked to about fifty meters away from us and stopped.
It stood there, looking down at us from above.
That posture, like examining ants.
Its gaze swept over me, slow and deliberate.
Then fell on Waspy and Brownie, lingering for a few seconds.
Then back to me.
Stared at me for several seconds.
That look, like viewing prey.
No—like viewing something already dead.
"So it's you."
The Wolf King spoke.
Voice deep, carrying oppressive force.
Like it came from deep within its chest.
My heart jumped. "You recognize me?"
The corner of the Wolf King's mouth showed a cold smile.
"The rat who stole my Golden Fruit."
"The waste who escaped from the cliff a month ago."
So it really was because of that golden plant.
Back then at the cliff edge, the lead Forest Wolf had let out that furious howl after seeing me eat the plant.
I'd understood then—they hunted us because of that plant.
Anger flashed in the Wolf King's eyes.
"I cultivated that Golden Fruit in that area for three years."
"Three years."
"Had to clear surrounding weeds every year, drive away approaching magic beasts."
"It was about to mature."
"Just one more month."
Its voice grew colder and colder.
"Then you, a rat, stole and ate it."
"I sent my subordinates to hunt you down."
"Thought you'd die at the bottom of the cliff."
"Didn't expect you to survive."
"And dare to come back."
I suppressed my nervousness. "I found it first."
The Wolf King sneered.
The laughter full of mockery.
"In my territory, everything is mine."
"So what if you found it?"
"As long as it's in my territory, it's mine."
Its gaze turned to Waspy and Brownie.
"Those two, the wasp and the rat, also ate resources I was guarding."
"Those glowing plants were cultivated by me."
"So I had my subordinates kill them."
Brownie froze. "Those plants..."
The Wolf King cut it off. "All mine."
"Every rare plant in this forest."
"Every high-magic area."
"All belong to me."
Domineering.
Forceful.
Completely unreasonable.
The Wolf King surveyed the surroundings, gaze sweeping across the entire forest.
"This forest, ten kilometers in radius."
"All my territory."
"All resources belong to me."
Its voice filled with unquestionable authority.
"Any magic beast that dares steal from me."
"Only one fate."
It paused for a second.
"Death."
The atmosphere froze.
All members felt that oppressive force.
Venom's body trembled slightly. It had never seen such a powerful magic beast.
Horn unconsciously stepped back half a step. The glow on his rock horn dimmed several shades.
Even Shell felt enormous pressure, muscles tensed beneath his armor.
Shadow circled in the air, wings flapping faster.
But I couldn't retreat.
If I did, it was over.
I took a deep breath, pushing down the fear in my heart.
"Everyone, battle formation."
My voice was calm but carried determination.
Shell heard the command and immediately stood at the front.
Armor glowing earthy yellow, entering defensive stance.
Horn also walked forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Shell.
The glow on his rock horn reignited. Though still somewhat nervous, he didn't back down.
Spike darted to the left side, body lowered, ready to move at high speed at any moment.
Shadow flew to the upper right, maintaining a diving posture.
Though afraid, Venom still retreated to the rear, accumulating venom.
Waspy hovered in mid-air, purple wings trembling slightly.
Light flickered on its antennae as psychic power gathered.
Brownie stood beside me, green light emanating from its body.
Though magic wasn't much, its eyes were resolute.
Seven figures.
Facing sixteen wolves.
Facing a level 25 Wolf King.
The Wolf King looked at our formation.
It seemed to find this amusing.
"You weak little things."
"Dare to oppose me?"
It raised a front paw, waving it lightly.
Like shooing away flies.
Then it turned to look at the pack.
"Kill them."
"Leave none alive."
Fifteen Forest Wolves roared simultaneously.
"Aowooo—!"
"Aowooo—!"
"Aowooo—!"
Deafening wolf howls echoed through the forest.
Charging from all directions.