Chapter 120: A Pack of Wolves
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Oh, yes. Here’s a friendly reminder,” said Macklin casually as he passed the map to Lin Li. “I heard that there are some animals there which are not as friendly. You just have to be a little bit more careful inside… and there’s nothing to worry about. Alright, keep the map well, and you are good to go!”
“…” The expressions on the three’s faces froze.
Since the old man treated the lethal Fantama Panthera as a mere kitten, if he claimed that the animals there “are not as friendly”, wouldn’t that imply that the jungle was more deadly than it seemed?
“Mr. M-Macklin, are you not entering the jungle with us?” Mason inquired meekly as he gazed at Macklin uneasily.
“Nah…” said the old man as his mustache twitched, and he glared at Mason with a gloating expression. He continued guilt-tripping. “Look at my age… Why would you want these old bones to accompany you?”
“…”
Mason was at a loss for words. It was only just then that the old man utilized the Arcane Missile to burst the doors open; he also employed the Levitation Spell, and glided through the Nightmare Mountains with ease. Didn’t he consider his old age? Why was it then that when they were about to enter the jungle, he suddenly cared about his age?
“Hurry off. You only have an afternoon to complete the task. If you fail to get the object back to me before the sky darkens, heh…”
How’s that? thought Macklin as he remained silent, but his threatening tone had already caused Mason to break out in cold sweat. Mason regretted his act of lazing in bed that morning. Now that they had provoked this old pestilence, they knew what was to come…
Under Macklin’s urges, the trio entered the jungle uneasily.
“Heck!” Lin Li cursed as he took out the map.
Could the old bastard outside the jungle be Gerian’s brother?
The map was a mess. The scribbles and curvy lines were as though stubborn earthworms lying around. Numerous red blots of ink splattered all over made the map look like a heavily freckled face. Among the red spots, there lay an ‘x’ marking, boldly smacked in front of him like a cripple. Lin Li took quite an amount of time to make out what that old dude was even drawing…
“What a piece of abstract art…” Lin Li sighed as he rolled up the map before putting it in his pocket. Since no one could understand this map, it was just a waste of space.
“Felic, are you not using the map?” inquired Mason.
“This map…”
Just when Lin Li was about to lambaste Macklin, he heard some faint sound.
“Be careful!”
Right after him warning his teammates, a pack of Three-eyed Blood Wolves appeared. Each of the wolves had red eyes, and carried a strong stench of blood. As compared to those they had met before, this pack of wolves was evidently more malignant. One wolf with a grayish-white coat stood out in particular; it had an extraordinary red eye, which was beyond sinister—just like a droplet of blood.
“I’m afraid that we might be in trouble now…” Mason whispered as he gulped down his saliva nervously, and moved two steps backward subconsciously.
“Cut the crap,” shushed Lin Li and Orrin together.
Even an Adventurer of the lowest ranking would know that the level of a Three-eyed Blood Wolf was to be deciphered based on the color of their eyes and fur coat. The lighter the fur and the redder the eye, the higher its level. Thiscreature before them was definitely the King!
There were at least 40 to 50 wolves behind this King that was at least level-12. How could the trio take it easy?
“Arwooooo…”
The howl of the King broke the silence in the jungle, and more wolves appeared. At once, the surroundings were filled with spots of red light and stench of iron. The shrilling howls reverberated in their ears, threatening to engulf them. The vast number of Three-eyed Blood Wolves in the wilderness resembled a sea of blood. In that moment, more than 10 wolves crowded towards the three men.
“KILL THEM!”
Lin Li gripped onto his Winter Staff, and called on the Hastening Spell. While retreating, he also released two wind blades at his opponents. Orrin and Mason, who were by his side, also took action, each calling out a magic shield and starting to recite the spell at top speed.
Among the three people, Lin Li was the last to be exposed to magic, yet in terms of taking part in battles, he had the most experience. During the few months at the Sunset Mountains, he had already slain countless magical beasts.
In that instant, his reaction was the fastest. His intention of employing the Hastening Spell and the two wind blades did not deviate from that of Orrin and Mason, yet what differed was the impact of his powers.
The methods which Mages decided to employ in their battles were no doubt the most flexible among the other occupations.
Depending on their opponents, the tactics utilized would also be different.
Fantama Pantheras were generally immune to magic. Since these creatures were proficient in the Dark Magic, one would be seeking death if he were to adopt this method which resembled the flying of kites. A Dark Magic spell would strike down the kite from the sky.
On the other hand, it would be different if one wanted to deal with a big pack of the Three-eyed Blood Wolves.
The powers of these Three-eyed Blood Wolves were innately of extremely low standing. Even if they were to be led by the King wolf, to defeat a Magic Shooter would be an impossible matter. Lin Li did not need to worry that his Kite Magic would be overcome by magic that was invisible to the eye.
Furthermore, there were still Mason and Orrin.
Although both of them had little experience in battling beasts, one was a level-nine Mage, while another a level-11 Magic Shooter. Given adequate time to recite their spells, they would unleash a destructive force on the wolves.
Just when Lin Li’s wind blades led to waves of shrilling cries from the wolves, both of their recitals were also completed. As Orrin raised his magic staff, tremors were also induced at once. Then, a huge spear made of stone appeared from the ground.
Stone spears were only made of stone. In dealing with the escaping wolves, it lacked the sharpness required of a weapon to kill.
The stone spear created only immediate injuries, and not many casualties.
This was the true intention of the magic. It was not exerted with the intent to kill.
Just like how a dead rat could incite a sense of disgust among a group of people, yet had no ability to kill, the attack with the stone spear was similarly not lethal, and only aimed to create fear among enemies. Which foolish wolf would pounce towards stone? As the wolves scrambled away from that stone spear, ripples were created in that sea of red.
It resulted in a great turbulence. Even the growl of rage from the King failed to calm the situation down.
To worsen the situation, the powers of Orrin were unleashed.
This was a total catastrophe.
Rays of red radiated from Orrin’s magic staff, and violent particles that arose from the Fire-Elemental Power filled the air at once. The temperature was scorching, and the air appeared to be boiling. Numerous sparks beamed, lighting up the dark jungle as bright as day.
What followed after was the sound of a great explosion. “BOOM!”
The rapid spread of embers birthed a sea of uncontrollable fire. The speed at which it was spreading was faster than a plague, as though the earth was covered in gasoline. A little spark would be sufficient to light up the ground.
To the helpless wolves, that Fiery Meteor spelled doomsday. They had no place to hide or escape to. The only thing they could do was to watch how the flames engulfed them…
In the sea of fire, there were endless cries of despair. The wolves, one after another, got swallowed by the blaze. An unpleasant burnt smell diffused with the pitch-black fumes as well…
The Fiery Meteor had claimed the lives of nearly 20 Blood Wolves.
“A butcher…” Mason did not forget to denounce Orrin while he retreated towards a thicket with the Ice Armor. He, however, would never have expected that the madness caused by Orrin’s magic powers was a result of the Ground-Piercing Spell he’d exerted.
“Arwooooo…”
Right after the three of them calmed down, another wave of howls came by.
And then, they saw how leaves of the thicket moved with a rustle, and out came even more Three-eyed Blood Wolves…
“SH*T!” Lin Li could not help but blurt out another swear.
The collaboration of the trio had only enabled them to slay 20 wolves. Now that another hundred wolves appeared, how were they going to deal with them? Even if they managed to kill them all, what would happen if King Wolf called out another 200 or 300 underlings? Not to mention being bitten by the wolves, they would lose their lives due to exhaustion…