Chapter 35

"We have achieved our objective. Let's withdraw immediately."

Hartis shouts. At the same time, everyone starts to gather their belongings and prepare for the withdrawal.

"I'm sorry. I let my guard down because it wasn't that deep. Something is definitely approaching."

Just like the goblins before, the skill doesn't work unless you are aware of it. As a precaution, everyone had been checked by the 'Recognition' teacher during the morning assembly, but only Hartis and Arie had 'Caution.' Arie's was less than 1, and Hartis's was 2. The saying "Tighten the helmet strap even after winning" echoes strongly in my mind. With my 'Caution,' I still don't feel anything. To prepare for unexpected situations, Watis carries the core, Hartis takes the front, and Dido and Arie guard the rear.

To be honest, among us, I am the worst at running and endurance. I can barely run 2 km at a jog before I'm out of breath. I don't even think I can keep up with Watis, a girl.

Just as we were about to start moving, a howl is heard from downwind. Hartis looks troubled. It seems to be coming from the direction of the village.

"It sounds like a wolf, but the voice is too deep. As a precaution, let's circle around to the upwind side."

If there are only a few, we could consider taking them out one by one, but we don't know what they are. There is a fast-flowing river on the upwind side, and we decide to cross it and prepare to meet the threat there. We start running, keeping an eye on the trees. Gradually, the howls get closer and more numerous.

"They are quite fast. They are not wolves. It's a pack of more than 10."

We decide to give up on withdrawing because of my slow speed and the fact that we are being caught up with one-sidedly. We climb up the trees and decide to use magic to fight back. Given the limited number of the enemy, we judge that it is advantageous to keep fighting and rest.

"If they are like wolves, there should be a limit to the size of the pack. Let's proceed with this plan."

We quickly climb up nearby trees. Hartis, Dido, Arie, and Watis and I each take positions about 5 meters up in the trees. Soon, wolf-like creatures run under the trees. They are quite large, with a body length of over 1.5 meters.

"Those are clearly not wolves, right? Do you know what they are?"

I ask Hartis.

"I'm sorry, but I've never seen them before. They haven't been reported either."

When we check with the 'Recognition' teacher, it seems that these are wolves that have adapted to areas with high concentrations of mana and have become monsters. Their skin has also become stronger, making them different from regular wolves.

The number of creatures increases rapidly. Some are still howling. A wolf pack usually has fewer than 10 members, but there are already more than 15. A few of them jump excitedly around the base of the trees. I'm glad we split the front line, as some dog breeds are good at climbing trees.

Hartis nods to Dido. Watis takes aim and, in an instant, a fireball hits the face of one of the wolf-like creatures, sending it flying backward. However, it shakes off the slight burn and jumps around the tree excitedly again. Watis shakes her head. The image of penetration was lacking. The method of burning the lungs requires the front line to restrain them and make them open their mouths. I feel uneasy, thinking it might have been an amateur judgment.

None of the creatures seem to be good at climbing trees, as none of them are coming up.

I imagine compressing a 10 cm diameter sphere of wind into a 5 mm sphere.

"Attribute: Wind. Pressure defined. Shape: A cone with a radius of 5 mm and a height of 1 cm. Fixed 10 cm in front of my right index finger. Add a conical rotation and shoot forward at a speed of 150 km/h."

I aim for the face of one of the creatures, watching at a speed they can't avoid. I debated aiming for the waist to stop their movement, but I decide to reduce their numbers first.

"Execute."

The moment I mutter it, the face of the wolf-like creature explodes. Good, it worked. I clench my fist and pull back my arm.

"Trouble."

Hartis's mutter cools my head.

"Their numbers are increasing. How many can you fire in succession with that power?"

Looking around, the number has increased from about 15 to about 20, even excluding the one we just killed. Some are still howling.

"At this rate, they will keep increasing."

Darkness falls over my eyes. There could be even more in the same pack. Moreover, this might not be the only pack. We might be noticed by another pack at any time. We need to reduce their numbers first. Should I use a complex spell? Is this the time to try it without practice? I wish I had practiced, but I didn't have the time.

<Warning. Excessive use of complex spells can cause serious damage.>

Gah, the 'Scholar' teacher is threatening me.

I didn't want to use it too much, but,

"God, what kind of serious damage can excessive use of complex spells cause?"

I ask in my mind.

"This is your first time. I am Alecto, the one who governs spells."

An answer comes back. I hear a young man's voice in my head.

"If the conversion of mana and magic power is overloaded, the magic power will burst in your brain. It's like a cerebral hemorrhage in the human body. When you use an excessive spell, you might feel nausea or a headache. That's the initial symptom. It will heal over time since it's not actual bleeding. However, if you ignore it and use an even more excessive spell, the excessive return of magic power will cause physical damage to your brain. In other words, an actual cerebral hemorrhage will occur."

I don't know how to treat a cerebral hemorrhage, and I can't expect much. It's no different from death.

"Since the guest is in trouble, I will assist with the control this time. However, I can only help to suppress the excessive return and prolong the effect. You will likely be in a coma for a few days. Be prepared. I understand the situation and will keep an eye on it. I'll cut off now."

A glimmer of hope appears. I sowed the seeds, and I will reap them.

"Thank you. I appreciate your help."

I express my gratitude in my mind.

Looking around, the pack has grown to over 30. At least none of them are howling. Is this the entire pack?

"Hartis, I'm going to deal with them now. I will definitely take them down. Please handle the aftermath."

Without waiting for a response, I imagine compressing a 10 cm diameter sphere of wind into a 5 mm sphere. I visualize a reticle and aim at the head of each creature. I carefully place the crosshairs on each one, making sure not to miss any. Counting, there are 34. The image of the reticle is set on each head. I will need to control this in the future. My head is about to panic.

"Attribute: Wind. Pressure defined. Shape: A cone with a radius of 5 mm and a height of 1 cm. Fixed 30 cm in front of my right index finger. Aim at each target, add a conical rotation, and shoot at a speed of 150 km/h. Set the number of projectiles to 34."

I imagine each projectile flying to its target. I fix my right hand in the air. All that's left is to wait for the right moment.

Suddenly, Riz's smile appears in my mind.

"Execute."

In an instant, the invisible bullets fly out from above, heading straight for their targets. The heads of the wolf-like creatures explode in quick succession, starting from the nearest one. Looking around, all the creatures are down. None are moving.

We can go back. We can go back.

The moment I think that, a snapping sound echoes in my head.

Everything goes dark, and I feel myself falling into the branches, losing consciousness.