Chapter 12

"Found them! Attack! Attack!"

As soon as they entered the mountain, Reta and the youth group found a pack of magic wolves. Two of the wolves were trapped in the pre-set traps and couldn't move, probably because their companions couldn't abandon them.

Reta launched an attack first, firing arrows.

The pack consisted of five wolves.

It wasn't a number they couldn't defeat.

"O spirit of fire! Burn the enemy to ashes!"

Reta cast a fire spell, turning the flames into over a hundred fireballs. They were all aimed at the immobilized wolves and launched simultaneously. Beasts are most afraid of fire, and this is no different for magical creatures. Although using fire in the forest requires caution, they had to prioritize extermination at this moment.

"Follow Reta!"

At Rigus's encouragement, more arrows were fired. The arrows mercilessly pierced the immobilized wolves, causing them to bleed. The fireballs then collided with them, and the wolves let out cries of agony.

At that moment, the wolves that could still move began to prioritize attacking the enemy over protecting their companions.

"They're coming! The magic wolves are moving!"

Three wolves roared and charged at Reta and the others. Despite the cries of agony, their attacks didn't waver. If they were defeated here, they would never be able to fight again. The young men were here with that resolve.

"Reta! Use your magic to take down the two immobilized wolves!"

"Got it! Hold on, I'll heal your injuries later!"

"Okay!"

With the young men's response, Reta focused on the immobilized wolves.

"O spears of flame, pierce and burn the enemy!"

This time, the flames took the form of spears, over fifty in number. Each spear not only carried the heat of the flames but also had physical destructive power.

"Thrust!"

At Reta's command, the spears of flame were launched simultaneously. The black fur of the wolves was already burned by the fireballs. Now, the flames in the form of spears attacked them. The forest echoed with the piercing cries of the beasts. The large bodies of the wolves were pierced mercilessly and burned from the inside, causing them to die instantly.

"Amazing... How can someone who can do that be an F-rank?"

"Idiot, stop staring... Hey, Reta already took down two more!"

"We can't let Reta down!"

"Oooh!"

While being amazed by Reta, who had slain two wolves, the young men, now confident that they could defeat the wolves with him, charged forward with roars. There was a physical difference in size, and fear. If the wolves used their sharp fangs and claws, it could be a fatal blow.

But Reta was there.

He could heal them, and they believed that as long as Reta was there, they could defeat the wolves. Even if they had to serve as decoys, they were prepared to do so.

With the determination and spirit of the young men, and Reta's offensive and healing magic, the pack of magic wolves was quickly annihilated.

---

"Reta... Is it over yet?"

Mina sighed, not knowing how many times she had done so. She was deeply worried about Reta. The thought of the gentle, always-smiling Reta fighting against terrifying magic wolves made her anxious. With half a day already passed, her worry only grew.

"Don't worry, your father will surely return safely."

An old woman, also waiting for the young men, encouraged her. However, Reta wasn't Mina's father. In fact, he might not even be a companion. They were just acquaintances who had met recently.

But Mina was genuinely concerned for Reta. She didn't want to see him hurt. She wanted him to return with the same smile he had when they first met. She prayed desperately to a god she didn't even believe in.

Then,

"The youth group is back!"

"Everyone is safe!"

"They don't seem injured! Oh, right, Reta must have healed them!"

"Thanks to Reta!"

"Now we don't have to worry about the magic wolves!"

The townspeople cheered one after another, welcoming the youth group and Reta. Mina, with a shy smile, felt a tightness in her chest as she saw Reta modestly waving to the townspeople.

"Go to your father."

The old woman said with a wrinkled smile. Mina could have corrected her, but she didn't. She wanted to run to Reta as quickly as possible.

"Okay! — Reta!"

Before she knew it, she was running. Reta noticed her, knelt down, and opened his arms. This small gesture made her happy. Mina's heart warmed. Filled with various emotions, she said,

"Welcome back, Reta!"

She poured all her feelings into these few words and threw herself into his chest.