"Twilight's their time to hunt. It won't take too much effort on our part. They will come to us on their own. Won't be long before their corpses pile up high enough to warrant the dungeon boss's attention," Ray said to Ashclaw.

Ashclaw stopped as he seemed to saw something.

"They are here."

Ray looked straight ahead.

From the thickets there, a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared.

Then another.

Two Dire Wolves padded into view, their jet-black fur bristling, jaws dripping with saliva that hissed as it hit the ground.

Their bodies were lean but corded with steel-like muscle, every step radiating predatory power.

Grrruuuhhh!

One lunged first. Its claws flashed like sickles.

Ray threw a fireball at it.

It twisted midair to dodge, but its flank was still caught in the range of the blast.

Fur blackened, flesh charred, and thick hot blood poured out of its injuries as the Dire Wolf was sent hurtling through the air like a kite with its string cut loose.

A heavy thud resounded as it smashed into a tree before collapsing to the ground, alive but knocked out cold, its eyes rolled to the back of its head.

Bomb!

Another fireball exploded on its face to cut its breath short.

♦️ You have killed an Initial Stage Bronze Rank Demonic Beast. You have gained +25000 EXP.

♦️ You have earned an additional +15000 EXP for killing an enemy one major and one minor realm above you.

The second one darted low, aiming for Ray's legs.

Before it could snap its jaws shut, a silver arc cleaved down.

Shhhhk!

A silver blade extended from Ashclaw's hand and bit deep into its flesh, severing its foreleg.

Ashclaw struck again, and the whimpering Dire Wolf suddenly found itself limbless and shrieking in pain, its thoughts overwhelmed by a single emotion—fear. Another strike landed on the immobilized Dire Wolf, cutting its head off.

It was only at the Iron rank. Even Ashclaw could deal with it. Since it had been focused on Ray, Ashclaw's attacks managed to find their mark. He fought it to jog his memory, reignite the passion to fight, and exercise his old bones.

"Looks like my old bones can still hold their own against demonic beasts," Ashclaw chuckled.

Ray was not happy, 'Bastard stole my precious exp.'

However, he didn't strike him dead right then and there. He still has some use for him.

A while later, dozens of Dire Wolves could be seen encircling them. Three lunged at once, their jaws wide, intending to tear them apart.

Ashclaw felt like boulders were flying to crush him. As an Iron Rank tamer, facing some of the toughest Bronze Rank creatures was a terrifying experience.

"Burn away!" Ray shouted, thrusting his hand forward, a tornado of fire surging to life from his palm. The three Dire Wolves were enveloped mid-lunge by the rapidly spinning vortex of flames. Their agonized howls echoed from within the fire, accompanied by the disturbing noise of flesh sizzling. Then, at last, their cries died down.

Notifications appeared.

♦️ You have killed 1 Initial Stage Bronze Rank Demonic Beasts and two Peak Iron Rank beasts. You have gained +15100 EXP.

♦️ Bonus EXP: +10,000 EXP

"Off you go!" Ray blasted away another Dire Wolf with a Wind Blast before striking it down with an azure blade. It was a Peak Iron Rank beast. The corpse fell with a dull thud, blood spraying across the dirt.

♦️ You have killed a Peak Iron Rank Demonic Beast. You have gained +50 EXP.

The remaining wolves attacked. One was brave enough to go for the weaker link. Its speed was too fast for Ashclaw to react.

Ray stepped in between them. Now was not the time to waste Ashclaw's rune of defense. The Dire Wolf's eyes widened, instincts screaming danger—it retreated the second it saw the insurmountable wall standing between it and its prey. It slammed its forelimbs into the ground, halting its momentum, then used the rebound force to push itself away.

Ray gave chase, closing the distance in an instant. His azure wind sword swung down with the strength of a Bronze Rank beast, cleaving through the wolf's throat. Blood sprayed, and the wolf was beheaded instantly.

♦️ You have killed an Initial Stage Bronze Rank Demonic Beast. You have gained +15,000 EXP.

When Ray was preoccupied, another Dire Wolf lunged for his side.

But Ashclaw was attentive. A silver blade expanded from his palm and met it midair, splitting its skull with a wet crunch. The wolf collapsed, its body twitching before going limp.

Although Ashclaw knew Ray could deal with such threats, he thought helping wouldn't hurt. What he didn't know was that every bit of "help" only pissed Ray off.

"Once more he's done it. This old man… is he too eager to die?" Ray cursed Ashclaw under his breath for stealing his EXP again, though he didn't let his foul mood show.

Suddenly, a massive Dire Wolf stepped forward. Its body was twice as large as the rest, corded with bulging muscle and a thick mane of fur like crimson steel bristles. The leader of the pack—definitely. It circled them warily, growling deep in its throat.

"Shut up," Ray said, snapping his fingers.

«Flame Whip!»

A line of fire lashed out, curling around the Dire Wolf leader's neck. He yanked hard, dragging the beast closer, then twisted. The whip seared through flesh and bone, severing its head in one fluid motion.

The clearing fell silent, save for the crackle of flames.

♦️ You have killed an Advanced Stage Bronze Rank Demonic Beast. You have gained +50,000 EXP.

♦️ Bonus EXP: +25,000 EXP (Defeated enemy two minor and one major realm above you).

♦️ Total Gained: +75,000 EXP.

Ray exhaled slowly, shoulders easing for a moment. "The strongest one is dead. So the rest should know it's an unwinnable fight."

As he wondered how they would react, the remaining Dire Wolves tucked their tails between their legs and ran away.

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