As Sinclair landed the finishing blow on the towering monster, his chest heaved with exhaustion. The sound of steel on bone still rang in his ears when a sudden whistling pierced the air. Before he could react, a hefty rock struck him square in the chest, the force sending him flying backward. In the fleeting disorientation of being airborne, he caught a glimpse of three more monsters emerging from the tunnel. They were similar to the one he had just felled, but their movements were more deliberate, more coordinated. Accompanying them was a grotesque creature he assumed to be a magic user. Its hands wove feverishly, vibrant arcs of light encircling its form in a macabre display.

He landed with a bone-rattling crash about fifty yards from where he started, skidding to a halt beside a large boulder. Gritting his teeth, Sinclair shoved the heavy rock off his chest, gasping as the sharp ache in his ribs protested the motion. Reaching into his storage, he pulled out a vial of health potion. Through their mental link, he spoke to Chewy and Leia. "Keep an eye on them. I need a few seconds to catch my breath. That hit knocked the wind out of me. If they start advancing, distract them long enough for me to get back into the fight. Understand?"

Chewy's reply was immediate and sharp. Understood. For now, they're holding their position. But the magic caster… It's gone. It looks like it burned out after finishing its spell.

Leia's voice cut in, tense but composed. Better hurry, my Lord. The monsters—they've changed. Their color is darker now, and they're starting to move this way. That spell must have buffed them.

Sinclair downed the potion in one go, the liquid searing through him with its restorative properties. He felt his ribs knit together, his bruised muscles smoothing out as strength returned to his limbs. Wiping his mouth with his hand, he muttered, "A spell strong enough to kill its caster just to buff these beasts… well, that is bound to be inconvenient. Fuck it, let's kick its ass!"

Through the mental link, he issued a quick plan. Chewy, you draw the attention of the one on the left. Leia, take the one on the right. I'll handle the one in the middle. If it gets too heavy, we regroup immediately. Clear?

Crystal clear, Chewy replied, a low growl underscoring his readiness. Leia added, Be careful, Sinclair. These aren't like the others.

Sinclair rose to his feet, his gaze locking onto the central monster. Its hulking frame rippled with raw power, the lingering effects of the buff evident in its predatory stance. Taking a steadying breath, Sinclair activated Focused Charge. Energy surged through his body, sharpening his senses and amplifying his strength as he began to streak forward. Axe in hand, he narrowed his focus, muttering, "Let's dance."

He charged.

Chewy sprang into action, barreling toward the leftmost beast with fiery intensity. His powerful jaws clamped onto the creature's forearm, dragging it sideways and forcing it to split its attention. Leia darted toward the rightmost monster, her lithe movements like streaks of flame as she swiped at its legs, aiming to trip and disorient it. Their coordination was near-flawless, but the monsters' augmented strength made every maneuver a gamble.

Sinclair met the central monster head-on, his axe swinging in a deadly arc. The first strike connected with a sickening crunch, but the creature didn't falter. It retaliated with a bone-crushing swipe of its massive arm, catching Sinclair across the shoulder and sending him stumbling back. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on the axe as he adjusted his stance.

Chewy, Leia, stay sharp! These things hit harder than expected, he called through the link, his voice edged with strain.

Chewy growled in response, his focus unwavering as he dodged a swipe aimed at his flank. Leia yelped as a claw grazed her side, but she retaliated with rapid swipes that momentarily halted her opponent.

The central monster roared, relentlessly advancing on Sinclair. He activated Cleave, his axe glowing with an intense, fiery aura. With a burst of adrenaline, he swung the weapon in a devastating horizontal cleave. The impact sent the creature staggering, black ichor spilling from the deep gash in its chest. Yet it refused to fall.

Behind him, Chewy managed to trip his opponent, his teeth sinking into its throat as he dragged it to the ground. Leia leaped onto her target's back, claws raking furiously as she aimed for its vulnerable spots. They held their own together, but the strain was evident in every one of their movements.

Sinclair pressed forward, each swing of his axe desperate to bring down the central monster. Finally, with one last surge of power, he drove the blade deep into its torso. The creature let out an ear-piercing shriek before collapsing in a heap, its lifeless body quivering as the buffed energy dissipated.

Regroup! Sinclair barked through the link. Chewy and Leia disengaged from their foes, retreating to his side as the remaining monsters hesitated, their momentum faltering.

Breathing heavily, Sinclair surveyed the battlefield. They were winning but still sported some wounds of their own. Chewy's flank was matted with blood, Leia's breathing was labored, and Sinclair himself felt the deep ache of his injuries despite the potion's effects.

"Good work," he said, his tone weary but resolute. "Let's finish this."

The moment Sinclair charged, his axe seemed to come alive, glowing with vivid red energy as he activated his Cleave attack again. The blade carved through the air and collided with the central monster's toughened hide, eliciting a howl of pain reverberating across the battlefield.

But this fight was different. The buff didn't just toughen these creatures—they were faster, more precise, their movements honed and deadly. Sinclair gritted his teeth as several rapid blows connected, each impact jarring his frame and pushing the limits of the health potion, still working its magic. He dodged and countered, every motion deliberate, every swing calculated to force the monster on the defensive.

Sinclair triggered Focused Charge, his body moving in a blur as he slipped past the central monster. Reappearing behind one of the creatures targeting Chewy, he brought his axe down with devastating force. The unexpected attack caught the beast off guard and staggered it, momentarily thrown off balance.

Chewy and Leia mirrored Sinclair's determination. They darted in and out of the monsters' reach, their attacks precise and relentless. Chewy lunged at the leftmost beast, his powerful jaws clamping onto its leg, while Leia struck from the opposite side, raking her claws across its exposed flank. Yet, despite their agility, the monsters' retaliatory strikes were dangerously close, forcing both wolves to adjust their positioning constantly.

Sinclair spotted an opening and activated Rage of the Berserkir, channeling a whirlwind of violence toward one of the beasts Chewy had knocked down. His axe became a blur of destruction, red light streaking with each swing. The monster shrieked as blow after blow landed, its thrashing form slowly succumbing to Sinclair's unrelenting assault. When he delivered the final strike, the creature lay motionless, black ichor pooling beneath its battered body.

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Sinclair wiped blood from his eyes, his lungs burning as he circled the last monster. Chewy and Leia moved with him, fanning out to form a loose triangle around the creature. The beast was still strong, but slower now, wounded, outnumbered, and increasingly desperate. Just like wolves on the hunt, the trio struck only when the beast's attention faltered, harrying it from different angles, always keeping it turning.

It lashed out blindly at Chewy, spinning in a frenzy, just as Leia darted in from behind and slashed deep into the back of its leg. The creature snarled and wheeled toward her, presenting its flank to Sinclair. He stepped in, driving the edge of his axe into the exposed side, drawing a roar of pain and fury.

Then, something changed.

With a violent jolt, the monster reared back and let out a roar that cracked through the air like thunder. Its body began to swell with sudden power—muscles bulging, red light pulsing under its skin. It moved faster now, and its strikes came with terrifying weight and speed. The ground trembled as it charged.

Sinclair barely dodged the first swing, the second clipped his side and sent him sprawling onto the stone. He rolled onto his knees just as Leia was knocked aside with a backhanded swipe, yelping as she tumbled across the dirt. Chewy held his ground, but a brutal kick from the monster cracked into his ribs, lifting him off his paws and slamming him into a wall.

"Fall back!" Sinclair barked, struggling to stand. Blood soaked his side, and his left arm hung uselessly at his side.

But Chewy didn't listen.

The massive Direwolf pushed off the wall with a growl, eyes locked on the rampaging beast. As the creature stepped toward Sinclair to finish him, Chewy lunged—jaws wide and dripping red. His leap was explosive, driving him into the monster's throat with crushing force. Fangs met flesh and cartilage in a brutal snap.

The beast flailed violently, claws raking Chewy's side, but the Direwolf held on, teeth sunk deep, blood pouring around his muzzle. With a final twitch, the monster buckled under its own weight and collapsed.

Chewy rolled off its body, panting heavily, blood pouring from gashes along his ribs and shoulder. Sinclair limped forward and dropped to one knee beside him, pressing a hand to the wolf's broad neck.

"You stupid, brave bastard," he muttered, voice hoarse.

Leia padded over, limping, her flank torn and bleeding, but her eyes sharp. The three of them, wounded and weary, sat together in the stillness that followed.

No cheers, no horns, no triumphant howl.

Just breath. Blood. And the cold, real weight of surviving.

Lady Garret stood on the elevated platform, gazing out over the battlefield with awe and disbelief. A young Wolf Lord of Level 0, accompanied by two Level 17 Direwolves, had defeated monsters so formidable that even she couldn't gauge their level. These were creatures at least Level 82, far beyond what any of them should have been capable of taking on. And yet, Sinclair and his companions stood triumphant.

"Unbelievable," she muttered, her fingers lightly tracing the hilt of the sword she wore at her side. "Unbelievable."

Her eyes followed Sinclair as he looted the fallen monsters, even limping down to the cave mouth to ensure no enemy went unlooted. The young man was meticulous, a sign that he understood the importance of resources in this dire situation. He always kept an eye on his companions. The white one was glowing a faint blue, where she assumed it was healing the larger brown one.

Turning to one of her aides, she rattled off a series of orders. "Tell the clerics to restore them to full health and mana. Prepare the gates for their return, and have food and water ready. We owe them that much, at the very least."

Her aide nodded and hurried off to relay the commands. As she watched Sinclair making his way back, her thoughts began to swirl with new strategies and possibilities. Having someone like Sinclair on their side wasn't just fortuitous—it was a game-changer.

Despite the grim circumstances that had led them all here, the City Lord felt hope rising within her. If this young Wolf Lord could achieve such feats, what more could he accomplish with proper training and resources?

As the gate opened and Sinclair and his companions entered, clerics met them with healing spells, while soldiers bearing sustenance followed behind. City Lord Garret couldn't help but feel that Sinclair could help with their other issue in the mines.

Garret descended from the platform to greet Sinclair personally. "You and your companions fought bravely, Wolf Lord. Your actions have given us a much-needed victory today."

Sinclair, still catching his breath, nodded. "Thank you, Lady Garret. We did what we had to do."

Garret's eyes gleamed with determination. "And we are grateful. But there's more to be done. The creatures from the mines are becoming increasingly aggressive. We need to understand why it happens and stop it at its source. Your skills could be crucial in this effort."

New Quest: Investigate the Deep Mines South Tunnel (Unique)

Description: Monsters have been appearing in the Deep Mines' South Tunnel with alarming frequency, endangering the surrounding settlements. Venture into the depths to identify the source of the disturbance and eliminate the threat. Your courage will bring safety and stability to the region.

Goal: Explore the South Tunnel of the Deep Mines and eradicate the source of the monsters.

Rewards:

Gold

: 1000 coins

Experience

: 78,300 XP

Item

: Ring of Earthen Resolve (Uncommon)

Sinclair wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze steady. "I'll do whatever I can to help. Just tell me what needs to be done." He mentally swiped yes on the Quest message to accept it.

Sinclair tilted his head curiously. "Tell me something. Why does your quest list specific rewards? Mine usually just says something vague, like 'gold,' without telling me how much I'll get."

Garret nodded thoughtfully. "That's not unusual, but it depends on the quest's source. You're dealing with initial quests from the System itself, not ones created by a person. When I create quests, I can set rewards based on what the city can provide so that I can name specific amounts or items."

"Ah, that makes sense," Sinclair replied, nodding. "Thanks for explaining."

Garret smiled, a sense of hope filling her. "Rest for now, but prepare yourself. We'll be discussing our next move soon."

As Sinclair and his companions were left to rest and recover, Garret looked out over the city walls, feeling optimistic. The challenges ahead were daunting, but with allies like Sinclair, they might have a fighting chance.

After resting for a little while, Sinclair continued the nearly half a mile into the city and stepped through the inner gates. He was greeted with cheers and applause, and the soldiers and civilians alike showed their gratitude and awe. Being the center of so much attention was a strange sensation for him. He felt his cheeks warm, but did his best to keep his composure.

He nodded thanks as a soldier handed him more water and food. The food consisted of a hearty stew with chunks of venison, root vegetables, and freshly baked bread on the side. I am still kind of hungry. Choosing a spot near the entrance, he sat down to eat, occasionally glancing at Chewy and Leia, who enjoyed their meals from large bowls provided by attentive residents.

The City Lord, Garret, made her way toward him again, her eyes meeting his momentarily before she arrived at his side. Sinclair stood to greet her, and a respectful nod was exchanged between them.

"Please, sit," she gestured to the seat he had just vacated. "You've done enough to earn a moment's respite."

Sinclair retook his seat, feeling a bit more at ease. It was clear that whatever had transpired in the field had fundamentally shifted how he was perceived here, not just by the City Lord.

Garret sat beside him, her expression a mix of relief and determination. "You've given us hope, Sinclair. Your bravery out there was truly extraordinary. But we must address the root of this threat. The creatures from the mines are becoming increasingly aggressive, and we must find out why."

As Sinclair finished his meal, he looked around at the faces of the people who had shown him such gratitude. It was a humbling experience, but it also reminded him of what he was trying to get back to.

City Lord Garret stood, offering Sinclair a hand to shake. "Welcome to our city, Wolf Lord. Together, we'll ensure its safety."

Sinclair shook her hand, feeling a sense of purpose. "Thank you, Lady Garret. I'm honored to be here."

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