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Chapter 40: The Storm Wolf Battle

It took us two years from the Barbar settlement to expand our territory northeast.

We defeated the monsters that stood in our way, and Rosso of the Great Lizard Tribe enjoyed a delicious feast.

Cross-referencing the map with the information from my skill 【Sma-ho!】, we should be reaching the sea any time now.

But there’s still one more monster standing in our way.

The Storm Wolf.

I tap the [Monster] button on my 【Sma-ho!】 screen.

Looks like there are about ten of them…

「Storm Wolf – Slightly strong. Yields high-quality fur.」

The pop-up displays a slightly ominous note: 「Slightly strong.」

The part about high-quality fur is a big plus.

We could make a nice profit selling it!

Before going into battle with the Storm Wolves, I go over the plan with Rosso of the Great Lizard Tribe.

「It’s a wolf-type monster, right? What do you think?」

「I fought them a bit while Gaia was resting. They’re fast. Real fast.」

I see, so 「slightly strong」 probably refers to their speed?

Rosso continues.

「But they’re not very tough. If you land a blow, it’s easy.」

So, the Storm Wolves are speed-type monsters with low durability.

That means we’ve got a good shot.

「There’s one big one. That one’s the boss of this area.」

「Got it. I’ll take it on with you, Rosso!」

「Yeah!」

The Barbar strike force under my command is made up of twenty people.

I gathered the best fighters from each tribe.

A small, elite team focused on taking out troublesome monsters.

Why a small elite force? Because we need manpower back in the villages for farming and construction.

This setup keeps our productivity intact.

Once the briefing with Rosso is done, I issue the order to the strike team.

「All right! Let’s move!」

「「「「「Yeah!」」」」」

We leave the encampment where we had pitched our tents and head into the forest.

After walking for a while, the trees thin out and we emerge into a clearing.

The ground is bare and gritty, covered sparsely with short grass.

In the center of the clearing is a pack of Storm Wolves.

Among them is one that’s clearly larger than the rest.

That must be the one Rosso mentioned!

Likely the boss.

The Storm Wolf pack is arranged in a wedge-like formation centered around their leader.

On our side, the Barbar strike force forms a crane-wing formation with me and Rosso at the center.

Our goal: total annihilation of the Storm Wolf pack.

「Advance slowly! Shield-bearers, move up with shields raised!」

At my command, the Barbar strike force begins advancing cautiously.

The shield-bearers brace their shields and exert pressure on the Storm Wolves.

「Grrrrr…」

「Owoo!」

The Storm Wolves growl.

But they’re still too far.

We’re not yet within effective range for the archers.

We continue forward.

The distance closes to under twenty meters.

「Awooooo!」

The boss Storm Wolf lets out a howl!

The entire pack charges toward us all at once.

, Fast!

The Storm Wolves close the twenty-meter gap in a blink.

「Intercept!」

The moment I shout the order, an arrow from the Elven archers takes down the lead wolf.

Another wolf crashes to the ground right after.

Jessica!

A lightning-fast double shot!

I glance her way, and Jessica flashes a feral grin.

Eight left.

They’re nearly upon us.

—Engaged!

With a thud, one Storm Wolf slams into a large shield held by a shield-bearer.

But the shield doesn’t budge an inch.

「Too soft!」

One of the shield-bearers shouts in triumph.

The repelled Storm Wolf is then skewered and slashed down by a swordsman leaping out from behind the shield.

Others try to escape, but they’re boxed in by shield-bearers and swordsmen, then driven back and finished off by arrows.

「Gaia! It’s here!」

Rosso drops his hips low and braces his massive shield.

A huge Storm Wolf appears in his line of sight.

Flanked by two others, it charges straight at me.

「Deeeei!」

Rosso collides with the advancing wolves.

The wolf on the right smashes into Rosso’s shield and is knocked back.

But in that instant, the boss and the left-side wolf dodge past him and close in on me.

「Gaia! Two incoming!」

「Leave it to me!」

I brace my longsword across my shoulders, drop my hips, and lock eyes with the boss Storm Wolf.

「Gaaa!」

The two wolves leap.

The boss is just slightly ahead.

I step in with my right foot and swing the longsword down without hesitation.

「Haa!」

From just outside their reach, the blade comes crashing down, cleaving the boss’s skull in half.

A shock like splitting firewood jolts through both my palms.

, The instant the impact hits, I let go of the longsword.

With my focus at its peak, the world slows to a crawl.

In the corner of my vision, I see the other wolf from the boss’s left lunging at my neck with its jaws wide open.

I thrust my left arm straight into its mouth.

「Guh…! Gah…!」

Poor thing chokes as my arm plugs its throat.

Its fangs sink deep into my arm, causing searing pain, but steam rises as my skill heals the wound.

With my free right hand, I draw an iron knife.

The Storm Wolf’s eyes fill with fear.

「Sorry, pal. I’m taking that pelt.」

I plunge the knife into its heart.

The beast convulses briefly, then falls still.