Chapter 50: The Leader of the Pack

‘Rona isn’t actually a cultist.’ The moment this possibility surfaced in Xiluo’er’s mind, it felt as though her small head might explode.

In the plot, Rona was indeed a cultist, that much was true. Yet, even in this life-threatening situation, why was she still… reciting a knight’s oath?

Surely, she couldn’t still be maintaining her facade at a moment like this?

Stop pretending! Keep it up, and you’ll die here!

Just then, however, Xiluo’er suddenly noticed something amiss with the horde of demonic beasts before them.

It was as if the knight’s oath Rona was reciting was some terrifying spell. One by one, then two, three, four…

The demonic beasts began to flee the forest in a panic. Eventually, large numbers of them broke free from the encirclement and scattered.

This sudden turn of events left Xiluo’er dumbfounded. Could Rona’s knight’s oath actually have driven these creatures away?

No, that couldn’t be right. Perhaps Rona had employed some subtle method to scare off these beasts, and her recited oath was merely a distraction to mislead her!

Xiluo’er quickly observed Rona. The latter had stopped reciting the knight’s oath and now stood there, sword raised, looking utterly bewildered.

‘Huh? It doesn’t seem like she’s faking it. Rona doesn’t know why these demonic beasts ran either? Why then…’

Xiluo’er scanned the demonic beast horde before them. She suddenly realized that only the other beasts had fled, while a large number of carrion wolves remained rooted to the spot.

At the same time, a deafening roar echoed through the air. A figure appeared before Xiluo’er and Rona with incredible speed.

Xiluo’er finally understood. Those demonic beasts hadn’t been driven away by Rona; they had been frightened off by something else!

The creature that had just appeared was also a carrion wolf!

However, unlike the other scrawny carrion wolves, this newcomer was exceptionally robust, a giant wolf standing approximately two to three meters tall.

Its massive body exuded a distinct scent of blood and decay. Its cloudy wolf eyes were fixed intently on the two humans before it.

This was the leader of the carrion wolves!

In that moment, Xiluo’er also grew tense.

The numerous demonic beasts that had appeared earlier were at least within her plans. But this carrion wolf was not!

Carrion wolves were indeed pack animals. Usually, only one leader would emerge among dozens of them. This ‘leader’ didn’t just signify status; a carrion wolf leader was far more powerful than its kin and, as a demonic beast, had reached the point where it could employ its internal magical power in battle!

Xiluo’er had considered the possibility that the Rotting Glow Grass powder might attract too many carrion wolves. However… she could only say that in the game, the probability of carrion wolves spawning in the wilderness forest of Kana City was already low, let alone a leader…

But Xiluo’er quickly recalled Eve’s conversation with the City Lord two days prior. This period was indeed a time of war among the Southern Kingdoms, which happened to be the habitat of carrion wolves. If the war had encroached upon the carrion wolves’ dwelling places, and a group, led by a leader, happened to migrate towards Kana City…

Xiluo’er suppressed the urge to slap herself on the forehead, letting out a soft sigh.

In a way, she supposed she was quite lucky. Considering the probability of a carrion wolf leader spawning in this forest, she could have used that luck to pull a gacha instead.

However, Xiluo’er now understood a crucial truth: game knowledge wasn’t omnipotent. She was now in reality, and reality held far more unforeseen variables than cold, hard game data!

Even so, understanding this principle now was useless. She first needed to survive to apply it!

The carrion wolf leader did not immediately attack, but Xiluo’er could tell from the unrestrained magical power emanating from its body that she stood no chance against it.

‘Should I… just reveal my identity to Rona? We could take down the carrion wolf leader together first?’

Xiluo’er knew that hiding her strength would undoubtedly lead to defeat against this wolf. If they joined forces and fought with all their might, there might be a glimmer of hope.

Yet, before Xiluo’er could make up her mind, Rona spoke first.

“In a moment, I’ll go up and hold it off. Xiluo’er, you turn around and run. Understand?”

Rona’s voice seemed to carry a slight tremor, a natural reaction when facing a creature many times stronger than oneself. But even so, Rona did not retreat a single step.

“Sister Rona, you…”

Xiluo’er froze. Rona had her back to her, preventing her from seeing Rona’s expression. But, but at a time like this, what need was there for Rona to maintain her disguise?

If she kept pretending, her life would truly be lost!

‘Could it be that Rona really isn’t a cultist…’

Xiluo’er hadn’t yet fully grasped the question when another change occurred before her eyes.

“Rona, Xiluo’er, get back!”

A shout erupted in the forest. A figure burst forth from the trees, and the magical power condensed on their knight’s sword slashed towards the carrion wolf.

Reinforcements!

Xiluo’er’s heart swelled with joy. At least she wouldn’t have to consider exposing her identity and cooperating with Rona.

The newcomer was the stern-faced City Lord Serol, which somewhat surprised Xiluo’er.

However, if it was the City Lord, then there shouldn’t be any problem, right?

Xiluo’er recalled the gossip Irene had shared with her: City Lord Serol had earned the title ‘Butcher of Men’ during the civil war. Facing a carrion wolf leader like this should be no issue for them.

Serol’s actions further reassured Xiluo’er. Raising their sword, condensing magic, slashing. Serol’s movements were fluid and seamless, even integrating magical attacks into their swordsmanship. Truly worthy of someone who had once fought on the battlefield.

On the other side, the attacked carrion wolf leader no longer remained idle. After an angry roar, the carrion wolf leader charged at Serol. Its massive size did not hinder it; on the contrary, the carrion wolf leader was incredibly fast, even creating whistling winds as it rapidly advanced.

However, Serol did not retreat a single step. Their heavy knight’s sword met the sharp giant claws head-on.

This was the first time Xiluo’er had seen Serol fight. It had to be said, a legendary knight was indeed a legendary knight. Serol faced the much larger carrion wolf without falling behind in the slightest.

‘Speaking of which, if Serol is so strong, then how was she killed by Rona? Did Rona strike when Serol wasn’t paying attention?’

Xiluo’er, observing from the sidelines, failed to notice that after exchanging several powerful blows with the carrion wolf, beads of sweat had already appeared on Serol’s forehead.

‘Knight’s sword parry and counter-attack, beautiful! Highly effective! The carrion wolf leader is enraged; it used its Tail Whip skill! But Serol can definitely dodge it. Here, Serol faces the attack… and was sent flying?’

Xiluo’er, who had already relaxed, preparing to watch the show, was dumbfounded by this scene.