"All right, everyone. Let's go," Amelia declared, striding forward with confidence. The others followed eagerly, stepping into the looming dungeon without hesitation.
I trailed after them, offering a brief signal to the instructor stationed at the gate. He acknowledged me with a nod, though a faint, bitter smile tugged at his lips—as if he already understood the role I was destined to play in this team.
As I crossed the gate, the world shifted around me, unfolding into a vast expanse of wilderness. Towering trees stretched skyward, their canopies weaving together to cast shifting patterns of light across the ground. The air was rich with the scent of damp earth and fresh foliage, while the faint chorus of birdsong echoed in the distance, lending the illusion of a serene, untouched forest.
The field was awash in gentle sunlight, its rays filtering through the canopy to paint shifting patterns across the ground. At first glance, the scene radiated serenity, almost inviting one to lower their guard. But I knew better. This was still a dungeon—beneath its tranquil beauty lay hidden perils, waiting for the careless to falter.
The creatures here might have been forged by the academy, but that did not make them any less formidable.
DING
A sharp chime rang in my ears.
'The coordinates,' I thought, glancing down at my smartwatch to confirm.
"The target's location has been marked," Amelia declared, eyes gleaming as she read her own watch.
"Our prey is a Rank 3 beast—the Tempest Howler," she announced, her tone brimming with anticipation. The thrill of combat lit up her expression; Amelia was someone who craved the clash of battle, and this was exactly the kind of challenge she wanted.
"Its den lies deeper in the forest, past the clearing," she continued, pointing decisively toward the dense treeline.
"Let's move out. I'll enjoy burning it alive." Her voice carried a cruel excitement, fire dancing in her words.
With a proud tone, Amelia declared their plan and marched toward the coordinates.
SWOOSH
In an instant, she dashed ahead, her fiery hair streaming behind her as the others hurried to match her pace.
"Alex, you'll take the frontline against the wolf," she instructed with sharp confidence. "Layla, your task is to keep its movements in check—pin it down with your arrows. Tempest Howler's are known to be herd-type monsters, so they will probably call reinforcements, or they may not even be alone. But, if it calls other monsters, this is better for us since I can deal with all of them at once."
They conversed as they ran toward the coordinates, their pace swift yet not beyond my ability to follow. Fortunately, I had already strengthened my body; otherwise, keeping up with them would have been a real struggle.
"Tempest Howler, huh?"
I knew this monster from the game—a wolf that had evolved with the surge of mana, gaining command over wind. Classified as a Rank 3 creature, it wasn't the most dangerous out there, but still nothing to underestimate.
Rankings themselves weren't complicated. A Rank 3 monster, in theory, meant that someone with average stats around thirty could defeat it in a one-on-one fight. In theory. Reality, however, was far less forgiving. Facing a monster of equal rank alone was rarely advised, especially when the creature happened to be a herd-type.
In the game, the Tempest Howler would summon its lesser kin—Rank 2 wolves that were weaker individually but overwhelming in numbers. Fast, agile, and relentless, these packs were some of the most irritating enemies to encounter. Without proper crowd control, they could turn even a simple fight into a nightmare.
'In any case, I'll just watch. This is a good chance to see one of the academy's strongest—and a main figure in the story—fight firsthand. Let's see exactly how strong they really are.'
With that thought, I deliberately slowed my pace, keeping just behind the others. Let them go and fight first.
As I moved through the sprawling forest, my senses stayed sharp, scanning both the terrain and the faint traces left behind. The ground was soft with soil and layered in fallen leaves, yet I could still make out the shallow imprints of pawprints pressed into the earth. By their depth and subtle variations, I estimated there were at least ten wolves—and one significantly larger beast. The deeper, heavier mark could only belong to a boss.
This is their territory.
My suspicion was confirmed as I came upon a grove where claw marks scarred the tree trunks, signs that this was indeed the monsters' den.
CLANK. CLANK.
*BOOM* *BOOM* *CLANK*
The distant sounds of combat began to drift through the forest. The clash of steel, the guttural growls of wolves, and the sharp whoosh of air stirred by blades and arrows. The pressure of battle grew heavier with each step, wrapping around me like an unseen weight. Before long, I caught sight of their traces—clear signs that the fight was underway.
I activated Void Eyes, and my vision sharpened instantly, allowing me to pick up even the slightest movement through the dense foliage.
Through the thick foliage, I spotted a blur of red hair— I knew it was Amelia. She was moving with incredible speed, dodging and attacking with precision.
'As expected… She assumed the wolf wouldn't detect her and made the first move'. The scorched trees around the clearing were evidence enough—Amelia had attacked recklessly, just as her nature dictated.
Further back, Layla stood at a safe distance, loosing arrows with sharp precision, her shots aimed to restrict the wolf's movements. Meanwhile, Alex anchored the frontline, bracing himself with his massive axe as he shielded the others.
And then, amidst the clash of steel, flames, and arrows, my gaze fell upon the Tempest Howler. A creature of raw, untamed grace, its form radiated power with every motion. It looked almost majestic—yet I knew better. I had seen too many creatures that cloaked their savagery beneath an awe-inspiring exterior. The Bloodhound I once faced was proof of that. Majestic in form, monstrous in truth.
The wolf's silver fur shimmered beneath the sunlight as it moved with predatory grace, every motion sharp and deliberate. Its large, glowing yellow eyes burned with primal ferocity as they locked onto its prey.
Around it, the Lesser Tempest Howlers circled their alpha like shadows, snarling and snapping as they lunged at any opening. Layla and Alex clashed against them, their strikes holding the wolves at bay. Their teamwork was far from perfect—hesitant and unpolished—but at the very least, they tried to synchronize their defenses and counterattacks.
'Anyway, Layla and Alex will deal with the Lesser Wolves. let's watch the main fight.' I thought, turning my attention to the Amelia.
Amelia's battle with the Tempest Howler was nothing short of a fiery dance against the wind. She moved with blistering speed, her crimson hair flaring behind her like a living blaze as she weaved through the wolf's attacks. Her enchanted boots amplified her movements, granting a swiftness uncharacteristic of a mage.
"This is too much fun!" she cried, grinning wildly as flames roared to life at her fingertips.
With a sweep of her arm, she unleashed a torrent of fire, scorching the air and painting streaks of crimson heat across the battlefield. The wolf countered with violent gusts of wind, its elemental power clashing against hers, yet Amelia slipped past each assault as if the storm itself bent to her rhythm.
Her mana control was astonishing. She channeled it with near-professional precision, consuming every ounce of power as if devouring mana itself. Though a fraction still spilled away, it was negligible—especially for a freshman cadet. Her potential was undeniable.
The clash grew fiercer with every passing second. And through it all, I caught the unmistakable glimmer in her eyes—a joy only found in battle. There was no fear, no hesitation, only exhilaration. She wasn't just a student testing her strength; she was a hunter born for this very moment.
As I focused on Amelia's fiery duel, a prickle of awareness crawled up my spine. Several hostile presences closed in. Four… no, five.
When I turned, I found myself surrounded—five Lesser Tempest Howlers, their yellow eyes gleaming with hunger as they slowly circled me.
"Tch… Guess I got a little too absorbed in watching their fight," I muttered, tightening my grip on the hilt of my katana. "No matter. Five lesser wolves… this will be easy."
The pack lunged in unison, snarling with fangs bared.
I breathed in, steadying my stance. Sword Mastery—activate.
My body moved instinctively, blade flashing with precision. The first wolf darted in, but a clean horizontal slash cut through its momentum, sending it crashing lifeless to the ground. Another leapt from behind, but with a quick Dash, I slipped past its attack and answered with a swift upward strike that split it apart.
The remaining three closed the gap, howls echoing through the forest. My eyes sharpened. Mana coursed into my blade.
"Moon Slash."
A crescent arc of sword energy carved through the air, cleaving two wolves mid-charge. The last survivor hesitated for a heartbeat, but that pause sealed its fate. I stepped in and ended it with a clean thrust through its chest.
Silence fell once more, broken only by the distant roar of Amelia's battle. I exhaled slowly, wiping the blood from my blade.
"Too easy."