More than twenty black wolf carcasses lay scattered across the road. I was certain they belonged to the pack of night hunters. Yet, they shouldn't have reached the western region this soon. What on earth had happened?
"It looks like they were all killed a few hours ago," Liam said while examining one of the wolf carcasses.
Eve turned to me and asked, "Were the wolves you killed like these?"
"That's right."
There must have been some other factor driving them to rush toward the western region. Was it because of last night? Those wolves had fled after feeling the effects of the title I'd obtained from the system.
"They're blocking our path, damn it. Who killed these wolves right here on the road...?!" Lei shouted in frustration, stomping on one of the dead wolves.
"It can't be helped. We'll have to abandon the carriage," Eve said, then looked at me and smiled. "Kim, don't worry. You can ride with me."
"I'm fine. I think we should hurry."
"Let's go." Liam quickly approached his horse and mounted it, and Lei did the same.
Eve helped me mount the horse slowly before climbing up behind me. This was my first time riding a horse, it felt incredibly strange and uncomfortable.
"Don't fall off," Lei teased with a smirk before riding away.
Damn it...! Someday, I'm going to make him fall off his horse. I'll make sure of it.
"Just relax." Eve pulled the reins, and the horse slowly began to move.
My body tensed up a bit as I tried to maintain my balance. Even though it felt strange, it was actually quite fun.
Our journey to the village in the western region didn't take long. The first thing we saw upon arrival was devastation. Many of the villagers' shacks lay in ruins, and people were rushing back and forth.
We dismounted and walked, observing our surroundings. Something was amiss, this village should have been safe.
"It looks like those wolves attacked the settlement," Liam said suddenly.
His words made sense. It stood to reason that the remnants of the pack we had fought the previous night had fled in terror. The attack on the village, which wasn't expected for another two days was happening now instead.
This was unexpected. Damn it, I'd been careless.
Liam tethered his horse beside a shack that was still intact, then approached a villager who appeared to be in a hurry.
"Excuse me, what happened here?"
"Our village was attacked by a pack of wolves," she replied, her voice trembling. "Many villagers are injured and are being treated."
"Where are they?" Eve asked.
"In the emergency tent. We're running low on medical supplies. The aid from the Baron hasn't arrived yet, either." The girl picked up a worn basin filled with medicinal herbs. "I have to go."
She sprinted away, leaving us behind.
"What do we do now?" Lei asked irritably.
"We have to help them." Liam grabbed a large bag hanging from his horse's side. "I'm going to the emergency tent. Eve, keep watch outside. Alert us immediately if there's any danger."
Eve nodded. "Got it," she said, then darted off quickly.
"Lei, come with me."
Lei sighed. "Alright."
"And Kim..." Liam looked at me. He seemed hesitant to give me an order.
"There's something I want to check. You guys can go ahead without me."
Liam smiled. "Alright. Take care of yourself."
I smiled back. "Okay."
"Captain, are you seriously going to leave her alone?" Lei eyed me suspiciously. "She might be secretly rigging a bomb."
Seriously, I really wanted to punch him in the face. I struggled to keep my expression neutral.
"Stop talking nonsense. Come with me." Liam pulled up his hood and walked away.
Lei stumbled backward as Liam dragged him along. He kept glaring at me suspiciously, then he held up two fingers, pointed at his own eyes, and then pointed them at me.
I knew what that gesture meant—a quick signal saying, I'm watching you.
I returned it with a friendly smile, then raised my hand and gave him the middle finger. I didn't know if he understood my meaning or not, but even from a distance, I could see his annoyed expression.
...
...
I entered a wooded area quite close to the village, and just as I expected, there were more wolf carcasses here.
"You're late."
Startled, I spun around only to be surprised all over again to find Kael standing there, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest. Kael looked a hundred times more handsome in that pose.
Oh my god, my heart! Hang in there!
My steps felt heavy as I walked toward him. I stopped five meters away. Any closer, and my heart wouldn't be able to handle the strain.
"The wolf that escaped last night attacked the residential area."
I shifted my gaze to the wolf carcasses lying on the ground. "You're right. Is that why you left so abruptly last night?"
"Yes. But I was too late."
I instinctively turned to look at him. He was staring at the ruined homes. His expression remained unreadable as ever, yet I could sense the guilt he was feeling.
"Good job." My simple words took him by surprise. "You did an amazing job. What happened to them wasn't your fault."
Kael fell silent and lowered his head slightly.
[Kael's trust in you has increased by 2%]
...!
Just a few words were enough to increase his trust in me? That's strange.
"We need to prepare for tonight. That pack of wolves will return to attack the village."
Kael started in surprise and turned to look at me. "It's not over yet?"
"No, they'll be back tonight."
The attack on the western region had happened ahead of schedule. That meant the second wave would arrive tonight.
"Sometimes I think you're a fortune-teller." Kael moved from his spot and started walking toward the residential area.
I fell into step beside him. "Because I can foresee the future?"
"That's one reason."
I chuckled softly. "My existence is truly special. You should be grateful I'm here to help you."
Kael stopped abruptly, glaring at me while gripping the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it. "I don't need that."
My smile vanished, replaced by a sense of fear. Can't you be a little gentler? My heart was soft as jelly, could shatter at any moment from your cutting words...!
I fell back in step beside Kael, though this time I kept a bit of distance between us.
"You aren't allowed to join the raid tonight."
His words took me by surprise. "What do you mean? Why?"
Kael sighed in annoyance. "You're noisy. Just do as I say."
I stepped in front of him and walked backward. "Why? What if something unexpected happens? You need information from me, right?"
"Then tell me right now."
"I can't just do that."
"So, are you going to keep pushing yourself to fight until you pass out?" Kael fixed a sharp, cold stare on me.
But it was his words that made me stop in my tracks. It sounded like he was worried about me, but that couldn't be right, could it?
"I promise I won't pass out again!"
Kael ignored me and kept walking, forcing me to run to catch up.
"Come on, I won't move around too much."
He continued to ignore me. A moment later, he suddenly extended his arm to the side, shielding me from someone who had appeared abruptly in front of us.
"Eve?"
Eve was gasping for air, looking utterly exhausted. What had happened to her?
"It's bad..." Eve struggled to steady her breathing. "There are dozens of wolves... heading this way."
My eyes widened in shock.
"I've already told the Captain and Lei. They're on their way."
No way. What was actually happening? A wolf attack in broad daylight? That was impossible. They were nocturnal hunters that only moved at night.
A system notification suddenly appeared before me.
+
[Hidden Quest Arrived!]
Objective: Eliminate all threatening enemies
Reward: 7,000 gold
Penalty: ???
+
Kael immediately spun around and drew his sword. "Sooner than expected, huh?"
Eve drew both of her daggers. "Kim, stay here."
I could hear the sound of hurried footsteps. They must be the wolves that were supposed to show up later tonight. I was certain there was another factor causing them to appear this early.
Should I do it now?