“Sir Wolf.”

“I’ve said this countless times for everyone to just refer to me as Wolf... Sigh, whatever. Anyways yes, what is it?”

“Er..General Ava has asked us to get you. Apparently General Vedious has requested your presence.”

“I see…”

“Tell me, what is your name?”

“S-sir?”

“Your name. I’d like to know what it is. It’s been over two years now and I’ve yet to learn many names.”

“Ah-yes! It’s Kaine. Kaine Helst s-sir Wolf.. sir.”

“Tell me Kaine, are you afraid of me? I do not see a reason for you to trip over your words otherwise.”

“N-No. No sir!”

“I see. Well I best get going. I don’t want to make General Vedious wait any longer.”

As The Wolf walked away, Kaines knees gave out. Below him, the dirt was dampened from the drops of sweat.

How was it possible? For such a thing to be so terrifying despite having no pressure at all.

“Despite the amount of pressure he releases when he fights in the dungeon… to have no traces of it here and now...”

When The Wolf would fight within the dungeon, the weak soldiers would have to stay in the back otherwise the wave of pressure constantly released from him caused those who weren’t strong enough to become extremely nauseous.

“May the God Vahn be with us all.”

——-

Walking through the encampment, Wolf changed the entire atmosphere. With every step he took, multiple heads would turn towards his way. Respect, fear, hate, jealousy, envy, admiration. Each person felt something different.

As he approached Vedious’ tent, only two of the generals, Ava and Melv stood outside. Ava then stuck her head by the tent opening. It seems as though she was calling for Vedious.

Vedious stepped out of the tent. Immediately all the soldiers went down to kneel. Despite only being the General of the Army, he was treated as if he were a king himself within the military. He glanced around taking in the view of his surrounding. His eyes eventually making contact with The Wolf.

“Thank you for coming so quickly. Though I know you have done much for this kingdom and the continent of El as a whole, I still must ask you of a favor.”

Word had already gone out to the troops earlier. Thus they all knew what this talk would be about. It was easily seen as the tension in the air grew so thick, those without enough courage would find it difficult to even move.

The Wolf looked around. Noticing the complete change in the faces, which were now dead stiff, of the troops.

(Even after everything I have done…)

“Thanks is not needed General Vedious. It’s only natural for me to come as soon as possible when requested by you.”

Perfectly calm. The Wolf bowed slightly towards Vedious and spoke with a straight face.

“Pleasantries are not needed at this time. You’ve helped us in clearing the final dungeon. Something over ten generations of warriors could not do. Again, we cannot thank you enough.”

Despite all those grateful words, not a single trace of gratefulness could be seen on Vedious’ face.

“Again, though thanks is not needed, I will graciously accept your words of gratitude. If I may ask, was the purpose of calling me only to thank me?”

No movement. No sound. As if everyone around them were holding their breath.

Seconds? Minutes? How much time had gone by after the question was asked and yet silence continued to fill the air.

Or so it felt.

Yet not even a few seconds went by when Vedious opened his mouth to speak.

“Will you not reconsider joining Yvnahal Kingdom and working for his majesty the King?”

If the previous pause felt like minutes, this felt like hours.

10 seconds. 20 seconds. A minute goes by. Finally, The Wolf begins to speak.

“I’ve said it countless times before, though it’s an honor to be asked to hold one of the highest positions, I must decline.”

“May I ask what your reasoning behind this decision is?”

“It is but a personal matter. Though, there are no reasons for me to hide it…”

The Wolf was thinking for a moment.

“I suppose it wouldn’t matter to say it. I have reason to believe the Lords will return.”

Whispering started traveling throughout the troops. The Lords will return? Impossible. They cleared every dungeon. There has never been the case where the Lords returned. Is this man actually just crazy?

Vedious’ eyebrows twitched.

(What was this man saying? Is he just trying to make an excuse to get out of being a target? )

“And what reason could make you believe such a thing?”

“It’s just a gut feeling.”

Unbelievable.

Vedious’ calm face broke. Showing an emotion as clear as day. Irritation.

(Gut feeling? Gut feeling!?! This guy is crazy! He knows what would happen if he declined this invitation to serve the Kingdom and he chooses to be an enemy over a gut feeling!?)

Vedious’ face twisted. He was losing his temper.

Ava and Melv felt chills down their spine. The look on Vedious’ face was too clear. Much too clear. But what could they do?

Though they stood with straight faces, trying their best to be calm in the situation. Quietly, they were praying that they would not be caught up in the storm about to form.

Vedious was able to form words.

“Unfortunately I cannot accept that as an answer. We have been ordered by the King that if you do not agree to come with us, you will be arrested and taken prison.”

“Oh? And if I refuse to be arrested?”

“We will fight.”

As soon as Vedious finished his sentence, it began.

“[Paralyze]!”

Melv raised his right hand towards The Wolf. Casting a tier 4 spell instantly, the ring on his thumb turned to dust.

“Hup!”

Not wasting a single moment, Vedious swings his sword diagonally towards his target.

With [Paralyze] in effect, even less than a second was enough time to get a sure hit causing a mortal wound on any normal person. And the person swinging this sword was Vedious.

One could only pray that the wound would be mortal. But that would never happen. It would be instant death.

Blood sprayed coloring the dirt red. No one moved.

A body fell to his knees. Then after a short moment, completely fell to the ground face down.

That is, if it were still attached to the body.

“Impossible…”

Melv could only mouth the word as nothing came out. [Paralyze]. Though the effects depended on the targets magic resistance, even the Lords within the dungeon would be unable to move for a few seconds. Yet…

(Was he even affected?)

“VEDIOUUUSSSS!!!”

General Ava started screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Heee? You know, I was even considering going with you guys as a prisoner. Weren’t we only fighting if I wouldn’t come with you?”

The mask of The Wolf had blood splattered across it, giving the pitch black wolf mask a crimson glow. With the unique symbol between the eyes of the mask of a red moon blocking the sun, the image of blood running down it’s cheeks gave the feeling as though this is how the mask should have looked.

“It’s too late but let me give you all another lesson when in a fight.”

A wave of pressure that shook the cliffs around them exploded from The Wolf’s body.

“Don’t hesitate.”