Treading quietly and swiftly across the undergrowth with nary a rustle, this time they are careful to avoid the crows spying on them. After all, they are clever kids that learn from mistakes. Their previous failure happened because they were tracked by the beasts. If they have to fight and eliminate the Black Wind Wolves, they want to choose their own battlefields.

No doubt the crows and bats are actively searching for them now.

To prevent another ambush, a spotter in the group will cover their surroundings with Soul Perception that they may react far ahead in time while the rest can remain in optimal fighting condition. Although with their increased cultivation, they could now keep up with the expense of keeping it on, there is never a reason to allow carelessness.

Not even five minutes later, Alan, who is on the first shift whispered a warning with a deep frown etched on his brow.

“Wolves. Not the Black Winds but another kind.”

The group were alarmed. They had burnt a fragrant grass to smoke their clothes and covered any residual scent with dirt. They were quite sure that no wolves in the forest should be able to find them now unless other party had been waiting specifically in this place, or if they had the bad luck to run into their enemies unknowingly.

The guys lowered their body and readied for combat.

Unexpectedly, the wolves did not spring on them, and instead after a soft rustling of leaves to indicate their presence, a small pack of grey-coloured wolves came out of the undergrowth to look curiously at them. These canids have a fierce intelligence in their eyes, and though they are still fearfully large, they did not emit any murderous intent.

Their appearance made the boys confused. Maybe the Black Winds not yet dominated the entire forest?

The alpha of the pack slowly and carefully approached. It headed towards Kairos, naturally picking up the alpha of the humans. Its head is lowered, but its eyes looked carefully for any aggression. As it came close, Kairos recognised there is no danger and gestured for his brothers to not make any sudden moves. He approached the wolf in the same manner as the creature did, with slow and deliberate steps, walking towards the left as the wolf came from his right. The boy and the grey wolf stopped almost the same time, confirming a silent truce.

A curious smile danced on Kairos’ lips.

Without a doubt, these wolves are here with a purpose, but there is an obvious communication barrier. Unless they reached spiritual enlightenment, beasts have no way of speaking the human language.

The alpha sniffed the air a little then turned and walked back towards where it came from. It stopped after a few steps and looked back at them.

“I think it’s telling us to follow.”

The boys looked at each other, then silently followed. When they stepped through the bushes, a different view greeted them. Albeit the entire forest seemed tainted black by the shadows, this place alone is lit by luminous green mushrooms. The dim light showed them an enchanting and otherworldly place filled with small critters and lush vegetation.

Here the darkness wasn’t invading. It was comforting and peaceful. Without realising, they soon reached a small rocky mound with a fissure opening as an entrance. The wolves looked at them again and walked in, asking them to follow. The boys could already hear the whining of young pups from outside. Just as they entered, they discovered a rather roomy cave, a home for over a hundred wolves.

A litter of wolf pups played near the entrance. The smaller ones slept silently under the watchful eyes of the adults, while the older ones yelped excitedly when they saw humans for the first time. These little ones curiously approached with fluffy round paws and tiny wet snouts, but the alpha wolf merely gazed at them and snorted, and the pups playfully ran away. The other wolves also dispersed, leaving only their leader bringing the boys deeper into the den.

The boys saw a tunnel heading in without a ray of light. They cautiously sent in their Soul Perception but found nothing alarming. Well, if traps are that easily discovered, it wouldn’t be useful.

The boys looked at each other, then Kairos said, “I’ll go in by myself. Should anything happen, I’ll leave it to you guys to save me, but I have a feeling that it would be fine.”

Once again their captain displayed that foolhardy bravado that let him waltz into uncertain grounds like the Orc Camp in the past. The guys wanted to scold him for it, but for some odd reason, it doesn’t feel so foolish when they looked at Kairos’ expressions and the wolf’s dignified bearing.

“Okay, I’m off. There’s nothing to fear, quit giving me that worrying look on your faces!”

With confident steps, he went forward with the alpha wolf by his side. There was a silent moment after they are gone when the gang hesitated a moment, then after a while, they entered behind him.

It is illogical for they would be of more help outside the cave to prepare for any uncertainties, but it simply felt right.

The guys walked through the cavern carefully following a straight path, and soon the tunnel opened into a vast underground area. As they stepped into this ‘room’, they saw Kairos waiting ahead of them with the grey wolf by his side.

“Guys, come over,” he said without turning his head.

“W…what the heck are all these?!” the five exclaimed as a mountain of white bones entered their sight as they arrived.

Kairos: “They are animal bones. The Black Wind Wolves killed all other beasts of the black forest that resisted. It seems these wolves here are the last.”

“I see the remains quite a few dangerous beasts among the bones. Look,” Edward took out the mission booklet again and opened it to a page in front of the guys, “That’s the Platinum Ape, B rank. Blood deer, C rank. Shadow Panther, B rank. Wood Golem, A rank,” as he read off the pages as he pointed at different bones.

Alan: “Seems like not just the town is in danger. These beasts must be culled, or the whole area will be devastated by their hunting.”

“Just the thing we wish to hear,” Tommy laughed. He had been holding back before since their mission was to cut down the number of beasts and not eradicate them. Because of this, they had allowed the wolves to retreat, choosing not to press a desperate foe too hard. But now it seemed that they had dealt with their opponents too lightly.

“Aisa, please ask why he led us here,” Kairos spoke softly, but all of them could hear.

The alpha jumped back suddenly when it heard a voice in its head. Then it bowed its head down reverently towards the Primordial One who is residing in Kairos’ robe pocket.

“Eminent one. I apologise for not greeting you earlier,” the beast gave a deep rumbling as it answered, “It is my intention alone to bring your master here. Please, spare the rest from thine anger, and I will serve you.”

Kairos, can I have a new pet?

“Wait… what?”

The wolfie! Hehe. Isn’t he pretty?

“You already have a large Land Wyrm!”

I have horsies too!

“Huh? When did that happen? No…wait. Don’t tell me. Ack... You converted the Dragon Horse, didn’t you?”

Yepp! I am a god after all hehe!

*Sigh*

“But… There’s no place to keep them.”

Don’t worry. They can stay wherever they like. Distances don’t really matter to me. Even now I know where horsie and his foals are~

“Hold on, what do you mean his foals? Did you made them your pets too?”

Yepp!! Theee whooole familyyy!

The boy rubbed at his temple in an attempt to ease a building headache.

“Oh, do what you want…. Why have the Grey Wolves brought us here?”

Oh right. Let me ask!

“Eminent one. I wished to show the humans of the great destruction that the Black Winds brought upon us, and I wish his aid to rid it for us.”

“And why do they know we would help?” Kairos continued questioning the alpha through the dragon’s help.

“Our pack saw your fight two suns ago. We know your pack wish to exterminate the Black Winds, and we seek to join your hunt.”

“You are wolves like them, yet your pack has not joined the Black Winds?”

“No… We are the grey clan. And just like the Black Winds, we have the same root. Descended from the moon wolves, but….”

Oh, Aisa knows the Moon wolfies~ They are cute too. Pretty with streaks of white on their fur that glows in the dark!

“Uhh... Y…yes… your Eminence. Our ancestors are a beautiful race with proud bloodlines. Unfortunately, by our generation, it has been diluted beyond recognition. Our clan seeks to one day become Moon wolves again. And it is a path only reachable by cultivating harmony with nature. However, the Black Winds do not share our opinions. They have no wish to return to their roots, but hope to become something else… In their twisted quest, they subjugate all that is within the forest and attempt to become lords.”

Kairos: “It looks like they are succeeding.”

The alpha wolf shook its proud head slightly in dismay, “This wouldn’t happen while the Orcs were here. The Black Winds dared not hunt beyond their territory, but now they are unrestrained. The Grey pack worships wisdom, we will never be able to co-exist with our cousins of the Black Wind pack that only seeks power. Eventually, we left them and hid here where it’s safe from their reaches.”

“Aisa, tell them, we shall accept their aid, and it is much appreciated.”

“Captain, is it alright? I’ve heard that wolf beasts are traitorous beings,” Alan asked with concern

“Much less than humans are. And if they wanted to attack us, they wouldn’t wait till now.”

Edward: “What if they attack after we helped defeat the Black Wind Wolves?”

Tommy: “Then we can have a good fight!”

Alan: “Though I also like a challenge, it is probably impossible. That level of intelligence will need enlightenment, don’t worry!”

“It seems that the human pack have decided, then we must hunt their king. Only when it has fallen, the alphas will scatter. We thank you human, and wants to share a secret with you.”

Kairos: “Secret?”

The wolf chirped, “Yes… The Black Winds leader have a powerful treasure, and it is what emboldened them.”

“What kind of treasure is that?”

“It reeks of the light that splits the sky.”

“Lightning?”

“Lightning? I am uncertain of the things human names. I speak of the fire that flashes in the sky.”

Kairos thought for a while and nodded, “That’s lightning for certain. If it’s a treasure the entire wolf pack is protecting, then it must be something that could strengthen their entire species.”

This time, with the Grey Wolves guiding them, the boys ventured deep into the woods without being detected. These canids have an almost identical scent with the Black Winds and could move about freely in the forest.

Along the way, Kairos took the opportunity to talk to the alpha, “Do you know of a boy in the forest two months ago?”

“Munnns? What is that?”

“About two moons.”

“Yes… yes… I recall. A small human, surrounded by many larger ones, and a great battle with blood everywhere.”

The boys drew a sharp breath.

Jones had indeed come this way.