Wolf's Den [3]

The werewolf had entered the second phase, using the Skill [Bloodlust] in order to massively improve its physical attributes. Seeing his veins threatening to explode because of how hard it flexed its muscles, I steadied myself in preparation for the attack that was about to come.

*GRRRR! Don!*

A powerful shockwave burst out from its hind legs as it lunged forward, its right hand ready to claim the life of sub-me. This was where I had to somehow make a decision. Fight or flight, to either use [Swap] or press the button we were given to call for help, or recall Matt and use my all to bring the boss down.

However, even in this life-threatening situation, I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I felt my heartbeat speed up. Could I really call myself a Trickster if I didn't use all the tricks up my sleeves?

"[Dome of Mist]!" The familiar cloud appeared around us once more, as I had just withdrawn sub-me right before I would get mauled by the huge claws aiming to rip my head off. Knowing that the werewolf wouldn't just stand still, I quickly activated the [Ring of Ascension] that I got from the fat rat, not caring about just how wasteful it truly was.

****

[Sophie's Pov]

We had arrived in front of the boss's cave pretty quickly, as the wolves who stood in our way didn't stand much of a chance against us. Not only because I was strong, but because the wolves couldn't risk letting me move around freely, as it would lead to their deaths.

So while the wolves had to focus their attention on me, the rest of my party could easily get into optimal positions to launch their attacks. Bellatrix using her ultra-long range, as her specialty while using the bow was sniping from afar, while Adam could get to their backs and inflict critical attacks with his daggers.

Also, we had John who... I'm not sure. I think he was sending out some wind blades every now and then.

Eating the last bit of yet another power bar, I turned to my party, making sure we talked through the plans we would go with when fighting against the boss. After spending the last four hours continuously fighting together, the mood had gotten quite a bit more amicable, though Bellatrix still acted like an angry child at times.

"Adam, do you want us to bait him out of the cave first? I'm guessing you need to free up your moment."

Nodding his head, Adam confirmed my inquiry, "That would be good. I don't know if I could get to his back in the cave. However, this means that the boss will also be able to move a lot more freely, do you still think you can keep its attention? Your body is already hurt, after all."

It was true. My large body hadn't gone unscathed from our battles, and although the injuries had been minor, they had slowly been building up throughout our dive. Still, this was nothing compared to when I had fought Sebastian or the Monastery boss. So even though my own blood was scattered across my body, I was fine to keep on fighting.

Letting out a gentle smile to show him that I was fine, I urged my party on to start the fight, "It's fine. So, are you all ready? Bella, please start by baiting him out with an arrow. While he is running toward us, I want you and John to launch as many attacks as possible before I engage."

"Tsk! Fine... But don't forget that it's only for this dive! As soon as we get out of here, I'm not going to listen to your stupid orders!"

Bellatrix just couldn't accept that a commoner took command, even though the society of Mensch had gotten a lot more meritocratic during the last 50 years. After all, just because one was born into a noble house didn't automatically make them an elite.

"Haaa... Sure. Let's just finish this then so we can get out of here."

Looking at the brat, I couldn't help but let out a sigh. Still, it was a pretty good improvement that she didn't actively try to hinder me from leading the group at the expense of the party.

****

[Sarah's Pov]

"Where is the boss? Shouldn't he be here?"

Something weird had, indeed, happened. Having arrived at the cave where the werewolf should be located, we had instead been met by a completely empty cavern with no boss in sight.

To my question, Sebastian just shook his head, "I have no idea. The one thing I know is that he isn't here. That means that he must have left and entered the forest."

The athletic body of his started to move quickly, while still making sure not to waste energy by running and also making sure I could keep up. At the same time, I could feel a seed of panic growing inside of my stomach.

"But James is alone in the forest! What if the boss for some reason attacks him?!"

Flinching for but a second at my sudden yelling, Sebastian stopped in his tracks, making sure to calm me down before we continued. It would be a huge detriment if the healer of the group wasn't mentally stable when fighting, after all.

"Sarah, it's fine. Even if he was stupid from the start by going out alone, he still has the means to contact Ms. Turner if the boss arrives. Also, as I already said, he made the choice by himself. You seem to believe that he is pretty strong, wouldn't that mean that he should have some tools that could save him if needed? Now, get your head back into the game, we are still in a dungeon!"

Although I understood that he tried to calm me down, the frustration he felt that James had gone on his own shone through his words, even if he tried to repress it. However, he was right. If nothing absurd happened, James would surely just call for help. After all, what kind of person would try to kill a boss of the same rank as oneself?

Granted, the higher rank of a boss, the bigger the disparity from a normal hunter, but that didn't mean that even lower rank bosses weren't a lot stronger than hunters. It was a question of; If an [E]-rank boss might need between three and five hunters to bring down, an [A]-rank boss might need up to fifteen or twenty people.

Lowering my head, I was forced to accept our leader's reasonable words, "Okay... I understand. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

The few weeks I had spent in the academy had led me to act in ways unbecoming for a princess more times than I could count, and I knew that most of these situations had been created by my fascination with James.

It wasn't love, that I was sure of, but it wasn't as simple as wanting to become his friend either. That was evident by the fact that when night arrived, his face would emerge in my mind, and my thighs would start heating up as an itch in my lower regions grew...

I might be inexperienced in the ways of romance, but there was no way I didn't know what those signs meant, even if they were unbecoming for a princess.

While we continued making our way back into the forest, it was still hard to keep my emotions in check, as a nagging feeling of worry couldn't leave my mind.

*BOOOM!!!*

And as if to confirm my feelings, a huge mushroom cloud appeared between the trees, complementing the huge explosion that had just gone off.

Turning his head back to us, Sebastian spoke quickly, "Let's hurry up, James might be in trouble."

This time, we ran with all our might, although for different reasons. 'Please be safe!'

****

[James's Pov]

'So how does this thing work...?'

I had already activated the ring, making it disintegrate as its ability took effect. However, there was no way for me to practice it beforehand, thus I had to speedily try and get a feel for it.

*AWOOO!*

Naturally, the boss wouldn't let me, howling away the mist that surrounded us and lunging towards me with extreme speed. 'Fuck!'

*Bam!*

"Gah!" Even though I managed to raise my scythe and defend against his swipe, my body still flew through the air, unable to withstand the power even though I tried my best to redirect the force, which only served as to make sure I dropped my weapon.

'Cmon! How does this shit work?! FUCK!'

Before I could collect myself, the wolf was upon me, ready to tear my head off with his huge, ebony claws. Curling my body, I made sure to not instantly die. *Bam!* "Urgh!"

Once more, my body went tumbling, pain surging through my body as I felt an intense heat building up in my back. And right there, something clicked. As if my mind automatically learned how to use the effect from the ring.

"[Dome of Mist]!"

*Grro?*

My safe space once again came out, leaving me with dangerously low amounts of mana, but I didn't care. I only needed one shot after all, as long as the werewolf would run into it, following his instincts to get rid of his injured enemy.

Luckily for me, he did. He entered the mist in sync with me crawling out of it, hidden from his eyes as I was on the other side.

'Eat this, you fucking dog! [Detonate]!'

*BOOOM!!!*