Chapter 24 - More EXP

Fighting humanoid monsters was quite an interesting experience. Still, Zack decided to fight the stupid ones again, the ones that wouldn't fear him no matter what. He also had to go to a guild that he hadn't been to before to check if they truly shared information among themselves… and there was only one guild left in the city.

"They have the worst reputation in the city, so I really didn't want to go there, but…" Zack thought, and then he recalled the territories to which they had access. "Yeah, I don't have any other option."

The Metal Warriors Guild was a unique gathering of individuals, a motley crew of troublemakers and outcasts who had been shunned or banished from other, more reputable guilds. Led by a guild master who didn't deny anyone entry, they were known for being a ragtag, unruly bunch.

They were known for their wild behavior and unconventional methods, often causing trouble wherever they went. Despite this, they were fiercely loyal to each other and always had each other's backs in times of need.

The guild's territories were situated in some of the province's most dangerous and unforgiving regions. These areas were home to dangerous creatures such as dire wolves, giant snakes, and sand golems, making them ideal hunting grounds for the Metal Warriors Guild members.

"I guess I will face the dire wolves… I have the clothes for cold, after all," Zack thought when he could see the guild in the distance. "They can smell me, too, so finding them should be easier."

The Metal Warriors Guild headquarters was basically an old building that once served as some sort of facility in the Old World. Considering the tall walls and the metal spikes at the top of them, as well as the watchtowers in the corners, Zack imagined that once it had been a prison. He was starting to have a really bad feeling about the place.

The feeling got worse when he entered the building and saw a bunch of the members there glaring at him like they had a throbbing pain in some part of their bodies… they truly looked pissed.

"I would dare say that they need to improve their social skills," Zack thought.

"... What?" The guild receptionist asked.

The receptionist also needed to work on his social skills. This one looked even more troublesome than the glasses guy. He had his legs resting on the balcony of the guild hall and his head resting behind it, with his hands enthralled behind them. He was pretty buffed, though, so he probably knew how to fight, too. He was probably there to stop some fights if they happened.

"I want to use the dire wolf's territory," Zack declared.

"... That will be ten thousand credits," 

… That was expensive. As far as Zack knew, the dire wolves should only be a few levels above the goblins. The receptionist took a look to analyze Zack from head to toe and assumed that he was a pushover. As expected, that place was bad news.

"I will use it," Zack said and then passed his card.

The guy didn't even show Zack how much had been debited. Still, he decided to let that one slide. He already knew what was going to happen and what he was going to do. First, he would reach level forty, and then he would make his big moves.

The guy guided Zack to the teleportation room, and soon, Zack appeared in another city covered in snow. Unlike the territory of the giant ice slimes, where the air was frigid and the ground covered in pristine, powdery snow, the territory of the dire wolves presented a starkly different landscape. Here, the snow wasn't falling, but the ground under Zack's feet was far from soft. Instead, it seemed to be made up of several layers of frozen snow, hardened over time into a compacted surface.

As Zack looked around in the frozen terrain, the crunch of his boots against the icy ground echoed through the silent landscape. The air was cold and still, and the only sound was the soft whistle of the wind as it swept through the barren trees.

Suddenly, Zack heard it, the low, guttural growl of dire wolves echoing through the silent forest. It was a sound that put him on alert and a warning from the creatures that ruled these lands. The growls grew louder, more insistent, as if the wolves had caught wind of Zack's presence and were alerting each other to his arrival. 

Before long, Zack heard the sound of their footsteps approaching. He did well in choosing that place since soon he found himself surrounded by a pack of them. The dire wolves looked like normal wolves; their fur was completely white, but their eyes were red, and they were three meters long. Without hesitation, Zack spun around and threw the anti-blood knives at them.

Their foreheads were pierced by the knives, and some of them died instantly while the others grunted in pain. It looked like their thick white fur was tougher than Zack had imagined, but it was good enough, considering the rewards.

(You received 50 XP.)

(You received 50 XP.)

(You received 50 XP.)

…

"Nice," Zack smiled.

Despite seeing their allies dying, the others charged at Zack, but he just called his Goblin King's sword and prepared to destroy them.