Dire Wolves (2)

Ourin and the others were quick to equip their gear and weapons. However, the direwolves moved quickly. Right at this point in time, the five black-robed knights charged forward on the back of their stallians, each wielding a huge sword the size of a man, which slashed through the air as they charged towards the direwolf pack.

"It's the black-robed Knights! They're attacking!", Bessita shouted in horror

The acolytes were smart fellows. They had ordered the black-robed knights to target the wolf king. Once he fell, then the dire wolves would scatter. This was using the motto: "Offense is the best defense" to the next level. This way, the global amount of casualties would lessen. However, this also meant that casualties would happen.

However, the acolytes were probably looking forward to this event of death to collect the magic crystals from fallen bodies. After all, they were allowed a certain quota of casualties in their missions.

These direwolves possess terrifyingly high physical attributes. It was on par with weaker knights, and even exceeded them in terms of vitality due to their extremely high vitality. However, knights possess the ability to use weapons and tactics to the next level.

Furthermore, the Knights should have secret skills which can greatly raise their potential and allow them to burst forth with greater power when necessary. Any of the black robed knights could easily take on three dire wolves on his own at a time.

The problem lied in the huge gap in numbers.

Ourin had a worried look on his face as he looked at the hundreds wild beasts encircling the caravans, "Previously, even with just nearly a few dozen direwolves, they managed to get to the horse carriages, and even damage some of the carriages...I am afraid we won't be able to avoid battle today"

*Psh*

One of the black-robed Knights waved his immense blade, weaving a bright silver light in the air as he cleaved a direwolf right into two!

"Heh heh!" The Knight licked the blood from his lips, looking extremely ferocious: "Come on, you little dogs!"

"Thank...Thank you, Sir!" The young girl who was saved kept thanking him repeatedly, the tears still on her cheeks. This was the girl who had been calling out for her mother earlier.

"Are you an idiot? Get back to your carriage now" The Knight's head did not even turn as he charged forth towards the direwolves.

Only then did the little girl seem to reawaken to the reality of the situation, and ran back to the horse carriage. Fortunately, she wasn't from the [Steelcreset Alliance], or else Ourin would have started to question his choice of allies. The members of his alliance were much more serious, and they all stood in their respective positions. Bessita played a huge role in this, being very proficient in politics and using her good looks and relationships to increase his 'leadership' position. In exchange, Ourin accepted her in the alliance.

"Hurry! Arrange the horse carriages in a circle to use as a defensive formation, the girls should stay behind while the boys, take up your swords and set up a defensive perimeter!", Knight Angelo shouted

However, he quickly stopped speaking and charged forward upon seeing the [Steelcrest Alliance] already in formation, led by Ourin who had already drawn his crossbow without trembling, and accurately shooting a bolt.

Knight Angelo smiled, knowing that the average noble youth who had begged him for a caravan spot for him and his alliance had unknowingly become a preparatory knight proficiently leading his subordinates in battle with confidence rarely seen in veterans, not to mention youths fourteen or fifteen years old.

"It's time to fight for our lives!" Ourin shouted while reloading his crossbow.

His war cry seemed to have awoken the fighting spirit of his companions, as they prepared themselves for the impact.

The black-robed knights had charged towards an incoming wave of dire wolves, but some had managed to slip through their charge.

Ourin clearly identified six dire wolves. Bessita missed her shot and hit a direwolf in the leg. While it wasn't enough to kill it, it allowed Joella to finish it off with a headshot. They had trained their marksmanship for nearly a month now, and they could probably be compared to experienced soldiers in terms of pure accuracy.

Ourin targeted the strongest direwolf

[Direwolves. Strength: 2.3 Agility: 3.1 Vitality: 4.0. Description: In a direwolf pack, there will always be those whose bodies are significantly larger than those of the same race. These will be chosen to be the bodyguards for the head of the wolves. They usually have greater strength than the others of the same race, and at the same time, undying loyalty to the head of the wolves!]

*SPLASH*

[Beep! Target successfully shot...Vitality decreasing...Target is confirmed to be dead]

With two out of the six wolves dead, the morale of the alliance rose, but the sheer size of those monsters was enough to scare the youths. Sensing their fear, Ourin shouted: "PUSH FORWARD!"

Knowing that reloading would take too much time, Ourin picked up the shield and cross sword he had put on his back and unsheathed his blade. Moving forward, he leaped onto the front and used his favourite knight killing technique [Perfect Defense], successfully blocking the charge of two out direwolves.

Not having the time to check the battlefield, Ourin was quick to counter attack while the direwolves' balance was off from his earlier deflection. Perfect Defense was a combination of high agility and high quality swordsmanship, allowing him to use his opponent's momentum against themselves. The nearest direwolf fell and rolled on the floor while the other one was pierced by Ourin's blade.

However, it did not die instantly and quickly went for a bite on Ourin's arm. Unfortunately for the beast, Ourin saw it coming and dropped his sword, took out the Sarranid Steel dagger Bessita offered him a few days ago and slit the wolf's throat.

*SPLASH*

[Beep! Target is confirmed to be dead]

*SCRATCH*

The wolf who had been rolling on the floor from his perfect defense knight killing technique had gained its balance back and was quick to use its claws, but Ourin successfully blocked it using hi shield.

"You damned beast...", he thought

Throwing his dagger at full speed, the direwolf retreated, but this was just the window Ourin needed to pick up his sword. He waited patiently for the direwolf to attack again, and a few seconds later, used his knight killing technique [Perfect Defense] once again, deflecting its biting attempt with his shield, bashing the beast onto the floor and thrusting his sword onto its heart.

[Beep! Target is confirmed to be dead]

Panting, Ourin felt a sense of pride. Alone, he had already taken down four dire wolves.

Looking at his allies, he realized that the two wolves had already been killed. Ourin retreated to the back line and took his crossbow back, while shouting new orders

"Anna! You lead John and Frederick to take care of the incoming left wolf. Harry, you take care of the front, and defend with all of your might. I will be covering you from afar!"

Unknowingly, a strange fire had been ignited in his heart. As his fingers drew the crossbow with strength, it felt easier. His mind felt no fatigue, and better still, there was a clarity he had never experienced before. His breathing quickly calmed and his blood started to boil.

In the midst of battle, Ourin had broken through the knight realm.

[Secretion of adrenaline in the Host's body has rapidly increased, blood flow has increased by 58%!]

[The Host has ignited internal life energy and broke through the boundaries of a Knight!]

[Beep! Scanning bodily stats]

[Scan Complete! Ourin | Strength: 2.2 → 2.5, Agility: 1.8 → 2.1, Vitality: 2.1 → 2.6, Status: Healthy]