Blood Battle (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Wells returned to his camp with a heavy heart. This sudden turn of events had caught him completely off guard, and he didn't know how many of his squad would be alive after this night.

At this moment, Havent and Paimon, who had successfully escaped into the camp, had also recovered. They saw Wells returning and went to meet him.

"How is it, Uncle Wells? What's the situation outside now?"

Wells shook his head as he looked at everyone, then slowly said, "Everyone, gather around~"

As everyone in the tent gathered nearby, Wells slowly began to speak.

"I believe you've all seen some of the situation outside through the camp's defenses.

Yes, we are currently surrounded by a wolf pack. Although they haven't launched their attack yet, everyone needs to be prepared. Tonight will be a bloody battle."

Wells paused after speaking, observing his team members. Seeing no signs of excessive fear, he continued, "According to a rough estimate by the sentries, there are no less than five hundred ordinary wolves. The worse news is that there are about eighty Wind Wolves, and a mid-tier magical beast, Death's Howl.

Our current camp is built using the merchant trucks. I've already communicated with Mr. Dida, the head of the merchant association, and the leaders of two other mercenary groups. We will be responsible for defending the northern side of the camp, which is where our temporary camp is located.

When the fighting starts later, I won't be able to stay with you. I need to join the other two leaders to fend off Death's Howl's attack. Therefore, for the combat command within the camp, you will follow Captain Baki's orders."

After speaking, Wells looked intently at each person, as if trying to engrave their faces into his memory. Years of experience told him that after this night, many of these faces might be seen for the last time.

"Pull yourselves together! Put on your gear and fight with all your might. I hope to see you all when dawn breaks."

After Wells finished his last sentence, with Baki's assistance, he donned his iron armor, picked up a one-handed shield mixed with black iron and a one-handed short sword, and headed towards the defense line against Death's Howl.

The others watched their captain's departing back, and the atmosphere became exceptionally somber for a moment. Finally, at Baki's urging, they quickly began to arm themselves.

"Will, do you think we'll be okay?"

Paimon, having caught his breath, asked his good friend Havent with a pale face. Havent examined Paimon's condition in the firelight, reached into his waist pouch, and the ring on his index finger glowed faintly. A vial of potion appeared in his palm.

"We will. Drink this first. I don't want to have to worry about you later."

Paimon looked at the small brown bottle in his hand and asked in confusion, "What is this?"

"Marigold Potion. Drink it. You've overexerted yourself too much, and I'm afraid you won't last long when the fighting starts."

After Havent's explanation, Paimon tilted his head and gulped down the potion in the small vial, then grimaced in pain.

"Ah~ it's so bitter! What is this? It's way too bitter!"

Seeing Paimon's reaction, Havent couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Paimon, you didn't have to drink it all. One sip would have been enough."

However, Solis's potions were indeed potent. Paimon's complexion visibly regained its color. He felt a coolness spread through his chest and shivered comfortably.

"Phew~ Will, this is amazing! I instantly feel like my chest doesn't hurt anymore."

Havent shook his head helplessly as he looked at the boisterous Paimon.

"When the fighting starts, don't run around wildly. Stay by my side."

However, the revitalized Paimon clearly didn't heed Havent's words. He excitedly climbed onto the wooden cart and looked out at the wolf pack.

Outside the camp, the giant white wolf stared intently at the human encampment not far away. The voices constantly echoing in its mind made the wolf king agitated, and hot air billowed from its massive nostrils.

Finally, as if receiving an order, Death's Howl raised its head and let out a clear howl into the night sky.

"Awooo~~ Awooo~~~~~~"

With the wolf king's command, the wolf pack, which had been roaming the periphery, instantly tensed up, like wound-up toys, and charged towards the camp.

"They're here! They're here! Prepare for battle!"

As the wolf pack attacked, the camp erupted into chaos, but it quickly calmed down. Under the command of the squad leaders, they took their positions at the edge of the defenses, awaiting the wolf pack's charge.

The Wind Wolves mingled with the regular wolves, crashing towards the camp like a grayish-white tide. The camp had barely organized a hundred archers to launch the first volley at the charging wolves. However, due to the wolves' speed, they only managed two rounds before the pack was upon them.

The shield warriors at the forefront roared, their bodies erupting with earth-yellow battle qi. A synchronized group shield bash sent the charging wolves flying. Spear wielders, positioned behind the shield warriors, thrust their spears into the relentless wolves through the gaps.

Havent stood on top of a merchant truck, holding a longbow made of elm wood, and shot arrows at the attacking wolves. Paimon, wearing half-plate armor, held a shield in his left hand and a warhammer in his right, standing at the very front.

"Fall back a little, just a little! Don't chase them out to fight!"

Havent, standing high up, shouted as he saw the team members who were originally defending between two trucks began to move away from the trucks' protection. Suddenly, he heard a few whistling sounds, and Havent leaped off the truck roof. With a few loud bangs, the top of the truck exploded into splinters.

Havent landed steadily and turned to look. Ten or so Wind Wolves had appeared within the wolf pack. As the Wind Wolves opened their mouths again, pale green wind blades rapidly condensed and shot towards the mercenaries blocking the front.

Paimon instinctively raised his shield to protect his chest, and then he was knocked to the ground by a powerful force. When he looked up again, a large amount of blood poured onto his head. Paimon, sitting on the ground, was stunned. He turned to look, and the teammate who had been standing beside him moments ago was now lying in two pieces next to him.

"Paimon, get up!"

Seeing Paimon frozen in place, Havent drew the longsword at his waist, ran over, and with two swift slashes, killed a charging wolf before reaching Paimon.

"Hey, Paimon! Get up, are you hurt?"

Seeing Paimon unresponsive, Havent picked up a nearby shield to cover them both and looked around.

Paimon was holding a warhammer in his right hand, staring blankly at the severed mercenary beside him. The situation was dire. Havent kicked Paimon hard in the chest.

"He's dead. Deader than dead. Get up now, you dead weight."

After being kicked by Havent, Paimon, as if his soul had left him, staggered to his feet. However, Havent didn't have time to worry about Paimon's state. He yelled at Baki nearby, "Captain, we need to fall back! Fall back! Use the terrain! We're too exposed right now. The Wind Wolves' wind blades are doing too much damage to us!"