Wells returned to his camp in a heavy mood. This sudden turn of events had caught him completely off guard. He had no idea how many members of his squad would still be alive after tonight.
By then, Havent and Paimon, who had successfully fled back into the camp, had caught their breath. Seeing Wells return, they hurried over.
"How is it, Uncle Wells? What's the situation outside now?"
Wells looked at everyone and shook his head before speaking.
"Everyone, gather around."
Once everyone from the tent had gathered nearby, Wells slowly said,
"I believe you've all seen some of what's happening outside through the camp's defenses.
"That's right. We're surrounded by wolves now. Although they haven't launched an attack yet, everyone needs to prepare yourselves. Tonight will be a bloody battle."
After saying that, Wells paused and looked over his team. Seeing no overly fearful expressions, he continued.
"According to the sentries' rough estimate, there are no fewer than five hundred ordinary wolves. Worse still, there are around eighty Wind Wolves, as well as a Mid-tier Magical Beast, Death's Howl.
"Our camp is currently built around the wagons. I've already spoken with Mr. Dida, the person in charge of the merchant association, and the leaders of the other two mercenary groups. We'll be responsible for defending the north side of the camp, where our camp is located.
"Once the fighting starts, I won't be able to stay with you. I need to join the other two commanders in resisting Death's Howl. So, during the battle in camp, you are to follow Captain Baki's commands."
After Wells finished speaking, he looked hard at every single person, as though he wanted to carve each of their faces into his mind. Years of experience told him that after tonight, he might be saying farewell to many of them forever.
"Keep your spirits up. Put on your equipment and fight with everything you have. I hope to see all of you when dawn comes."
After finishing those final words, Wells donned his iron armor with Baki's assistance, picked up his black iron-reinforced one-handed shield and short sword, and headed toward the defensive line where Death's Howl was stationed.
The others watched their commander's departing back, and the atmosphere became unbearably stifling. Only after Baki urged them on did they hurriedly begin arming themselves.
"Will, do you think we'll be okay?"
Having finally caught his breath, Paimon asked his friend with a pale face. Havent examined Paimon's condition in the firelight, then reached into his waist pouch. The ring on his index finger glimmered faintly, and a bottle of potion appeared in his palm.
"You'll be fine. Drink this first. Otherwise, I'll have to distract myself taking care of you once the fighting starts."
Paimon looked at the small brown bottle in his hand and asked in confusion,
"What is this?"
"Marigold Potion. Drink it. You overexerted yourself too much just now. I'm afraid you won't last long once the battle begins."
After hearing Havent's explanation, Paimon raised his head and drained the entire bottle in one gulp. Immediately afterward, his face twisted in pain.
"Ah! So bitter! What is this? It's way too bitter!"
Watching Paimon wolf it down like a glutton swallowing a delicacy, Havent could not help raising an eyebrow.
"Paimon, you didn't actually need to drink all of it. One mouthful would've been enough."
Still, the potion Solis had prepared was indeed effective. Color visibly returned to Paimon's face. Feeling a cool sensation spread through his chest, Paimon gave a comfortable shiver.
"Phew... Will, this is amazing. My chest stopped burning almost instantly."
Looking at the carefree Paimon, Havent shook his head helplessly.
"When the fighting starts, don't run around recklessly. Stay by my side."
However, the reenergized Paimon clearly had not taken Havent's words to heart. He eagerly climbed up the wooden tower to look out at the wolf pack.
Outside the camp, a huge white wolf stared fixedly at the human camp in the distance. The voices constantly echoing in its mind made the Wolf King increasingly restless, and great clouds of hot breath billowed from its massive nostrils.
Finally, as if receiving some command, Death's Howl raised its neck and unleashed a piercing howl into the night sky.
"Awooo! Awooo!"
As the Wolf King gave its command, the wolf pack that had been prowling around the perimeter instantly tensed. Like wound-up springs, they sprinted toward the camp.
"They're coming! They're coming! Prepare for battle!"
As the wolves launched their attack, the camp erupted into uproar. But it quickly settled down again, and under the squad leaders' commands, everyone took their positions along the barricades and waited for the wolves' charge.
The Wind Wolves mixed among the ordinary wolves, forming a gray-white tide that crashed toward them. The camp barely managed to organize a hundred-man archer squad to strike the wolf packs charging in from all directions. But the wolves were too fast. After only two volleys, they were already upon them.
The Shield Warriors at the front roared, their bodies bursting with earthy yellow battle aura. In a coordinated motion, they slammed their shields forward, sending the charging wolves flying. The spearmen hiding behind them thrust through the gaps at the wolves rushing in without pause.
Havent stood atop a wagon with an elm longbow, firing arrow after arrow at the attacking wolves. Paimon, wearing half-plate armor and wielding a shield in his left hand and an iron hammer in his right, held the front line.
"Fall back a little! Fall back a little! Don't chase them out!"
Seeing the team members who had been blocking the wolves between two wagons gradually moving beyond the wagons' cover, Havent shouted urgently from above. Suddenly, he heard several sharp whistles through the air and dove off the wagon roof. With several loud bangs, the top of the wagon exploded into a heap of wooden splinters.
Havent steadied himself and turned around. More than ten Wind Wolves had appeared among the pack. As they opened their jaws again, pale green wind blades rapidly formed and shot toward the mercenaries in front.
Paimon instinctively raised his shield before his chest, only to be knocked flat by a powerful force. When he looked up again, a great spray of blood splashed over his head. Sitting on the ground, Paimon froze. Turning to look, he saw that the team member who had been standing beside him had been cut into two pieces and lay next to him.
"Paimon, get up!"
Seeing Paimon standing there in a daze, Havent drew the sword at his waist and rushed over. With two swings, he cut down the wolves lunging at him and reached Paimon's side.
"Hey, Paimon! Get up. Are you hurt?"
When Paimon did not respond, Havent picked up the shield beside him and used it to protect them both before turning to look at him.
Paimon stood there blankly, gripping his iron hammer in his right hand as he stared at the mercenary who had been severed in two. With the situation so urgent, Havent viciously kicked Paimon in the chest.
"He's dead, dead beyond saving. Get up already, you useless burden."
After taking Havent's kick, Paimon staggered to his feet as though he had lost his soul. But Havent no longer had time to care whether Paimon was all right. He shouted at Baki nearby.
"Captain, we need to fall back! Fall back and use the terrain! We're too exposed right now. The Wind Wolves' wind blades are doing too much damage to us!"
Before you continue