Old Xing could no longer run.
He was too exhausted. His heavy legs felt as though they had been filled with lead, impossible to lift. His throat seemed scorched by fire, and a distinct taste of blood filled his mouth. His chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath.
Old Xing knew full well that this was his limit.
But it was not Big Black's limit.
"Big Black, go on without me. Don't worry about me." Old Xing slumped to the ground, his green coat covered in dust.
"Awooo—!"
Big Black could not speak. It merely sat obediently on the ground, licking Old Xing's palm again and again as though that would make its master stand up sooner.
Just then,
Pairs of glowing green eyes silently emerged from every direction. An invisible pressure bore down upon the man and dog, while short, piercing howls rose and fell, cowing every living thing into silence in the darkness.
"Roar~"
The largest Alpha Wolf stepped forward. Moonlight illuminated its streamlined body, thick snow-white fur, and erect ears.
It simply stood there, quietly staring at the man and dog. Cold-glinting claws extended from its limbs, and an overwhelming pressure radiated from its entire body.
Along with the Alpha Wolf's low howl, the other wolves that had concealed themselves amid the dense forest stepped out one after another.
Including the Alpha Wolf, there were seven wolves in total. They formed an ever-tightening encirclement, trapping the man and dog within.
An invisible, oppressive atmosphere gathered overhead.
Old Xing knew he could not escape.
He fumbled a crumpled cigarette from his coat pocket. His right hand, clutching the lighter, trembled uncontrollably, yet he never lit the cigarette. Only that tiny flame reflected in his eyes.
"No open flames in the forest." He said it with a bitter