"Roar—!"
When Tang Qi saw that the shapes emerging from the mist stood on four legs, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Father Lynn had mentioned that Lord Mel had once been scared out of his wits by a werewolf that strayed to the forest's edge, abandoning his arms and armor and leaving his people to their fate.
That was hardly incomprehensible.
A werewolf and a wolf were far more than a word apart.
Just as he couldn't call everyone with short legs a dwarf, they might also be halflings or gnomes—many people confused them.
Fortunately, the creatures lurking in the mist were only eight [dread wolves] traveling in a pack.
These beasts, often found in the woods, differed from ordinary wolves. Their bodies and limbs were shorter, thicker, and sturdier, their shoulders broader, and their heads large and heavy, leaving them slightly inferior in speed and stamina.
In exchange, they possessed a stronger bite and a powerful physique.
Even a lone wandering dread wolf could ravage a village of a dozen or so households, let alone an entire pack.
Working together, they could probably chew an ordinary low-level adventuring party to pieces.
Tang Qi drew a deep breath, tightened his grip on his scimitar, and looked at Gravel.
"Still have any strength left?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?"
Gravel thumped his chest twice, and Tang Qi saw a pale green glow suddenly rise from his body.
[Replenish Energy], one of the most common and standard combat techniques for warriors, allowed them to recover some of the energy they expended in battle.
Almost as soon as he thumped his chest, several muscular dread wolves let out ravenous howls.
They pushed off the ground and lunged, charging swiftly as their gaping maws opened wide to reveal savage, pointed fangs!