Wind Wolf

The caravan moved along the dusty road. Lin Qin rode on horseback, remaining silent for the most part, his gaze vigilantly scanning the woods and hills on both sides of the path. Hake seemed more relaxed, occasionally chatting with the caravan guards.

The first day passed without incident.

On the afternoon of the second day, the caravan entered a relatively remote mountain road. The trees on both sides grew dense, and the light dimmed.

Suddenly, the horses pulling the carts let out uneasy neighs, stamping their hooves in agitation.

"Defensive formation!" The experienced Hake was the first to react, drawing his scimitar in a flash, his eyes fixed sharply on the woods to the right.

The three caravan guards immediately grabbed their weapons and surrounded the wagons. Old John turned pale, gripping the cart frame tightly.

Lin Qin had already gripped the hilt of the broadsword on his back; he had sensed the subtle movements and the faint, bloody stench coming from the woods even earlier than Hake.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"

Seven or eight gray shadows darted out from the woods, moving with astonishing speed! They were Wind Wolves, common low-level Magic Beasts, roughly the size of calves with sharp fangs, known for their speed and pack coordination.

"It's Wind Wolves! Watch out!" Hake shouted, swinging his blade to meet the one charging at the front.

The caravan guards also roared as they engaged the Wind Wolves. The scene instantly descended into chaos.

One Wind Wolf bypassed the front line and lunged directly at a cargo wagon, attempting to destroy it. A second-level warrior guard scrambled to intercept, but the wolf dodged nimbly, its claws poised to tear through the leather goods on the cart.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud echoed.

A thick wall of earth rose instantly beside the wagon, perfectly blocking the Wind Wolf's pounce. The wolf slammed into the wall and let out a pained howl.

It was Lin Qin. He had dismounted at some point, his left hand still held in a casting gesture. That wall of earth looked thicker and sturdier than a standard Earth Wall Technique.

Almost at the same moment the wall rose, Lin Qin moved. Pushing off the ground, his figure shot forward like an arrow from a bow, rushing toward the Wind Wolf that was dazed from hitting the wall.

His broadsword left its sheath, trailing a heavy arc of light.

The blade swept accurately across the Wind Wolf's relatively vulnerable neck.

"Squelch!"

Blood sprayed as the Wind Wolf whimpered and collapsed, twitching on the ground.

Lin Qin didn't even check the result; he shifted his feet, and with a backhand motion, his broadsword parried the claws of another Wind Wolf sneaking up from the side. The immense force sent the wolf staggering. Lin Qin flicked his wrist, and the tip of his sword struck out like a viper, instantly piercing the wolf's eye and driving straight into its brain.

Clean and efficient—two swords, two Wind Wolves dead.

On the other side, Hake was demonstrating his strength as a fourth-level warrior; his blade work was ruthless, having already dispatched one wolf and currently locked in combat with another. The three guards were barely holding off the remaining wolves together.

Lin Qin joined the fray, his fighting style terrifyingly efficient. Every movement was perfectly timed, and every strike aimed for a vital point. He didn't seek to kill in one blow, but rather used the least amount of effort to inflict fatal wounds or create openings for his companions.

Soon, with the combined efforts of Hake and Lin Qin, the remaining Wind Wolves were quickly dealt with. Eight or nine Wind Wolf carcasses lay on the ground.

As the battle ended, Hake panted, his gaze toward Lin Qin having completely changed. This kid wasn't just a fourth-level warrior; he was a mage capable of instant-casting the Earth Wall Technique! Even more terrifying was his calm, almost cold, fighting style—he didn't act like a novice at all.

"Are you alright?" Lin Qin looked toward Old John and the three guards. One guard had his arm scratched, but it wasn't serious.

"I... I'm fine! Thanks to you two!" Old John, still shaken, thanked them repeatedly. The three guards looked at Lin Qin with eyes full of awe.

Lin Qin nodded and walked over to the Wind Wolf carcasses, skillfully using a short blade to harvest the most valuable magic cores and wolf pelts. This was the rule among mercenaries: the spoils of war belonged to the victor.

Hake walked over to process his own loot and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Lin Qin, are you... from the Ernst Institute?"

"Yes." Lin Qin didn't hide it.

"No wonder..." Hake realized, then sighed, "Are all the geniuses at the institute as... formidable as you?" He couldn't find a more fitting word.

Lin Qin didn't stop his work: "I just work harder than most."

Hake looked at his calm, expressionless face and those eyes focused on processing the materials, showing no trace of pride or lingering fear, and was left speechless. Hard work? That wasn't something that could be explained by hard work alone.

After clearing the battlefield, the caravan set off again. After this encounter, the atmosphere in the group had clearly changed. Everyone looked at the silent young mercenary with newfound respect.

Lin Qin stowed away the magic cores and wolf pelts and remounted his horse.