First Encounter with the Scourge

Just as Alpha stood dazed by the sight before him, an angry roar came from nearby. "Damn it, why aren't you lot getting over here? Standing around there, planning to feed yourselves to those spiders?"

Alpha and the others were instantly jolted awake. Only then did they remember that they were outside the city walls, facing the Scourge army. The experienced adventurers had long since run to the temporary camp. Alpha and the others hurried over as well, scrambling to get there first. Before they could even catch their breath, they were each handed a spear. "Use the spears to pierce the spiders through the chest. Don't ask me where their chests are. If you can't stab them, you die!" a soldier said as he handed out the weapons. When he saw Alpha, the werewolf, he merely paused for a moment before handing him a spear as well.

Once all the spears had been distributed, the soldier said, "Everyone must kill at least ten. Remember to take a pair of spider fangs. They're proof for claiming your reward. Now, good luck." With that, he left. The remaining people looked at each other, while only a few veteran adventurers charged out first. After hesitating, several others followed.

After rushing out of the camp, Alpha began searching for an isolated spider. He finally spotted one, only for someone else to beat him to it. As he continued looking for a target, a spider locked onto him. It sprayed a web from its abdomen, but unfortunately for it, it had encountered Alpha. Those upright ears atop his head were not just for show. The instant he heard an unusual sound, Alpha decisively leaped aside.

Seeing that its ambush had failed, the spider let out a hiss and charged at him. Alpha had thought his strength would be enough to easily contend with it. The truth proved that he could indeed match the spider in strength, but he had to use both hands just to brace his spear against it. The spider, however, had more than two claws. Two flashing claws slashed down, forcing Alpha to abandon the struggle and dodge away.

Alpha finally understood why they had been given spears. Their length kept him just outside the spiders' attack range. Put simply, if he used one skillfully enough, he could kill spiders without getting injured. Once he understood that, Alpha stopped trying to meet the spider head-on. Taking advantage of a gap in its attacks, he drove the spear viciously into its chest. Green blood sprayed out, staining the shaft.

Just as Alpha removed the spider's two fangs, a swarm of spiders surrounded him. That was right—not one or two, but a whole swarm.

The soldiers still fighting at the camp suddenly remembered something. They had forgotten to tell them that they needed to leave immediately after killing a spider. The green blood spilled by the spiders would draw all nearby spiders over. Oh well. They could only pray for their own luck.

Because of one forgotten warning from a soldier, Alpha found himself surrounded by a swarm of spiders. Fortunately, Alpha did not fear being surrounded. With the spear in his hands and his increased speed, he began killing one spider after another. Gradually, every spider in the area was slaughtered.

Watching Alpha complete his task far beyond the required amount, the surrounding adventurers were stunned. They could not help thinking, This man—no, this werewolf—is far too powerful.

At that moment, the soldiers at the temporary camp killed the last spider. Turning to look at Alpha's accomplishments, one soldier said, "Your performance has truly exceeded my expectations. The western side needs help now. Are you willing to go? It's fine if you're unwilling."

Seeing the look in the soldier's eyes, Alpha said helplessly, "I'll go. I'm willing." Guided by the soldier, he arrived at the western section of the city wall.

There were no crawling spiders here. Every one of them could fly—the spiders with fleshy wings that he had encountered before. The soldiers below used harpoon launchers to shoot the spiders, drag them down, and then have the soldiers on the ground finish them off with spears.

After arriving, Alpha joined the killing party as well. Since there were fewer spiders here, there was no danger of being surrounded.

As the flying spiders were dragged down and exterminated one after another, a roar sounded from nearby. The soldiers beside him immediately alerted one another. "Commander-class spiders are here! Get the muskets ready!" The surrounding soldiers quickly pulled out the muskets they carried with them. Alpha silently watched it all. He had only been issued a spear, and it had just been broken.

The commander-class spiders slowly came into view. They truly were commanders. Even people who had never encountered the Scourge before could tell that these were commander-class creatures. They were several times larger than ordinary spiders, their entire bodies covered in armor, with long spikes protruding from their joints. They were war machines. Looking at the muskets in the soldiers' hands, Alpha seriously doubted whether they could stop them.

"Fire." As the commander-class spiders entered range, the commander gave the order calmly. Several shots rang out, bullets flying from the muskets at tremendous speed and striking the commander-class spiders. In Alpha's eyes, there was no way those bullets could halt their advance.

Yet the instant the bullets struck the spiders, sparks flew everywhere, followed by blazing flames. The commander-class spiders stopped and repeatedly swatted at the fire with their claws, but the more they struck at it, the larger the flames grew. Taking advantage of the moment, the soldiers grabbed their spears and charged forward, driving them fiercely into every part of the commander-class spiders' bodies. After letting out miserable howls, the commander-class spiders finally stopped moving.

Looking out over the battlefield, Alpha saw that as the commander-class spiders died, the other spiders slowly withdrew as well. The remaining soldiers finally relaxed, while the adventurers burst into cheers. One team was left behind to clean up the battlefield, while everyone else was sent back to the fortress.

As Alpha stepped into Dauntless Fortress again, his heart was far from calm. He had just returned from outside, having gone through a brutal battle. Honestly, Northrend was truly a place filled with adventure everywhere. Alpha could not help but admire the commander here. Without that commander, who knew how long Dauntless Fortress could have lasted?

With that thought, Alpha decided that he had to meet this commander. Returning to the shipyard, he found the adjutant still handling affairs there. Upon seeing Alpha, the adjutant hurried over and said, "Your performance outside just now greatly pleased the commander. If not for your outstanding achievements, we might have lost half our men today. The commander invites you to dinner tonight. Would you be willing to accept?" Alpha had been worried about how to meet the commander, so he was secretly delighted to hear this. Yet his face remained calm as he replied, "Thank the commander for the invitation. I will certainly attend tonight. I still have a few matters to handle, so I will not disturb your work any longer." After agreeing to attend the dinner, he took his leave.

Back in the city district, Alpha began looking for a blacksmith's shop. He had realized that he needed a polearm here. When he arrived at a blacksmith's shop, he found, as expected, that it was run by a Dwarven master. Northrend's bitter cold could not extinguish the passion of Dwarven craftsmen. Alpha paid his respects and said, "Master, I need a polearm. I wonder if you have one here?" As he spoke, he took out a jug of liquor and handed it to the Dwarven craftsman. The red-bearded Dwarf accepted it from the werewolf before him, took a drink, and said, "Good liquor. I don't have any finished weapons right now, but I like the look of you, lad. I can make one to order for you. What are your requirements?" Alpha told the Dwarven craftsman what he wanted. The Dwarf took another drink and said, "No problem. Come pick it up in three days, and remember to bring a few more bottles of liquor."

By the time they finished discussing it, night had nearly fallen. Thinking of the dinner time he had arranged with the commander, Alpha went to where the warships were docked. After confirming his identity, he was allowed through. A soldier ran over and said, "Lord Alpha, I'll lead the way." Alpha lowered his head as he entered the cabin. Since he was in his werewolf form, he was naturally much taller than an ordinary person. Passing through the doorways was rather troublesome.

Following the soldier to the dining hall on the innermost deck, Alpha smelled the fragrance of food drifting through the air. Guided by the soldier, he took his seat. The commander had not yet appeared, so Alpha could only stare blankly at the dining table out of boredom.

A series of footsteps approached, accompanied by voices in conversation. As Alpha listened, the voices felt increasingly familiar. He had definitely heard them somewhere before, but he simply could not remember where. The footsteps drew closer and finally stopped at the doorway.

"Alpha, it really is you! I never expected to run into you here. It's been a long time!" The familiar voice entered his mind.