The crackling of the bonfire, I threw a dry branch into the fire pit.

During this season, it's no problem to gather enough fuel. Especially in a place where no one comes, there are dead branches and fallen leaves all over the ground, and it is necessary to clear a zone to prevent a major fire.

The horses are tied to a nearby big tree. I set up a few traps around to prevent potential dangers from being overlooked due to sleepiness. Just like Karona described, this forest is definitely not a safe place.

As long as I close my eyes, I can sense eyes from all directions. Although it is still far enough away, I often feel a quite dangerous aura. It's not human, but something else.

The unknown is the most terrifying enemy. Even I can't see through the darkness that the firelight cannot reach deep in the woods.

All I can do is remain extra vigilant.

Karona, little Ilan, and the little furball are huddled together tightly. The two people wrapped in sleeping bags look like two white loaves of bread. The little furball, with its four legs curled up, occasionally flicks its ears, whether it is asleep or awake. Perhaps it maintains a sense of caution even in dreams due to animal instinct.

Sleeping little Ilan still smiles foolishly and occasionally calls my name.

Karona has also let go of her usual serious expression, appearing like an ordinary girl.

As the only male in the team, I should be the one to carry out a night ambush. For example, I could poke Karona's pink cheeks. But I am no longer young and not interested in that kind of thing. And Karona would definitely be angry.

I gently wiped the drool from the corner of Ilan's mouth with a handkerchief, guessing that she must be having sweet dreams.

"Hey hehe, curry rice, can't eat anymore..."

Actually, there's no need to guess at all.

"And, big brother..."

I pinched Ilan's hand through the sleeping bag, and she immediately smiled.

"It's okay, I'll protect you."

I stood up.

Just like Karona said, there are 23 wolves silently approaching, as well as 3 elite-level wolves and one wolf king hiding their presence. A total of 27, already within a hundred meters.

I did detect their approach, but from the beginning, I knew they were not negotiable opponents. Since fighting is inevitable, it doesn't matter if we are on high alert a hundred meters away.

I snapped my fingers in front of Karona, and she opened her eyes. Momentarily bewildered, then immediately became serious.

Quickly getting out of the sleeping bag. By the way, the pajamas and trousers are blue with white dots, and have a certain thickness like indoor clothing.

"Can you sense their presence?"

"Yeah, there are 26."

I see, can't you sense the wolf king's presence? Indeed, that guy is quite cunning.

Intelligence is the most important thing in this world, and incorrect information often leads to unexpected and dire consequences. I have to make sure she understands this point.

Failing to perceive the wolf king is both a matter of strength and experience. There must be a strong wolf king among the pack. Even if it cannot be sensed, under the premise of perceiving the presence of the strongest members, it should be deduced that there are other wolves that cannot be sensed, at least one.

"While the wolf pack is cunning, they won't easily back down even if they realize the difference in strength. We need to at least kill half of them to drive them away. You go protect the horses, I'll handle the rest. This is a defensive battle, don't stray too far from the protected targets."

I said simply.

"Understood!"

When Karona reached the vicinity of the horses, a brown wolf couldn't wait anymore and pounced out of the bushes.

Taking on the role of a scout, then it's time to intimidate the opponent.

"Yah!!"

- Crack! -

A punch shattered the wolf's skull, creating a circular shockwave, and the wolf heavily crashed onto the ground.

The little furball opened its eyes and looked around warily.

"It's okay, little furball, stay near me with Ilan, don't leave the bonfire!"

"Huhu!"

Grimly scanning the other wolves lurking in the forest.

Although the wolf pack is slightly panicked, there is no sign of retreat.

Good, bring it on then.

This time, three wolves attacked simultaneously from different angles, from the left, right, and rear. They are still ordinary-level wolves.

Using a spinning kick to kick the wolf behind me back into the bushes, I can also use this move to make the wolves on the left and right miss their target. The next attack, two wolves will simultaneously attack from the front, seeking their own death.Thinking that I wouldn't have time to react, the first attack failed, so the next attack took the shortest route. A blitz attack, this level of predictability is too easy to guess.

Kicking them all at once with my legs would be the quickest option, but there are more than just these two in front of me.

So I mercilessly punched them in the face.

Four more wolves pounced on me from behind, one of them being an elite level.

Well, this is a good opportunity to show the difference in strength. I don't intend to exterminate the wolves that survive in the forest. If possible, I hope they can retreat on their own.

Therefore, I simply used my speed to kick them all back.

In the blink of an eye, while they were pouncing at the trembling little ball of fur and Ilan, I executed four kicks. Only the elite level managed to avoid vital organs, the rest probably won't survive.

I stepped on the twitching elite wolf and released a killing intent towards the wolves in the forest.

The wolves in the bushes immediately started to retreat, and I kicked the one under my feet back. Although the black wolf's fur is a good armor, as a weapons merchant, I have no use for it.

Karona staggered towards me. Compared to me, who was unscathed, Karona looked quite disheveled. It's more like she's in a miserable state. Her pajamas were torn in several places, revealing her enticing white skin. Her left arm and right leg were bitten by the wolves, bleeding quite a bit, but thankfully there were no bone injuries.

It was cruel to let Karona face the enemy alone for the first time. But this is something she had to go through, since she called me her master. I had to do it.

"You killed four of them and drove them away!"

"Not bad. But not satisfactory."

"Huh?" Karona looked surprised.

A one-eyed wolf silently leaped into the air and pounced on Karona like a ghost.

It's the wolf king, unwilling to give up and making a final struggle.

Karona only noticed when the wolf king was within arm's reach. Her eyes widened in fear, and she even forgot to defend herself.

That bloody big mouth bit at Karona's snowy white neck, sharp rows of teeth and rough tongue with meat thorns.

Hmm.

You garbage beast, who do you think I am?

After considering the pros and cons, did you plan to attack Karona? Even if you succeed, I won't let you go.

Besides, I've been waiting for you for a long time!

- Snap!!!

This distance is nothing to me, I'm the owner of a weapons store after all.

Grabbing the wolf king's neck, I used its inertia to swing its body towards Karona.

Don't even think about touching the person in front of me with your claws, go back.

I gathered strength in my right arm, stomped on the ground, and threw it away with brute force.

- Boom!

The wolf king rolled and flew out, breaking a tree trunk in the process.

It struggled to get up, then quickly fled.

Well, it's quite resilient.

As the flames flickered, I looked at Karona standing there in shock, covered in cold sweat.

"So, like I said, unsatisfactory."