When Souchu heard a roar after two days of searching, he forgot that he had to be present somewhere. His blood pumped, like it was saying, in excitement, I finally got the chance to be pumped. The roar came from somewhere around that cascade. Just as I thought, there are beasts around here. Souchu was rushing back from where he came.
He wanted to do some experiment, Souchu had a faint suspicion that he could use awakened power not because he got awakened or something like that, he started searching for a beast because when a beast died near you, there is a chance that you will absorb mana. Souchu only heard about this theory, and non-awakened getting direct contact with a living wild beast is as good as courting death. Of course, Souchu was not mindlessly wandering, courting death around. Just before he made up his mind to go into the outskirts in hopes of encountering a wild beast, he managed to make a tiny fireball. He was sure that he didn't awakened any power, but he accidentally made a fireball. He was thrilled, but that was only short-lived because he wasn't able to make it again. Everyone knows that if someone awakened without any outside help. They have a better shot for higher growth, they stand apart from the established order, they can even fight stronger foes than their rank and class. That's why Souchu was hoping to see that fireball once again. And only wanted mental pressure or intimidation that can force Fireball out once again. He was sure that he could definitely make it.
When he reached the origin of the roar, he saw that two wolves were baring their teeth, trying to intimidate each other. Locked in a tense standoff, when they smelled a foreign smell, obviously belonging to Souchu, they stopped.
"Young master! Stop, we can't fight these beasts, you know that even awakened who formed a party can have casualties, while we are just mundane humans." Adolae had reached and tried to stop Souchu, but he was sure that he could not stop him.
"Just watch from the sidelines, no need to involve yourself," Souchu said in a nonchalant tone and rushed to the wolves, but stopped mid-way. He looked at Adolae and said hesitantly, "Can you…. lend me your... sword."
Adolae let his eyes open wide and said: "Did your face get slightly red?"
"No… " You are imagining things," Souchu didn't let him form another sentence.
Wolves were also getting ready, but didn't just outright attack them. They were trying to intimidate those humans by showing their teeth and fangs ~groar~.
"No, we are retreating. I will not let you fight them." Adolae didn't want to support his crazy thought. "Listen, the awakening ceremony is already going on. You are just this far from becoming awakened. Why do you still want to confront these beasts? These beasts aren't even attacking you."
"This….uhh!" Souchu let out a mouthful of breath.
"This is none of your business. Why don't you just give this sword to me?" He said this much before moving toward the wolves; he didn't ask for the sword again. Most likely thinking, what a pain, let's just forget about it, I will confront them without any help.
Wolves were getting angry as they saw a human was still approaching, even though they had given a warning to them, and they finally decided to attack.
The wolves growled, baring their fangs as they lowered themselves into the stance of alphas ready to hunt. Opposite them stood Souchu. No matter how brave he thought he was, a primal fear stirred deep within him. He had spent nearly two days searching for a beast… but now that he found one, his instincts screamed danger.
Souchu exhaled slowly, tightening his grip. He didn't know where this sudden confidence came from, but his body felt steady, ready.
The first wolf lunged.
It was fast — faster than he expected. Souchu reacted instinctively, stepping aside as claws sliced through the air where he had stood a moment ago. He swung in response, forcing the wolf back with a sharp strike.
The other wolves didn't wait.
Two more rushed in from opposite sides, their growls turning into snapping jaws. Souchu jumped back, barely avoiding their bite. His heart pounded, adrenaline flooding his veins.
"So fast…" he muttered.
Souchu raised his trembling hand, trying to gather the faint warmth he felt deep within his chest. It was there — weak, flickering, like a tiny ember buried under ashes.
As he focused on that spark one of the wolves lunged at him. Souchu didn't retreat. He stepped forward instead, meeting it head-on. His movement surprised even himself. He struck as the wolf leaped, forcing it off balance.
But the moment he landed, he realized his mistake. Another alpha was waiting for him.
"Damn....this is gonna hurt"
The wolf lunged, jaws wide open, fangs gleaming as they closed in on him. Souchu braced himself, instinctively raising his arm, knowing he wouldn't make it in time.
Just as those teeth were about to sink into his skin—
A sharp metallic sound cut through the air.
A sword flashed past him.
"Not on my watch."
The voice sounded firm — but the hand holding the sword trembled slightly. Adolae stood between them.
Souchu was a little surprised, he didn't expect him to step on the fight.
"What are you dazing about, these wolves will not stop for me. ~ damn it ~ let me stop this one do whatever you want with the last one." Adolae burst in frustration before once again swinging his sword.
Souchu didn't speak either and tried to ignite the burning. "I guess it will be hard." Burning did exist although he couldn't reach it.
Sweat dripped down his chin.
The wolf was getting closer.
Adolae tightened his grip on the sword, forcing his trembling hands to steady. One wolf slowly approached him, growling low, its eyes fixed on him like prey. He swallowed, shifting his stance, trying to remember every bit of training he had.
The wolf lunged.
Adolae reacted late, barely managing to raise his sword. The wolf's claws scraped against the blade, the force pushing him back a step. His arms shook from the impact, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground.
the other side, Souchu stepped back, his breathing uneven. He raised his hand again, trying to gather that faint warmth in his chest.
It was there… barely.
A flicker.
As wolf dash forward, Souchu's breathing uneven more closer wolf get harder his heart pound as well as a spark also grew.
"Yes! This is it."
He focused harder, The warmth slowly rose, inching toward his arm. Sweat formed on his forehead as he struggled to hold onto it.
"Come on…" he muttered under his breath.
Adolae staggered back as the wolf snapped at him again. He swung his sword awkwardly, forcing the beast to retreat for a moment. His heart pounded wildly, fear creeping deeper into his chest.
"I can't hold them for long…" he thought.
The second wolf began circling Souchu, sensing his distraction. Instantly lunged forward.