The one-armed werewolf was instantly bound by the suddenly erupting vines.
Thick tendrils coiled tightly around its body, and the sharp thorns embedded deep into its flesh.
Under the blessing of moonlight, the werewolf's regeneration was astonishing.
The wounds caused by the thorns healed rapidly—
But the barbed spikes hooked firmly into its flesh. As soon as the wounds closed, they were torn open again, over and over.
Pain. Rage.
The werewolf threw its head back and howled.
"AWOOOO—!"
The agony and fury completely awakened the evil bloodline within its body.
In the next instant—
Its body swelled again.
Muscles expanded violently, bones cracking as it grew to a terrifying height of seven to eight meters.
The thorns pierced deeper, shredding its flesh until it was a bloody mess.
But at the same time—
The vines that bound it could no longer hold.
Snap—! Snap—! Snap—!
They shattered one after another under the strain of its enlarged body.
Freed from its restraints, and empowered further by moonlight—
The one-armed werewolf lunged viciously toward the transparent magical barrier surrounding the yard.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Each impact was like a battering ram.
The gusts of wind carried its thick, bloody killing intent as it slammed again and again into the barrier.
Under the moon's enhancement, the werewolf's strength had reached a terrifying level.
Meanwhile—
Brittany's grandmother, already weakened from her injuries, could only grit her teeth and hold on, barely maintaining the last line of defense.
Their only hope—
Was to hold out until Li Kainan and Baron returned.
…
And the werewolf knew that too.
It knew it couldn't afford to waste time here.
If that terrifying human came back—
Even if it devoured the two witches and recovered its strength, it still wouldn't be able to escape.
So it went all out.
Ignoring its injuries, it hurled itself against the barrier with everything it had.
Cracks began to spread.
…
At this moment, Brittany's grandmother's face turned even paler.
Her body swayed slightly.
The injury had already drained her strength—
And now, she no longer had the power to cast offensive magic.
Realizing the situation had reached its limit—
She took a deep breath.
Then, squeezing out the last trace of magic within her body—
She cast a complex protective spell onto Brittany.
Grabbing the girl's hand, she spoke quickly:
"Brittany, don't be afraid."
"I've placed a protective spell on you. Even if the werewolf swallows you, the magic will keep you safe."
"Sir Kainan and Baron will return soon. They will save you from its stomach!"
…
But Brittany—
Was only sixteen.
This was the first day she had even learned that creatures like werewolves existed.
And now—
She was facing death.
Even hearing that she would be safe after being eaten—
She couldn't suppress her fear.
She clutched tightly onto the red silk cloak Li Kainan had left her, her body trembling as she asked:
"Grandma… Sir Kainan will save us, right?"
Her grandmother forced a smile.
"Yes… you'll be alright."
Brittany would be fine.
Because she believed in Li Kainan.
And she trusted her old friend Baron would do everything in his power to save her.
…
As for herself?
There was no magic left in her body.
She couldn't even cast the same protection spell on herself.
…
BOOM—!!!
With a deafening explosion—
The one-armed werewolf slammed into the barrier once more.
The already fragile magical shield finally shattered.
The last line of defense—
Gone.
The yard lay completely exposed.
Nothing remained to stop the werewolf.
…
The creature grinned, its face twisted with greed and cruelty as it looked at the grandmother and granddaughter.
The grandmother stood firm.
Fearless.
She shielded Brittany behind her, still speaking:
"Don't be afraid… you'll be fine."
"When you're saved… go with Sir Kainan."
"You have talent… you can become a witch."
"My books… my notes… they're all in the house. You'll be useful to him…"
…
Brittany forced herself not to cry.
She tried to be brave like her grandmother.
But—
When the werewolf extended its massive arm toward them—
That greedy expression, like a bear reaching for honey—
In Brittany's eyes, it was nothing but pure horror.
She couldn't take it anymore.
She shut her eyes tightly.
…
Silence.
…
No pain?
The claw didn't fall?
…
Brittany's eyelids trembled.
Slowly—
She opened her eyes.
She wasn't inside the werewolf's stomach.
The massive claw—
Had stopped midair.
Frozen.
Trembling.
…
She and her grandmother looked at each other.
Then, as if realizing something—
Their eyes lit up at the same time.
They both looked up.
…
And Brittany saw a scene she would never forget for the rest of her life.
The werewolf's massive shoulder—
Was trembling violently.
Standing firmly atop it—
Was Li Kainan.
Clad in magnificent armor.
The evening wind blew, causing the crimson velvet cloak behind him to ripple.
In his hand—
A beautifully crafted knight's sword gleamed with a chilling, deadly edge.
He held it casually, angled toward the beast.
…
The werewolf's greedy grin was still frozen on its face.
But—
The overwhelming pressure radiating from Li Kainan—
Like that of a god—
Left it completely unable to move.
Not even a fraction.
Its body trembled uncontrollably.
A low whimper escaped its throat.
…
When it saw Li Kainan—
Its first reaction wasn't to attack.
Nor to flee.
Instead—
It shut its eyes tightly.
Moon… please…
Let this human be nothing but an illusion…
It prayed desperately.
Again and again.
Only then did it dare to open its eyes.
Without even turning its head—
It glanced sideways.
…
Li Kainan was still there.
Not an illusion.
Not a dream.
Standing on its shoulder.
Sword in hand.
Eyes cold and sharp.
…
That terrifying aura—
That unmistakable killing intent—
Had completely locked onto it.
…
At that moment—
Only fear remained in the werewolf's heart.
Endless fear.
It realized—
It couldn't muster even the slightest courage to fight.
Its legs trembled.
It didn't even have the strength to run.
…
After a brief silence—
The werewolf slowly retracted its claws.
Then, without hesitation—
It lowered its head.
Submitting.
Surrendering.
"Honorable… and mighty knight…"
"I admit defeat."
"May I… surrender now?"
…
Li Kainan looked at it.
A faint pause.
Then—
His gaze turned colder.
"Surrender?"
"You think this is a joke?"