— Rimuru POV —
The leader gathered everything it had left and surged forward, committing fully to a final attack. There was no hesitation in its movement, only a direct attempt to force a result before its chance disappeared.
I remained where I was and let it close the distance.
At the moment it entered range, I expanded outward and reshaped my body to meet the attack, wrapping around it in a single motion. The force behind its strike lost direction the instant it made contact, absorbed and redirected as I enclosed it completely.
"Got you."
The leader reacted immediately, pushing back with everything it had, trying to twist free. The more it struggled, the less control it kept, its movement breaking down as the position worked against it.
[Great Sage: Capture confirmed.]
I compressed inward, tightening my hold and cutting off its motion entirely. The resistance faded soon after, its strength no longer able to sustain itself.
When I released it, the body dropped to the ground without any sign of recovery.
The clearing went still.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then I acted.
My body extended again, flowing over the fallen leader and enclosing it without resistance.
[Great Sage: Predator activated.]
[Analyzing target…]
The form disappeared into me, absorbed completely.
I felt the change immediately.
Not dramatic, but clear. The magicules settled differently, slightly denser than before.
"…That is efficient," Rei said.
"It's useful," I replied. "No reason to leave it."
He studied me briefly.
"…Your magicules increased."
"Yeah. That happens."
That part felt normal.
Behind us, the rest of the pack reacted.
They did not scatter or attack. Instead, they lowered themselves almost at the same time, their posture shifting into stillness.
Submission.
I watched them for a moment, confirming the shift was consistent.
Rei stepped closer, his attention moving across the wolves.
"They understand the situation," he said.
"Yeah. That makes things simple."
Behind us, the goblins remained in place, still holding their positions. Their tension had not fully faded, but they did not break formation or rush forward.
That alone showed improvement.
I turned my attention back to the wolves.
"If you stay, you follow my lead."
They did not understand the words, but the intent carried through. One of the wolves at the front moved slightly forward and lowered itself further than the others, holding that position without hesitation.
That was enough.
"Good."
The pressure in the air settled, no longer sharp or immediate. It shifted into something controlled, something that no longer demanded constant reaction.
I slid back slightly and looked over the goblins.
"You can stand down. Keep your spacing."
They responded quickly, breaking formation in an orderly way instead of collapsing into a crowd. A few lost balance briefly, but most held steady.
Rei moved through the group, checking injuries with a quick, efficient glance.
"Nothing critical," he said. "They will recover."
"I'll handle the rest."
I formed several potions and pushed them outward, guiding them to the injured. The effects were immediate, wounds closing and breathing stabilizing across the group.
When it was done, the difference was clear.
The goblins stood on their own.
The wolves remained lowered.
The forest had gone quiet again.
I looked across the clearing one last time.
"Alright. That takes care of it."
Rei glanced toward the forest, then back at the group.
"For now."
"Yeah. For now."