Chapter 30: Wolf’s Den
Under the upcoming threat, Leonard and Miranda evacuated from the mansion.
At the same time, some members of prominent families dashed toward their households, where their private bodyguards were stationed, while the more confident ones charged toward the nearest dungeon outbreaks, eager to earn merit points.
"Miranda, your level is much higher than mine. Don’t slow down for me and speed on ahead. Otherwise you might come into contact with high concentrations of mana." Leonard proclaimed.
"Young Master, your safety is more important than mine. I can’t leave your side in the middle of a dungeon outbreak." She answered with unwavering determination, moving beside him.
Unwilling to let Miranda come to harm, Leonard pushed his body to the limit. His lungs and limbs gradually started to burn under the mounting exhaustion.
In normal circumstances, for a dungeon outbreak to occur, a dungeon had to be left unchallenged for a long time, allowing monsters to accumulate within it before breaking out into the real world.
It was also possible for a dungeon to materialize and immediately enter an outbreak state, which was supposedly triggered by the leakage of the Void’s corruption.
However, having never attended the awakener academy, Leonard’s knowledge of the topic was limited. All he knew was that his priority was getting out of the infected area.
For a moment, he thought they were in the clear until they came across an active portal of a dungeon.
Blood stained the ground. Shards of broken windows lay shattered while civilians were running away in fright.
Those who were willing to face monsters in frontal confrontation were far and few between, even in the Upper Sector. Most resorted to running for their lives, while a few were standing their ground. Some out of desperation, others due to a sense of duty.
Before Leonard and Miranda could turn to take another path, a grey wolf flanked them. The creature bared its fangs in a hostile manner, its jaws drooling with insatiable hunger.
Leonard moved by instinct. He took out Titanic Oath from his Dimensional Storage, instantly feeling his strength surge by 10 points.
For a fraction of a second, the beast hesitated, seeing the misty edge of the deadly axe.
But in the end, it chose to meet Leonard’s charge. The wolf’s intelligence was too limited to make rational decisions.
With a howl, it leaped from its hind legs, jaws ready to tear Leonard apart.
Built for speed, the beast was a little faster than Leonard. Yet he had the advantage of wielding a weapon with a greater range.
Titanic Oath left a chilly mist in its wake. The blow descended with merciless brutality, splitting the beast’s head open and subtly freezing the fur it carried.
[You have defeated a Level 5 Ferocious Wolf]
[You have gained 10 Experience]
The beast had been Level 5, meaning the open dungeon next to them was only Grade 1. Fortunately, they hadn’t encountered the most deadly outbreaks.
He took a glance at how much experience he needed to level up.
Level: 5 [Experience: 490/500]
"Just ten more."
"To be able to kill the beast in one hit is admirable." Miranda’s lips curled into a radiant smile.
"It’s because of the soul weapon I got from my grandfather’s treasury. I didn’t get the chance to show you until now." He explained.
"Young Master, no matter how great the weapon is, it is up to the wielder how to use it. Please don’t underestimate yourself." She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Is that so..." Leonard’s eyes settled on another wolf who intercepted their path. Getting out of the area was going to be troublesome.
At the very least, he would be able to use the moment to rise to the next level.
He met the beast in combat under Miranda’s watchful gaze. She was eager to see Leonard’s progress and his fighting capabilities.
Of course, she was ready to assist him should his life ever be in danger. Even though she had promised not to use mana, if his life was ever at risk, she was more than willing to trade her own life for his if the situation ever demanded it.
[You have risen to Level 6!]
[You have gained 5 Attribute Points and 10 Evolution Points!]
Level: 6 [Experience: 0/650]
In the end, Leonard managed to overcome the monster and level up.
Usually, wolves hunted in packs, and the majority of the beasts that had emerged from the dungeon were already busy engaging a squad of awakeners wearing protective gear.
Facing the wave of monsters, they shielded a small girl behind them. From the looks of it, she was eight years old, with pink hair and red eyes that had swollen with tears from fright, her small body trembling.
The bodyguards protecting her were clearly experienced fighters, well past Level 10 and most likely possessing a class on top of that.
Individually, the wolves didn’t pose much of a threat to them, yet their sheer numbers were slowly starting to overwhelm them, pushing them backward.
"Miss Daisy, please stay behind us! We can’t let any harm come to you!" The leader of the group shouted urgently.
Just then, one of the wolves managed to break past the bodyguards’ defenses. The beast’s jaws reached out and clamped onto the little girl’s backpack, forcefully dragging her away.
"MISS!"
All color drained from the bodyguards’ faces. Forsaking self-preservation, they cut down every wolf along their path, sustaining numerous wounds along the way in an attempt to retrieve the girl.
However, they proved far too slow. The wolf carrying Daisy jumped back through the dungeon portal.
"NOO!"
Enraged, the leader slammed his bloody fist against the entrance, only to be repelled back.
"The dungeon is Grade 1! Awakeners above Level 10 can’t enter!" The man yelled in dreadful realization, his gaze frantically searching the surroundings.
"Please, someone help! She is just a little girl. She has done no wrong! Don’t let her die!"
Leonard froze on the spot. The bodyguards were above Level 10. A defenseless girl could last mere seconds inside a dungeon at most... far too little time for reinforcements to arrive. He was the only one who could potentially save her.
But entering a dungeon alone was risky. The girl had been accompanied by bodyguards... She was clearly a member of a prominent family. Did they ever spare a thought for those struggling outside the Upper Sector?
"What is wrong with me?! A child is in danger, and I’m worried about our differences in status... If I walk away now, I’m no better than the people who despise me! This is what Father would have done!"
Before Miranda or the bodyguards could act, Leonard ran past them and jumped towards the portal.
[You have entered a Grade 1 Dungeon, Wolf’s Den.]
Leonard found himself sliding down a steep hill. His eyes fixed on the wolf that was dragging Daisy by her backpack.
"Let her go!" With a roar, he threw his axe toward the beast. The throw was clumsy, but thankfully it managed to impale the wolf’s side. The wolf yelped in pain and let go of the girl.
Reaching the ground below, Leonard managed to catch her in time, breaking her fall.
His gaze darkened. Looking ahead, he saw dozens of wolves all staring at him with hungry gazes.
Yet the most alarming of all was the beast that stood on two legs, its muscles bulging with primal power.
[You have encountered the True Boss of the Wolf’s Den!]
[Level 10 Bloodthirsty Werewolf.]
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