As they walked deeper into the forest, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife enveloped them. The air grew cooler, the canopy above thickening, allowing only slivers of sunlight to pierce through. Tweety flitted ahead, occasionally returning to perch on Ethan's shoulder, chirping softly to signal that the way was clear.
After about ten minutes of trekking, Lia paused, her hazel eyes narrowing. She crouched low, motioning for Ethan to stop. "Master," she whispered, pointing toward a clearing up ahead. "Another pack."
Ethan followed her gaze and saw the telltale movement among the trees. The wolf pack was larger this time, eight strong, their sleek, muscular forms prowling around a shaded area near a cluster of boulders.
These wolves looked more alert than the previous group, their ears twitching and noses raised as if catching a scent. A low growl rumbled from one of them, their amber eyes scanning the forest.
"They're at higher levels," Lia murmured, her voice barely audible. "Probably 6 or 7."
Ethan nodded, already formulating a plan. "Alright, same as before." He immediately summoned the goblins. He also summoned the wolves, the insectoids, and the slimes, not holding back this time.
Shadow appeared along with the crowd and jumped closer to Ethan with a complaining meow. The cat did not like to be dismissed and resummoned.
Ethan laughed and patted the cat. "Well, become stronger, and then you can always be out." It meowed again, softer this time as if reluctantly accepting the explanation.
Lia couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Shadow certainly has a personality, Master," she said, her tone light. "But perhaps it will take your challenge to heart."
Ethan smirked, scratching Shadow behind the ears. "Let's hope so. Alright, everyone," he said, turning his attention to his summoned creatures. "This pack's bigger and stronger. We're not holding back. Everyone gets their role—no room for mistakes."
The goblins, wolves, insectoids, and slimes formed into loose groups.
Snarl and Grug, as always, stood at the front, their expressions fierce and ready for the fight. The insectoids clicked and hissed, their sharp appendages gleaming. The slimes wobbled slightly but stayed in position, their gelatinous bodies shimmering faintly in the dappled light. The wolves Ethan had recently added to his summoning list paced restlessly, their eyes glowing with a faint, magical hue.
Shadow leaped onto a low branch, curling its tail around itself and watching the preparations with an intense, almost amused gaze.
"Lia," Ethan said, glancing at her. "Same drill. Stay close, and keep buffing them."
Lia nodded, her blade gleaming in the muted forest light. "Understood, Master. I will not fail you."
With the sudden appearance of so many creatures, the wolf pack instantly became alert. Their growls grew louder, echoing through the forest as they shifted into a defensive formation.
The alpha wolf, larger and darker than the rest, stepped forward with its ears flattened and teeth bared, issuing sharp barks that rallied the rest of the pack.
"Here we go," Ethan muttered. He raised his hand, the glow of a Mana Bolt already forming in his palm. "Snarl, Grug—lead the charge. Wolves, flank them. Insectoids, keep them off balance. Slimes, hold the rear and absorb any that slip through."
The summoned creatures surged forward with a coordinated precision that spoke to Ethan's growing control as a summoner. Snarl and Grug roared as they charged ahead, their crude weapons swinging with deadly force. The summoned wolves darted to the sides, using their agility to circle the wild pack and sow confusion.
The insectoids clicked and hissed, moving with eerie speed as they targeted the legs of the wild wolves, aiming to disable their mobility. Meanwhile, the slimes oozed along, not particularly doing anything.
The wild wolves weren't idle. The alpha barked commands, directing its pack with uncanny intelligence. Two wolves darted toward Snarl and Grug, their sharp teeth aiming for the goblins' legs, while another pair broke off to intercept the summoned wolves flanking from the sides.
Ethan released his Mana Bolt, the spell streaking through the air and striking one of the wolves attacking Snarl. The wolf yelped in pain but quickly recovered, its amber eyes blazing with fury as it turned its focus toward Ethan.
But before they could make a move, Snarl and Grug finished the two by clubbing and smashing them. The rest of the wolves tried to focus on the newly added weaker level 1 wolves but the insectoids interfered in their plan and made a quick work of the beasts.
Within a matter of seconds, the entire wolf pack was wiped out and there were not even enough beasts to give everyone decent experience points.
"That was… quicker than I expected," Ethan nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"We need a new hunting ground. If the fights stay this one-sided, we're not going to see much progress. It might be time to start targeting higher-level creatures or at least go someplace with a lot more beasts."