The Golem Mage

After weighing his options, Alec finally decided he couldn’t reveal himself just yet, as stepping out too early would mean being torn apart by the five light wolf demonic beasts.

But he also knew waiting until they finished the demonic bull would strip him of any chance of surviving a battle with all five of them no matter what the aftermath of their battle with the demonic bull leads to.

The wolves were moving as one, anticipating each other’s strikes with uncanny precision, the bull, though powerful, couldn’t match that coordination while surrounded on all sides.

Alec realized the only way the bull could tip the scales was if some of the wolves were separated from their pack.

“We’ll have to help the demonic bull,” Alec muttered, Titan and Legion, who were standing on either side of him, stiffened at the command, visibly shaken, as this was the first time their master had ever chosen to aid a beast of the forest.

Turning, he caught their bewildered stares and understood their hesitation.

“Look at it this way, If we step in, we gain the chance to kill more than one wolf. I know we can’t take on more than two at once if we want an easier battle, but with the bull’s help, we would only be indirectly helping ourselves.” Alec explained, his voice steady.

With that, Alec stepped out of hiding and let his aura flare.

Instantly, all five wolves’ gazes snapped toward him, ears pricked, hackles raised, even the bull’s blazing red eyes turned his way, and for the first time, Alec saw it fully.

The beast was massive, its muscular body looked carved from stone, its frame refusing to buckle despite the bleeding gashes etched across its hide, the wolves had been methodically deepening its wounds, yet the bull still stood strong, pawing the ground as smoke snorted from its nostrils.

Its horns, curved and deadly, gleamed with a fury that promised carnage.

“Many of the demonic beasts I’ve encountered in this forest seem to possess high intelligence and even the ability of speech, so I’ll assume you can understand the next words I’m about to say,” Alec began.

“I’ll help you deal with the light wolves, but in return, when this is over, you must promise not to come after me.” His eyes narrowed as he activated his Analyze skill on the beast before him.

[Status]

Name: Iron Blood Demonic Bull

Type: Beast

Realm: Tier 7 (Mid)

Affinity: Earth (Low)

Special Abilities: Tremor (High), Energy Horns (High)

[Status]

Name: Light Wolves

Type: Beast

Realm: Tier 7 (Low)

Affinity: Light (Mid)

Special Ability: Space Shuffle (Low)

Even with just the basic stats, Alec had to admit, the Iron Blood Demonic Bull looked far more enticing as a potential soul beast for his bloodline than the wolves.

Still, he meant what he said, and for now, he was hoping the bull understood his words, because in all the attack scenarios he ran through his head, he didn’t see a way to take on all five wolves alone if the bull rejected his offer.

To his relief, the bull gave a slow, deliberate nod, signalling it understood, though confusion lingered in its eyes, clearly wondering where Alec’s confidence came from, but with its energy already waning, it wasn’t in a position to refuse any help.

Before Alec could act further, a booming laugh echoed across the battlefield, drawing his gaze towards the lead wolf.

“Such foolish words, You, an ordinary Tier 6 human, think you can interfere with our hunt?” the wolf sneered.

Its mental aura flared, washing over Alec as if peeling him apart piece by piece, for three long seconds, the wolf probed, searching for signs of concealment. When the aura dissipated, its lips curled in, and it was shocked after it had confirmed Alec’s realm.

It felt the human before it was truly nothing more than a Mid-Tier 6 mage, the shock on the wolf’s face was undeniable.

“You’re just a Mid-Rank mage, how is it possible you managed to enter one of the special regions without being a High-Rank?” the lead wolf demanded.

But it didn’t wait for Alec’s reply, once it fully confirmed that Alec was nothing more than a Mid-Tier 6 human mage, its interest in him as a threat vanished.

“Well, it doesn’t matter, you’re just another pest to be weeded out for stepping into sacred ground, only High-Rank lifeforms deserve to enter the special regions. Kill him.”

At its command, one of the light wolves dashed toward Alec, its intent clear.

In an instant, it became a streak of golden afterimages, closing the distance with frightening speed.

The beast lunged, jaws wide open, aiming to clamp down on Alec’s neck, its confidence in its speed was absolute, it believed Alec who is a Tier 6 mage hadn’t even reacted to his move, certain it was about to rip a chunk out of Alec.

But that confidence was the very reason it failed.

“Butcher,” Alec called calmly, his hands still clasped behind his back, his eyes fixed not on the wolf attacking him but on the one who seemed like the leader of the small wolf pack.

Suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning tore across the air, the lunging wolf caught it from the corner of its eye, but it was already mid-air, already committed, and dodging just seems impossible at that point.

The lightning crossed the distance in a blink, slamming into the beast before it could even register what happened.

Strrrrrrr!!!!!

The lightning bolt struck hard, its crackling energy ripping through the wolf’s body, its limbs convulsed uncontrollably as the searing current ravaged every vein and muscle, leaving it numb and twitching.

The beast lost control mid-air, crashing down behind the branches, right where Alec stood calmly, hands still folded behind his back.

The wolf struggled, regaining control of its body just as rage boiled in its eyes, humiliation burned in its chest, and it tensed to lunge again at Alec.

But then, in that split second, its instinct froze it, as it glanced around, it realized exactly where it had landed, and right in front of i

t was a strange, ominous weapon now levelled directly at its head.