Our Family Has Fallen

Even Lance looked troubled...

I knew it wouldn’t be this simple, the boss’s second phase.

However, predators don’t care about their prey’s fear. On the contrary, it only attracts their attention.

”I have already smelled your fear!”

Without the slightest hesitation, the werewolf went on all fours and charged towards the nearest soldier. The burst of speed was unimaginably greater than before its transformation, instantly closing the distance between them.

The werewolf lunged forward, extending its claws to grab, but the soldier, as if confounded by the sudden attack, stood frozen in terror.

But at that moment, Lance darted in from the side. A steel Great Shield appeared out of nowhere, blocking the soldier.

The werewolf’s claws struck the Shield with a SCRAPE that sent sparks flying. Lance felt the werewolf’s impact, which carried such tremendous force that he had to step back to absorb it.

The werewolf, however, stepped on the Shield’s surface, using it as a springboard to lunge at another soldier. Its swift reaction was terrifying.

Damn! I’ve been outsped.

The force from this kick-off interrupted Lance’s movements, leaving him momentarily unable to react to the other soldiers.

”Ah! Fall back, quick, fall back...”

”It will kill us!”

”Let’s run away...”

For a moment, the soldiers were in an uproar, and the once orderly formation began to crumble just because the werewolf drew near.

Fortunately, there was still one person on the scene.

Her fear diluted by hatred, Grendel stepped forward at this moment. She waved her Magic Wand, controlling roots that shot up from the ground to temporarily force the werewolf back.

Lance had just counteracted the pushback when the blood-red wolf eyes fixed on him, and he keenly sensed something.

The werewolf’s eyes seemed to be imbued with some sort of secret technique. Its gaze forced a willpower check on anyone it looked at, terrifying those with weaker wills and plunging them into fear.

The strength disparity with these soldiers was simply too great; no wonder they crumbled so quickly.

”Soldiers! Evacuate the injured immediately.”

Lance immediately ordered their withdrawal. This was no longer a problem they could handle; staying would only hinder him.

The soldiers had already shown great fortitude just by holding their ground. Upon hearing the command, they finally retreated.

With their departure, Lance lowered his Great Shield. As he examined its surface, the dent from the Pigman Knight was still there. But even more terrifying were the fresh claw marks.

This is steel, mind you!

Lance immediately realized the werewolf’s claws must possess Supernatural Power; otherwise, they couldn’t tear through steel so effortlessly.

Noticing the battle unfolding, he immediately shouted a warning,

”There’s something wrong with its claws, be careful!”

But no sooner had he spoken than the werewolf broke free from the roots’ grasp.

With the soldiers gone, it instinctively shifted its target to Grendel, who was now the closest.

Seeing the werewolf approach, Grendel could only continue to manipulate the roots, weaving them into a large net in an attempt to restrain it.

But to her surprise, the werewolf easily tore through the root-made net, undiminished in speed as it lunged toward her.

She was already struggling to resist the fear, and the oncoming pressure nearly suffocated her.

”Get away, monster!”

Lance charged from the side with his Shield. A bash from it sent the werewolf flying. It couldn’t land steadily and instead tumbled several times upon hitting the ground.

The powerful blow, which also stunned the creature, demonstrated Lance’s terrifying strength.

But Lance couldn’t pursue. The previous burst of effort had strained him, and he also feared accidentally killing the beast if he wasn’t careful, so he had to proceed cautiously.

”Don’t be afraid. Stand behind me, it won’t get past me,” Lance said reassuringly, his eyes fixed on the werewolf as it got up from the ground.

Hearing his words, the intimidating pressure on Grendel’s heart began to ease. She couldn’t help but recall him saying something similar when they confronted the Witch, and he had indeed kept his word.

Lance didn’t notice her gaze. Watching the werewolf get up from the ground, recovering in mere moments, he couldn’t help but feel troubled and muttered, ”How can this thing be so strong? With this appearance, does it count as the ritual succeeding or failing?”

Even I would have needed two or three seconds to recover from that hit just now. But this werewolf shook off the stun and stood up so quickly, and it doesn’t show any signs of injury!

In just over ten seconds, it had displayed a terrifying burst of power. Its claws and eyes possessed Supernatural Power, and even more frightening was its increased speed. If Grendel hadn’t reacted quickly to intercept it, it would have charged into the soldiers at that incredible speed, and who knows how many would have died.

Seeing its current powerful physique and recovery ability, Lance was momentarily speechless.

Is it using cheats?! I want to report it! Oh, wait. I have cheats too. Never mind then.

Grendel, unaware of Lance’s thoughts, had indeed been reminded of something by his earlier question.

”Normally, a completed advancement results in a humanoid form. However, records within the Deerhead Tribe documented that some Legendary warriors of the Fang Tribe did partially transform into wolves during combat.

But that should be a partial transformation, controllable, with self-awareness retained, and reversible. It definitely wouldn’t lead to becoming a complete beast like this one.”

With a formidable enemy before her, Grendel couldn’t afford to let her thoughts wander. She focused on the werewolf, quickly recalling relevant information.

”Its current state suggests it has abandoned its human consciousness, fully entering a feral werewolf state in exchange for even greater power.”

Why did Grendel know this?

Because the Priest of the Deerhead Tribe had once used a similar method, gaining immense power to hold off the Warwolf and buy her more time.

”Be careful!”

There wasn’t much time for idle chat or leisurely analysis in battle. The werewolf got up and immediately launched an attack at Lance.

Its elongated arms allowed it to run on all fours without appearing awkward; its fluid movements made one wonder if it had been trained.

Seeing the werewolf approach, Lance snapped out of his reverie. His Great Shield vanished, replaced by a greatsword as he charged forward to strike.

No matter how you transform, you’ll still face my sword!

The werewolf, though large, was nimble. It easily dodged the Sword Blade and reached for Lance, forcing him to raise the greatsword to defend.

Sparks flew as its claws clashed with the thick blade, and Lance and the werewolf narrowly missed each other as they passed.

But Lance was not one to take hits without dishing them out.

If an ordinary person swung such a greatsword, changing their attack would inevitably involve a pause to gather strength. But Lance’s power was inexhaustible. He kicked the flat of the blade to accelerate its swing. Then, with a backhanded grip, a twist of his waist, and the power of his shoulders, he swung the massive greatsword as if it were a mere wooden stick.

The werewolf, devoid of intellect and fighting on pure instinct, had gotten too close. This proximity, usually its advantage, now left it no room to dodge, forcing it to meet the incoming Sword Blade with its claws.

A muffled THUD sounded as the werewolf was forced back. But then, a terrifying scene unfolded.

It had actually blocked the seemingly unstoppable greatsword! Its claws hadn’t even broken; only a bit of flesh was torn.

Lance looked at his greatsword and understood. Forged from Mundane Iron, it had lost its sharpness after repeated battles and was covered in combat scars.

Previously, his enemies couldn’t withstand the sheer force of his blows, perishing even if the sword wasn’t sharp.

But against an opponent of nearly equal physical strength and power, it was proving difficult. The werewolf hadn’t been significantly injured when it caught the Sword Blade; instead, the blade itself now bore new claw marks.

Steel, defeated by claws.

Is this what Supernatural Power is?

The werewolf had no such thoughts. The moment it was repelled, it lunged again.

Lance had no time to lament. He lifted his greatsword and re-engaged. When two evenly matched powerhouses fought, the battle would either end in an instant or depend on who revealed an opening first.

This was destined to be a protracted battle, but Lance wasn’t worried.

”Bless, activate!”

As unending power surged within him, a smile suddenly appeared on Lance’s face, growing increasingly wild...