Chapter 136: Everything Goes Wrong (As Expected)
The four new alphas emerged fully from the treeline, their terrifying forms now clearly visible to all. My brows furrowed deeply as I took in their mutated appearances.
This... wasn't exactly how we expected things to go.
The monstrous eagle spread its wings wide enough to blot out the morning sun, lightning crackling between its feathers. Each powerful wingbeat sent hurricane-force winds carving trenches through the snow. Its eyes burned with unnatural violet fire that made my skin crawl.
Beside it stood a grotesque, bloated bear that dwarfed even Frostfang's massive form. Its maw hung open in a permanent, jagged grin, acidic drool hissing as it melted craters in the snow where it landed.
To their left prowled a gaunt, skeletal wolf wreathed in deathly mist. Where it stepped, the very air seemed to wither, frost spreading in unnatural spiral patterns that defied the wind.
Most disturbing was the metallic-plated beast that completed the quartet - its spiked armor gleaming like polished steel as it plowed through snowdrifts with terrifying speed for its size.
Except for the eagle, none of these looked like native forest creatures.
Or if they were, something had twisted them beyond recognition, probably the same thing that caused Frostfang's transformation. The culprit behind this was clearly more powerful - and more ruthless - than we'd anticipated.
I clenched my fists.
The Turtle Brothers could probably handle them - it would be good if I could join them, it would be five against five then. But in my current state, I'd only be able to contend with the lower-ranked monsters. The frustration burned in my chest, but I brushed it away, reminding myself that haste also makes waste.
"Vice-captain! Take command of the defenses!" The captain's voice rang out suddenly, sharp and clear above the growing chaos.
Before I or anyone else could react, she vaulted over the parapet in a single fluid motion.