The Flower Is Finished

Before us stood a group of savage beasts ready to tear us apart.

There were no demons or sorcerers among them. These were ferocious creatures tamed by the Werewolf Clan.

Bloodfang Wolves.

According to legend, they were the prized beasts of the Wolf Clan. Born for battle, they were among the most feared creatures in existence. Their speed was unmatched, and their razor-sharp fangs carried a deadly venom. A single bite was enough to poison their prey, which was why most warriors avoided them at all costs.

"Are you sure we can defeat those beasts?" Farel asked while staring at the saliva dripping from their jaws onto the ground.

"Damn it. They're useless," William cursed.

The three of us prepared ourselves to face the five Bloodfang Wolves standing before us.

"I've heard stories about those creatures before," William muttered.

I remained silent as I stared at the beasts.

Suddenly, my necklace pulsed violently. Ancient flames surged through my veins.

"Let me kill them."

William and Farel immediately turned toward me. Their eyes widened slightly after seeing the change in my expression.

"Fine," William replied.

He and Farel stepped back.

I would face these five beasts alone.

Drawing the sword from my waist, I charged forward.

The wolves howled.

The trees around us trembled.

My heartbeat accelerated while the Ancient Flame within me burned hotter and hotter.

I tightened my grip on my sword, staring at them with cold arrogance and eyes filled with killing intent.

All five wolves lunged toward me simultaneously.

I dodged their attack, but one of them was too slow.

Sssrrrttt!

My blade sliced through its stomach from below.

A painful howl echoed through the forest.

The remaining wolves leaped toward me.

I rolled across the ground to avoid them.

When I rose again, they began circling me one by one, as if someone was controlling them from afar.

One wolf opened its mouth wide and charged.

I sprinted away, luring it toward a large tree.

At the last second, I planted my foot against the trunk, flipped backward, and drove my sword directly into its mouth.

Stab!

Slash!

A painful scream erupted from the beast.

I pushed the blade deeper with all my strength.

Blood sprayed everywhere as the wolf writhed in agony.

Then I channeled my Ancient Flame into the sword.

The heat exploded.

Within seconds, the wolf's body was engulfed in flames and reduced to ashes.

Nothing remained.

The four remaining wolves witnessed the death of their companion.

Their eyes instantly filled with rage.

A deafening howl shook the entire forest.

Without hesitation, all four charged at me.

I raised my sword and prepared myself.

The wolves leaped.

I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding their poisonous fangs.

Clang!

My blade collided against one of their claws.

The wolves became even more savage.

They attacked from every direction.

I retreated toward a nearby tree while their claws shredded the bark apart.

Immediately, I activated my Thousand Shadow Technique.

Dozens of afterimages appeared around me.

The wolves hesitated.

Taking advantage of the confusion, I launched a series of attacks from the shadows.

My target was obvious.

The largest wolf among them.

Its crimson eyes glowed unnaturally.

Someone was controlling it through magic.

The wolf roared and lunged at me.

I raised my sword and blocked its claws.

The impact nearly crushed my arms.

It continued pushing me backward deeper into the forest.

Then I saw it.

The Frozen Death Lake.

I had heard stories about it before.

A forbidden lake within the Werewolf Clan.

The surface appeared frozen, but beneath it lay deadly acidic water capable of rotting flesh and bone.

"Xanders! That's dangerous!" William shouted.

But the wolf continued forcing me toward the lake.

The closer I came, the hotter my Ancient Flame burned.

Finally, my feet touched the frozen surface.

Crack...

A faint fracture spread beneath us.

If the ice shattered, we would both die.

I gritted my teeth and pushed back with all my strength.

At last, I managed to throw the wolf away.

However, another wolf immediately attacked from behind.

I had no choice.

I would have to kill them all.

The wolves charged together.

My thick winter clothes made my movements slower.

Several claws tore through the fabric.

Without hesitation, I ripped off the damaged section and wrapped it around my exposed arm.

I couldn't afford even a single scratch from their venomous fangs.

Clang!

Crash!

Crash!

Crash!

Slash!

Stab!

Auuuuuu!

One by one, the wolves fell.

Soon only one remained.

The leader.

The largest among them.

It slowly circled the Death Lake, watching the corpses of its fallen pack.

"You'll die too," I said coldly.

The beast growled.

Then we charged at each other.

Because of its massive size, landing a decisive blow was difficult.

It seemed to understand my fighting style and adapted quickly.

Its claw shot toward my shoulder.

I deflected the attack, but the force sent me flying.

Bang!

My sword slipped from my hand and landed several meters away.

The wolf had successfully separated me from my weapon.

Ancient Flame surged through my body.

The cracks beneath the frozen lake became larger.

This time, I fought with my bare hands.

I rushed forward.

My fist slammed into the wolf's throat while my leg swept beneath its body.

The beast crashed onto the frozen surface.

More cracks spread across the ice.

The smell of blood filled the air.

Other predators would eventually be drawn here.

I had to finish this quickly.

The wolf glared at me with pure hatred.

Then it charged again.

I grabbed its jaws with both hands.

When it tried to bite my face, I kicked its hind legs.

The wolf howled in pain.

Before it could recover, I slammed its body into the ground.

It rolled away and quickly got back up.

At the same time, I moved closer to my fallen sword.

The wolf noticed.

It immediately changed direction and attacked.

I rolled across the ice and reclaimed my weapon.

Once again, we clashed.

Its claws tore through my clothes despite the armor beneath them.

The smell of its rotten breath nearly made me sick.

After forcing me back, the wolf retreated and prepared for one final charge.

I smiled.

The trap was ready.

Without warning, I plunged my sword into the cracked ice.

Stab!

Crack...

Crack...

Crack...

The fractures spread rapidly.

The wolf finally realized the danger.

Its eyes darted around.

I pulled my sword free and stomped on the ice.

The cracks expanded even further.

The moment the wolf leaped—

I drew the hidden dagger from my waist.

With all my strength, I threw it.

The blade pierced directly into its heart.

The wolf let out a horrifying scream.

Its body collapsed.

At that exact moment—

CRACK!

The frozen surface shattered.

Splash!

The wolf plunged into the acidic waters below.

Its screams echoed through the valley before disappearing forever.

I immediately ran toward the shore.

The cracks chased after me.

Just before the ice collapsed beneath my feet, I leaped onto solid ground.

William and Farel stood there staring at me in shock.

"You aren't injured?" Farel asked anxiously.

I shook my head.

Although my clothes were torn, my steel armor had protected me.

"I'm fine."

I tore away the ruined fabric and glanced back toward the lake.

The wolf was gone.

Dead by its own arrogance.

"Let's go," I said to William and Farel.

Without looking back again, we continued our journey.