Chapter 243 - 6.3 Who Are You?
"Damn it..." Jillian dragged his body to lean against the tree, sucking in a shuddering breath when the chill seeped through the thick layer of his clothes into his bones. He had already taken off his outer coat and cut it with his sword as a makeshift bandage to stop the bleeding on his leg. But what was the use of it if he couldn’t even get out of this forest alive?
Jillian let out a bitter laugh and forced himself to remain alert even though he could already feel his body slowly turning numb. His entire body was shaking and he could no longer feel the pain from the wounds all over his body. He rubbed his thumb on the insignia engraved on the sword, firmly grabbing onto the hilt for dear life. At least... At least when the Alpha wolf decided that he was a suitable appetizer for dinner, he could still give one last struggle to defend himself.
Jillian cursed himself once again. What’s the use of your stupid pride, Jillian? Look where it has brought you!
He stared at the blood trail on the pure white snow and the corpses of wolves a few meters away, frustrated. He had no plans to die, certainly not here, not for this kind of lame reason. He, General Jillian Lacrosa, ended up in the wolves’ belly and bones buried deep in the snow? No way in hell.
Jillian stabbed the tip of his sword to the ground and used it as a leverage to stand up, staggering once in a while. When he could finally stand straight, sweat had soaked his face and strands of hair were sticking messily to his face. Mists puffed out of his mouth and he was sure that at least one of his wounds had torn open, judging from the steady stream of crimson liquid that dripped to the snow underneath his feet. His ragged breathing sounded so loud and clear amidst the tranquil atmosphere.
Something wasn’t right, Jillian’s instinct clamoured, it was quiet. Too quiet.
He screwed his eyes shut and shook his head hard before opening them again as if he could shake off the haze covering his eyes this way. He couldn’t die, he wouldn’t allow himself to surrender just like that! He squinted his eyes and... there they were, numerous pairs of predatory gazes that hid in between the dense rows of trees and slopes. The night was descending and the beasts’ pupils seemed to glow amidst the dark. Curse Jillian’s shitty luck because of course, the rain just had to fall at a time like this. No, judging from the intensity of the thunder above, it seemed like a storm was coming.
They were doing it on purpose, weren’t they? Realization dawned on him at the same time with the creeping helplessness. The wolves were definitely waiting until the night fully settled down, waiting until Jillian, this foolish human, to lower his guard or better, die by himself so they could drag his body into their cave and devour his flesh.
Jillian remained cautious even as he could no longer feel his feet and his teeth were chattering so hard he could feel his body shaking along with it. Adjusting his grip on the sword, he firmly planted his feet on the snowy ground and pointed the tip of it to the direction of the threatening growl.
"Come." He laughed, hollow and desperate. "Let’s get it done as soon as possible."
He leaned against the tree for support and swung his sword again and again, frenzied. His vision was filled with splattering blood, glowing slit pupils and sharp fangs of the ferocious beasts. A few bites landed on his body here and there but Jillian couldn’t even feel the pain. He was quickly losing his senses and it was pure desperation and wish for survival that compelled him to move and fight. He couldn’t die. That was the only thought left in his mind. He had to get out of here alive!