The expedition party cautiously stepped into the dark forest where fallen leaves rustled underfoot. In the quiet forest, even the smallest sounds seemed amplified.

  After the drake attack, no one spoke easily. The smell of burning hair and blood still lingered in their memories, and their bodies remained tense.

  The forest was very quiet. In the stillness without wind, fog wrapped around their ankles. Tristan shivered as cold moisture seeped through the gaps in his armor.

  A rustling sound came from the bushes. At first, it seemed like the wind, but it was distinctly different from the sound of leaves brushing against each other. It was like someone whispering nearby.

  Something was approaching. With the sound of dry branches breaking, an invisible presence gradually came closer. The expedition members felt a chill run down their spines.

  "This forest... something is watching us." Leon gripped his sword tightly. The young Holy Knight's voice resonated inside his helmet, creating an even more tense atmosphere.

  A comrade standing nearby surveyed the surroundings and answered in a low voice. "The rumors weren't for nothing."

  Hardin, a veteran with much experience, calmly scanned the area.

  The sound of armor clashing was heard. The Holy Knights tensed, gripping their shields firmly or gathering closer together.

  This was the Great Forest. This place, called the forest of the missing, was very vast, and it was said that once you entered, you would completely lose your sense of direction. There were also rumors that strange screams could be heard at night.

  The expedition had to pass through this forest to reach Westdark. Westdark was located on the western border of the Litrian Empire and had an expedition base for Hell Fortress. Taking another route would add at least two more weeks, and they didn't have that luxury. The fate of the empire rested upon them.

  "In this forest, not only do people get lost..." someone quietly said.

  "But there are more dangerous things too."

  As the words ended, the air felt colder. It didn't matter who had spoken. Everyone knew the truth.

  One member kept clenching and unclenching his fist, while others nervously surveyed their surroundings or trembled.

  The branches shook, and the presence of something was felt. It was as if someone was watching.

  "Do not fear! We will forge ahead on the path before us!" Lord Petriert's strong voice echoed. His words, having led the expedition for a long time, always gave courage to his subordinates.

  At his cry, the expedition members straightened their posture and gripped their weapons firmly. Though fear was present, they found the will to overcome it.

  "Hey, no need to get so serious. This might turn out to be a romantic walk we'll never forget," Bow said with a laugh. Naturally positive, he never lost his humor in any situation.

  "Don't you think? Walking through the forest with such a great expedition team, if you think about it, it's quite romantic!"

  But no one answered. Even Bow felt his words echoing emptily. His smile faltered momentarily before returning. It was a habit to hide his tension.

  When it became quiet again, there was a tapping sound.

  Everyone stopped in their tracks. Somewhere, the sound of dry branches breaking was heard, and something was getting closer and closer. Hearts raced, and palms sweated. Only the short breaths of someone could be heard.

  ##############

  Several pairs of blue eyes gleamed in the darkness. As the expedition party carefully advanced through the heart of the Great Forest, blue eyes appeared one by one from the darkness.

  Initially scattered, over time, more and more eyes began to follow the expedition.

  A knight stopped in his tracks. One of the Holy Knights guarding the rear was the first to notice. He was an ordinary knight but had an exceptional ability to detect danger.

  "There... something is following us." He gripped his sword handle tightly.

  "Don't joke around," the senior knight next to him reprimanded in a low but hard voice. But even he couldn't hide his unease.

  "I'm not. Look there!" He pointed into the darkness.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  In the darkness he pointed to, a pair of blue eyes gleamed. At first, only one pair of faintly glowing eyes was visible.

  And then more and more eyes appeared.

  Dozens of eyes appeared in the darkness. All at the same height, same size, shining toward the expedition.

  The entire forest seemed to move. It felt not like mere wild animals, but as if the forest itself was targeting them. Something moved stealthily in the darkness, watching the expedition like prey.

  Even stranger was that all the eyes moved simultaneously in the same direction. They seemed to share a single consciousness. The sound of branches shaking and leaves rustling mixed together.

  "Halt the march," Lord Petriert's resolute voice echoed.

  All the Holy Knights stopped and heightened their vigilance. The presence of something moving in the darkness was felt. The forest was quiet, but danger lurked behind that silence. Only the small metallic sound of armor clashing cut through the air.

  "They're increasing," the leading Holy Knight muttered. His voice trembled.

  As the eyes grew in number, they began to surround the expedition. The blue lights closed in, forming a circle, and the expedition was completely surrounded.

  "Battle formation!" Lord Petriert sharply cried out, drawing his sword.

  At the expedition leader's command, the Holy Knights raised their shields and drew their swords. Bow Dolehr and the Outlaw also prepared their weapons. The sounds of metal clashing, leather creaking, and bowstrings tightening mixed together.

  A massive wolf revealed itself from the darkness.

  It was a wolf, but not like ordinary wolves. This wolf was twice the size of a normal wolf. Its fur shone silver. Its muscular body looked powerful, both agile and imposing. It seemed to have stepped out of an ancient legend.

  The wolf's blue eyes gazed sharply at the expedition. It was not the gaze of a simple animal, but that of a hunter with intelligence. Beyond wild instinct, a clear purpose was visible.

  The wolves growled threateningly as they slowly approached the expedition. The sound of claws scratching the ground was ominous. They circled around, ready to pounce at any moment, and the eerie sound of sharp claws scratching the ground was chilling.

  "Protect the mages!" Lord Petriert commanded firmly.

  The Holy Knights immediately formed a circular formation. They interlocked their shields to create a seamless wall, and their trained movements were in perfect harmony.

  Suddenly, a wolf leaped out of the darkness, lunging for Tristan's throat. Moving like a shadow, it revealed sharp teeth.

  "Kuk!" Tristan quickly raised his shield.

  There was a dull sound of metal and flesh colliding. Tristan swiftly blocked the impact and immediately swung his sword, stabbing the wolf's side. The sensation of the sharp blade cutting through the wolf's flesh traveled through his hand.

  The first wolf fell. But that was just the beginning.

  As a howl echoed through the forest, dozens of wolves lunged at once. The sound of startled birds taking flight was heard in the distance.

  The Outlaw threw a dagger, precisely piercing the forehead of another wolf. The wolf collapsed to the ground. His hand movements were too fast to follow with the eye.

  But two more wolves lunged.

  Two wolves simultaneously pounced on the Outlaw, and sharp claws grazed his left arm, drawing blood.

  "Damn it! There are too many!" The Outlaw gritted his teeth, ignoring his wound as he turned to aim for the second wolf's neck.

  Bow fired arrows in succession, trying to hold off the wolves, but they moved unpredictably, dodging.

  "Oh, they're fast!" Bow's jaw muscles tightened. Bow gritted his teeth and fired arrows in succession.

  At that moment, Professor Patricia stepped forward. As magic spread from her fingertips, particles of light formed in the air. Professor Patricia's pupils turned blue.

  "Wall of earth, block our enemies! Lumen Terra!" Professor Patricia's voice resonated powerfully.

  KUUUKUUKUNG!!!

  As Professor Patricia thrust her staff into the ground, the earth vibrated, and an ochre-colored magic circle appeared beneath their feet. The ground split, and soil clumped firmly in the air. The smell of earth stung their noses with the sound of rocks and soil colliding. Small stones mixed in the soil made a clacking sound.

  A massive earthen wall rose, blocking between the expedition and the wolves. It stood firm like a castle wall.

  Fatigue briefly crossed Professor Patricia's face, but she quickly composed herself.

  "Now deal with the ones inside!" Lord Petriert raised his sword.

  At the expedition leader's command, the swords of the Holy Knights gleamed and swung in unison.

  Outside the earthen wall, there were still numerous wolves. The growling and the sound of claws scratching earth from beyond the wall heightened the expedition's tension.

  The wolves waited persistently, still targeting their prey. Shadows of some wolves trying to climb over the wall were visible.

  ##############

  The wolves moved like shadows. In the darkness, they seemed to move solely on hunter's instinct, without fear.

  "At this rate, there's no end. We need some kind of solution." The Outlaw spoke, gripping his dagger tightly. His voice was low and calm, but tension was evident.

  Blood vessels stood out on the back of the Outlaw's hand, and on the opposite side, Bow quietly drew his bowstring. The two stood back to back, watching for the approaching wolf pack.

  Then, suddenly, the forest grew quiet.

  Everyone's gaze converged on one spot. A being walked out from between the black forest, and instantly the entire forest became silent.

  Its snow-white fur glowed softly. Even more impressive were its golden eyes. That gaze seemed to pierce through those who looked upon it.

  The surrounding wolves lowered their heads. It appeared not just as a leader but as the king of this forest. The other wolves showed signs of submission.

  It was too massive to be called a wolf, giving a mysterious feeling like a being from mythology. In the golden-eyed gaze that looked at the expedition, there was wisdom.

  As the being took a step, the surrounding wolves lowered their bodies. The earth trembled subtly beneath its steps, and the surrounding grass and trees seemed to move.

  "Look at that... it must be the wolf leader!" A knight spoke with a trembling voice. His voice conveyed both fear and awe.

  Bow gritted his teeth and drew his bowstring. "If we take down the leader, they'll retreat." His voice sounded confident, but his fingertips trembled slightly.

  WHISH!

  The arrow sliced through the air but fell to the ground before reaching the wolf leader. The target was too far, and in the darkness, it was difficult to gauge the exact distance.

  "Damn it...!" Bow pulled out the next arrow and drew his bowstring with a short curse.

  The wolves approached closer, revealing sharp teeth. In front of the suddenly appeared earthen wall, the wolves growled, looking for a detour. The wall was too high for them to climb, and a few that tried to scratch it only hurt their claws.

  "It's working! The knights and wolves are no longer mixed together. Now I can use magic!" Elina's face spread with confidence.

  Elina and Hallis exchanged glances. As Elina gave a signal with her eyes, Hallis nodded.

  Hallis took a deep breath and raised her staff high. The air rippled around her staff, and her hair slightly rose with static electricity.

  "Lightning Bolt!" Her voice echoed.

  Lightning split the sky and struck down on the wolf leader. The flash brightly illuminated the forest, and the smell of burning reverberated.

  However, the wolf leader did not flinch. Growling and glaring in this direction, there was only a bit of soot where the lightning had grazed, but no wound.

  "Damn, not even a flinch?!" Hallis gritted her teeth and looked at her trembling hand. Her powerful attack had no effect.

  "My turn." Elina lightly grabbed Hallis's arm and stepped forward.

  "Aqua Glacius!" Elina exclaimed in a calm voice.

  A blue light spread from the tips of her fingers, and a massive ice mass formed above the wolf leader's head. The clear sound of ice forming was heard, and moisture from the surroundings gathered.

  Cold fog spread along the ground, freezing the floor. The wolves' feet stuck to the ice, causing them to slip and lose balance, with some falling on their backsides. A smile spread across Elina's lips.

  "Good! Now just the final touch!" Hallis clenched her fist.

  "I can finish this...!" Elina's eyes shone.

  Just as Elina raised her hand to cast the final spell, 'Icicle',

  WHEE! WHEE!

  A sharp whistle echoed from somewhere in the forest. At that sound, which penetrated deep into the ears, the forest seemed to hold its breath. The entire forest was enveloped in stillness.

  The wolves all froze like statues. Their blue eyes gleamed simultaneously, but they all stopped moving as if hypnotized. The wolf leader, about to attack, was the same.

  Elina's heart beat rapidly, and her hand holding the staff trembled slightly.

  "What's going on?" Her voice trembled.

  A single whistle changed everything.

  The wolves all turned their heads toward the darkness of the forest. In their eyes was respect, and their posture was no longer aggressive, showing respect and submission instead.

  And then...

  A figure silently appeared from the darkness.