If the first howl was filled with anger, pain, and mixture of all sorts of emotions. This second howl was almost mechanical, empty of any emotions.

When Jessica and Saleh heard this, they slowed slightly, it was a truly strange sound. As soon as the first time, there was soon a second, more impactful howl of the same nature.

This time there was a physical reaction to the wolves. Those three wolves blocking the front backed away, and stopped blocking them. There was some hesitation in their movements, however, in the end they didn’t stop.

A few wolves had started to close the surrounding circle, they too stopped in their tracks. After leaving the encirclement. The two looked back and saw the wolf that had let out the howl.

This was one of the Grade F snow wolves, it was a bit old. With numerous scars and scratches appearing on its skin where small patches of horrible wounds caused the fur to stop growing. It wasn’t looking at them, it looked at the pack leader before turning towards them with one last howl as there was once again movement from the snow wolves.

As for the most drastic movement, that came from the pack leader that was going hysterical. A few in the surrounding stopped and watch as a mound of snow exploded as a large current of ice shot out from the pack leader.

Not being caught by the attack, the old wolf didn’t even turn around and left. Those that were hesitating only watched before also turning around and leaving.

Before Jessica or Saleh could make sense of everything, once again everything took a massive shift. The snow around the pack leader exploded as a massive shadow shot out from the snow underneath it.

A disturbing laugh traveled through the air. Jessica stared back at the carriage as she saw in front of her was Saleh, she was able to see that the hair on the back of his neck was sticking up. There standing in the snow as she had fallen off the step as she laughed in a rather creepy manner, was Cassie.

She didn’t give the uneasy Saleh or Jessica a look. She kept staring at where the pack leader was. There was excitement on her face.

Jessica didn’t bother with Cassie, since she didn’t appear to be hurt. Turning around, she saw the last struggle of the pack leader before it finally stopped struggling.

There, a massive body could be seen. What was once beautiful velvet softness, was now covered in blood. Cassie’s massive wolf had its mouth clamped down around the pack leader's neck. Its blue eyes were glowing vibrantly.

It was at that moment the wolf looked at them and both Jessica and Saleh felt a bit uneasy. There was no hostility in its gaze. However, the sound of the neck in its maws cracking from the pressure as it shifted slightly, while being covered in flowing blood, was a striking appearance.

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Closing its eyes was followed by a soft cracking. It was very soft at first, slowly that sound started to become louder. The uneasy they both felt was not from the sight, instead the mana in the surroundings was being absorbed massively in the surrounding.

Neither Jessica nor Saleh had felt this sensation before. As at the time they experienced something similar, they were both in the mist of their own breakthroughs. Therefore, they didn’t have the time to focus on what happened in the surrounding.

There was excitement in her voice, “Who knew this trip would allow my little wolfie to breakthrough, she was already extraordinary, I can’t wait to see what the results are.”

At this point, Jessica turned to look. She saw Saleh watching the breakthrough with awe, while Cassie had lost her facade. For the first time she was from Jessica’s perspective, more genuine. Though, she wasn’t off put by this.

Cassie always seemed a bit too soft, and right now she was extremely excited, not because of herself, no. This was for the creature that had shown a lot of care for her. Before it was put back in the harness, it would always come over and rub itself on Cassie.

It clearly cared for her. Judging by the way she was acting, it seemed Cassie was being modest around them before. She clearly cared for the wolf. Seeing as she lost all pretenses in her excitement for its breakthrough.

Saleh was the first to snap out of it, “Crap! We have to move now!”

Before he could do anything, Jessica realized what he was talking about. Though very quickly, the two noticed a problem.

It was too quiet.

Cassie heard them and finally came back to herself as she looked around the field cautiously. She had a bit of trouble but took a step, albeit reluctantly, back towards the carriage. Soon a shadow appeared next to her, pulling her out of the cold snow.

Currently, just like how the snow wolf did, Cassie was standing on top of the snow without sinking. To her side was Everblood.

“Did you seal off this entire area?” Jessica could help but ask when she realized she couldn’t feel any wind. There was not even a breeze. All sound had disappeared, she couldn’t hear the breaking sound from Cassie’s wolf anymore.

“Good senses. Yes, I did.” Turning back to look at Cassie, “I will make sure nobody interrupts its breakthrough.”

“Thanks Uncle Mercury” Cassie reached over and hugged Everblood tightly.

Jessica turned back to watch the wolf with questions. No matter how intelligent wolves appeared. They couldn’t be considered intelligent life.

Mainly for the very reason in front of them now. From goblins, humans, elves, and dwarves. All of them had to use a dungeon core to breakthrough. She was unsure about dragons, but other life didn’t need this.

This was why, even though goblins without the ability to communicate or think rationally outside of instincts. Were still considered intelligent. She was still unclear how they were able to break through in that state.

It appeared that Cassie’s wolf was ready for a breakthrough, and once it killed the Grade E pack leader, it became the catalyst for its breakthrough. In a sense, it wasn’t very different to how they broke through.

It was a big if, but if they had helped kill the pack leader, it was likely this wouldn’t have allowed for a breakthrough. Then again, that was just Jessica’s thoughts.

“Dear god, what will it look like after breaking through?” Saleh couldn’t help but speak as the wolf seemed to grow slightly larger.

“Smaller. Right now, it will keep most of the mana to bulk up. Slowly, over time, she will lose most of the muscles she has. Her body will slowly reconstruct itself to make better use of her mutations.” Cassie’s voice spoke to answer him.

Her answer made the two look at each other. Now they wondered if the entire purpose of them leaving was not for Cassie to get out. But instead find prey for her snow wolf to breakthrough.

Though they got paid either way, so at least for Jessica. It didn’t matter.