Such tension rarely works. Internal conflicts within the team can be more dangerous than our actual enemy.

I nodded. "I agree. If we don't trust each other, we'll collapse at the first serious attack."

Gareth chuckled softly. "That's why I keep watching you. Even though you're new, your eyes are always alert. That’s a good thing."

I mentally noted his words. The issue of trust within the team needed to be resolved before it grew bigger. But I still didn’t know how to do that.

Just then, I noticed Isabelle’s silhouette appearing among the distant trees. She was slowly returning. That meant she had found something.

Joseph immediately stepped toward her. "What did you see?"

Isabelle spoke in a low voice. "I found the pack’s tracks. A few small patrol groups are roaming the grasslands. But the main den must be deeper inside."

Gareth rested his shield on his shoulder. "Then it’s time to move."

Joseph sighed, eyes fixed on the grassland. "Alright, people. This hunt looks like it’s going to be harder than we thought." His gaze turned to me. "Are you ready, archer?"

Would I be able to keep up my lie about being an archer? Or would things fall apart? We would find out soon.

As the cool breeze of the vast plains brushed against my skin, we continued tracking the Steel Fang Wolf. The footprints were fresh, subtly pressed into the grass, embedded in the earth. There was a metallic scent in the air—a mix of blood, fur, and wild nature.

I reached for my knife’s hilt. The Luminous Blade trembled slightly; the mana within it was reacting to my prey. The sky had turned into shades of blue and yellow with twilight, and the setting sun cast long shadows over the plain. The silence was like a harbinger of the danger approaching.

Slowly, we left the plains behind and moved deeper into the forest, aiming to find the Steel Fang Wolves’ den and drive them into the open fields by destroying their nest. Fighting in an open area would be much easier, especially if we wanted to face the pack leader. Fighting them in their advantageous territory would be disastrous for us.

After walking for a while, we all suddenly stopped. Joseph sensed something nearby.

I saw movement in the bushes ahead of me. My sharp eyes caught the shadow of a large, muscular body gliding through the darkness. The Steel Fang Wolf... Its body as tough as armor, gray-blue fur gleaming in the moonlight. Its heavy steps made the ground tremble, and the steam from its nostrils dissipated into the cold air. I had to approach without angering it, waiting for the right moment.

I lightly tightened the laces of my Silence Boots with my left hand, feeling the flexible fabric hug my legs more snugly. My movements were now nearly silent. I drew an arrow—one of the Stealth Arrows, thin and deadly. Lowering my body, I crouched on my knees, drew my bow, and held my breath.

Several tension-filled seconds passed. The wolf suddenly perked its ears. The wind must have changed direction. Had it caught my scent? Its eyes glowed like iridescent flames, and then it moved with lightning speed. Just as it lunged, I released the arrow.

SHIIING! The arrow sank right beneath its shoulder. The Steel Fang Wolf staggered for a moment, then howled in pain. But that only made it even more dangerous. It bared its teeth and lunged at me. Without a moment’s hesitation, I rolled backward, dodging its attack. Its claws tore through the ground, sending grass flying.

I quickly considered firing a second arrow, but it was too late. The wolf was already upon me, leaping through the air. I drew the Luminous Blade and, just before it reached me, slashed at its abdomen with a swift, precise strike. The glowing edge of my blade clashed against its armor-like fur, sending out a metallic spark. Had I pierced its skin? I stepped back and held my breath.

The Steel Fang Wolf whimpered but didn’t fall. It was wounded, but still alive. Its eyes blazed with fury as it prepared to attack again. I circled it carefully, looking for the right angle. Every step I took was deliberate and slow.

Then, I noticed a slight tremble in its right hind leg. That was its weak spot. Where I had struck with my arrow... Perhaps the arrow had penetrated to the bone. I had to seize this chance.

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I reached for my poisoned dagger with my right hand. It was coated with a special mixture distilled from the Venom Tail. If it entered a wound, it could paralyze the nervous system. When the wolf charged again, I ducked and dodged to the side, swiftly stabbing the dagger into its open wound.

HRRRAAAH! The wolf shrieked and stumbled. The poison spread through its body instantly, its movements slowing, its breathing becoming labored. It staggered a few steps, then collapsed to the ground. The savagery in its eyes gradually faded as I took a deep breath. It was over.

I knelt beside its body, touching its fur. The texture was as hard as metal. I drew my blade and carefully began skinning it. Steel Fang Fur was an incredible material for armor crafting. If I worked it properly, it would be a perfect reinforcement for my Dual-Layered Armor.

When I turned around, I realized everyone in the group was watching me. Joseph walked over with a huge grin and said, "I knew we could count on you. Your close combat skills are just as good as your archery. After you defeated the golems, we expected nothing less."

Gareth also approached me. "Sorry for not helping out. We just needed to see what you could do with our own eyes. It’s a little ritual we do for new recruits. From now on, you won’t fight alone—we’ll be together."

He clenched his fist and extended it toward me. I clenched my own fist and bumped it against his, silently acknowledging our bond of friendship.

We were moving deeper into the forest, determined to find the Steel-Fanged Wolves' den. The humidity in the air had increased, and a thin layer of mist had formed over the soil. The faint moonlight seeping through the tree branches cast dim shadows within the forest. Everyone in the group was on high alert; a single misstep could ruin everything.

Joseph examined the tracks first. "They passed through here. Judging by the weight distribution, at least five or six of them were moving together. But... these deeper tracks — maybe the alpha was here."

Roy nodded. "Then we're on the right path. But we need to be careful. If we get too close to their den, they might notice us and attack."

Gareth, the largest and heaviest-armored member of the group, still tried to move as lightly as possible. Isabel slipped through the shadows on the flanks, while Roy and Joseph advanced in a more balanced formation. I followed behind them, carefully scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

After a while, we reached an area where the trees thinned out. A large cave entrance appeared before us, and faint growls echoed from within. The Steel-Fanged Wolves were inside.

"We need a plan," Isabel whispered. "If we charge in recklessly, their numbers will overwhelm us."

Joseph nodded. "Gareth will go in first to draw their attention. He's our shield. While he holds them, Roy and I will engage in close combat. Isabel should quickly strike from behind. Alex, you'll support us with your bow from a safe distance. If things go south, Gareth will fall back to protect us."

Gareth grinned. "So, same as always? Got it. Let’s get started."

He raised his shield and walked toward the cave. The echo of his first footstep silenced the growls inside. Within seconds, pairs of glowing yellow eyes appeared from the depths of the cave. A Steel-Fanged Wolf lunged out and attacked Gareth.

Gareth raised his massive shield, blocking the wolf's assault. The clash of metal claws against his shield rang out sharply, but Gareth held firm. "Now!" he roared.

Joseph swiftly slipped past Gareth, swinging his sword in a diagonal slash. The wolf retreated, wounded, only for Roy to drive a spear into its chest, causing blood to splatter.

Three more wolves emerged from the cave, their teeth gleaming. Isabel silently crept behind one and drove her twin daggers into its neck. The wolf collapsed with a gurgle.

I knew I had to support them, so I drew my bow, aimed at one of the wolves, and loosed an arrow. It pierced the creature's eye, and the wolf dropped to the ground with a pained whimper. But the remaining two wolves pounced on Gareth. He deflected one with his shield, but the other sank its teeth into his leg. Gareth clenched his teeth, enduring the pain.

"Hurry up!" Gareth bellowed.

Joseph dashed to Gareth’s side, plunging his sword into the wolf's flank. The beast howled and collapsed. Meanwhile, Roy skewered the other wolf with his spear, ending the threat.

A deep howl echoed from inside the cave. The group knew what that meant — the alpha wolf was still resting within. Isabel whispered, "Looks like the big fish is still sleeping."

The group re-formed their formation. Joseph took a deep breath. "I’ll go in first and provoke it. Once I draw it out, we all strike together and deal as much damage as possible. When I give the signal, we retreat and sprint to the plains. Remember, our goal is to lure the alpha out. If we can’t separate it from the pack, we’ll all die."

They took a collective breath and entered the cave. The dim interior revealed a massive shadow moving toward them. The alpha wolf was twice the size of the others, its teeth like steel blades. Its red eyes gleamed with fury as it charged.

Joseph dodged to the side, narrowly evading the initial attack. I drew my bow, aimed, and shot an arrow into the alpha’s shoulder, but the beast barely seemed to notice.

Gareth let out a thunderous roar, activating one of his abilities — an aggro skill most tanks had. I didn’t know the exact name, but it forced creatures to focus entirely on the user. As soon as the alpha and the remaining wolves turned to Gareth, Isabel and Roy killed as many lesser wolves as they could to thin their ranks.

I circled the alpha, firing arrows continuously, but its thick fur made it almost impervious to my shots. Meanwhile, Joseph sprinted beneath the alpha, sliding across the ground and slashing its belly with his sword. This time, the alpha howled in pain — we had finally managed to wound it...