Direwolf, it was the field boss of the Wolves hunting grounds. It was a level 25 monster. Though it wasn't particularly strong, it needed a balanced party of 7-8 beginner level players. It was almost impossible for a party of 4 players averaging level 6.5 to take on the Direwolf.

- Everyone! It's a level 25 field boss... It has closed in the distance, we can't retreat anymore. Lina keep shooting continuously, try to aim at its eyes, even face is fine. Nova use your spells to restrict its movement. Cleffy use your buff as much as you can, and concentrate your heals on me. I will take the vanguard, you guys support from behind.

Zach sent the whisper to his party members, it was the advantage of a whisper, it could be sent just by their thoughts.

The whisper got them out of their shock, they immediately did as Zach told.

Just as the Direwolf was about to pounce on Zach, a piercing pain was spread near its eyebrow. It was the archer, she had just missed her target, its eyes by an inch hitting its eyebrows. Moreover, it was too much expect such accuracy from a Level 7 archer.

Though she couldn't hit its eyes, she had pretty much done the work. The blood flowing from the injury was already affecting its left eyesight.

Cleffy instantly started her chant, applying the buff on me. Nova had begun his work as well, he was continuously casting fire spells to restrict the Direwolf from flanking on them.

Zach had already switched his second sword with a shield and had lowered himself in a stance to take on the Direwolfs' attack.

The Direwolf angered by the archer attack launched itself on Zach swinging its claws furiously.

As if waiting for it to happen, Zach lifted his shield.

[ You received 90 damage.]

Zach just lost more than half of his health. But it wasn't time to care about that. He had a priest to take care of it. Though Cleffy was only level 7, since he was concentrating his spells on Zach, Zach's health was constantly being restored.

Just as the Direwolfs' arms hit the shield, Zach pushed it upwards as strongly as he can, throwing the Direwolf off balance. Using this to his advantage, Zach pierced his one-handed sword aiming at its chest.

[ You have hit a weak spot. Critical!]

The health of the Direwolf had decreased by one-fifth just by one critical attack. This was the advantage of attacking a weak spot.

Surprised by the swordsman's unexpected attack, it backed off immediately to create distance.

Now it was their turn to push forward. The party moved forward maintaining the formation.

Being constricted by Nova's flame magic on its flanks, the Direwolf couldn't help but defend itself from Lina's arrows and try to attack Zach whenever there was a chance.

The formation was working quite well, they had managed to take out 70% of the Direwolf's health.

'Maybe, maybe we can do it..!'

Just as Zach thought this, as if the Direwolf read his thoughts...

[The field boss, Direwolf has entered enraged state.]

'Shit.'

Though unusual, it was often seen that monsters entered enraged mode when they were pushed to a corner. Their attack power and speed increased in that state.

*roar*

It was now, things started going south. Due to its deafening roar, Nova was inflicted with fear status condition. Nova was now unable to move for 2 seconds, that was all the Direwolf needed. As soon as its right flank was free, it pounced sideways and dashed towards the magician.

The 3 were still beginner players, it was already too much for them to hold out against a level 25 field boss. Seeing the huge wolf running towards him, Nova had lost his composure. As if he were brain-dead he stood at the same place staring at the Direwolf.

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Lina wasn't any better either, fear could be seen in her eyes as the monster rushed towards her.

"Lina, Nova, snap out of it... Move aside!"

Hearing Zach's shout, Lina was the first to recover. She immediately pushed back and used her [Charge Shot] on the Direwolf.

The skill made the arrow have more piercing power than usual. But the pain could only stop the Direwolf for a second.

Within this time, Zach had swapped his shield with a sword. He ran towards the Direwolf from behind and slashed it legs as hards as he can.

"Uuu..."

Howled the boss monster due to the pain from the sudden attack. It turned back suddenly and swung its claws at the coward human who had attacked it from behind. Zach, who had already swapped to dual swords to get the most of his offense had no proper way to defend against the incoming attack.

Zach tried to defend by lifting his swords to counter its paws. But, alas it was too weak to stop the Direwolf mighty legs. Zach was thrown away by the impact, falling a few meters far from his original position. Zach's health was now in the twenties.

The Direwolf, after sending Zach flying turned to attack the trio again. Archer, Magician, and Priest all were weak in close combat. Their role was to support the strikers (Note: Front line damage dealers.) from the behind.

Seeing their helpless situation, Zach grit his teeth.

'I will have to do it. But there is only one chance, I only have 36 mana. I can use [Heaven Striking Footwork] for only 3 seconds, 4 if I am lucky.'

Even if he took his chance, he only had 3 seconds. But, why did he try so hard? What was there for him to lose so much? He was just level 4, the lost experience could be recovered very easily at his current level.

But, it was his pride as a previously high-level Knight. How could be back down in front of a Direwolf when he had fought successfully against much stronger monster. Of course, he had not done it alone. But still, he didn't want to lose from a Direwolf... If he could take a chance, he would surely take it no matter what.

Zach got up and ran towards the Direwolf with his swords held firmly in his hand and shouted as loud as he can.

Responding to the shout, the Direwolf turned towards him and growled, before running towards Zach.

*GROWL*

"Heaven Striking Footwork."

Zach immediately activated his footwork. There was no time to waste now. He had to do all he could in these 3 seconds.

Due to the movement speed buff, Zach suddenly sped up and closed the gap between himself and the Direwolf.

Looking at Zach's sudden movement, the Direwolf was taken back slowing its pace.

3 seconds,

Zach immediately swung his swords the Direwolf's face after closing in the gap.

*howl*

2 seconds,

Shaking its head, it looked at Zach to attack. But, Zach was nowhere to be seen. He had already moved without a sound and leaped as high as he can. He was now over the Direwolf's head.

1 second,

He was in midair, holding his swords as hard as he can.

Using the gravitational pull, Zach began to spin in a circular motion with his swords out *.

0.

His footwork time had ended. He had closed his eyes as he thought it was fine if he even ended by failing cause he had taken his last chance.

*thud*

Zach fell on the ground with a loud sound. The thing he felt before falling on the ground was, his swords piercing the Direwolf.

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* Imagine Kirito from SAO doing his circular slash with his dual blades but in a vertial spin while falling down.