"Kurama, get ready, it's time to work."

Following my orders, Kurama immediately took a stance.

"Do you see that group?" I pointed to the group of three wolves sharing the closest rabbit carcass.

To my question, Kurama stamped his front paws on the ground in confirmation.

"I want you to go there and attract their attention," I said. "If you have the opportunity, you can attack, but prioritize your safety."

Although the 3-to-1 disparity was a problem, Kurama's superior level would give him some room to maneuver.

Putting my hand on his head, I continued, "Keep in mind that when you show yourself to them, the other groups will also chase after you, so be careful."

Transmitting a response of affirmation, Kurama immediately set off, running with silent steps.

Although I couldn't see it, thanks to our connection, I knew Kurama was using his diminutive size to hide in the vegetation as he approached the wolves unnoticed.

When he got close enough, he took advantage of the fact that they were still distracted with the rabbit carcass and put his agility into action. With a quick movement, he attacked the nearest wolf with a deadly bite to the neck, making it howl in pain before taking its last breath.

With the cry of its compatriot, the other wolves noticed Kurama's presence and prepared for combat, but seeming to realize he wasn't an easy opponent, they didn't attack.

Although I was monitoring Kurama's actions, I was still completely alert to the changes in the surroundings. Just as I expected, Kurama's presence and the desperate cry of the wolf drew the attention of the giant wolf.

Lifting its snout into the air, it howled, alerting the other wolves and ran towards Kurama's location.

However, due to the distance, Kurama still had some time. Using his agility and hunting skills to the fullest, he was able to move quickly between the wolves that were snarling apprehensively in front of him.

Grabbing the throat of one of the wolves, Kurama didn't give it a chance to howl and instantly finished it off by tearing a piece from its neck.

"Violent Bite certainly lives up to its name," I murmured.

At that moment, the remaining wolf tried to attack Kurama, but he dodged and started running away. Leaving the remains of the two wolves behind, he disappeared back into the forest vegetation. However, the remaining wolf began to chase him, and not only him but also the giant wolf and the other wolves.

Since the other groups of wolves were far away chasing rabbits, they had a certain distance between them. Dividing them into smaller groups was what I aimed for from the beginning, just as we did with the goblins and eliminate them.

Aside from the remaining wolf from the group of three that was nearby, the closest one was the giant wolf. Due to the giant wolf's surprising speed, he was quickly closing in on Kurama. Despite this, I was not worried.

Having already seen Kurama's maximum speed, I know that if he wants to, he can run much faster. What he was doing now was just a performance to lure the giant wolf closer so that we could execute the ambush flawlessly.

Obviously, the direction he was running towards was the tree where Rin and I were hiding. I shouldn't spare anything, the faster we finish off this giant, the better.

In preparation, I took an attacking posture with my sword in the air above my head and activated the skills, Body Reinforcement: Physical Strength and Heavy Blow.

Seconds later, I saw Kurama passing us by, and with him, the giant wolf also came. Holding firmly onto the hilt of the One-Cut Sword with both hands, I delivered a downward strike, intending to cut its neck.

However, the giant wolf's reaction speed was impressive as it dodged its head to the side, avoiding the fatal blow. But thanks to my sword skills, I was able to correct the trajectory of the strike as I aimed for its chest.

Despite this, showing a frightening agility, it jumped to the side, avoiding another fatal blow. But even so, due to the length of the One-Cut Sword, my strike hit its ribs, making a deep cut on it.

Even though it managed to escape my attacks with its life, the direction in which the giant wolf jumped was a terrible choice. Catching him completely off guard, Rin delivered a blow so strong to his ribs that her club shattered along with the sound of bones breaking.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Although the wolf was a few centimeters taller than Rin, due to the strength of the blow, it was knocked to the ground while rolling and grunting. But showing itself to be a resilient opponent, the giant wolf didn't take long to recover and stand up again.

Directing his fierce gaze and sharp fangs at me and Rin, even with his ribs on both sides injured or broken, he seemed ready to jump at us at any moment.

As Kurama was fleeing, the giant wolf must have made us a priority target, but that was also a terrible choice.

Just like Rin, Kurama didn't miss the opportunity.

Jumping on the giant wolf's back, he tried to grab its neck. But due to its battle experience, even seriously injured, it still managed to avoid another fatal attack.

Despite this, Kurama still managed to bite its back, and showing the power of the Violent Bite, ripped off a piece of its flesh, leaving the wolf with a hole in its back where its blood was continuously flowing.

"What a troublesome big guy," I grumbled.

My plan was to quickly eliminate him, then eliminate the rest, but since we failed and the remaining wolves are approaching, we will need to change our plans.

"Kurama, he's yours, we'll take the others," I shouted.

With my words, Kurama began to harass the wolf. Despite being a higher level, if he engaged in direct combat, he had a great chance of getting injured. So he was doing small attacks and fleeing to keep the giant wolf busy.

Even though Kurama couldn't inflict any more injuries at the moment, due to the wounds the wolf had suffered and the blood it was losing, I am sure it won't hold out for much longer.

Honestly, I wish I could have this wolf as my tamed monster, but unfortunately, the Monster Tamer skill is still at level 2, leaving me with no space for another tamed monster. For a moment, I thought about releasing Kurama as a tamed monster, just like when I captured Rin, as he is already loyal and would surely continue to stay by my side.

However, seeing how the Self-Evolution skill seems to affect tamed monsters proportionally to how long they've been under my control, I decided to keep Kurama. Besides, since the wolf was quite dangerous and the situation wasn't great, it was better not to take any risks.

Putting my unnecessary thoughts aside, I took a club out of my inventory and threw it to Rin, who caught it firmly. Standing side by side, we prepared to confront the approaching wolves.

At that moment, the remaining wolf from the group of three that Kurama had attacked approached, but it was immediately split in half by the One-Cut Sword. Following it, a group of three wolves came, but thanks to my passive Sword Mastery, my daily training paid off. I easily cut off one wolf's head with a downward strike and in the same motion, continued with an upward strike, beheading the other wolf.

Although I had made a similar attack before when I first hurled the rabbits, it was just a lucky fluke. But this time, I had the confidence to perform such a feat, probably due to the accumulated knowledge from Sword Mastery.

As for the third wolf, its head was crushed by Rin.

The remaining five wolves that were approaching had grouped together and seemed to want to help the giant wolf, but I didn't let that happen.

Although I focused on fighting the wolves, I was always careful not to lose sight of the giant wolf. Although I had confidence in Kurama, if the wolf ignored him and attacked us from behind, it would be a serious problem.

The wolves fought cautiously, but against my and Rin's teamwork, they had no chance. One by one, they were ruthlessly defeated and at the same time, Kurama also seized an opening and defeated the giant wolf.

With those now there were a total of twenty-seven wolves eliminated.

During the battle, the only one who suffered a wound was Rin, but it was just a small scratch on her arm.

“Fuuu~~~” I sighed. “That was really tough.”

Putting my hand to my chest, I took Usagi out of my armor and at the same time, heard something unexpected.

*Ding*

---

Monster Tamer skill has risen to level 3.

---

“Damn it!”

I don't usually look at the mastery of the taming skill, but it seems that it was about to level up when we came to battle.

Why didn't this skill improve a few minutes earlier? If it had been just a little earlier, I could have tamed the giant black wolf as a monster.

To be completely honest, after seeing how that wolf fought, I don't think I could have beaten him in a one-on-one fight. It seems that battle experience is just as important as levels. He would have been a powerful addition to the group.

“There's no use crying over spilt milk,” I muttered.

With Usagi in hand, I looked at her when an idea came to mind. Even if she's not the best option as a tamed monster, she was an important helper in defeating the wolves. Plus, this is also an opportunity to test the Self-Evolution skill and see what happens to Usagi given enough time.

Of course, I'll also make her train hard and won't make her level up immediately. I'm almost certain that the Self-Evolution doesn't just randomly improve things.

With this intention in mind, I took Usagi as my third tamed monster. As a rabbit, she is only level 1 and without any skills.

Although simple and apparently useless in combat, this is still good, as I can see better how the Self-Evolution skill works.

Interestingly, I also found out that she is white because she suffers from albinism, which makes her vulnerable to sun exposure.

Well, letting her catch some sun isn't that bad, and it's also an opportunity. Given enough time, can Self-Evolution heal deficiencies?

Whether that's possible or not, I'll only know in the future, as I have better things to do now.

Turning towards the cave, I began to head towards it,

“Let's explore it and then return to camp to make a meat feast. And of course,” I lifted Usagi, “there will be plenty of fruits and leaves for you too.”

“Wiping out this huge pack of wolves is quite an impressive feat for weaklings like you.”

Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, the hairs on my body stood up instantly, and my heart raced.

Although I can't explain it, I have a feeling that I'm in serious trouble... Crap...