Translator’s Note: the author changed “black wolf” into “dark wolf”. Other than that, enjoy~

 

“Grrrr…”

 

The dark wolf issues a growl. The growl induces the ‘darkness’ around it to expand, making it look like a swamp full of black mud. It brings about an unpleasant feeling. I should try to avoid direct contact as much as possible.

 

“Gu-o-a-a-a-a!”

 

Along with the wolf’s roar, the ‘darkness’ starts to move like a stream as it approaches me. Fast. But, if it’s only this speed, I can dodge it. I quickly move back and observe the attack.

 

“Wha-”

 

What the hell is that? The scrapped cars that have been touched by the ‘darkness’ is being swallowed one after another. It’s not only that. Everything around them is submerging into the ‘darkness’ too. It feels like I’m looking at a bottomless swamp… Oops, I shouldn’t be watching it so leisurely. I’m sorry, but I’ll be taking them back. I try to take back the cars that are about to be absorbed. However…

 

“Hm… I can’t retrieve them!?”

 

I try to use the “Item Box”, but it fails. No matter how much I try, it still doesn’t work. I can’t recover them. Once that thing latches onto an object, it’s the end, huh. What’s the mechanism behind it?

 

“Tch”

 

So I can’t spam attack. If I were to attack thoughtlessly from a distance, the ‘darkness’ will act as a shield before the attack even reaches the target. On the other hand, if it becomes a close-quarter combat, I have to somehow deal with the ‘darkness’ surrounding the dark wolf.

 

“Momo!”

 

I signal Momo. In just a few seconds, Momo “Roars” again.

 

“WAOO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!!!”

 

It’s the roar of destruction. However, the dark wolf must have known it beforehand because it immediately hides itself within the ‘darkness’. So the ‘darkness’ can also absorb shockwaves. The surface of the ‘darkness’ is vibrating. Even Momo’s “Roar” is rendered ineffective. But it’s all good. The goal of Momo’s “Roar” wasn’t to inflict damage on the dark wolf; rather, it was to steal its vision and earn some time. Immediatley, I activate “the skill”.

 

Momo’s roar ends. Right afterwards, the dark wolf releases the ‘darkness’. Precisely at that moment, its expression changes. It is a matter of course. After all, before its eyes, “I” have suddenly appeared.

 

“Gau!?”

 

It must be thinking ‘how did he arrive so quickly?’.

 

It wasn’t really difficult. I just made use of some “footholds” to come near you. I noticed that your ‘darkness’ requires a few seconds in order to absorb the cars completely. By intentionally releasing cars and boulders into the ‘darkness’, I approached while they were sinking. I swing the knife that the high-orc dropped. Before these “footholds” disappear, I have to get rid of this guy.

 

“Gau-u-u!”

 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t go as planned. Just as it is about to hit, the dark wolf twists its body to avoid the attack. Such an astounding control over its body.

 

“Ga-a-a!”

 

The dark wolf retaliates immediately. The ‘darkness’ around it transforms into an arm and grabs onto “me”. As the grip tightens, my “body” screams in pain. The moment my body is about to reach its limit- Bon! “I” disappear with the appearance of white smoke.  

 

“…!?”

 

The dark wolf’s expression changes again. It must be thinking ‘what happened?”.

 

“What’s with you? Why are you so surprised?”

 

From a distance away, I shout at the dark wolf.

 

“Ga….ga~?”

 

The dark wolf tilts its head as if it doesn’t comprehend what is happening. Since it’s its first time experiencing it, it’s understandable that it doesn’t understand what’s going on. Let me explain. This is “Ninjutsu”, the skill that I recently acquired. The one I just used is known as “Duplication”. As its name states, the skill allows me to create several copies of myself. The maximum number that I can create is five. The clones’ physical abilities are similar to mine. Each clone requires 3 MP to maintain for 10 seconds. While the clones have a flaw of not being able to use any skills, the ability is so powerful that the pros outweigh the cons. Just like now, I can make the clones charge at enemies without taking any risk myself.

 

“Hey, is it okay like this? Look at your back.”

“!?”

 

The dark wolf is too focused on me to realize the other “me” approaching from its back. Yes, there is another clone. This time around, the wolf isn’t able to dodge the attack. The knife on the clone’s hand gives the dark wolf a shallow cut.

 

“Gau-u!”

 

But the next moment, the clone is once again gripped to death by the dark wolf’s ‘darkness’. I shouldn’t go easy on it. Using “Throw”, I bombard the dark wolf with various kitchen utensils and knives. It tries to use its ‘darkness’ as a shield; however-

 

“WAOO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!!!”

 

Once again, Momo’s “Roar” resonates throughout the surrounding. I wasn’t aiming to directly harm the dark wolf with the “Throw”. It was rather to make the dark wolf solely focus on me. Although it tries to guard against the “Roar”, it doesn’t make it in time.

 

“~Tsu!”

 

Unwillingly, the dark wolf is blown away. Furthermore, a bullet pierces the body of the wolf as it rolls on the ground. It’s an assist from Ichinose-san. Such merciless attack is wonderful, Ichinose-san. 

 

“Gaa!”

 

The dark wolf stands while swaying from side to side. This time around, the wolf seems to have received quite a significant amount of damage. As expected of an individual who evolved from a shadow wolf; its weakness is similar to them. Its physical defense isn’t superb. While the ‘darkness’ is a force to be reckoned, significant damage can be dealt as long as the attack hits. The dark wolf is undeniably strong, but it isn’t as unreasonable as the high-orc. Nevertheless, I will not relax until the end. I learned this through several occasions. There is the highest risk when someone tries to go in for the kill because he or she has the upper hand.

 

“Gauw!”

“Gao!”

 

The surviving shadow wolves gather around the dark wolf. We stare at the pack while maintaining a safe distance. The next attack will be its last. Or so we believed –

 

“Uuooooo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!!”

 

Suddenly, the dark wolf roars. Simultaneously, his ‘darkness’ spreads in all directions.

Is it a suicide attack? No, that’s not it. I am getting a ominous feeling from the ‘darkness’. This is…!?

 

“Momo! Avoid it!”

 

The moment I say that, various things start pouring out. The recently consumed cars, building remains, trees, and even bodies are included. ‘Bullets’ of various mass are shot out in every direction. So the ‘darkness’ can also take out anything that it absorbs!

 

“Tch. Aka!”

“Furu Furu”

 

Momo is safe as she hides inside her shadow. Aka, on the other hand, inflates immediately and protects me from the massive ‘bullets’. A part of Aka is accompanying Ichinose-san, so she should be safe. I bounce around the storm while being protected by Aka. My body rotates rapidly. It feels like I’m being washed inside a washing machine. Though this is already my second time experiencing this, it still takes a toll on my body (TN: I don’t remember when his first time was…). Will it attack us through the storm? Unexpectedly, no attack ensues. Soon, the storm stops. After my vision clears, I notice that the dark wolf is nowhere in sight.

 

“Eh?”

 

Did it hide? But the rest of the shadow wolves have disappeared as well. Where exactly have they gone? I activate “Detect Enemy” without expecting much result. From the search, I sense the shadow wolves escaping farther and farther away. The dark wolf is also moving away.

 

“Have they… run away?”

 

Silence. At first, I suspect that it is a trap. However, nothing happens.

 

“Wan!”

 

Momo leaves her shadow and approaches me. The fight ended too suddenly. The monster decided to flee. It is my first time seeing this.

 

“…”

 

This fellow is different from the other monsters. It observed our strength and ran away when it was at a disadvantage. For monsters like this to exist…

 

“It’s a pity that it ran away…”

 

The fact that it ran away proves that we could have defeated it just now. Even if we pursue them, we will be helpless if the dark wolf decides to hide within its ‘darkness’.

 

“How annoying…”

 

I’m certain that it will appear before us again. When that time comes, it would be much stronger, and it would choose to appear only when it holds the advantage over us. Even though we have won the battle, I’m not in the mood to celebrate.