Raizo asked curiously, "Rjay, what about your quest?"
Rjay nodded. "We only need one more to rank up. I thought we'd do it tomorrow, but you finished the Goblin Eradication quest so easily…"
"Hey, Rjay," Frey interrupted, handing him a parchment. "How about this?"
Rjay looked at the paper. "Hmm… 'Wolf Pack Alpha'? Sounds tough, but let's take it."
Raizo raised his hand. "Can I join?"
The Brightstar party looked at each other and smiled.
"Sure!" they said in unison.
---
While they traveled along the path to Oakwood Village, Nathan unrolled the quest paper and read the details aloud.
"It says here that the old alpha was killed in a battle against a challenger. The new alpha is more aggressive. Every night, the wolves attack, killing villagers with their claws and fangs."
Latina gasped. "That's terrible…"
Rjay nodded. "We need to take them out quickly."
Everyone agreed.
"But Raizo," Rjay added seriously, "this quest is dangerous for a G-rank. Whatever happens, don't get involved in the fight."
Raizo nodded silently.
Nathan continued reading, "The source of the attacks is near Oakwood Village."
---
That night, they set up camp under the stars.
Raizo lay on the grass and looked up. "The stars are beautiful…"
Frey smiled. "That's why we're camping out here—best view in the open sky."
Raizo blinked. "But what if it rains?"
Latina grinned. "Then we use Frey's ice magic to make a roof!"
Everyone chuckled.
Raizo stared again, and suddenly, something caught his attention.
"You guys see that?" he pointed. "The stars… they're forming an octogram."
The Brightstar party blinked.
Nathan squinted. "There's no octogram, kid. It's just stars."
"No, no," Raizo insisted. "Look closer. Connect the dots in your mind."
Nathan tried—and his eyes widened. "Whoa. You're right."
"What do you call that pattern?" Cid asked.
"It's called a constellation," Raizo explained. "A constellation is a group of stars that forms a picture or symbol—like Orion the Hunter or Leo the Lion. People used them for navigation and stories."
Everyone stared, fascinated.
Latina broke the silence. "Dinner's ready!"
"Finally!" Rjay said. "I'm starving!"
They all sat down and ate under the starlit sky.
---
The next morning, they arrived at Oakwood Village. The villagers looked tired and scared.
They split up to gather information—some tips were useful, others not.
Eventually, they met the village chief.
"I am Ragna, chief of this village."
The party bowed. "Nice to meet you."
"You're the adventurers who took the wolf quest?"
"Yes," Rjay confirmed.
Ragna looked at Raizo. "Is the kid joining?"
Rjay answered firmly, "No, he's just here to observe. We'll handle the wolves."
Ragna nodded. "Be careful. These wolves are… smarter than normal."
---
As the sun set, the team prepared their weapons.
Rjay gripped his sword.
Nathan equipped his shield and club.
Latina readied her bow.
Frey held his staff tightly.
Cid spun his daggers.
Raizo stayed inside one of the village houses, peeking through the window.
Night fell—and then the growls came.
Rjay barked, "Everyone ready!"
Wolves emerged from the shadows of the trees. Dozens of them.
Latina took the high ground, firing arrows with precision.
Nathan used his skill Aggro, pulling wolves toward him.
Frey cast Ice Spear and Ice Bullets, freezing the incoming attackers.
Rjay and Cid stood on the frontlines, slashing any wolf that got too close.
But something was wrong.
From deep in the forest, the Alpha watched.
With a silent command, it ordered the wolves to circle around and flank.
Rjay yelled, "They're coming from behind!"
The team formed a circle formation, back-to-back.
Inside the house, Raizo saw them struggling.
"I can't let them die…"
Without a word, he dashed into the woods.
"Raizo!" Rjay called, but Nathan stopped him. "Let him go."
---
Raizo sprinted through the forest, dodging trees, his heart racing.
> "In my past life… wolves followed their Alpha. If I take down the leader…"
At last, he saw it.
A huge wolf with yellow eyes stood on a boulder.
The Alpha.
Its gaze pierced Raizo's soul. He trembled, but clenched his fists.
"If I run, it'll chase me. I have to fight."
He drew his steel dagger, coating it with poison magic.
"COME HERE!" he shouted.
The Alpha leapt at him.
Raizo tried to dodge—but wasn't fast enough. The wolf tore his shirt with its teeth.
Raizo retaliated, but the Alpha dodged easily.
It was faster. Smarter.
They clashed—fangs and claws versus blade.
Raizo gasped for breath. "I can't win like this…"
He thought hard.
> "Wolves are known for scent and hearing… maybe I can use that."
He braced himself.
"This is stupid… but it might work."
He charged straight at the Alpha.
The wolf lunged—mouth wide open to bite Raizo's head.
At the last second, Raizo shifted his arm up—placing the dagger in his fist into the wolf's mouth.
The Alpha bit down, and the dagger pierced its throat.
Blood dripped.
Raizo shouted and slammed the wolf to the ground.
Silence.
> Gluttony ability activated. Updating stats…
---
Updated Stats:
ATK: 135
DEF: 102
STA: 128
MANA: 160
Magic: Healing, Poison
Skills: Basic Craftsmanship, Brute Strength, Regeneration, Sneak Attack, Poison Dagger, Scent, Hearing
---
Back at the village, the wolves suddenly stopped.
They looked to the forest.
The Brightstar party raised their weapons.
Then, in the moonlight, Raizo emerged—carrying the body of the Alpha.
He dropped it in front of the wolves.
One by one, they bowed to him.
Everyone froze.
"What the hell…?" Nathan muttered.
The wolves recognized Raizo as their new Alpha.
The villagers gasped.
Raizo walked slowly toward the Brightstar party. The wolves parted to let him through.
"Raizo!" Latina cried. "Are you okay?"
Raizo nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.
Nathan asked, "What… what just happened?"
Raizo explained, "Wolves follow the strongest leader. With the Alpha dead, they recognized me as the new one."
Everyone was stunned.
Raizo turned back to the wolves. "Return to the forest. Do not come back here."
The wolves obeyed, vanishing into the night.
---
That night, they stayed in the village.
Raizo slept peacefully.
At the inn's table, the Brightstar party gathered.
Rjay leaned back. "That kid… he's gonna surpass us all one day."
Nathan grinned. "No kidding."
Cid whistled. "He took down an Alpha wolf alone…"
Latina nodded. "He's different."
Frey looked thoughtful. "Guys… what do you think Raizo's ability really is?"
No one answered.
But they all knew one thing—
Raizo was special and one day… the world would know it too.