Chapter 57: Have Faith in Me

In the next few minutes, our group of six finally felt the popularity of Blackwind Forest. In just a few minutes, we encountered no fewer than twenty teams along the way. They were all first-tier players like us, most of them warriors, taking turns to tank the demon wolves and grind monsters.

There were hardly any mages in these teams... The rare ones stayed outside the battle circle, occasionally throwing out a first-tier attack spell—mages only begin to surpass other classes in offensive power in the late second tier; right now, they weren’t even as effective as an eleventh-level rogue.

A first-tier team like ours, half composed of mages—let alone in Blackwind Forest, you’d be hard-pressed to find another like it in all of "Era of Magic."

As I was pondering this, I suddenly noticed a patch of dark shrubbery about thirty meters ahead tremble almost imperceptibly.

I instinctively raised my left arm and slowed my pace.

This action instantly excited "Speak While Crouching" and "Xuanwu Colossus," who had been holding back for over ten minutes: finally, something was coming! The two licked their lips, gripped their weapons tighter, eager to show off their skills.

Unfortunately, as I crept closer—about twenty meters—I successively spotted a second, third, and fourth beast. Relying on the innate "Eagle Eye" ability granted to bow-warriors, I saw that these beasts hidden in the bushes were all Blackwind Demon Wolves.

I frowned: four of them... That would be tough.

Although I had confidence in my own abilities—I could draw one away on my own—I was still uncertain about the skills of "Speak While Crouching" and "Xuanwu Colossus."

If they failed to coordinate properly, our only offensive mage, "Mei," would be in real danger.

After quickly retreating to discuss, Mei immediately voiced her concern: Blackwind Demon Wolves are pack-dwelling first-tier beasts, highly intelligent and extremely united!

No matter how you try to lure them, disturbing one would alert all four at once...

According to her original plan, it was best to find a spawn point with two or three wolves; then "Xuanwu Colossus," with his racial talent, would draw the attention of two wolves, while the three mages, together with the bow-warrior "Scavenger Qilin" and the storm dwarf "Speak While Crouching," would quickly deal with the third wolf.

As long as coordination was smooth, "Xuanwu Colossus" shouldn’t need to use potions and could hold out until a wolf fell. After the battle, there would be enough time to recover HP...

But if there were four, "Xuanwu Colossus" simply couldn’t withstand the assault. More than that—it was questionable whether he could even hold the attention of three wolves; if any slipped away, a team wipe was highly likely.

Thinking of this, Mei was at a loss.

Clearly, this four-wolf spawn point was an area other teams found just as troublesome—hence why it was vacant. If they gave up here, it was uncertain whether there’d be any ideal spawn points nearby...

While she hesitated, I’d already guessed her dilemma. After a moment’s thought, I asked:

"If I can draw one Blackwind Demon Wolf away, can you handle the other three?"

"You’ll draw one away?"

All five, including Mei, looked doubtful...

However, none of them seemed distrustful; in fact, "Speak While Crouching" and "Xuanwu Colossus," who had never been particularly friendly to me, even showed a rare glimmer of appreciation.

Of course, it wasn’t because I’d just fulfilled my role as a bowman...

"No, it’s too dangerous!" Mei knew Scavenger Qilin was thinking of the team, but she didn’t believe a level-13 warrior could outrun a level-15 beast, especially one renowned for its speed among first-tier monsters like the Blackwind Demon Wolf.

"That’s not your concern. Just tell me—can the five of you handle the other three?"

I fixed my gaze on Mei and repeated my question.

"If you do manage to draw one away, the five of us can definitely handle the other three... But I really don’t recommend you take such a risk. With what you’re wearing and no magic defense, a single Wind Blade would be enough."

It was Meteorite, who had been silent all along, who answered. He seemed to sense my determination to lure the Blackwind Demon Wolf and finally couldn’t help but try to dissuade me.

But...

"Are you so sure I’ll definitely get hurt by the Blackwind Demon Wolf?" Satisfied with this answer, I flashed Meteorite a brief smile, swiftly drew an arrow from the tightly bound quiver at my waist, and threw a parting remark at the five about to speak up:

"Can’t you have a little faith in me?"

At my words, "Speak While Crouching" and "Xuanwu Colossus" fell silent...

Meteorite quietly produced his short, withered staff and closed his eyes.

As a faint yellow earthen element enveloped Scavenger Qilin, Mei sighed, and right after Meteorite’s "Sharpening," she cast a prepared Lightfoot Spell on both Scavenger Qilin and Xuanwu Colossus (since "Speak While Crouching" would be under less pressure, there was no need to waste mana on him).

If we’re going to take a risk, let it be a thrilling one!

Once the two first-tier enhancement spells were complete, Meteorite also finished casting "Sharpening" on three people, then, as if nothing had happened, stepped back a few paces and sat down to rest.

Mei did not and could not rest, for she was now the only firepower supporting "Speak While Crouching" against the Blackwind Demon Wolf—if it came down to a one-on-one, "Speak While Crouching" would have a hard time prevailing.

As soon as the buffs were done, I drew my hardwood longbow, nocked an arrow, and dashed swiftly toward the Blackwind Demon Wolf lurking in the nearest bush.

"Speak While Crouching" and "Xuanwu Colossus" gripped their weapons and followed close behind... but they were still worried: a level-13 bow-warrior, with no equipment and no magic defense, couldn’t possibly withstand even one hit from a Blackwind Demon Wolf—where did Scavenger Qilin get his confidence?

Of course, they didn’t know—I never intended to face the Blackwind Demon Wolf head-on at all...