Ch. 24: The Cost of Overwhelming Power Part 2

Selk's P.O.V.

Well, isn't this just a great way to start my new life outside of my home. I thought I was going to meet up with my fellow reincarnated heroes, but it turned out to be an ambush. And now, after beating my attackers and tying up the seven that are still alive, I am now being asked by the boy named Brix to save his village. As I guessed, Brix was just a year younger than me. He had messy short black hair and a pretty androgynous face that you might mistake for a girl.

Selk: "So, you say your village is this way, right?"

I asked Brix, pretending I didn't know the location of the village. We were having this conversation while running, one of my goblins carrying Brix via piggy back.

Brix: "Yeah. we are pretty close to it now. just straight ahead... Wow, I can't believe you are able to control goblins, Sir. Are you using some kind of light magic variant to brain wash them?"

Oh my. Looks like Brix is curious and knowledgeable of the magic arts. He even knows about the theoretical magic of using light to brainwash people and creatures.

Selk: "No, it's not brainwashing magic. These guys were created by my flesh magic. Since their mana signature that's coursing within them came from me, they follow my every command."

Brix: "W-wow, Sir. You are quite amazing, are you not? And for someone just as young as me as well, you must have tremendous power."

Brix said, giving me platitudes that made me blush a little. We finally reached the village and saw nothing but chaos. The village was in shambles as the Grey Dire Wolves numbering in twelve attacked the villagers who were trying to keep them at bay outside the village walls.

The monsters were about the size of a small van back in my old world, and moved so swiftly they were able to avoid all manner of attacks that the village's defenders dished out. These wolves have already managed to take down some portion of the village's wooden walls.

With no time to spare, I constructed five magic circles and created five Northern Stone Rhinoceros. With these creature's thick hide, even the powerful bites of the Grey Dire Wolves wouldn't be able to penetrate it.

My goblins, Brix, and I rode my Rhinos as they charged directly at the startled Wolves who didn't have enough time to react. Four of the twelve Dire Wolves were trampled to death by the advancing Rhinos while the rest scrambled and jump away to safety. I then positioned myself and my constructed creatures between the monsters and the villagers in a defensive manner, preventing the Grey Dire Wolves from hurting anyone else.

Selk: "Brix, go to your people. My guys and I will take care of these mutts."

I told Brix as I had my goblin put him down in front of the village's entrance. He nodded his head and ran towards the crowd of village defenders. My goblins and I then stared down the pack of Grey Dire Wolves with intimidating pressure, but the hungry creatures did not back down and stood their ground.

Just as the tension was building up to it's boiling point, the largest Dire Wolf stepped forward and snarled at me and my group. This big guy is probably the alpha wolf since it's not only a little larger than the other wolves, but also had a darker coat of fur and is exuding more pressure from its piercing gaze.

The Alpha Dire Wolf then let out a howl to order his pack to attack us. My team and I charged in at the same time as the Dire Wolves, our Rhinos shaking the earth with each of their thundering galops.

The Alpha once again orders his pack, and avoided our charge. He, along with two of his eight remaining pack members pinned down the Rhino nearest them by biting down on its front legs, and once the Rhino stop, the Alpha jumped at the goblin rider and decapitated it with one bite.

I was stunned for when my goblin was killed without any fan fair. I always make sure that all my creations are as skilled as a C tier combatant and have the toughest hides possible so that they wouldn't sustain heavy injuries. So, for this Alpha to do that to my goblin would only mean that this is a B or maybe even close to an A rank monster.

As the decapitated goblin's body disappears, I telepathically ordered my creatures to group up with me in a defensive position while the entire pack of Grey Dire Wolves devour the downed Rhino. Even with a hide as tough as metal, the wolves manage to tear the Rhino into pieces by ganging up on it

Selk: "Well, aren't you clever! Alright, let's see if you can handle this."

After saying that to the Alpha Grey Dire Wolf, with what was remaining of my mana pool, I constructed another pair of Stone Rhino and goblin riders. I then changed the goblins' weapons from clubs to long and pointed lances. I then ordered them to follow my lead to incircle the canine creatures.

With a lance of my own, I lead my team in a circular march. I planned to trap the Dire Wolves in a circular formation where my team and I would be able to kill them via Rhino back riding. With our skillful riding, we succeeded in forcing them in the middle of our formation. Any wolves brave enough to try and escape our encirclement were either impaled by me or any of my goblin riders, or trampled to death by the Rhinos. By the end of our encirclement march, the only wolf left standing was the Alpha Grey Dire Wolf.

My team and I had the Alpha Grey Dire Wolf surrounded, the Alpha in full defensive mode, was glaring and snarling at us. I didn't want to kill this powerful creature, however, if I left him alone there's a good chance that he will gather additional Dire Wolves and try to sack this village again.

With a heavy heart, I delivered the finishing blow by driving my lance through his heart. the Alpha Grey Dire Wolf's body produces a dull thudding sound as his body fell on the dirt floor, dead and bloodied as his hate filled eyes became blank and lifeless.

The Villagers that were silent and fearful just a few moments ago erupted into cheers as the Alpha fell. Although, they still didn't approach my team and I, probably because of my companions being monsters and all.

I was about to deconstruct the goblins and Snow Rhinos, but before I did so, I noticed that all of the Goblins and even the Rhinos were seemingly transfixed on the blood of the Dire Wolves that pooled around us. This sight was highly unusual to me since even if my monsters had a mouth, none of them actually had a digestive systems, so craving food of any sorts shouldn't be possible.

I was further shocked when a few of the goblins started to bring their lances closer and closer to their mouths, aiming to lick the blood off of their weapons. I had no idea why, but this act of theirs sent a dire warning signal through me that I deconstructed all of the goblins and Rhinos before the could do anything else.

As I continued to wonder why my constructs would act the way they just did, the villages who was led by Brix approached me, now willing to personally thank me for saving them since my monsters are gone.

Brix: "Amazing! you killed all those Grey Dire Wolves with the help of your monsters, Sir Selk. You said you're a Flesh Mage right? Can I be a Flesh Mage too?"

Brix asked enthusiastically as he and his fellow villagers reached my position. The other villagers smiling and thanking me for saving their lives while they formed a circle around me.

Selk: "Well, thanks for thinking so highly of Flesh Mages, but I think it's best if we talk about that later. I've exhausted my mana pool too much, I think I'm about to faint."

I replied to Brix while I was touching the Alpha Dire Wolf to add it's flesh to my magical roster. The village people then escorted me to the village elder's house so I can rest and replenish my mana.

I've been thinking of adding more Elder Wyvern soul stones to the two that's already in my spine, but I never got around to it. This was the first time my magic has been tested like this, and it would appear that if I want to become more helpful in the war, I'll need a vaster mana pool than what I already have now.

Village Elder: "Thank you for saving our village from those Grey Dire Wolves. As you can see, this Village is not equipped to defend it's self from those types of monsters, I'm afraid."

The Village Elder said as he poured me a cup of tea.

Selk: "Don't mention it. I'm glad I could help. However, these Monsters aren't indigenous to this area. Why would they be here attacking you?"

I asked as I have been pondering that the first time I saw one attack my attacker earlier.

Elder: "Hmm. It's probably because of the war. Ever since the war started a year ago, the kingdom of Verdant has ramped up its logging operations at the Verdarian forest some four hundred miles away from here to keep up with weapons manufacturing. Those forests are probably home for these Grey Dire Wolves."

Selk: So, since they were pushed out of their homes by our kingdom's logging activities, they had no choice but to migrate here huh. Looks like this war sucks for more than just us humans and demons."

Elder: "I would also like to thank you for helping Brix out. That boy has been through a lot these pass two years with his mother and father dying a year apart from each other due too a disease. A boy as good as him deserves a better life."

The Village Elder said as he tells me the said truth of Brix's life.

Selk: "I'm happy I was able to help him out. I can't imagine what he's been through, losing his parents and all. But, it does look like he's both well educated and at peak physical fitness. I can tell you care for him quite well. I mean, he ran a good four miles while being chased by a Grey Dire Wolf. That's impressive."

Elder: "Yes, he is a true heaven sent for this village. He's father was the magic instructor of this village, and his mother was our greatest huntress. It would appear that he inherited both of his parent's best traits. When his mother died first, He took on the task of becoming one of our hunters. He's even better than some of the adults in this village."

The Elder told me with great pride for Brix. His description of the young boy putting a smile on my face.

Elder: "Did he tell you that he distracted distracted one of the wolves that was about to kill one of our guards? Such a brave and strong boy."

He continued as he tells his story.

Selk: "Wow! It would appear that Brix is a really gifted boy. I'm glad he led me to your village."

The Village Elder and I continued talking for a few more minutes until I told him that I would like to check up on Brix, who was in the clinic nursing the injuries he got from running away from the Grey Dire Wolf.

When I got to the clinic, I saw Brix laying on a bed with a girl standing beside him. The girl with long red hair and a green ribbon adorned on it was scolding Brix, who was meekly taking the tongue lashing that the little girl was dishing out on him. Brix did notice me, however, and both of them started to look at my direction.

Brix: "Sir Selk, thank you for coming over to see me. This is my friend Nella."

Brix said with a bright smile on his face as he greeted me and introduced his friend.

Nella: "H-hello, kind sir. Thank you so much for saving this idiot and us from the Grey Dire Wolves."

Nella said politely as she slightly bowed to me. Brix got a little angry at Nella for calling him an idiot, but Nella ignored him completely. It was at that moment that I thought I would like to stay here for a few days to monitor the safety of this village, since the meeting of heroes wasn't actually set until two weeks from now. It would give me time to get to know more about this world and the people outside of the city I grew up in. I mean, what could possibly go wrong with me staying a few days?