11

Countdown [02:58]!

The terror wolves' attack had already caused several villagers' deaths. Over at the school gate, everyone had retreated inside. Dan and Alex stood out, but their fighting styles were starkly different—Alex was more considerate of the villagers, constantly pulling the defensive circle tighter to minimize casualties. Dan, on the other hand, was like an unsheathed sword, charging straight into the wolf pack without fear.

On the battlefield—

Alex's brow furrowed, the unease in his heart growing stronger.

"Dan, Don't be careless!" he urgently reminded, his instincts screaming that danger was near!

However, Dan brushed off the warning, even smirking with a hint of disdain.

"Alex, don't worry. These beasts are nothing!"

No sooner had he spoken than the air grew still.

The seven or eight terror wolves lying at Dan's feet suddenly opened their blood-red eyes, drool dripping as they sprang to life. Even one with a broken spine latched its claws onto Dan's ankle, sinking its fangs deep! Pain shot through him, jolting him awake. In an instant, several terror wolves had clambered onto him. He struggled to shake off the sly creatures, but their sharp teeth dug into his wrist, tearing flesh.

"Damn it!"

Dan lost his balance, falling to the ground with a scream. His clothes were shredded by the wolves' claws, flesh rolling back, blood splattering everywhere. They attacked relentlessly, biting and tearing from behind and the sides. Dan tried to fend them off, but the wolves' teeth left more bloody wounds on his arms. They formed a narrow death circle, their cold eyes like starving hyenas waiting to tear out his throat.

At that moment, the arrogance in Dan's eyes crumbled, replaced by helplessness. He finally realized his recklessness had led him to a deadly trap.

With one minute left on the countdown, could Dan hold on?

Caron and Sebastian deftly added a new bet—whether Dan would live or die. The odds were 6:4. Most gamblers believed he was doomed, but after the previous surprise, they were more cautious this time.

Dan's strength was immense—he could crush a terror wolf's lung with a punch or break its back. But as long as he couldn't shatter their toughest skulls, these zombie-like creatures would keep attacking, relentless.

Despair set in for Dan. His punches slowed noticeably. His legs were already scarred and bloodied, dragging along two half-dead zombie wolves. Their white fangs were drenched in blood, still dripping onto their fur.

"Boom!"

A blast of air shattered the silence!

A spear swept through the air with the force of a thunderous stampede, unstoppable. Alex charged into the fray, each strike with the power of a tempest, sending terror wolves flying.

"One! Two! Three!..."

Students peered out from the school windows, cheering wildly for Alex. No one had expected this quiet boy to be such a master! No wolf could survive a moment before him. Jordan, watching from behind the window, felt conflicted, regretting his decision to retreat. It should have been his moment to shine.

Alex, however, felt no relief. He knew Dan wouldn't last much longer.

Taking a deep breath, Alex's spear tip trembled slightly.

He leapt into the air with the grace of a dragonfly skimming the surface, each strike targeting a vital spot!

The terror wolves recoiled in fear, bunching together, their breaths quickening, sensing the predator among them.

On the ground, several wolves lay with shattered skulls. One had a broken neck, seemingly lifeless. But more wolves blocked his path, attacking fiercely from all sides.

As Alex spun his spear into a makeshift shield, the "dead" wolf behind him sprang back to life—

The once "dead" terror wolf lunged!

Its eyes gleamed with cunning and malice, fangs aiming for Alex's calf!

"Ah!"

Students gasped from afar, watching helplessly as the sly wolf attacked, while Alex... remained seemingly unaware.

Too far to help, they could only shout warnings!

Beautiful eyes widened behind the window, a gasp escaping her lips. She couldn't bear to watch, covering her eyes with trembling fingers. Jordan gently patted her shoulder, offering comfort. Yet deep down, he suddenly wished for Alex to be injured, even fatally so, shocking himself with his own thoughts.

At that moment, every second stretched endlessly. Everyone watched Alex with bated breath... would he be devoured?

It was as if Alex had eyes in the back of his head. His spear danced like a live snake, making a sudden 180-degree turn, its tip emerging from his side at an impossible angle.

In the split second of the wolf's surprise, a cold glint flashed in Alex's eyes. 

With a sharp thrust, the spear exploded forward, its tip vanishing into the wolf's eye socket. A sickening squelch. A violent jerk.

Blood and brain matter splattered, and the wolf let out a final, dying howl.

"What a counterattack!" A legendary spear technique, rarely seen and lifesaving. The villagers had only heard of it, now witnessing it in awe. No one had believed a spear could reverse like a serpent in battle.

"Go, Alex! Dan's just ahead!" Cheers erupted from the crowd.

But instead of moving forward, Alex cautiously bent down, assuming a defensive stance. A tall, shadowy figure leapt from the air, landing between him and Dan.

It was a werewolf, a creature only seen in legends. In the firelight, its huge black body loomed, fur standing on end, and its red eyes glowed like burning coals.

It seemed like an ancient wolf god, charging at Alex like a locomotive. Alex rolled away, diffusing the massive impact, but his shoulder was instantly covered in blood, with five deep claw marks, like a demon's signature.

The werewolf's first attack missed. It turned slowly, walking towards Dan, completely unconcerned about showing its back to Alex—a gesture of utter contempt and challenge.

"Alex, run! Don't worry about me!"

In despair, Dan's adrenaline surged. He grabbed the heads of two terror wolves and smashed them together, shattering their skulls. The surrounding wolves stepped back, making way for their leader.

"So, you're a werewolf! Haha! Dying today is worth it!"

A glint of fury flashed in the werewolf's eyes at the boy's insolence.

Alex grew desperate. The massive ancient warrior was far beyond Dan's match now. Alex shouted, his voice like spring thunder, startling the werewolf into turning. Alex's spear spun like a high-speed drill, aimed at the werewolf's lower back. Alex knew he might die today, but if he could save one person, it would be worth it!

The werewolf's sharp claws met the spear tip, but Alex's right hand trembled slightly. With a flick of his wrist, the single spear tip split into three, evading the werewolf's claws and stabbing into its side.

A hint of surprise flashed in the werewolf's eyes—it had been years since it last suffered an injury. Yet, the spear penetrated only a few centimeters before being caught in the werewolf's massive paw, unable to go further.

The werewolf let out a furious roar, causing distant villagers to feel dizzy. It yanked the spear out, its other paw forming a fist that twisted the spear into a twisted mess. Alex, unable to hold on against the immense force, let go just in time, but his hands were left bloody. Everyone who witnessed it gasped, and Jordan subconsciously released his sword, grateful he wasn't outside.

The werewolf didn't attack immediately. It stood tall, its towering figure imposing like a mountain, creating immense pressure on everyone. The air seemed to solidify under its dominance, like a cat playing with a sure catch. The terror wolves howled madly, cheering it on.

Dan's arms were weighed down by terror wolves, exposing his vital points to their teeth. One wolf leapt, claws hooking into Dan's belly, fangs aiming for his throat. Dan closed his eyes, feeling the blood draining from him, thirst and exhaustion overwhelming him. Death seemed like a relief.

"Thud!"

Dan collapsed to the ground, head drooping, completely giving up. His sudden relaxation and surrender caught the leaping wolf off guard, causing it to miss and tumble before standing again. It shook its head in disbelief, looking back at Dan, who remained motionless, his pale neck exposed before its eyes.

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

Three chimes echoed through the night sky, signalling the end of this hunting game.

But the terror wolf couldn't resist the lure of flesh and blood, lunging again. Dan's neck was within reach, and the wolf's teeth grazed his skin.

No one could save him now, except...

Except for the werewolf!

The terror wolf didn't expect its leader to grab its neck, halting its advance. Its teeth scratched Dan's neck, making him feel a bit ticklish. He looked up, clueless about his narrow escape from death, and scratched his neck. Not that he cared, of course.

The werewolf coldly glanced back at Alex, as if to say,"Today, you're lucky!" Alex, startled, noticed that the werewolf's eyes had turned amber.

The werewolf tossed the terror wolf away and disappeared into the night with a few leaps.

Alex stood there, frozen. The cold wind blew, making him realise he was covered in sweat. The number "107" in the sky changed to "99".

After the betting ended, the atmosphere grew electric. The gamblers' reactions were a mix of emotions, like a fireworks display of feelings.

Some gamblers were furious, smashing everything around them to vent their frustration."Weren't they supposed to be slaughtered? How come only a few died? I've lost all my money!"

Others were ecstatic."Good thing I bet on 100 survivors, made a tidy profit, hahaha!"

Some were deeply puzzled."That werewolf was a Level 2 hunter. Why did it hold back at the last moment?" Suspicious voices, though quiet, began to surface:"This result is too strange. Is the host rigging it?"

Some believed the outcome was destiny, with wins and losses predestined. Others were more analytical, examining every detail to find patterns and reasons. And, of course, many would say,"I lost, but it was entertaining and worth a try."

Sebastian, perfectly timed, asked Caron,"Mr. Caron, that was splendid! I'm eagerly awaiting the next hunt. Can you give us a hint?"

Caron's face flushed with excitement. The boss had used a respectful title! His joy was palpable.

"I think the biggest surprise was that boy! I never expected a warrior of such prowess from a small, rural village. Even Earth's strongest men couldn't toss large terror wolves twelve times in a row, right?

But that's all. I don't think he'll fare as well in the next round."