11

Although it sounds cool to say 'solitary wolf', technically, it's a dog that lost in the power struggle within the pack.

Although I've never seen other wolves of this species, upon closer inspection, there are indeed no individuals that appear weak due to losing in the power struggle.

While competing with Kelly and the others to get the wild boar prey, there were no signs of such weakness. Although now it looks like a big dog because it's become a subordinate.

"But it's okay. If you have a family, then we'll take them all. Separating them would be cruel."

At this point, Rare had already decided not to care about the drawbacks of increasing the number of 'followers'.

The total amount of experience required would increase as the number of followers increased, and the efficiency in obtaining it would decrease. However, as seen from Kelly and the others' battle now, the risk in battles would decrease as the number of followers increased.

In the current battle, the experience gained from disabling wolves considered equal or slightly stronger is roughly the same as the amount gained from defeating an equivalent enemy alone. Although if divided among five people, the amount would be less, but the battle would also be shorter.

Although in terms of efficiency, fighting alone is much better, but in terms of stability, this could be considered reliable income.

If efficiency decreases, then just increase the number by doing more tasks.

Although initially very excited after finding a special system like 'followers', Rare actually had no intention of being active in strategy or PvP, he just wanted to enjoy the game casually. He was so enthusiastic that he signed up for closed beta testing, not just for open beta, and ended up just being a tester.

Furthermore, with the increase in the number of followers, he had many things he wanted to try. There were still many things he wanted to experiment with regarding increasing the number of followers.

If he could build his own followers, he could create characters that were completely different from himself, and that could be fun in researching to build one optimized for it, even in terms of NPCs that controlled them. For example, would increasing Kelly's INT make her smarter.

Following the leadership of the wolves, they stepped into the forest.

This might be a path commonly used by animals, but because the animals that usually pass through were too big, humans could walk there comfortably. After walking for a while, they found the entrance to a cave that resembled Rare's house. It seemed to be the den of the wolf family.

Since the first wolf would enter the cave alone, Rare decided to wait outside. Although the wolf boss seemed to be controlled by Rare, there was no guarantee that he would not be attacked by other dissenting individuals inside the cave. In the current situation, not knowing the conditions of the cave, it was something to be avoided.

Shortly afterward, the wolf returned. Behind him, several other wolves seemed to follow him out.

Indeed, it seemed that the largest individual had been tamed first, followed by one slightly smaller individual, and the rest were six wolves of roughly the same size as large dogs in the real world.

Although their size was similar to regular wolves in the real world, their facial features and legs looked somewhat larger.

They might just be large puppies. They have such silhouettes. "They're so cute..."

Whether the wolves had understood the situation, when approaching Rare, they all bowed.

"Ice wolves, wolf pups, wolf pups, wolf pups, wolf pups, wolf pups, and wolf pups can be tamed."

The situation might be similar to what Kelly and the others experienced. It seems there's no need to use skills.

"Alright, you're all my family now. I'm your boss. How's that?"

After stating so, the wolves approached Rare, rubbing their noses on his legs, then rolling over and showing their bellies.

"Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright..."

The bellies of the wolf pups felt warmer than before. Although it took some time to pet them all due to their large size, Rare was quite satisfied.

According to what the wolves said - although they didn't speak verbally - they were family.

But it seems not all of them are blood-related.

Previously, their pack was attacked, and they scattered and fled. By chance, these wolves and the second largest wolf were near the wolf pups at that time, and they protected the wolf pups until now. Actually, they are a species that usually lives further north.

"Yeah, they're called ice wolves, so that's how it is. I wonder how they got here."

But for Rare at the moment, even the place itself is a mystery.

From the temperature and humidity, he could only guess that it's unlikely this place is too far north.

"Oh yeah, before we move to my headquarters, can I see your den? Is there anything inside?"

Feeling a sincerity in the wolves' desire, Rare decided to explore the cave.

At first, he only went out to search for fur, but now his goals began to deviate. However, Rare just wanted to enjoy the game casually. It doesn't matter.

And one wolf is enough to counter Kelly and the others. If they all unite in this cave, it will surely be a greater threat.

There might be a possibility that it's the den of a unique boss. If it's a unique boss's den, then it could be made into a home too.

If so, maybe I should check the layout first, and if it looks good, maybe we can move here. Fortunately, nothing was left in their den.

This cave is larger than their previous den.

Rare only realized it after entering, but upon deeper thought, he realized that even though he could bring those wolves back to their previous den, the entrance was too narrow to fit anything other than wolf pups. There was no other choice from the start.

Although the size is different, the layout is similar, and after a short walk, there's an open space, and it seems there's more inside.

The rooms here are shaped like two connected circles, with a hole in the back wall. These holes are not like cracks as in their previous den, but round holes large enough for a human to crawl into.

"Uh, what's that...?"

Although the wolves said there was nothing inside, that might not be true.

It should be assumed that there are other inhabitants at the end of that hole. Too suspicious. However, if you want to make this place your headquarters, it may be necessary to clear out the suspicious places.

Upon entering the cave, there were no guidance messages for a private home, but it might open after dealing with the unknown inhabitants at the end there. Since the conditions for a private home are completely unclear, this property might not qualify as a home. However, if that happens, it could be considered to expand their previous den.

"We want to investigate that place, but how should we do it..."

"Maybe we have to sneak in, right? We don't know what's in there, so if we're going, it's better for us to check it out first."

"Woof!"

"Wait, I hear something!"

It seems the wolves and Remi heard something.

Everyone held their breath, staring at the hole. Because nothing was moving, the situation became so quiet that they could almost hear their own heartbeat.

Finally, Rare also began to hear something faintly. It was like a creaking or tapping sound, like someone repeatedly hitting a nail into a rock, the rhythmic sound getting closer - and then, something shiny black emerged from the hole.

"An... ant!"

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