Chapter 10: White Wolves

The forest was alive with the sounds of nature. Birds chirped in the distance, and the wind rustled through the leaves.

But beneath the calm, a tension hung in the air. The howls of wolves echoed, sharp and menacing.

It was noon, and the sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light on the ground. Somewhere in the depths of the woods, a battle was unfolding.

Five White Wolves, their fur gleaming like snow under the sunlight, circled three adventurers.

Their growls were low and threatening, their sharp teeth bared. The adventurers stood their ground, ready to fight.

Among them was Meisie, a slender girl with a determined look in her eyes. She held a sturdy shield in one hand and an iron mace in the other.

Despite her delicate appearance, she was strong and unyielding.

Two of the wolves lunged forward, their claws slashing through the air. Meisie stepped in, raising her shield to block their attack.

The force of the impact pushed her back slightly, but she held her ground. With a swift motion, she swung her mace, striking one of the wolves. It yelped and retreated, but the other wolf was already preparing to strike again.

Caled, standing a few steps behind Meisie, watched the scene unfold.

He gripped his sword tightly, his eyes focused. With a quick motion, he unleashed a Whirlwind Slash. The air around him seemed to ripple as powerful, long-range slashes of energy shot forward.

The two wolves were caught in the attack, their bodies flung backward. They hit the ground and did not move again.

Quinn was already in motion. Her fists glowed faintly with a magical aura, a result of Caled's Affinity Awakening.

She punched one of the remaining wolves square in the jaw, the force of her blow sending it sprawling. The magic in her strikes made her attacks even more devastating.

The wolf whimpered and tried to get up, but Quinn was already on it, delivering another powerful punch. The wolf collapsed, defeated.

The last two wolves hesitated, their growls less confident now. Caled and Quinn moved in unison, finishing them off with ease. The forest fell silent once more, the howls replaced by the sound of heavy breathing.

Meisie lowered her shield, her face flushed from the exertion. She looked at Caled and Quinn with admiration. "You two are so powerful," she said shyly. "Even though we're only Rank F, you made that look easy."

Caled smiled at her. "You did great too, Meisie. You held the front line perfectly. We couldn't have done it without you."

He reached out and gently patted her head. Meisie's eyes widened in surprise, and her face turned a deep shade of red. She looked down, a shy smile playing on her lips.

[Affection Meter: 20.]

Quinn stretched her arms and sighed. "I'm starving. Let's take a break and eat before we continue."

The group found a small clearing nearby, a patch of grassland bathed in sunlight. Quinn spread out a blanket, and they sat down to enjoy a picnic.

The food was simple but delicious—bread, cheese, fruits, and some roasted meat. Quinn had prepared it all herself, and the aroma made their mouths water.

As they ate, Quinn leaned over and fed Caled a piece of bread. A crumb stuck to his cheek, and without hesitation, Quinn leaned in and removed it with her lips.

Meisie, sitting across from them, watched with wide eyes. Her face turned red again, and she looked away, pretending to be very interested in her own food.

Caled noticed her reaction and chuckled. "Sorry about that," he said, scratching the back of his head. "We didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Meisie shook her head quickly. "No, it's fine! I understand. If I had someone as handsome and charismatic as you, I'd probably act the same way." As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what she had said. Her face turned even redder, and she covered it with her hands. "I-I mean…!"

Caled laughed softly, and even Quinn couldn't help but smile. The moment passed, and they continued their meal in comfortable silence.

After lunch, the group resumed their quest. They moved through the forest with ease, their teamwork seamless. Meisie took the lead, her shield always at the ready. Quinn followed close behind, her fists glowing with magic. Caled brought up the rear, his sword resting on his shoulder.

They encountered more White Wolves, but the battles were swift and efficient.

Meisie's strength as a tank was undeniable. She blocked attacks with her shield and created openings for Quinn and Caled to strike. Quinn's punches, now infused with magic, were more powerful than ever. The wolves didn't stand a chance.

Caled couldn't help but feel proud. He knew Quinn's growth was due to their "intense training"—and perhaps something more. He smiled to himself, remembering their late-night sessions. But he pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.

By the time they finished, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest. Quinn was exhausted, her energy spent. She leaned heavily on Caled, her arms wrapped around his as they walked. Caled carried a bag filled with White Wolves' fur, the proof of their completed quest.

As they made their way back, Caled noticed Meisie glancing at him. Her eyes were soft, and there was a hint of admiration in her gaze.

[Affection Meter: 30.]

"You're really reliable, Caled," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Caled smiled at her. "You're reliable too, Meisie. We make a good team."

Meisie's cheeks turned pink, and she looked away. Caled couldn't help but notice how shy she was. Raising her affection meter seemed like a challenge, but he was determined to find a way. He needed to be creative, to come up with a strategy that would win her over.

When they reached the guildhall, Amelia, the guild receptionist, greeted them with a smile. "You're back already? And with all the materials? Impressive! This quest usually takes at least two days."

Caled shrugged modestly. "It was a team effort. Quinn and Meisie did most of the work."

Amelia nodded, clearly impressed. "Well, good job, all of you."

As they turned to leave, Caled patted Meisie's head once more. She didn't flinch or pull away. Instead, she smiled softly, her eyes closing for a brief moment.

[Affection Meter: 31.]

Caled felt a sense of satisfaction. It was a small step, but it was progress. He glanced at Quinn, who was already half-asleep on his shoulder, and then at Meisie, who was walking beside him with a quiet smile. They were an odd group, but they worked well together. And for now, that was enough.