Locate the Alpha Wolf

The black wolves,attacking from both front and back,did not cease their movements.They gradually closed in,forming a tight encirclement around Vili and the four others.The wolves continued to press forward,reducing the distance between them and their prey.

Vili's gaze scanned the pack,as if searching for something specific.

"What should we do?"Vélin asked Vitente,her face unusually grave.She had already tightened her grip on her longsword.

Vitente did not respond immediately.He was trying to calm himself down,forcing his mind to think of a way out.However,the beads of sweat on his forehead indicated the immense psychological pressure he was under.

"Break through,"Caril suddenly spoke up,breaking the silence.He had taken hold of the steel spear hanging from his saddle and was ready for battle.

"No,we can't break through,"Vitente immediately dismissed Caril's suggestion."If we attempt a breakout,given the nature of these wolves,they will attack as a group.They will latch onto our horses with their teeth and claws,bringing them down and then feasting on us.Someone among us will definitely end up as wolf food."

Caril shook his head gently."Can we really ensure that all of us will survive in this situation?"

Vitente gave a bitter smile.Indeed,they couldn't.

"Listen to me this time.You all go first,and I'll cover the rear.The wolves will focus all their energy on the slowest-moving target.As long as I'm at the back,they won't chase after you,"Caril said,his gaze unwavering.

"No way!"Lani and Vélin both disagreed simultaneously.As partners who had faced life and death together,they couldn't stand by and let Caril sacrifice himself as bait.

"No,listen to Caril,"Vitente interjected,seemingly having made up his mind."If no one stays behind,we'll all die.It's better to make a meaningful sacrifice to ensure the survival of the others!"

"However,it won't be Caril who stays behind—it will be me,"Vitente raised his voice,his crossbow already ready to fire at any moment.

"No..."Caril wanted to say more,but Vitente cut him off.

"I'm the captain,and this is my order.You must obey."Looking at the restless wolves,Vitente knew time was running out.He turned to Vili on Vélin's horse and said with an apologetic tone,"Sorry,Vili,for getting you into this mess.But don't worry,they'll do everything they can to get you home safely."

Vili shook his head.The unity and selflessness displayed by the mercenary team had already earned his respect.

"It's my responsibility.Since I accepted the payment,I was mentally prepared to face such dangers."

Vili's eyes narrowed slightly."Moreover,it's not necessarily a death sentence.Maybe we can all make it out alive."

Upon hearing Vili's words,Vitente,Caril,Vélin,and Lani's eyes brightened for a moment,only to dim again shortly after.

How could they all possibly survive and leave the Mors Forest in this situation?

Vili noticed the despondency in their eyes and pursed his lips.

His statement about everyone escaping wasn't meant to comfort them;he truly believed there was a way to drive away the pack of black wolves.

From the hunting experience granted by the[Beginner Hunter]title,Vili had detailed information about these black wolves.

For this particular species,any coordinated group action was initiated by the alpha wolf's command.During a pack hunt,the alpha wolf would remain concealed within the group,avoiding direct confrontation and danger.Instead,it would move through the chaos,issuing commands to control the pack.

If Vili could identify and eliminate the alpha wolf among the fifty black wolves,the pack would scatter and flee.This was a characteristic of this type of wolf pack.

Killing the alpha wolf was the only way to ensure everyone's survival.

Roar...

Some of the front-row wolves could no longer contain their hunting instincts and began to make moves.

"There's no time to wait!"Vitente shouted immediately."Caril,you charge first and create an opening!Vélin and Lani,follow closely behind.I'll hold them back at the end!"

"Captain!"Lani and Vélin's eyes were slightly red,and Caril took a deep breath as well.

"Take care of my wife and children for me,"Vitente said in his final request,looking at Caril.

Caril nodded deeply.He pulled on the reins,and his horse charged towards the weakest point in the wolf pack's formation.

With a roar,Caril collided with three or five black wolves,knocking them aside.His steel spear swung fiercely,slicing open the throat of one wolf.

"Follow me!"Vitente shouted.

Vélin and Lani,following closely behind Caril,charged towards the opening he had created.

Vili,sitting on Vélin's horse,watched as the black wolves lunged at them.He quickly drew the long knife from the other side of Vélin's saddle and swung it,slashing at a wolf that was about to leap onto the horse.

His rich hunting experience,combined with the adrenaline of life and death,allowed Vili to unleash 120%of his potential.With a clean and precise strike,he shattered the wolf's throat.

More and more black wolves began to chase after the three of them.

"Over here,you beasts!"Vitente roared,swinging his crossbow sword with all his might to draw the wolves'attention towards himself.

Roar!

Some of the wolves that had been chasing Vili and the others immediately turned around and lunged at Vitente.Over thirty black wolves now surrounded Vitente and his horse,constantly leaping at him.

Vitente could no longer see clearly;he only felt sharp teeth and claws piercing through his skin.He could feel his blood flowing out rapidly.

"I hope you all make it out alive,"Vitente thought as he struggled to break free from the wolves'attacks,using the last of his strength to fight off the beasts around him.

Caril and the others were advancing through the wolves with gritted teeth.

Vitente had drawn the majority of the wolves'attention,and only about ten black wolves were still chasing them.As long as they didn't linger,they could either fight off the wolves or escape from this place.

"Where is it...?"Vili adjusted his breathing,his hunter's instincts keeping his mind clear and focused.He was still searching for that final opportunity,his gaze constantly scanning the area,looking for the one wolf that stood out.

"Is that...?"Suddenly,Vili's eyes brightened.

Among the black wolves surrounding Vitente,there was one that seemed no different from its companions but was circling on the outer edge.It let out low growls but did not actively attack.Its eyes held not just ferocity but also a cunning intelligence.

"That's it!"Vili tightened his grip on the long knife and,to the astonishment of Vélin and the others,leaped off the horse.