Chapter 24

The forest air was thick with the scent of blood and fear, hanging like a suffocating shroud over the battlefield.
The Demonic Wolf stalked forward, its fangs glistening with saliva, eyes locked onto Dana. Its body tensed, ready to rip her apart. But before it could strike, a low, broken whimper shattered the silence.
“Wooooo—”
Crack.
The wolf’s ears flicked, and it spun around with a growl.
“Grrrr…?”
Something stirred behind the bushes—the very place where it had just thrown Leon.
Step… Step…
A hand, slick with blood, emerged from the tangled foliage. Fingers twitched. The Demonic Wolf stiffened. Something was wrong.
Then Leon stepped into view. His eyes, once human, were now pools of inky blackness, pupils dilated unnaturally wide. Blood poured from a deep gash on his shoulder, and his left leg dragged slightly, torn and battered. Yet he moved as if he felt none of it.
His gaze locked onto the wolf. Cold. Unwavering. Unnatural.
A low, guttural growl rumbled from the beast’s throat as instinct warned it of danger. It hesitated, taking a slow step backward.
Nina’s breath hitched. ‘What… What is this? How is he still standing?’
Dana, gripping her sword, narrowed her eyes. ‘That wolf—why did it turn its back on me? I’m armed, I can strike… but it’s ignoring me? And for him? A man who is half-dead already and has no weapons is a bigger threat than me ?’
Leon’s fingers twitched, his body coiled tight, waiting for the wolf to make its move.
The Demonic Wolf finally acted. Its body crouched low, muscles flexing, eyes gleaming with violent intent.
Then—
“AWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
The deafening howl split the air, rattling bones, piercing the mind.
[Opponent has used the skill]
[You have been paralyzed for 5 seconds.]
Leon’s body locked up instantly.
‘Shit. I can’t move.’
He fought against the numbing force, but his limbs refused to obey.
The wolf lunged.
Jaws wide. Fangs bared. Death approaching.
Leon closed his eyes at last.
Swish.
Kchk.
Thud.
A voice, smooth as silk, yet brimming with quiet strength, reached his ears.
“Hmm… I’ve been looking for him for quite some time now.”
Leon forced his eyes open.
A knight stood before him, clad in shining silver armor, her longsword slick with fresh blood. The Demonic Wolf’s head lay at her feet, its lifeless body sprawled in the dirt.
She tilted her head, appraising him. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”
With a slow, deliberate motion, she removed her helmet.
Leon barely had time to register her face before his vision blurred.
Enormous pain erupted inside him. His body seized.
GWAK.
A thick stream of blood burst from his mouth, spilling onto the ground. His insides felt like they were tearing apart.
Thud.
[Skillhas been turned Off.]