Chapter 85.2: ???????? ???? ???????? (??)
Although the infiltrated knight discovered nothing, the group decided to move quickly.
It was wise to hurry, knowing that others were also targeting the same werewolf. They could get ahead by gathering information elsewhere.
Fortunately, as day broke, the hunters arrived in the town.
, .
! , !
Acdda was overjoyed, maintaining a dignified presence in front of Johan and the other warriors.
There was concern about calling Johan and then finding the werewolveste, which could lead to losing the prey, not being able to proudly mention the Alchio tribe.
The group packed lightly and traveled over the ins for more than two days to the location discovered by the hunters.
During the journey, Acdda sent one person at a time to different locations.
What are you sending them for?
I asked them to call warriors from known tribes to be nearby.
Didnt you say the knight dastards couldnt be found?
Acdda, who had rushed after hearing the news, boasted confidently. He said that by the time the slow-moving knight dastards arrived, the hunt would already be over.
But now calling tribal warriors nearby was unexpected.
. . .Doesnt the Empire proverb say to tap even a stone bridge before crossing it?
Johan smiled wryly and nodded. It was a better habit to be prepared rather than overconfident.
There were many nameless forests in the ins. Such forests were excellent havens for monsters.
Even Centaur hunters rarely ventured into these forests, especially in seasons like winter.
However, those gathered here today had already made such amitment. A warrior outstanding in the ins was as good as an exceptional hunter.
Setting up camp a little away from the forest entrance, the group waited for dawn.
The werewolves roam at night and return to their dens in the morning. So, when its day, well enter the forest and attack theirir.
Most had experienced werewolf hunting, so the discussion was quick. The warriors checked their weapons and bows.
What if theye out and attack first?
Werewolves are cunning and cautious, they dont hunt near their dens. They wont rush out just because were at the forests edge.
It would be better if they did attack!
The warriors eximed heartily. Unless surprised, the werewolves charging from a distance were their prey. Even the strongest werewolves fell quickly after a few hits from poisoned arrows.
Johan felt reassured seeing the seasoned hunters among the gathered warriors.
.
Warriors prepared for any situation were reliablepanions. Johan decided to rest well in preparation for the werewolf hunt.
And that night, werewolves charged out of the forest frenziedly.
Werewolf! Werewolf!
The warrior on watch woke up everyone, and those in the camp immediately rose, grabbing their weapons and armor.
How many?
I. . . I dont know!
What do you mean you dont know? Is it one? Two?
Do. . . Dozens. . .!
???
The awakened warriors widened their eyes and peered into the dim darkness. The ground thundered, and dozens of werewolves were seen running back and forth in the distance.
Everyone, mount up! Grab your weapons!
Whats happening?
Usually calm, Acdda too was puzzled and couldnt answer immediately.
Why are so many werewolves madly running out of the forest like that, what on earth is happening?
Have you never seen anything like this before?
Im sorry.
Someone must havee before us.
?
Otherwise, something like this wouldnt have happened. The ones who came first must have done something.
. . .!
Acdda realized what Johan meant. It was strange for such an event to ur while others were also hunting werewolves. It was too much of a coincidence.
But how?
I dont know. But Acdda, whatever has happened, does it really change what you and I need to do? Give your orders!
Johansposure was contagious. Acdda nodded and shouted.
Move! Carefully lead the horses while watching the movements of the werewolves!
Should we put out the fire?
The ones who needed to see us already have. Throw torches around! Its better to increase the fire.
The horses, sensing nearby werewolves, whinnied nervously. Johanforted them, thinking to himself.
.
Just like during troll hunts, horses are often inappropriate for monster hunting because they are surprisingly skittish.
! ! !
The howling of the werewolves grew louder, tearing through the ears. Those that ran out of the forest howled fiercely.
The situation is definitely strange. Theyre not looking for prey, they seem to have just exploded in ferocity.
Acdda! Some of them are heading this way!
Even if they couldnt smartly hunt using sight or smell, once they started rampaging, they would eventually see their prey. A few approached rapidly.
But the warriors, already mounted and ready to fight, were not intimidated.
Retreat while shooting!
The warriors rode backwards, turning their bodies to shower the werewolves with arrows. Despite the darkness, their arrows hit with astonishing uracy.
However, the werewolves response was surprising. They swatted away arrows with their ws and rolled to dodge them, performing feats unbelievable in their frenzied state.
But the warriors were a step ahead. They coordinated their shots. The arrows, aiming for openings and flying in session, pierced through the werewolves hides and muscles.
-!
A cursed scream was heard. A werewolf fell to its knees, unable to pursue any longer.
Its better to retreat and wait until daybreak!
Lets retreat, Acdda!
Understood. Back. . .
Wait! Someonesing!
The warriors quickly readied their arrows, aiming at the sound of a horse approaching through the darkness.
Dont shoot! Dont shoot!
What, isnt that the knight dastard? Did he trail us?
He couldnt have trailed us in suchplexity, just shoot him!
Johan restrained the warriors, shouting.
Give us a reason not to kill you!
I will tell you where Sir Boriska is!