Chapter 107

107.

The sealing spear, having left my hand, drew a small beam of light as it sliced through the void.

Soon after, with a thunderous roar, the monster’s torso exploded.

A gaping hole had been blasted into the colossal form that resembled black mud.

‘…Did I throw it too hard?’

One of Solorun’s soldiers was on the verge of bursting, so I had tossed the spear without hesitation, but I suppose throwing it at full force resulted in the sealing spear not only piercing through the monster but blowing it up entirely.

Was it the power of dispersing mana at work, or was it simply the absurd power of my spear throw?

Kong!

The wolf slowly descended beside the disintegrating remnants of the monster.

I carefully set Nia, whose hair was disheveled, onto the ground and spoke to her.

“Nia. Please take care of the castle wall’s defense.”

“Ugh…”

“I’ll handle these.”

Three more monsters were approaching from beyond the snowstorm.

Even from a distance, it was clear they weren’t ordinary creatures.

They were roughly the size of Solorun’s castle walls. Like the one that had been obliterated by the spear just moments ago, these were classified as Grade 1 large-scale entities.

‘The presence of mana users… four of them? No one seems to be in good condition.’

I glanced around briefly and the soldiers’ conditions were far from normal.

Their eyes were sunken, and their faces were gaunt. It seemed like they couldn’t even manage proper meals, let alone rest. The same could be said for the knights of Solorun who had hurriedly climbed the walls.

No doubt due to the prolonged battle in isolation, they had all sustained injuries, big and small.

With a pale complexion, Nia was releasing mana, so I left her behind and moved to retrieve the sealing spear.

The spear embedded halfway into the ground.

For some reason, one of the soldiers was looking at it with awe. I gave him a wave, then proceeded to extract the spear embedded beside him for inspection.

It was in perfect condition, without a single scratch.

‘It’s durable.’

It truly lived up to its origins as a weapon forged from the relics of the church.

After adjusting my grip on the sealing spear, I climbed back onto the wolf.

“Alright, let’s go again.”

“Wauk….”

The wolf, who briefly glanced beyond the wall, stepped back.

Its fur was standing on end. It was likely due to the approach of the three monsters.

I quietly observed the wolf, and his crimson eyes slowly shifted.

“Whoosh.”

As I lightly waved my fist, it finally lowered its stance.

“…Are you looking at me?”

It feels like I’m talking to a human being.

Its reluctance to get close to the abnormal creatures suggests an understanding of danger, and since the moment I secured it, it’s always acted as if it fully comprehends what I say.

“Charge!”

“Whaoow!”

With a spirited cry, the wolf leaped forward.

While the internal area of Solorun was calm with merely snow falling, beyond the walls, the snowstorm raged violently.

The ends of my robe flapped wildly, and the harsh wind bit into my face.

Kong!

The wolf lightly landed after leaping over the castle wall and launched itself forward.

Kong. Kong. Kong.

Like swimming against a strong current, the wolf crossed the snow-covered plain, cutting through the resistance of the snowstorm.

The silhouette of the approaching monsters grew larger.

I tightened my grip on the sealing spear and glanced down.

‘Indeed, they use mana, though faintly.’

Despite their massive forms cutting through the snow, they didn’t seem restricted by the piles of snow as they would naturally be buried and slowed down if they were ordinary creatures.

The wolf ran as though it were galloping on a plain.

‘Mana concentrates beneath its paws. Some sort of platform, perhaps?’

Whether it is consciously using it or not, I cannot tell, but these variant beasts are indeed utilizing the power of mana.

‘Good.’

Even a superior warhorse would tire quickly with Calion riding on it.

A mana-using wolf should be able to handle the weight of Calion with ease. Plus, with its large frame, this creature made for a good mount.

-Woouuu!

-Grrrrrrk.

When I turned my head back, I saw a pack of wolves furiously chasing after us.

Some of the wolves that had been attacking Solorun changed direction. Judging from their drooling jaws as they ran, they probably thought this foolish prey dared to leap without fear.

The pack of wolves was chasing close behind us, their long tails trailing.

Though we were nearing the abnormal creatures, the wolves didn’t abandon the chase. Their hunger had suppressed their fear. Given the current conditions in the northern lands, it makes sense.

“…”

I turned my head forward and spoke.

“You will be called White Beast from now on.”

Continuously calling you wolf doesn’t work since there are many other wolves roaming the northern lands.

If I’ll be riding you frequently, it’s best to assign a proper name, right?

The creature seemed pleased with the name “White Beast,” as it let out a small cry.

“Waouk….”

Its crimson eyes brimmed with resignation.

I lightly patted its back and shouted.

“White Beast, let’s run with full power!”

“Auuuuuuu!”

Instantly, a warm sensation rose from the creature’s neck, and I felt a connection as if something was tying together.

For a brief moment, the sensation was familiar. It was the same feeling when I connected with Calion and when the seal was activated.

At the same time, White Beast’s body faintly glowed before suddenly swelling.

“Huh?”

Even at a glance, it had become one and a half times larger than the pursuing pack of wolves.

Its snow-white, lustrous fur, the compact muscle mass beneath, and now its once crimson eyes turned black.

And even a faint blue flame burning within.

White Beast contorted its face then let out a roar.

“Khhrrrreeeaaa!”

The roar, accompanied by a shockwave, caused changes among the chasing pack of wolves.

“Kreeeek!”

“Kiiiieeeek!”

The pack of wolves that had been aiming at White Beast’s back hastily pulled back.

They followed at a respectful distance, their ferocity and aggression now completely gone.

Their eyes were filled with fear.

‘Have I taken over the pack with just one roar?’

In the middle of the pack, a wolf that had been ferociously chasing us bent its head as it ran.

It seemed like it was the leader, but White Beast’s roar instantly caused it to lower its tail. Thus, a change occurred in the movements of the pack that had been hot on our trail.

From pursuit to escort.

Just like they were following a leader leading ahead.

‘…Ha.’

I smiled faintly at the sudden change.

The exact mechanism isn’t clear, but as soon as I named it, the Goddess’s blessing was activated, and a connection like the one with Calion formed between White Beast and me.

Does this mean it has been officially tamed?

Judging by the internal flame that was burning, much like a mana user, it seemed to have also been enhanced. Moreover, it exuded a presence that managed to subdue the pack of wolves in one go.

‘Good.’

With the clear outlines of monsters now visible even amidst the snowstorm, I spoke.

“Handle two of them.”

“Khhrrreeeaaa!”

Roaring, White Beast leaped high at the frontmost monster. Meanwhile, the pack of wolves that had been following attacked the monster approaching from the left.

“Krrrrreek!”

The pack of wolves, receiving instruction from White Beast, swarmed the monster on the left.

Even though they were being flung away one by one by the monster’s gestures, the wolves continued to relentlessly charge in droves, causing the monster to begin losing its footing.

Gooong!

Just like being swept away by a massive avalanche, the huge body of the monster started collapsing slowly.

Thus, the wolves handled the one on the left.

The one in the middle was tackled as White Beast, jumping up lightly, sunk its fangs into its neck.

─!

The middle monster emitted a horrifying scream as it fell backward.

“Huup.”

Just before being caught up in the collision, I leaped from White Beast’s body toward the remaining monster on the right.

Kwaang!

I barely caught a glimpse before I turned my head. Through the scattering snow, I glimpsed White Beast biting onto the monster before it was obscured by the snowstorm again, but I was certain there would be no trouble.

The waves emitted by the monsters had no effect on White Beast and the pack of wolves.

Nodding, I immediately swung the sealing spear.

Aaaek-

Kwaang!

The jarring sensation flowing through the spear shaft. The monster’s arm returned to its original position after being struck by the spear.

Was it the power that disperses mana that penetrated? The arm the monster struck with was splitting apart and scattering.

‘Striking with the spear alone achieves a certain degree of effect. This isn’t bad.’

It would shatter the mana of whatever it pierced. If this was the case, it seemed that driving it into a monster’s core would be enough to reseal it.

‘This might even be capable of destroying a monster outright.’

Putting such fleeting thoughts aside, I focused on the sensation pulling my body.

The recoil from the impact had momentarily halted my descent, but my body started falling again.

Even amidst the fierce snowstorm, my fall continued without end.

Below me lay not the pristine snowfield but an ugly creature waiting for me.

‘Here I come.’

Since one of its arms couldn’t move, the monster crouched.

Simultaneously, something burst out from the monster’s back.

An arm taking the form of melting mud.

The monster’s arm wriggled as if regaining its senses and shot up toward the sky.

─!

A horrifying roar accompanied the arm hurtling toward me like an arrow.

Since I was falling through the air, I couldn’t move my body freely.

There was no way to avoid it.

‘Nor is there a need to avoid.’

Guaak.

Gripping the spear shaft tightly, I readied my stance again.

The oppressive air resistance on my whole body, I pressed it down with force.

‘Complicated techniques are unnecessary.’

Pulling my arm back, I aimed the spear’s tip at the monster’s arm.

With firm force in my hands and twisting my waist, I extended my arm.

The basic skill of spear arts.

Thrust.

Aiming at the approaching monster arm, I threw the seal spear directly at it.

Kwaang!

A powerful explosion resounded, and the shockwave spread out.

Ordinarily, a collision of forces would lead one side to break or be deflected, ending the clash.

However, the situation was different now.

Kwa-ddeok.

The spear blade pierced into the arm.

The force of falling from the sky.

Combined with my sheer strength and the effect of dispersing mana, it added to the impact.

The monster’s arm was ripped apart, and my body continued falling together with the cleaving spear.

Dr-r-r-r!

The resistance building as I pushed forward after cleaving its arm. I gripped the spear shaft tightly to ensure the spear didn’t change direction.

And so, the spear tip reached the monster’s back after shattering its body.

I stopped the charge after completely pulverizing its body.

“…”

Feeling the sensation of my boots on the snow while raising my head.

The sight of a monster quietly disintegrating, split in two.

I turned, leaving the enormous corpse collapsing and covered by the snowstorm.

“Whaaooow!”

White Beast was charging through the snowstorm toward me.

‘The monsters… have been dealt with.’

A massive snow-covered mound in the wake of what looked like a bomb explosion.

Re-shouldering the sealing spear and raising mana, I spotted a monstrous figure with its head missing as it got covered by the snowstorm.

“Hek hek!”

After tapping the head of White Beast, who was breathing with its tongue out, I climbed back on.

“Let’s go.”

“Waaou!”

With a powerful response, White Beast sped off across the snowfield once more.

While the pack of wolves were able to push away their fear with White Beast’s strength, evidently, they were still insufficient to handle the remaining monsters.

The area surrounding the last remaining monster was littered with the corpses of the wolf pack.

The confident wolves were gradually retreating and cautiously approaching from a distance. Observing the situation as I quickly neared the remaining monster, I tapped White Beast’s body.

White Beast leapt toward the monster’s head.

‘The sealing spear’s performance has been verified.’

Balancing myself amidst the rough shaking, I drew my sword.

The power of mana flowing over the ordinary longsword.

I swung the brilliant light, slicing through the snowstorm and the last remaining monster’s body.

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