Not only did the dire wolves attack Kovenas, but a large number of male dire wolves also began assaulting the surrounding werewolf warriors. Though these second-rank beasts posed some threat, they were still mere animals, lacking the coordination of werewolf warriors.
Soon, many dire wolves were struck down with pitiful howls. The werewolf warriors acted in tacit understanding, refraining from delivering killing blows. While taming these adult dire wolves would take time, each successful domestication would yield a new wolf rider—a valuable opportunity to strengthen the tribe's power!
"Hmm, so you've been wounded, beast?" Kovenas suddenly knelt, for the alpha wolf thrashing wildly in the beast trap net had a blood-soaked abdomen, its flesh torn open by deep gashes from other mana beasts, bleeding profusely.
Though the alpha continued its frenzied gnawing at the net, Kovenas could clearly sense the beast's vitality fading.
"Kardia!"
Kovenas called out, and a werewolf warrior immediately dashed to his side.
"Hand over your hemostatic powder!"
"Yes!"
The werewolf warrior Kardia quickly passed the hemostatic powder hidden beneath his armor to Kovenas.
"Also, send scouts to guard the perimeter. Although we're on the forest's edge and high-rank mana beasts are unlikely to appear, it's not entirely impossible. Patrol the surroundings carefully!" Kovenas instructed as he took the hemostatic powder.
"Yes!"
The werewolf warrior Kardia departed to fulfill the order.
Kovenas glanced at Kardia. Kardia was the second fourth-rank warrior besides himself, with extensive combat experience and commanding talent—a rare asset.
Kardia was also the captain of his escort!
Kovenas opened the vial, lamenting that the tribe had only a few low-rank apothecaries. With mid or high-rank apothecaries, they could synthesize potions, far more effective than mere powder.
"Cease your struggles—I'm about to apply medicine!" Kovenas snapped at the rampaging alpha.
The alpha, which had been fiercely biting the trap net, showed obvious human-like hesitation in its eyes at the rebuke. But after a few seconds of hesitation, it resumed gnawing at the net.
"You'd rather face punishment than comply?" Kovenas' tone turned icy.
Even the lowest-rank mana beasts possessed some intelligence, let alone a third-rank beast leader.
Kovenas stood and stepped on the alpha's head, which was still madly biting the net. Instantly, the alpha's head was pinned immobile.
After all, as a fourth-rank warrior, Kovenas could easily overpower a third-rank mana beast!
Though the alpha's head was immobilized, its body still thrashed!
"Beast, if you keep struggling, I'll bludgeon you to death!" Meanwhile, the foot pressing on the alpha's head exerted more pressure, and the alpha's eyes quickly shifted from wild fury to fear.
"Hmph!"
Kovenas snorted coldly and poured the hemostatic powder onto the alpha's abdominal wounds.
In this world, medicine worked immediately, with visible effects.
As soon as the hemostatic powder was applied, the bleeding from the alpha's wounds stopped.
Kovenas removed his foot, and the alpha no longer bit the net, instead staring at its bloodless abdomen through the trap net.
With intelligence, the mana beast naturally understood the werewolf had just saved its life.
"Your wounds suggest they were inflicted by other mana beasts!"
"Your strength is inadequate in this forest. Venture deeper, and many mana beasts could kill you with ease!"
"I'm offering you a chance: come with me. My tribe will provide food and shelter for your pack, and you won't need to fear being bullied or killed by other mana beasts!" Kovenas said, locking eyes with the alpha.
"Of course, it makes no difference if you refuse. I've already captured half your pack!" Kovenas stood and scanned the area—his claim was no exaggeration.
Many injured adult male dire wolves glared at them from the sidelines.
"Consider it: one side offers a perilous existence with constant risk of death, the other a secure life where your pack can thrive!" Kovenas continued to persuade.
Though he had captured half the pack, he still hoped the alpha would lead the group to follow him willingly.
"Whimpering..."
Suddenly, the alpha emitted a low howl and drew a circle on the ground with its hind paws.
"You actually know about contracts?" Kovenas said in surprise.
The alpha's intention was clear: it wanted to become his contracted mana beast.
He was astonished that a mere third-rank alpha understood contracts.
"You're exceptional, but I cannot agree. To become my contracted mana beast, your rank is too low!" Kovenas shook his head.
Contracted mana beasts shared a lifeforce; while one's death wouldn't kill the other, it would drastically weaken them.
He had no desire to sign a contract with a third-rank mana beast.
Suddenly, a trace of disappointment flashed in the alpha's wolfish eyes, and the situation stagnated. Soon, Kovenas grew impatient.
Just then, the alpha issued two low growls at Kovenas.
"Do you agree?"
"Whimpering!" The alpha whimpered twice, clearly accepting Kovenas' proposal.
"You won't regret this choice!"
...
About half an hour later!Kovenas led fifty-odd werewolf warriors and over 120 dire wolves slowly across the wasteland toward the south.
The Silvermane Tribe resided in the south!
Just then, two dire wolf riders galloped from the distant wasteland.
With a shoulder height of 2.4 meters and a body length of 3 meters, the dire wolves carrying fully armored werewolf warriors exuded a menacing presence.
Soon, Kovenas' werewolf warriors began to stand on alert, and even the wolf pack braced for action.
"They're allies!"
Kovenas looked at the approaching wolf riders and signaled his warriors to stand down.
Immediately, the others relaxed, as the armor of the two riders bore the distinct insignia of the Silvermane Tribe.
The two wolf riders halted within five meters of Kovenas, swiftly dismounting and kneeling semi-prostrate before him. "Young Chieftain, the Elder Chieftain commands your immediate return to the tribe!"
"Elder Chieftain?"
Kovenas frowned, for the term referred not to his father but his grandfather, the former chieftain of the Silvermane Tribe.
His adoptive grandfather typically lived in seclusion—why the urgent summons?
"Has something happened in the tribe?" Kovenas asked.
"Yes..." The two werewolf warriors exchanged a solemn glance, their spirits instantly subdued. One lowered his head and said, "It's the Chieftain, sir. The Chieftain fell in battle!"
"What?"
"Father died in battle?" Kovenas nearly thought he'd misheard. His adoptive father was dead.
How could this be?Kovenas felt the news was overwhelmingly sudden!
"D*mn it, have one of your pack step forward!" Kovenas snapped at the alpha, his expression dark.
Sensing the werewolf's volatile mood, the alpha quickly issued a low growl, and a male dire wolf approached Kovenas.
"Kardia, lead them back to the tribe with all speed!"
"Yes!"
Kardia accepted the order gravely. As he watched Kovenas mount the dire wolf, a shrewd glint flickered in his eyes.
The Chieftain was dead!
Did that not mean the Young Chieftain would be the next leader?At that moment, Kovenas spurred the dire wolf and raced toward the tribe with the two riders.
(Chapter End)