Myriad Devils-Chapter 67: Thunder cloud wolf

"They aren’t really a bother," Anon dismissed the threat of close to thirty stellar fighters, "But spilling their blood in Blood-Drip Jungle while unaware of this environment’s nature is dumb."

Hearing this, Melissa smiled with relief.

On the other hand, Felix sighed with disappointment; however, he did not resist Anon’s decision, instead understanding the latter’s logic.

Under the subtle yet heated gazes of over twenty stellar geniuses, the group slowly disappeared into the distance. This was the nature of the Blood-Drip Jungle.

Soon after breaking off from the gathering of students, they encountered a faint mist that began rising, swirling around their ankles and obscuring their path ahead.

With each footfall, the earth gave slightly beneath them, as if the jungle was alive and aware of their presence. Bolan frowned as he slowly unsheathed the two dark blades strapped to either side of his waist.

A subtle tension hung in the air, reminding the group that they were in the jungle and not alone.

Shadows shifted among the trees, and the distant sounds of something moving through the underbrush sent waves of unrest coursing through their bodies, keeping their subconscious on high alert.

Every rustle could signal the approach of a predator or a hidden inhabitant, keeping them on edge. By now, time had become more ethereal, and the group’s focus homed in on any changes in the surroundings.

Suddenly, Andrew’s ears twitched as he shouted with a broad grin, "Up!"

Then, a powerful gush of intense winds erupted from his form. The ground beneath his feet sank as he leaped into the air, confronting the descending blood vines that encompassed the group of seven.

For a moment, as the gust of wind clashed against the vines, their descent halted. It was only a moment, though, as they quickly resumed their fall.

Still, it was enough time for several spinning golden disks to manifest in the air and slice through over ten red vines, each ten feet long. Simultaneously, three clicking noises signaled that the longsword and shield strapped to Andrew’s back were wielded in an instant as he ascended and slashed with his longsword.

A single slash caused the air to tremble as the longsword in his hand tore apart any vine that dared block its path.

As this unfolded, several dark images appeared nearby, on the ground and in the air. Each dark image depicted a young black-haired youth with abyss-like eyes elegantly and silently swinging two dark blades.

More than mere attacks, it appeared to the others as a type of dance, as Bolan’s figure appeared in several different locations simultaneously. Wherever he went, red vines fell to the ground listlessly.

One, two, three...

Less than five seconds after their appearance, over twenty red vine beasts rushed toward the group from above, losing their lives to Bolan’s swift assaults. Most importantly, only three of the seven actively engaged.

After three months in military zone #91, they were all much stronger. Now, a month in the military academy had allowed their strength and fighting abilities to mature, reaching a higher level.

"Oh," Catharina grinned at Andrew, "You’re using your destruction principle more fluidly now."

"Hmph!" Andrew scowled, "If you think what I’ve shown is impressive, then you aren’t my opponent whatsoever."

Catharina covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "Hehe, I just thought you improved slightly. Still, if you want to catch up to me, you’ve got some ways to go."

"That was impressive," Anon complimented as Bolan appeared right next to him.

"Thanks." He replied concisely while nodding his head.

Interestingly, his voice came from near Felix as he walked alongside the latter. Meanwhile, the figure that appeared near Anon dissipated as if it were a drawing being erased.

To this, Anon raised an eyebrow. ’Is he...?’ Anon’s golden amber eyes shimmered as his thoughts drifted.

Frowning in the back of the group, Melissa observed their interaction while silently following behind as the group ventured deeper into the forest.

The mist slowly rose, becoming shin-high, unexpectedly. The towering trees with bloody leaves became more apparent as they began blocking the light that illuminated the world.

As the presence of darkness grew more prominent, a smile etched across Bolan’s face. His dark abyss-like eyes sparkled with an indescribable glint as he, too, began to smile.

"What’re you smiling for?" Felix frowned and took a step to his left, drawing closer to Catharina and distancing himself from Bolan. His voice broke the subtle tension building in the atmosphere as the group pressed on deeper into the forest.

Bolan’s smile twisted into a scowl as he clicked his tongue with annoyance. "As the presence of darkness becomes more dominant, so too does my prowess."

Whether the others understood him or not, he did not care, instead ignoring their presence. Silence returned to the group soon after as they continued deeper into the forest.

As time passed and the thickening mist began to swirl more aggressively around their ankles and shins, casting a surreal haze over the landscape, Bolan, with his dark blades now sheathed, moved with predatory grace.

Instead of being negatively affected, his senses heightened in the jungle’s oppressive atmosphere. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Andrew followed closely, his aura radiating an intensity that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the distant growls echoing through the underbrush. A low thumping sound reverberated near the group; indeed, this was Andrew’s heart, vigorously pounding within his chest.

Suddenly, a low growl reverberated through the air, drawing their attention.

"Thunder cloud wolf?" Melissa’s eyes widened, but Anon was unamused, his eyes hinting at boredom as he casually stated, "Its aura is practically nonexistent. It’s just a beast soldier."

Though he dismissed it, the creature’s fur crackled with static energy, dripping with a dark, viscous fluid that shimmered ominously in the dim light.

The wolf’s eyes glowed with fierce bloody brilliance as it locked onto the group, an unsettling mix of dark crimson starlight swirling around it like a violent storm.

Andrew’s expression shifted from playful banter to steely concentration. "Let me have a taste of this guest," he said, stepping forward, ready to engage.

Bolan’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. "You can’t have all the fun... I want to test my current strength." He unsheathed his dark blades, their edges glinting menacingly as he prepared for battle.

Catharina stepped forward, her hands glowing with soft golden light as she manipulated the energy around her. Scowling, she said, "You underestimate this thing, then you get injured... Are we to take care of you afterward?"

Seriously, she ordered, "Bolan, flank it from the left. Andrew, hit it with your aura."

Felix, meanwhile, stood slightly behind them, a grin spreading across his face.

His body began to emit an unsettling aura, his muscles tightening as his joints cracked rhythmically. "Oh boy, you guys acted before me last time..." Scowling, he proclaimed, "Heh! Not again, I want to see how tough this thing really is."

As the thunder cloud wolf charged, its growl morphed into a fearsome howl.

A heart-thumping gust of wind exploded from Andrew’s body, a wave of energy that surged toward the creature. The air crackled as the force of his attack collided with the wolf, momentarily stunning it.

Bolan seized the opportunity, darting to the left while utilizing an illusory speed, leaving false images of himself in his wake. His blades twinkled with dark intentions.

Catharina followed suit, golden starlight swirling around her form. Above the thunder cloud wolf, an expansive golden light shone down onto its body, seemingly disorienting it.

"Now, Bolan!" she shouted.

With a swift motion, Bolan lunged forward, his blades slicing through the air.

The wolf, recovering from Andrew’s attack, retaliated with a fierce swipe of its paw, but Catharina’s attack greatly affected it, allowing Bolan to easily dodge the strike and deliver a precise cut that sent a shiver through the beast’s form.

Felix, positioned slightly behind the front line, grinned as he felt a surge of power coursing through him.

"It’s my turn!" he roared, stepping forward with an imposing aura surrounding him. Dark green veins threatened to bulge through his skin as he darted toward the wolf.

Sensing such a formidable force from not just Felix, but the group of attackers overall, the wolf hesitated, its instincts warning it of impending danger.

As the battle unfolded, Melissa, Anon, and Seth observed from a distance, their gazes fixed on the chaos erupting before them.

Anon’s golden amber eyes shimmered with curiosity, taking in every detail of the fight.

Meanwhile, Melissa remained watchful, scanning the surroundings for any additional threats that might emerge from the jungle’s depths.

"As I said, just another beast soldier," Anon remarked, his voice steady. "More importantly, this jungle has its own surprises. We should be more vigilant about what remains hidden in the shadows."

Melissa glanced over at Anon, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes. "What if more creatures appear? We can’t afford to be caught off guard."

Seth chuckled. "Then just keep an eye on the perimeter."

Meanwhile, the thunder cloud wolf began to show signs of fatigue, its growls becoming more desperate as Bolan’s strikes and Felix’s destructive fists relentlessly bombarded it.

On the other hand, Andrew wasn’t given the chance to enter the battle, causing him to groan with annoyance.

Catharina maintained her focus, her manipulation causing blinding golden lights to cascade down from the skies, continuously leaving the creature disoriented, allowing her teammates to press the attack.

Then...!

Without warning, the wolf unleashed a deafening howl, its form surrounded by a swirling tempest of thunder and blood.