Chapter 32 – Lone Battle

Chapter 32 – Lone Battle

It was a weapon, and from its appearance, it seemed to be a magic staff. Although Cheng Yang already possessed a magic staff, it was of ordinary quality—what people commonly referred to as “white-tier” equipment. Based on Cheng Yang’s experience, the fact that so many demonic beasts were guarding this staff at the beginning of the apocalypse meant it was definitely not an ordinary item. Thus, Cheng Yang was eager to replace his current weapon.

Cheng Yang carefully observed the group of monsters in the distance. It was a pack entirely composed of gray wolves, with a leader among them. The alpha wolf stood beside the magic staff, its fur as black as ink. Judging by its appearance, this black wolf had likely reached the late-stage of the first rank.

*A creature of equal strength to me—this is going to be troublesome.* If it were just the black wolf alone, Cheng Yang wouldn’t be too worried. His speed advantage would ensure he could evade the wolf’s attacks, and his mana reserves would allow him to finish it off in one round. However, the black wolf was surrounded by no fewer than fifty gray wolves, and his mana would never be enough to deal with all of them.

*Looks like I’ll have to whittle them down slowly.* Cheng Yang couldn’t think of any other strategy. Still, even if he had to take his time, it would be best to eliminate the black wolf first.

Cheng Yang glanced around. The tree he was currently perched on was thicker than a bowl, but against a late-stage first-rank demonic beast, it wouldn’t last more than a single strike. Nearby, there was a much thicker tree. While it might not withstand the black wolf’s attacks unscathed, it could probably hold out for a few seconds. And those few seconds were exactly what Cheng Yang needed.

Without hesitation, Cheng Yang quietly moved to the base of the larger tree. It was thick enough to require two people to encircle it with their arms. In the past, such a tree would have been considered massive, but in just half a month, trees like this would become commonplace. Cheng Yang quickly climbed up.

The tree was still about forty meters away from the wolf pack, well beyond the range of Cheng Yang’s Magic Missile. However, Cheng Yang had come prepared. A fist-sized rock appeared in his hand, and with a swift motion, he hurled it toward the center of the wolf pack.

*Thud!* The rock landed right in the middle of the pack, startling the previously calm wolves. They let out eerie howls, their eyes darting around in search of the intruder.

The black wolf, the pack’s leader, let out a long howl and turned its gaze toward Cheng Yang’s direction. It snarled, and its subordinates, heeding their leader’s call, surged toward the tree in a frenzy.

*Howl!* The wolves beneath Cheng Yang began their assault, their sharp teeth and claws tearing into the tree’s bark. Wood chips flew in all directions as the wolves worked to bring the tree down.

“Damn! This is way too intense!” Cheng Yang was startled. The black wolf wasn’t leading the charge; instead, it was letting its underlings do the dirty work. *How sneaky!*

Cheng Yang couldn’t just sit back and watch as the wolves gnawed through the tree. If they succeeded, his only option would be to flee. He immediately drew his Withered Wood Staff and fired a Magic Missile at one of the wolves tearing into the tree.

*Thump!* The missile struck the wolf, the impact sending it sprawling to the ground, temporarily incapacitated.

Cheng Yang followed up with another Magic Missile, and the wolf was finished.

“What a waste. If my attack power were just a bit higher, I could have taken it out in one shot,” Cheng Yang muttered in frustration.

The death of their comrade enraged the other wolves, and their attacks grew even more ferocious. Cheng Yang had no choice but to continue his assault.

Sixteen Magic Missiles later, eight wolves lay dead. Cheng Yang’s mana was down to 77 points, and he was growing anxious. The tree had already been gnawed through by a third. If the wolves managed to chew through another third, a single charge from the black wolf would bring the tree crashing down.

Just then, the black wolf let out a howl and charged toward Cheng Yang with astonishing speed, nearly matching Cheng Yang’s full sprint.

“Crap! Of all the wolves, I had to run into one with a speed talent?” Cheng Yang groaned inwardly.

Some demonic beasts, like humans, possessed innate talents that gave them an edge in certain areas. This black wolf clearly had a talent for speed.

Cheng Yang had no time to dwell on it. As soon as the black wolf entered his attack range, he fired another Magic Missile.

For most beginners, hitting a fast-moving target like the black wolf would have been difficult, but Cheng Yang’s year of survival in the apocalypse had honed his skills to perfection. The missile struck true, and the black wolf let out a pained howl, its eyes glowing red with fury as it glared up at Cheng Yang. Undeterred, it continued its charge, only to be met with another Magic Missile.

After taking two direct hits, even with its 4-point magic defense, the black wolf had lost nearly 50 health points. Three more hits like that, and it would be finished.

Cheng Yang prepared to fire another Magic Missile, but the black wolf slammed into the tree with tremendous force, causing it to sway violently.

Cheng Yang’s survival instincts kicked in. Losing his balance, he grabbed onto a branch with one hand and twisted his body, his Withered Wood Staff tracing a mysterious arc through the air. The Magic Missile shot out, striking the black wolf squarely.

*Thud!* The missile hit its mark, and the black wolf, now in agony, lost all reason. It reared back and charged at the tree again.

*Crack!* The sound of splintering wood echoed from below. Cheng Yang’s heart sank. *This black wolf is insane! Two charges, and the tree’s already about to give way?*

*I have no choice!* Cheng Yang steadied himself and, relying on his exceptional combat instincts, fired another Magic Missile at the black wolf.

The black wolf howled in pain but wasn’t dead yet.

At that moment, the tree, battered by the wolves’ relentless attacks, finally gave way. With a loud crack, it began to topple toward the ground.

“Just one more hit!” Cheng Yang calculated in his mind as he fell with the tree.

The wolves, sensing their prey was about to hit the ground, surged toward Cheng Yang’s landing spot, the black wolf leading the charge.

The black wolf was furious. From the moment it had emerged into this world, it had been a mid-stage first-rank demonic beast, allowing it to easily become the leader of this fifty-strong pack. Just last night, it had discovered this treasure and successfully claimed it as its own, instantly advancing to the late-stage of the first rank.

This rapid ascent had made it feel like a god among beasts, but now, on the very next day, it had been humiliated by a weak human. In its mind, if it couldn’t kill this human who had dared to challenge it, how could it continue to lead its pack?

As Cheng Yang neared the ground, he saw the black wolf charging toward him and felt a surge of excitement. Ignoring the other wolves closing in, he fired a Magic Missile the moment his feet touched the ground, aiming straight for the black wolf’s head.

PS: Extra chapter for more collections…