Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Confused
"Chief Zach! The Skywing Wolf is coming toward me! You have to protect me!" Michael shouted, his hair standing on end.
That's a commander-level demon—a nightmare for someone like Michael right now.
Zach's brows furrowed deeply. After witnessing Luke's earlier destructive power, half of his plan to behead the Skywing Wolf had vanished.
But this was the safe zone; he couldn't let the Skywing Wolf break in.
Behind Zach, the Wings of Wind suddenly ignited, ready to intercept the Skywing Wolf and buy time for the people in the safe zone to escape.
But just as Zach was about to confront the beast, he noticed the Skywing Wolf wasn't flying toward Michael.
Instead, it veered ninety degrees, heading toward a corner of the city.
After the vanguard team defeated the demon, they all arrived at the safe zone.
Most of those who had escaped death sat huddled in corners, grateful to be alive.
Zoe Miller held up a bottle of water, drinking deeply. In her haste, water trickled down her chin and neck.
"Being alive is a blessing," she whispered.
Zoe squatted on the ground, hugging her knees, cherishing this hard-won moment of peace.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew.
Zoe looked up, and before she could react, a huge shadow descended, lifting her off the ground.
"Ah!!" she screamed.
Her mind went blank.
Wasn't I just in the safe zone? What happened?!
Zoe stared in shock at the giant creature beside her. She couldn't believe her eyes—it seemed to be smiling at her.
"The Skywing Wolf!" she thought.
I'm just a beginner fire mage. Why is a commander-level demon interested in me?
The wind whipped through her hair, making the situation feel even more surreal.
When Zoe finally realized that she was indeed in the grasp of the Skywing Wolf, everything went black, and she fainted from shock.
"Well, that's not ideal," Luke murmured, looking at the unconscious Zoe in his grasp.
"I was only trying to help," he thought. "Didn't expect her to faint."
He carefully placed Zoe in a safer spot on the ground.
"It's better this way. At least she's out of immediate danger."
"Chief Instructor Zach... Zach!" Michael stammered, pointing to the Skywing Wolf flying away. "Zoe... Zoe has been taken!"
"This is the safe zone! How did the Skywing Wolf get in so easily?" Michael exclaimed.
Zach glanced at Michael but didn't respond immediately.
What's going on? Zach wondered.
Why would the Skywing Wolf come to the safe zone and take a student? Is it a provocation? Or does it think so little of me?
Just then, an officer approached, jumping down from a large eagle.
"Chief Instructor, the Demon Wolf Clan has evacuated the entire city for some reason," the officer reported. "There isn't a single demon left in Silvercrest."
"The demons have retreated?" Zach was baffled.
He felt like his mind couldn't process this unexpected turn of events.
First, the Skywing Wolf takes a student, and now all the demons have vanished?
"Michael, tell me about that girl named Zoe," Zach said, trying to find a connection.
"Zoe?" Michael paused. "Well, she's quite talented and determined. She's a good mage, but I don't know her very well."
Zach sighed, trying to piece together the puzzle.
"Listen up! Search the city thoroughly. Make sure there are no demons left anywhere," he commanded.
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded.
Zach then turned in the direction where the Skywing Wolf had flown.
I need answers, he thought, setting off to investigate.
Meanwhile, Luke circled around Silvercrest City, making sure no demons remained to harm the inhabitants.
"Well, it seems Zoe was the only one in immediate danger," he thought.
"Time to head back and plan my next move."
As he flew toward the Demon Wolf Tribe's territory, the relentless rain continued to pour.
"This rain is bothersome," Luke grumbled. "I need to find the source of this chaos."
Just then, his gaze shifted downward.
He spotted a figure in a pale pink dress moving swiftly through the woods.
She wore classic black over-the-knee boots, and her long hair flowed behind her.
"Wait, is that...?" Luke's eyes widened.
[Ding! A Pregnancy Target Detected]
[Name: Tanya Reed]
[Qualification: High]
[Form a bond to receive rewards]
"Tanya Reed! What's she doing out here alone?" Luke wondered.