Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

When the confrontation between the two sides was ongoing, Alex brought Valarie and Eve to safety; behind a boulder.

He could tell that the beast Edric was facing was probably around A-rank; otherwise, the Protagonist wouldn't have struggled to face the creature so long. There was no point in dwelling on how the beast arrived here since if Alex didn't do anything, Edric might get clawed to death.

He could see it. Edric was running low on gas given he had to use all three aces of his at once. He cannot sustain that form for long and once Edric returns to his original form, game over. Not only for the people within the labyrinth but possibly this world.

Alex was far from ready to die...at least without a fight.

"W-Wait...what are you trying to do?" Eve suddenly held his shirt just as Alex was about to get up.

Alex removed her hand from him and said, "Going to hit the iron when it's hot." Alex knew that the wolf wasn't completely unaffected, and sooner than later, he would also revert to his human self.

And that precise moment, when he would show vulnerability, Alex needs to strike.

However, the problem was how Alex could reach Wolf's blind spot when the duo were moving at such a ridiculous speed.

The answer was soon delivered to him, "I will use my skill to bring you there. Just don't move around much." Eve warned as she slowly pushed herself to kneel before Alex.

Yes, how can he forget that as an assassin, she surely must have a skill related to stealth?

"It's time!" Alex urged as he saw the wolf grabbing Edric by his wrist.

Eve rose to her feet, grabbed Alex's hand, and said, "Match my rhythm."

Her face dissolved into darkness and so did Alex's as both of them matched the shade of their surroundings. Rather than turning invisible, they camouflaged.

Just as Edric kicked the wolf in sheer desperation to throw him away, Eve and Alex reached behind a boulder which was nearest to the Wolf's landing zone.

Alex removed his hand from Eve's and before the woman could have even thought of saying something, the silver head unsheathed his sword and lunged at the creature with decisive precision.

*SQUELCH*

Edric and the creature both stood in complete shock upon seeing the blade pierced through the beast's chest and impaled him in a smooth, fluid motion.

"Alex?!" More than shock, Edric yelled his name in alarm since being near to that being who has hyper regeneration could mean only one thing.

"Cheeky brat!" The creature howled before slamming his palm onto the blade and effortlessly breaking it in half.

Alex pulled the other half out of the Wolf's chest and faced the creature.

The inhumane turned to look at the pipsqueak before asking, "I knew you were awake this whole time...but even a chicken like you can attack me is rather intriguing."

The wolf looked amused but none of them affected Alex's stance as he took a strong breath and advanced towards the beast,

"Second Step:" The wolf took a defensive stance, expecting the boy to attack him on his chest again.

However, much to everyone's astonishment, Alex's figure became a streak of light and before the beast could have raised his arms, Alex was standing behind the beast.

*Spurt*

"Quick Silver."

The creature looked at his arm with wide eyes as a deep cut was inflicted in the blink of an eye.

However, that shock turned into a grin as he regained his beast form once again and jumped from his spot.

"Alex!" Edric warned as the wolf crashed his feet against the labyrinth ceiling and lunged at the silver head at a threatening pace.

Alex nearly dodged that attack. The wolf's claws barely grazed Alex's shoulder as he twisted to the side, landing in a crouch. The air crackled with tension, but Alex's eyes remained sharp, focused.

The beast snarled, its massive form lunging again with frightening speed. This time, Alex was ready.

Clang!

Alex's blade clashed with the wolf's claws mid-air, the impact sending a shock through his arms. His footing wavered, but he gritted his teeth and forced the wolf back with a quick pivot.

"First Step: Linear Slash!" Alex brought the sword to be held by both his hands before a single slash was dealt in the air, with enough strength to tear his muscles as the shockwave travelled at a blinding pace and grazed the side of the wolf, making him bleed.

"Interesting!" The wolf howled, both in pain and excitement.

The wolf's howl echoed through the labyrinth, a bone-chilling sound that made the air itself seem to tremble. Blood dripped from its side, but instead of weakening, the beast's eyes gleamed with a savage fury, its excitement only fueling its strength.

"You're getting serious now, boy," the wolf growled, its voice deeper, rougher. Its body tensed, muscles rippling under thick fur as it dug its claws into the ground. "Good. Let me show you real power!"

Without warning, the wolf lunged forward with terrifying speed. This time, there was no pretence of defence—just pure, brutal aggression.

Thud!

Alex barely had time to react as the wolf's claws smashed into his blade, the sheer force of the blow sending vibrations up his arms. His feet slid back, digging into the ground as he fought to stay upright.

"Not enough!" the wolf roared, swiping again. The second hit was even fiercer, and Alex's arms buckled under the weight. He gritted his teeth, forcing his blade to stay up, but the wolf was relentless.

Jumping in the air, the wolf slammed its elongated fit right in the middle of his chest, making Alex widen his eyes before he was shot across the labyrinth like a bullet.

**CRASH**

Crashing against the wall, Alex groaned as he felt something broken within him and his heart rate was soaring higher than what could be regarded as normal during a battle.

'Not over...' Alex clenched the broken sword which was now in tatters before he forced himself out of the crater.

**BOOOOOOM**

Just the next moment something crashed at the spot.

The wolf snickered, "Already done, boy?"

The wolf was injured, yet the vigor from his eyes never subdued.

Alex barely held the sword with his still intact hand. Blood osbtructed his vision as he stared at the Wolf's back in frustration.

How ridiculously strong this being actually is?!

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A/N:- Will conclude this battle in the next chapter. Thanks for reading.