Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Enhanced durability, strength, regeneration, and something unique to this dire wolf; Echoes of the Dead.

With each murder he has committed the reverberation of his howls becomes more fierce, inflicting a mental pressure upon his enemies whenever the wolf howled.

Regardless of their levels, the dire wolf held the capability to stun them with his roar.

However, currently, despite not being under the spell, Edric couldn't move his body at all. He has overused his skills in the attempt to swiftly end this battle, but now, he regrets his decision. The wolf was stronger and held enough endurance to withstand those blows head-on.

And now, because of Edric's wrong decision Alex was on the verge of death.

Oppressive silence ensued in the labyrinth as Alex faced the wolf, who hadn't run out of fuel despite being injured and actively bleeding.

Alex underestimated the beast based on the previous owner's knowledge. He could tell that the wolf still had a lot of fight remaining in him, but Alex was no longer in his optimal state to continue fighting.

He tore the muscles of his right arm and was bleeding from several spots. Each blow the creature dealt, even if it was countered, sent bone-shaking shockwaves throughout Alex's weak body.

If anything was keeping the silver head going, then it was pure adrenaline.

"Brat, you were surprisingly entertaining for someone so small." The wolf snickered, scratching his furry chin nonchalantly, seemingly like the battle had already concluded and Alex was no longer a challenge for him.

Alex clenched his sword...he had to deliver the final blow somehow...and he had just enough strength to do it. However, if he used that stance right in front of the wolf, there was a great possibility for his attack to fail.

No....he can't have that.

'I need a dis-' Just as Alex was about to look around, searching for a possible distraction, a torrent of flame approached the creature from the left; startling the inhumane as he leapt away.

Valarie, who, despite bleeding from her head and having only her left eye accessible, used her flames to keep the wolf away from Alex and Edric.

Her body radiated with the Soul Energy she had been preserving as she kept launching waves of flames at the wolf one after another.

"Tch, annoying!" The wolf suddenly leapt toward Valarie, its movements a little sluggish compared to before but driven by raw determination. The creature's matted fur sang from her previous attacks, and yet, it pressed on. Valarie braced herself, her one good eye narrowing as she raised her battle axe, flames still licking the air around her.

The wolf lunged, but Valarie, despite her injuries, stepped aside with a sharp pivot, the edge of her axe grazing the beast's side as it passed by. A hiss of burnt flesh filled the air as the wolf let out a guttural snarl, landing and skidding across the dirt, a few small flames still clinging to its fur.

In utter agitation, the wolf kicked the air and the shockwave of that furious movement assaulted Valarie, throwing her off balance.

The wolf took the opportunity silently and took a massive stride toward Valarie, intending to finish off the brat in one full sweep.

*CLANG*

However, it was too early to think that these maggots would back down.

Eve, with her daggers held at her face level, stood before the creature. Several shockwaves traveled across her body even though she tackled the wolf by surprise.

'How Edric and Alex have been fighting this thing?!' The blue-haired bit her lip and pushed away the ferocious creature.

With a furious snarl, the wolf swung his massive paw toward Eve. She ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the wind from the blow hit her like a hammer, knocking her back a few steps. Eve steadied herself, quickly darting forward again. Her blades flashed, slashing across the wolf's leg in a flurry of strikes.

But the beast was faster than she anticipated. He twisted, slamming its shoulder into her with bone-crushing force. Eve gasped as she was hurled through the air, crashing into the ground with a thud. Her vision swam, pain flaring up her side where the impact had landed hardest.

She pushed herself up, her body protesting with every movement. Blood trickled down her lip, but she refused to stay down. The wolf, sensing her struggle, pounced. Eve rolled to the side just in time, the wolf's claws tearing into the dirt where she had been moments before.

Without missing a beat, Eve spun on her heels, her daggers slicing through the air, aiming for the wolf's eyes. However, her attempt was wasted as the creature ducked under the attack and slammed his massive claw against her exposed ribs.

*CRACK*

Eve was pushed away, her daggers falling as she felt her ribs snapping at the impact.

She wasn't able to withstand the pain as she held her side and fell to her knees.

Her vision was blurry and bile welled up her throat as she barely retained her consciousness.

Through her unclear vision, she saw the massive and elongated paws of the creature advancing toward her, yet she had no strength to escape, let alone fight.

"Haah~you struggle to attain something impossible. All you humans are so simple creatures." Grabbing Eve's hair roughly, the wolf lifted her face before snarling,

"You actually thought you could beat me?"

Eve winced in pain with her eyes closed, remaining silent for a moment.

However, in the next moment, she opened her eyes which held nothing but mockery, as with a sly grin she uttered,

"Not me, but he can."

The wolf frowned and then suddenly all the alarms in his head went off as he hurriedly turned his eyes toward the silver-haired boy....only to find the tip of the broken blade inches away from his left eye.

"Oh shi-*BOOOOOOOM*" The wolf didn't have the time to curse, as the broken blade stabbed through his eye and exploded from behind his head—creating a gaping hole in the once intact head of the wolf.

Blood and gore exploded from the strike as the grip on Eve's hair loosened and soon the creature fell to his knees; his existence now becoming a part of the past.

Eve heaved a long sigh before turning towards Alex. His left hand sleeve was completely torn and his skin was burning red furiously. The boy looked pale in pain yet there was sheer blood-lust that his eyes still carried.

Edric, who didn't interrupt the efforts of his team members, walked towards Alex and after resting his hand on his shoulder, the raven-haired said,

"It's over, Alex."

Maybe the word 'over' was the trigger that allowed Alex's consciousness to slip away as he began to fall to the other side—only for Edric to hurriedly hold him.

Alex's first raid was complicated but successful.

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A/N:- I got Eve's illustration but I don't think WN would let me post here ͡⁠°⁠ ͜⁠ʖ⁠ ͡⁠°

Thanks for reading.