The next morning...
Kael arrived at the Hunter's Association.
The mission hall was as lively as ever.
Hunters gathered around the request board, discussing rewards and arguing over missions.
Kael walked past them without stopping.
His eyes scanned the Iron Rank requests.
He wasn't looking for danger.
He was looking for practice.
A few moments later...
He reached out and took one.
Subjugation Request
Target: Iron Fang Wolves
Quantity: Five
Location: Southern Forest
Reward: 18 Silver Coins
It was perfect.
Fast beasts.
Just what he needed.
...
The forest was quiet.
Kael moved cautiously between the trees.
His senses remained sharp.
He wasn't searching for the wolves.
He knew they were already searching for him.
A low growl echoed from the bushes.
Another answered from behind.
Kael slowly drew his sword.
"...Five."
As expected.
The pack emerged one after another.
Grey fur.
Sharp fangs.
Hungry eyes.
None of them attacked immediately.
Instead...
They circled him.
Looking for an opening.
Kael adjusted his footing.
His breathing steadied.
The first wolf lunged.
Then the second.
One from the front.
The other from his left.
Kael moved.
Shhk!
His sword swept across the first wolf's shoulder.
Without forcing the blade to stop...
He allowed the momentum to continue.
His wrist turned.
The returning slash met the second wolf.
Shhk!
The blade carved across its ribs.
The two wolves landed several meters away.
One whimpered.
The other staggered.
Kael's eyes lit up.
"...It works."
Not perfectly.
The second slash had been slower than he wanted.
The remaining wolves didn't hesitate.
They attacked together.
Kael stepped backward.
Another lunged.
Shhk!
The first slash missed.
Without panicking...
He allowed the movement to continue.
The returning strike caught the wolf across its side.
Blood splashed onto the ground.
The beast rolled away with a painful cry.
Kael frowned.
"The transition is still too slow."
Every time he redirected the blade...
There was a slight delay.
Against Iron Rank beasts...
It was enough.
Against stronger opponents...
That hesitation could be fatal.
The battle continued.
Again.
And again.
Each exchange sharpened his understanding.
He stopped forcing the second strike.
Instead...
He let the sword's momentum guide it naturally.
Gradually...
The hesitation disappeared.
The two slashes began flowing together.
One attack.
Two cuts.
Before long...
The last wolf stood trembling.
Its instincts screamed at it to flee.
Kael exhaled slowly.
The wolf charged.
He answered with a single flowing motion.
Shhk!
The first slash opened a wound across its chest.
The second followed instantly.
The wolf took three more steps...
Before collapsing into the grass.
Silence returned to the forest.
Kael looked down at his sword.
A small smile appeared.
"It still needs work..."
"But it's finally beginning to take shape."
He wiped the blood from the blade before sheathing it.
His first technique...
Had survived its first real battle.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter