Chapter 223: Ambushed?!

The trail continued north.

For another twenty minutes, West Town Saints Academy followed the massive Werefang footprints through increasingly dense vegetation. The deeper they went, the less the Saintfall Expanse resembled a controlled hunting ground.

The observation drones became fewer. The artificial boundary markers disappeared, and even the sounds of distant combat faded.

Eventually, Kelvina stopped.

They stood before two enormous cliffs covered in ancient vines.

"Dead end." Marcus looked around.

"No." Kelvina smiled and walked toward the cliff. "There."

Hidden beneath the vines was a massive stone arch. Serena’s expression changed.

"That wasn’t on the map."

Perry’s flames flickered.

"Neither were those."

He pointed toward the ground- werefangs, dozens of them, their footprints surrounding the entrance, all leading through the arch.

Darius swallowed. "So the monsters were protecting this place."

Kelvina stepped forward. Marcus immediately raised his shield.

"Careful."

Kelvina ignored him and passed beneath the arch. The moment she did, a pulse of ancient energy swept through the cavern. Everyone stopped.

The temperature dropped, while their abilities flickered. Even Perry’s flames briefly disappeared.

"What the hell was that?" Darius whispered.

No one answered, but they continued forward.

The cavern widened after several hundred meters, eventually opening into an enormous underground chamber.

And there it was.

A massive black stone figure stood at the center. Chains of ancient silver wrapped around its body, while runes covered the floor. Hundreds of old claw marks scarred the surrounding walls.

Kelvina stared. For once, she wasn’t smiling.

"What is that?"

The statue’s eyes were closed. Then- click. One golden eye opened. Everyone’s bodies instinctively tensed.

The voice that followed wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be.

"Children of mankind."

The words echoed directly inside their minds.

Mira stumbled backward. Serena’s hand went toward her weapon. Marcus planted his shield. Perry’s flames erupted again. Kelvina simply stared.

The golden eye examined them, one by one. Then it stopped on Kelvina.

"Interesting."

Kelvina’s lips slowly curled upward. "Are you strong?"

"Kelvina!" Marcus looked at her in disbelief.

The Oracle remained silent for several seconds. Then its golden eye narrowed.

"Strong enough to destroy this place."

Kelvina’s grin widened.

"Good."

Perry sighed.

"We’re going to die."

The ancient chains suddenly began to tremble. Deep beneath the cavern, something awakened. The Saintfall Oracle spoke again.

"Tell me, children..." The entire chamber shook. "Why have you come?"

The Oracle did not wait for an answer. Its single golden eye remained fixed on the six students. Then the cavern began to tremble.

THOOM.

A sound came from somewhere behind them. Marcus turned, and his expression changed.

"Everyone..."

Another sound. Something was approaching. Perry’s flames rose around his shoulders.

"Those aren’t footsteps."

They were claws, dozens of them, scraping against stone. Kelvina slowly turned toward the entrance, as dark silhouettes appeared between the pillars.

Werefangs emerged from the darkness.

Unlike the pack they had encountered on the surface, these creatures were completely silent. Their bodies were covered in scars, their eyes glowing with the same golden light as the Oracle.

There were B-Ranks among them, several A-Ranks, and standing at the rear of the formation were three enormous Werefangs whose presence alone made the cavern feel smaller. They were all A-Ranks, but stronger than average.

Kelvina’s grin disappeared.

"So that’s why the others were running."

The Oracle spoke.

"They are my children."

The Werefangs lowered themselves. Then, simultaneously, they raised their heads. Their eyes locked onto the students.

"And you have entered their sanctuary."

Marcus tightened his grip on his shield.

"We don’t want trouble."

Kelvina glanced at him.

"Speak for yourself."

"Kelvina."

"What?" She drew both swords from her back. "I’ve been looking for a good fight all morning."

Perry stepped beside her, dark-orange flames spreading across his arms.

"I suppose there’s no point talking anymore."

Serena drew her weapon. Darius lowered his stance. Mira moved toward the center of the group.

The Oracle watched. Then its eye glowed brighter.

"Attack."

The Werefangs moved.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

The cavern erupted. The first wave charged like a living avalanche. Marcus stepped forward.

"Formation!"

His shield slammed into the ground, and a massive defensive barrier erupted around the team. The first Werefang crashed into it.

BOOM!

The barrier cracked. Another struck.

BOOM!

A third.

BOOOOOOM!

Marcus gritted his teeth.

"Too many!"

Kelvina appeared beside him.

"Then stop blocking."

She raised one sword.

"Start killing."

She swung.

SHRAAAAAK!

The blade tore through the first Werefang’s armor. It staggered. Kelvina followed with her second sword.

CRACK!

The creature’s jaw snapped sideways as she sent it crashing across the cavern. Three more immediately jumped over its body. Kelvina’s eyes lit up.

"Yes!"

She charged. Perry moved with her, his flames exploding outward.

WHOOOOOOM!

A wall of dark-orange fire swallowed the approaching Werefangs, but the creatures didn’t stop. Their bodies pushed through the flames.

Perry’s eyes narrowed.

"They’re resisting my fire."

"Good!" Kelvina laughed. "That means they’re worth something!"

She slammed into the nearest Werefang; their fists collided, and the shockwave ripped through the cavern. Perry appeared above them.

"Move."

Kelvina ducked as a concentrated column of orange fire descended. Several Werefangs were blasted into the ground. Serena fired immediately.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Each shot struck a different target, forcing the advancing pack to change direction. Darius charged through the opening. His fist smashed into an A-Rank Werefang’s chest.

WHAM!

The creature barely moved. Darius’s eyes widened.

"An A-Rank!"

The Werefang grabbed his arm and smiled. Darius’s expression changed.

"Oh, shit."

The creature swung him. Darius smashed into the cavern wall.

"MOVE!" Marcus shouted.

The A-Rank Werefang lunged after him. Marcus intercepted it.

CLANG!

Its claws struck his shield. Marcus slid backward several meters. His boots carved trenches through the stone.

"You’re not getting past me!"

The Werefang roared. Its claws descended again; Marcus raised his shield.

BOOM!

His knees buckled.

Again.

BOOM!

A crack appeared in his shield.

"Marcus!"

Mira extended both hands, and a wave of healing energy surged into him. His wounds began closing.

"Thanks!"

"Don’t thank me yet!"

The Werefang suddenly disappeared.

Marcus froze.

"Where-"

A blur passed behind him. Mira’s eyes widened.

"Behind you!"

Marcus spun. Too late. The Werefang’s claws were already descending.

SHIIIIING!

A sword intercepted them. Kelvina stood between them. Her two blades crossed against the monster’s claws.

She grinned.

"You’re mine."

The Werefang snarled while Kelvina pushed back. Then her expression changed. Her aura exploded, forcing the A-Rank monster backward. For a brief moment, a projection of a dragon appeared behind her, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"Come on!"

She kicked it into the air. Then jumped after it.

BAM!

One sword struck its ribs.

BAM!

The second struck its shoulder.

BAM!

She spun. Both blades descended simultaneously.

BOOOOOOM!

The Werefang crashed into the ground. Kelvina landed, breathing heavily. Then, the ground beneath her cracked. Her eyes widened. Another Werefang emerged from below.

ROOOOOOOAR!

Its jaws opened. Kelvina crossed her swords.

CLANG!

The beast’s teeth slammed against the blades. She was pushed backward.

"You’re kidding me!"

Perry appeared behind the creature.

"Move."

Kelvina immediately released her blades. Perry raised one hand, and the flames surrounding him compressed into a single point. His expression became completely serious.

"Burn."

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The explosion swallowed the Werefang, while Kelvina was thrown backward by the blast as well. She rolled across the ground and came to a stop.

Perry walked through the smoke.

"You could have warned me."

"I did."

"You said one word."

"That was enough."

Kelvina stared at him and laughed.

"You’re getting better."

Perry shook his head.

"I’m surrounded by idiots."

Above them, the Oracle watched without expression.

The battle continued. More Werefangs poured into the chamber. Serena’s ammunition began running low. Darius had blood running from his forehead. Marcus’s shield was badly damaged. Mira was already struggling to maintain everyone’s condition.

And the three strongest Werefangs had not moved. They simply watched. Kelvina noticed, and her smile faded.

"Those three..."

Perry followed her gaze.

"They’re waiting."

"For what?"

The Oracle answered.

"For you to prove yourselves."

Kelvina’s eyes narrowed. Then the largest Werefang stepped forward. The cavern trembled beneath its feet.

It was enormous, nearly four meters tall. Its muscles were covered in old scars, and golden markings covered its chest. Its eyes glowed with intelligence far beyond that of an ordinary monster.

It spoke.

"Human."

Everyone froze. The Werefang smiled, revealing enormous fangs.

"Show us your strength."

Kelvina slowly raised her swords, and her grin returned.

"Gladly."

The Oracle’s golden eye brightened, and every Werefang in the cavern suddenly roared.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!"

The entire Saintfall Expanse shook.

Above ground, several observation drones abruptly lost connection. And beneath the earth, the battle for the Oracle’s sanctuary entered its second stage.