Cherreads

Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: Wolves at Dawn

The carriage dropped us at the city's gate.

We left for the forest.

After gaining some distance from the walls:

The sun had risen but wasn't fully up.

The breeze was cold and fresh, brushing our faces and sending Liora's hair dancing.

'What's the time right now, Sebas?' I asked.

[ It's 9 AM, Master. ]

'A fresh morning start for a new adventure.' I thought, looking ahead.

I glanced left—my daughter's fluffy cheeks glowed with red, not from illness but pure cuteness. She wore her elegant violet dress, the tiara atop her head making her look every bit a princess—my princess.

I turned back toward the city, now a distant silhouette.

'There are plains everywhere, no trees—but I don't care if they see us. Next time I return, I won't be a mere visitor.' I thought, eyes half-open, emotionless.

Liora looked up at me and smiled. Her joy lit a smile on my face.

"Let's go." I whispered.

I shifted my weight onto my right foot, cradling Liora in my arms. The wind around us began to hum, then swirl. A silent leap sent us soaring, leaving a blast of air on the ground below.

Liora gripped my clothes, eyes squeezed shut as she buried her face in my chest—still wary of heights.

'I guess it's too early, but I didn't want her walking in the sun too long.'

Ahead, the forest loomed.

I descended softly, touching down at the edge of the trees.

"You can open your eyes now, Liora." I cooed gently.

Her face remained hidden against my chest.

"No… Liora is scared." she murmured, her voice trembling with innocence.

"We're on the ground already. Look—and Papa won't let you get hurt." I soothed, patting her head.

She peered up at me, blinking, then nodded slowly.

We stepped into the woods.

'Now that I think about it… these outfits aren't fit for adventure. We look like we belong in a carriage with soldiers, not trekking through brush.'

'I don't think they'll be comfortable for a long walk, either.'

I looked at Liora. "Liora, let's change so you can move around more easily."

She tilted her head. "Okawy."

I set her down.

Winds began to stir, lifting dust and forming a swirling barrier around us.

[ I have created an enclosed area for changing, Master. ]

'Good work.' I praised.

I knelt to help Liora out of her dress and into something more practical.

"Is this better?" I asked when she emerged in her simple blue dress—less formal but still elegant and cute.

"Yesh." she replied, eyes sparkling as she hopped and spun.

I swapped into a blue shirt, cream pants, and sturdy brown boots.

'All set.' I thought as the wind veil dissipated.

Liora took my left hand. "Let's go, Papa." she said softly.

'Maybe I should let her walk.'

We set off on foot.

In the forest, we passed patch after patch of herbs—but no monsters.

'There are no monsters. Interesting.' I thought, trying to sense movement around us.

'I can sense them, but they're avoiding us and moving oddly. Why?'

[ Because they know, Master. If they come close, they will die. ]

'Explain, Sebas.'

[ I maintain wind threads around the necks of all monsters within range. Should they draw near, the threads tighten, simulating the sensation of death, so they flee in terror. ]

'…That's actually clever, but unnecessary. Let them remain free. If they attack, it is their fate.'

[ As you command. ]

I sensed the nearby beasts again—they moved normally, calm rather than panicked.

Liora walked ahead, savoring each step, until I scooped her back into my arms.

"You must be tired. Rest, and you can play later." I told her.

"Papa, where are we going?" she asked.

"We're heading to a place with a really big tree—lots of fruit, and the tree is realllly big."

'I want to see the World Tree someday. How massive it must be… We'll visit after I get my class.'

"Bigger than this tree?" Liora asked, pointing at a slender sapling.

I laughed at her innocence. "Yes. It stretches above the clouds. It's enormous."

Her eyes widened, alive with curiosity.

"The people who live there have big pointed ears… like this." I whispered, water forming Elf-like ears on my head.

"Liora wants to go there too." she said, joy dancing in her tone.

"'We will go there and climb the tree together.'" I said with confidence.

"NOOOOO! PAPA, that is scary—what if Liora falls?" she shouted, pouting.

'She's pouting—she's sooooo adorable. I'm happy she's showing her emotions to me. It proves she trusts me and feels comfortable.' I thought.

"Okay, we won't climb the tree." I replied softly.

'I forgot already. I should help her get used to heights. I really want to climb it.' I decided.

Something shifted beneath us.

Footsteps—heavy, dozens of them—echoed through the trees.

Howls rang out around us.

A shadow leapt from the undergrowth ahead.

It was a Shadewolf.

One by one, more emerged—from the front, flanks, even behind—forming a circling ring.

All of them growled low in their throats.

Liora stared in wide-eyed.

'I've muted their sound, but I can't block her vision. That's too much.' I thought, reaching into my inventory for the pelt.

"Stay inside, Liora. Papa will make them go away." I told her, draping the wolf pelt over my left shoulder and hiding her within its folds.

One wolf lunged from behind—but struck an invisible barrier and recoiled.

I glanced at the sky.

'...'

It was afternoon.

'Let's be quick with this.'

I lifted my right hand, and the air around us thickened with unseen force. A low hum swelled, growing to a deafening roar as invisible currents whipped the undergrowth into frantic dance. With a final, barely perceptible flick of my wrist, the pressure detonated outward in a silent shockwave that rippled through the pack.

One by one, each wolf's legs buckled, bodies folding forward. They sank to their bellies, heads lowered to the earth in perfect unison—like mortals compelled to bow before a god.

A massive howl erupted from deeper in the forest.

Glowing eyes pierced the shadows.

A huge form appeared—pure black fur crackling with red and black mana, claws as long as daggers.

[ That is an Adult and fully developed Shadewolf, Master. ]

'Huh? Does that mean they all get this strong? That's absurd.'

[ Yes, Master, but wild Shadewolves have a low survival rate—only the fittest mature. Right now, they're still weak unless in packs. They require certain conditions to evolve fully. ]

'Evolution… I thought maturity was just age.' I admitted.

[ Apologies, Master. I will clarify better next time. ]

[ They're called Matured Shadewolves by other species. ]

'That's not a great name. I'll rename it Abyss Wolf… what do you think Sebas? Do you have any suggestions?' I thought.

[ How about Duskfang Alpha, Master? ]

'…That does sound cooler. Fine—Duskfang Alpha it is.'

[ Understood. ]

The Alpha vanished into the dark.

I frowned—then it reappeared behind me, pinned to the ground by a tightening wind thread.

'As the name suggests… traveling from shadow to shadow.' I mused.

'I wanted to play, but today's not the day.'

Liora stirred inside the pelt, peeking out.

"Did they go away, Papa?" she whispered, her head tilting as she spotted the prone wolf.

'Thankfully she can't hear their growls.' I thought, relieved.

I was about to cut their oxygen—when Liora grabbed my shirt.

I glanced at Liora. She clung to my shirt, those innocent eyes staring up at me.

"Papa, don't hurt them." she pleaded.

'How did we end up here again…?' I wondered.

'No matter how hard I try, I can't hide that I intended to harm them.'

A new voice cut through the tension.

"It's you again, little one."

I looked up—Duskfang Alpha's eyes had softened.

"Liora thinks they're good." she spoke

"How do you know her?" I asked, cautious.

The wolf's face flickered with shock.

"You can understand us?" he growled.

"How do you know her?" I repeated.

"…Two years ago, we were hunting near the forest's edge. We spotted an orc, distracted and alone, and we struck it down. When we searched its body, we discovered it had already slain a human—his blood still fresh on its blade."

"As we feasted, a faint, desperate wail drew us back to the fallen man's side. Tucked beside him in a basket of wild herbs, we found a small child—her tears soaking the leaves around her. She was entirely alone.

"I carried her through the dark forest to the door of a church in a village where they had more children. I watched as someone took her in and carried her inside. Then we turned and returned to the shadows."

Confusion and anger melted away—replaced by something else.

My heart dropped; my face went cold.

'Then how did she end up there?'

I released the wind threads. The wolves rose, circling but no longer hostile.

"Why…?" the Alpha asked.

"Thank you… for saving my daughter," I said, bowing politely.

"I'm sorry… I've slain many of your kin." I said in a polite tone, voice steady despite the weight of my confession.

The Alpha's amber eyes glinted in the dappled light. "It is the way of this world, human—survival of the fittest."

"Is that all of you?" I asked, sweeping my gaze across the silent circle of wolves.

'I've killed around the same number, perhaps more.' I thought, my chest tightening.

The Alpha's muzzle twitched, nostrils flaring. "Yes… another was nearing maturity, but he went berserk—ripped his own packmates apart and ran away. Only we remain."

I felt a hollow ache inside.

'I can offer you a chance to stand equal to the forest's greatest predators.' I suggested, meeting the Alpha's fierce stare. 'But to gain that power, you must endure true agony.'

to be continued…

More Chapters