Chapter 5 – Facing the Roar
A thunderous roar suddenly shook the entire clearing.
The ground trembled. Leaves rained from the trees. Dust clouds rose into the air.
The voice coming from afar was so deep that it rattled everyone's bones. Immediately after, the sound of heavy animal footsteps approached rapidly—heading straight toward their group.
Seeing the situation worsen, Garrick immediately raised his sword.
"Everyone, get ready! This isn't an ordinary beast!" Garrick said, a trace of panic in his voice.
Feeling the gravity of their leader's words, Samara gripped her spear tightly. Tarun spun his sword. Anika hid behind Garrick in fear.
Alaric Thorne stood still. His hand tightened on his dagger. In his mind echoed his master's voice:
"Always think carefully before taking any step. In this world, the line between bravery and foolishness is very thin. Now it is up to you to decide whether you are crossing that line or not."
From the dust cloud emerged a colossal figure.
The leader of the Flame Wolves.
Twice the size of ordinary ones. Flames continuously burned along its body. Its eyes glowed bright red, teeth ablaze with fire, sparks flying from its fur.
While most Flame Wolves weren't individually very strong and relied on numbers to overpower prey, this wolf king was exceptionally powerful.
It was at the ninth phase of the Zero Realm.
The book had stated that at this phase, the body became so tough that even swords could not easily cut through it.
The leader wolf roared. Flames erupted from its mouth, scorching black lines into the ground.
Garrick's breathing quickened. Grinding his teeth, he said,
"This… this is the leader of those cursed Flame Wolves! The smaller ones earlier belonged to its pack—and it has already evolved to the ninth phase!"
Hearing Garrick, Samara spun her spear.
"We can't fight it alone! Everyone together!"
At their words, Alaric Thorne spoke quietly,
"I'll take the front. You all provide cover."
With that, Garrick drew his true sword from his magical ring—one he hadn't used until now.
He gripped it firmly and charged at the wolf with wind-like speed.
The leader wolf lunged. Its speed was so great that the air itself shrieked.
Alaric Thorne leaped. He slid beneath the wolf and slashed at its belly.
To his shock, the sword—sharp enough to perhaps cleave stone—only left a shallow wound.
The wolf howled in rage and swiped with its paw.
Alaric Thorne jumped back. The paw struck the ground—dirt exploded into the air.
From the side, Samara thrust her spear at the wolf's leg. It connected, but the beast spat flames. Samara was forced to retreat.
Tarun swung at the wolf's shoulder. Blood flowed, but the wolf roared and shoved him away. Tarun fell hard.
Garrick unleashed waves of water. They crashed onto the wolf, dampening its flames slightly, but the beast roared again.
While the three kept the wolf occupied, Alaric Thorne saw his opening. The wolf's right paw was still raised in the air.
He slid low, struck the hind leg with full force. The blow was so powerful that a crack rang through the bone. The wolf staggered and let out an enraged howl.
The wolf spun and lunged at Alaric Thorne, flames erupting.
Alaric ducked, but the fire grazed his arm. Pain seared. Blood flowed.
Yet Alaric Thorne did not stop.
He slipped under the wolf again and slashed at its throat. The sword sank deep. The wolf howled in agony.
Meanwhile, the group continued supporting him.
Samara's spear struck the leg again. Tarun's sword hit the shoulder. Garrick's water waves continued to suppress the flames.
Under the relentless assault, the wolf gradually weakened.
When it realized it could not kill them, it tried to flee—but this time, neither Alaric Thorne nor the group intended to let it escape.
In the moment the wolf's attention turned elsewhere, Alaric Thorne seized the chance.
He poured all his strength into one final strike. The sword sliced clean through the throat—completely severing the head.
The massive body crashed down with a thud. The flames extinguished.
For a few moments, silence blanketed the area.
The group's breaths came in heavy gasps. Everyone stared at Alaric Thorne with astonishment and curiosity.
Although the difference in power between phases in the Zero Realm wasn't enormous, defeating an enemy one full phase above was no easy feat. Even many noble heirs and skilled warriors struggled against opponents at a higher phase.
They knew Alaric Thorne hadn't killed it alone—they had all contributed—but they also knew the decisive blow had been his.
Looking at his skill, Garrick felt certain this youth must come from some powerful clan.
He lowered his sword, stepped forward, and said from the heart:
"Brother Alaric, today you saved our lives for the second time. I don't know how I can ever repay this debt."
Seeing their astonishment, Alaric Thorne smiled faintly and said,
"I didn't just save your lives—I saved my own as well.
Without your help, killing the wolf king wouldn't have been easy. I could never have defeated it alone."
At Alaric Thorne's calm yet friendly attitude, Samara smiled and said,
"You've reached the eighth phase of the Zero Realm at such a young age.
That truly deserves praise."
Tarun nodded in agreement.
"And at the eighth phase, you took down a ninth-phase Flame Wolf. Only the top disciples of an academy could do something like that."
Hearing their praise, Alaric Thorne smiled and replied,
"It was good luck—and I wasn't alone. You all helped."
Then Anika approached quietly. Her arm was bandaged. She took Alaric Thorne's hand and said softly,
"Brother Alaric… thank you. You saved me and my brother again."
At the little girl's words, a soft smile appeared on Alaric Thorne's face.
"It's nothing. I… just wanted to help."
Garrick looked at everyone and said,
"Everyone, pay attention. Night is falling soon, and the forest becomes far more dangerous at night. We need to set up camp before dark."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Slowly, night fell. The group set up camp. A fire crackled. Alaric Thorne sat with the four of them. His burned arm still throbbed.
The flames burned low.
Wood popped softly.
Stars shone clearly overhead. The forest was quiet, yet that quiet held a strange depth.
Everyone sat around the fire.
Tarun warmed his hands. Samara adjusted her bandage. Garrick stared silently into the flames. Anika sat near Alaric Thorne, keeping a small distance.
For a while, no one spoke.
Then Alaric Thorne asked quietly,
"Who are you all—and why do you want to enter the Pavilion?"
The unexpected question made Garrick glance at him in surprise. After a moment of thought, he answered,
"My name is Garrick. We come from a small clan in the Lunar Wave Empire. Our group is called the Fire Division. Every year, our clan sends one youth to the Sapphire Pavilion. If selected… the entire family's prestige rises."
He gave a faint smile, but it carried pressure.
"This year it's my turn."
Samara immediately interjected,
"And if he fails, it'll be my turn."
Garrick glared at her.
"You should first learn to wield that spear properly."
Samara raised an eyebrow.
"At least I don't run away."
Tarun burst out laughing. The mood lightened.
Then Samara grew serious.
"My name is Samara. My father reached the outer division of the Pavilion but couldn't enter the inner. He always said—if I get the chance, I'll finish what he couldn't."
She stared into the flames. Determination shone clearly in her eyes.
Tarun stroked the hilt of his sword.
"My name is Tarun. I'm not from any great family. My village has no proper cultivation master. If I enter the Pavilion… maybe my little sister will get a chance too."
His voice was simple, yet carried deep longing.
Alaric Thorne listened silently.
Now Garrick asked,
"What about you? Which division are you from?"
The unexpected question made the air heavy for a moment.
Alaric Thorne gazed into the fire and said,
"I'll introduce myself again. My name is Alaric Thorne. I belong to no division. I lived in the forest with my master. He taught me everything."
The four of them stared in shock.
"For how many years?" Tarun asked. "I mean, since when have you lived in the forest?"
"As far back as I can remember… since childhood."
Samara said in astonishment,
"You mean you've never seen a city? Never left this forest?"
"No," Alaric Thorne answered plainly.
Garrick studied him carefully.
"You're at the eighth phase. How did you reach the eighth phase at such a young age while living alone in this strange forest?"
Alaric Thorne nodded and said,
"It's the result of hard training—and some good fortune."
For a few moments, silence fell.
Garrick smiled faintly.
"You're strange. Powerful… and calm."
Alaric Thorne gave a small smile.
"In the forest, those who talk too much don't live long."
Tarun laughed again.
Samara nodded, respect now in her eyes.
Then Anika scooted a little closer.
"Brother Alaric… if we all pass… will we still be friends?"
Alaric Thorne paused.
For the first time, he felt this question was new to him.
"Yes," he said softly.
"If you all want to."
The flames rose higher.
The night grew deeper.
But for the first time that night, Alaric Thorne did not feel alone.
The night passed peacefully.
Afterward, Alaric Thorne and the others slowly emerged from the forest.
This was the first time Alaric Thorne had stepped outside it.
They continued toward Horizon City.
After two more days of travel, they successfully reached the city gates.
When Alaric Thorne saw Horizon City for the first time, he was utterly stunned.
Grand, towering buildings stretched into the distance. Thousands of people moved back and forth. Soldiers stood atop the massive walls.
Seeing his mouth hanging open, Samara laughed.
"You look like you've arrived in heaven."
At her teasing words, everyone burst into loud laughter.
They were about to enter through the gates when suddenly they saw a large group of soldiers marching out.
The soldiers quickly surrounded Alaric Thorne and his group.
Seeing this, Alaric Thorne and the others were stunned.
They all tightened their grips on their weapons.