As Leon thought about how soon the name 'Heavenly Demon' would be born, he knew it wasn't just a statement—it was a promise.
Leon listened more to the murmurs of the villagers, but then focused on the knights.
The murmurs of the gathered villagers faded into the background as his sharp eyes remained fixed on the armored knights. The more he observed them, the more his interest grew, especially in Alexander, the knight captain.
His polished silver armor reflected the morning sun, the emblem of a roaring lion etched prominently onto his chest plate. This man was no ordinary knight; Leon could feel the faint pulse of Mana radiating from him, a sign of his strength and training.
"This Alexander… he's strong," Leon thought, his lips curling into a faint grin. "But he's not arrogant. He's not like those third-rate knights who strut around as if they own the world. Even a teenager disciple from a third-rate sect on his past life could wipe the floor with those fools. But this man… he's different."
Leon's assessment wasn't just based on observation; it was rooted in decades of experience from his past life. He had seen countless warriors, from the weakest novices to the most legendary masters. Alexander's demeanor, his disciplined posture, and the way he commanded his men spoke volumes about his skill and character. He was a leader, not just a fighter.
But for now, Leon's attention shifted away from Alexander. His interest was drawn to the Shadow Wolves, the mysterious creatures that had thrown the village into chaos. These wolves, known for their nocturnal habits, were now hunting in broad daylight—a behavior that defied everything Leon knew about them. Something was wrong, and he intended to find out what.
– – – –
Leon's mind raced as he pieced together the information he had gathered. The Shadow Wolves were no ordinary beasts. They were creatures of darkness, known for their speed, ferocity, and cunning. Their sleek, shadowy forms allowed them to blend seamlessly into the darkness, making them nearly invisible at night. Their glowing red eyes were said to pierce through the gloom, striking fear into the hearts of their prey.
Their fangs and claws were razor-sharp, capable of tearing through flesh and bone with ease. But what made them truly dangerous was their pack mentality. Shadow Wolves never hunted alone; they moved in coordinated groups, using their numbers to overwhelm their targets. They were intelligent, almost unnaturally so, and their hunting strategies were precise and ruthless.
"For creatures that are supposed to lurk in the shadows, hunting in broad daylight is… unusual," Leon mused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Something must be forcing them out of their natural habitat. "
The villagers' whispers only added to the mystery. They spoke of caravans being ambushed, travelers disappearing without a trace, and livestock being torn apart in their pens. The attacks were becoming more frequent, more brazen. It was as if the wolves were growing bolder–or desperate.
– – –
At that moment, Elena and Mira approached Leon, their expressions tense. Mira, usually cheerful and full of energy, now wore a look of unease. Her hands fidgeted nervously, and her eyes darted toward the forest, as if expecting the wolves to emerge at any moment.
"Do you think we're safe here?" Mira asked, her voice trembling slightly. She looked to Elena for reassurance, but even the older woman's calm demeanor couldn't completely mask her concern.
Elena placed a reassuring hand on Mira's head. "We have to trust the knights. Captain Alexander seems capable, and his men are well-trained. If anyone can handle this, it's them."
Leon glanced at the two women, his expression unreadable. He could sense their fear, but he also understood their hope. The villagers had lived under the protection of the Valcrest family for generations. The current Count, a fair and capable leader, had brought prosperity to the region, even if it wasn't as wealthy as the capital. The people's loyalty to the Valcrest family was unwavering, but loyalty alone wouldn't save them from the Shadow Wolves.
"If even the knights can't handle this threat, these villagers will have no choice but to flee," Leon thought, his gaze shifting back to the forest. "But running won't solve the problem. The wolves will just follow them."
As Leon said this, he could still feel it, the villagers trust to the knights, some of the older villager even had a son enlisted to the Valcrest Knights. And they were offered a protection, a stable life and a wonderful future.
The villagers' loyalty to the Valcrest family was evident in the way they spoke of the Count. He was a man who had earned their respect through his actions, not just his title. Under his rule, the Valcrest County had flourished, even as a border region near the Empire. The people here lived simple lives, but they were content, because this simple life is a precious experience, especially for those who lived under the rule of a stupid ruler....
But the Shadow Wolves had disrupted that peace, and the villagers were torn between hope and despair. They trusted the knights to protect them, but deep down, they knew the reality of their situation. If the wolves attacked, their village didn't stand a chance. The knights were their only hope, but even that hope was fragile.
Leon overheard a group of villagers discussing their options. "If the knights fail, we'll have to leave," one man said, his voice heavy with resignation. "But where will we go? This is our home."
"We can't just abandon everything," another replied, his tone desperate. "The Count will send reinforcements. He won't let us down."
Leon shook his head slightly. "Blind faith won't save them," he thought. "But neither will despair. These people are really interesting."
---
As Leon gathered more information, his interest in the Shadow Wolves only deepened. The creatures' unnatural behavior, their sudden aggression, and their ability to hunt in daylight all pointed to something more sinister at play. This wasn't just a random outbreak of monster attacks; it felt orchestrated, as if someone—or something—was pulling the strings.
"This is really strange, this isn't just about wolves" Leon realized, his eyes narrowing. "Looks like this is a test, a challenge. And if I'm going to reclaim my place at the top, I need to face it head-on."
He glanced at Elena and Mira, who were still discussing their options. "Rest assured, these knights are strong, I'm pretty sure they had plans, by the way I gotta go.
Mira looked at him, her eyes wide with fear. "What about you? Aren't you going to stay with us?"
Leon's lips curved into a faint smile. "I have my own plans. Don't worry about me."
---
The village was eerily quiet as the knights finished their preparations. The tension in the air was palpable, a heavy weight pressing down on everyone. The villagers had retreated to their homes, their faces pale with fear. The only sounds were the distant howls of the forest and the clinking of armor as the knights took their positions.
Leon stood at the edge of the village, his eyes fixed on the treeline. The sun was high in the sky, but the forest was shrouded in shadows. It was the perfect hunting ground for the Shadow Wolves.
"Let's see what you're made of," Leon thought, his grin widening. "Mr. Shadow Wolves, you are now my training partner on this world."
As Leon said this, he was already prepared, his first thought is to make a plan of how to deal with these wolves.
---
After gathering all the information he could, Leon retreated to a quiet corner of the village to reflect. His mind raced as he tried to piece together a plan to deal with the Shadow Wolves. The creatures were a mystery, their behavior defying everything he knew about them. They were supposed to be nocturnal hunters, lurking in the shadows and striking under the cover of darkness. But now, they were roaming in broad daylight, attacking caravans and villages with terrifying precision. Something was wrong, and Leon needed to figure out what.
---
Leon leaned against a wooden fence, his arms crossed as he stared at the distant treeline. The forest was eerily quiet, but he knew the wolves were out there, watching, waiting. His first thought was to use the knights as bait. If he could lure the wolves into a trap, he might be able to take them down. But the more he thought about it, the less confident he felt.
"These knights… they're third-rate at best," Leon thought, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Using them as bait would be a waste. They'd probably just get themselves killed without even slowing the wolves down."
He shook his head slightly, dismissing the idea. He needed a better plan—one that didn't rely on the knights' questionable skills. His mind turned to the wolves themselves. If he could find their weakness, he might be able to exploit it. But what was their weakness?
---
Leon's thoughts drifted to what he knew about Shadow Wolves. They were creatures of darkness, their sleek, shadowy forms allowing them to blend seamlessly into the night. Their glowing red eyes could pierce through the gloom, and their razor-sharp fangs and claws made them deadly hunters. But their greatest strength was also their greatest weakness: they were bound to the shadows. Light was their enemy, or so the legends said.
"If they're bound to the shadows, then sunlight should weaken them," Leon mused. "But now they're hunting in broad daylight. That means either the legends are wrong, or something has changed. Maybe they've adapted. Or maybe they gained a new ability to resist the light.
The thought sent a chill down his spine. If the wolves had overcome their weakness to light, then they were even more dangerous than he had anticipated. But Leon wasn't one to give up easily. If light wasn't their weakness anymore, then he needed to find another way to defeat them.
Leon's mind raced as he considered the possibilities. Every creature had a weak spot—a vulnerability that could be exploited. For the Shadow Wolves, it might be their eyes, their underbelly, or perhaps even their pack mentality. If he could isolate one of the wolves, he might be able to study it and find its weakness.
But there was a problem. The village was crawling with knights, and any move he made would be noticed. If he ventured into the forest alone, it would raise suspicions. The last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself. For now, he would have to bide his time and wait for the right moment.
– – –
Leon's gaze shifted to the knights stationed around the village. They were a motley crew(disorganized ), their armor polished but their movements clumsy and unrefined. They looked more like farmers playing dress-up than trained warriors. Even Alexander, the knight captain, seemed out of place among them. He was strong, yes, but his men were a liability.
"If the wolves attack, these knights won't last long," Leon sigh, his expression grim. "They're too slow, too undisciplined. The wolves will tear through them like paper."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The situation was worse than he had thought. The villagers were relying on these knights to protect them, but Leon knew better. If the wolves attacked, the village would fall. And if that happened, he would have no choice but to step in.
---
Despite the grim situation, Leon couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. The Shadow Wolves were a challenge, and challenges were what he lived for. In his past life, he had faced countless enemies, each one stronger than the last. He had risen to the top through sheer will and determination, and he would do so again.
But first, he needed more information. He needed to know where the wolves were, how many there were, and what was driving them to hunt during the day. For now, he would stay in the village, observing and waiting for the right moment to act.
---
As Leon stood there, lost in thought, he noticed the villagers huddled together, their faces pale with fear. They whispered among themselves, their voices trembling as they spoke of the wolves. Some prayed to the gods for protection, while others clutched their children tightly, as if that would keep them safe.
Leon's expression softened slightly. These people were innocent, caught in the crossfire of a battle they didn't understand. They didn't deserve to suffer because of these shadow wolves . If he could protect them, he would. But first, he needed to survive.
The village was eerily quiet, the tension in the air almost suffocating. The knights stood at their posts, their weapons drawn and their eyes scanning the treeline. The villagers had retreated to their homes, their doors and windows barred shut. Even the animals seemed to sense the danger, their usual noises replaced by an uneasy silence.
Leon stood at the edge of the village, his eyes fixed on the forest. The sun was high in the sky, but the shadows beneath the trees were deep and impenetrable. It was the perfect hunting ground for the Shadow Wolves.