A day of preparation is all I’m given before the mission starts, which is honestly something I can’t complain about. Every day that is delayed increases not only the risk of survivors dying, but it also increases the risk that Fenrimorphs will undergo Jibun-Kaeru. Which is disturbing to think about because I’d left a prison full of those monsters. If they somehow evolve the ability to fly, they’d be able to exit the prison.

  The mission begins with a loud bang as the unloads its cannons on the leftmost side of Kyoshi’s port. The explosions ring loudly with each impact, sending shockwaves through the large town. In response, howls near the impact sprout up as Fenrimorphs call for assistance. From my vantage point aboard the , we watch as these monsters converge on mass to the left.

  We wait minutes, watching as monsters scramble to the sound. Then, once it seems like they’d all left, the timbergrove approaches the rightmost side of the port. As soon as we are close enough, the mission begins. Yuto, his [Elite Guards], Boriss, Agris, Baldric, Micheal, Gino, Nepenthes, and Auranta land on the port. As soon as we land, Nepenthes stabs a needle-like appendage into the humans and injects them with a serum. One that will hopefully last the whole day.

  Before hopping off of Boriss’s shoulder, I assess the group one last time. Everyone is armed and armored, with each person wielding a runed weapon that has enhanced Sharpness- nearly all of which are longswords- Something the [Elite Guard] dislike wielding, but is necessary if your opponents are Fenrimorphs.

  “Move quickly,” Yuto orders and leads. The group complies and follows, undisturbed long enough for me to appreciate the architecture of Kyoshi. Wolven architecture has a very similar look to feudal japan on earth with some key differences. One such difference is that the buildings use stone for support. Without a fear of earthquakes, more durable construction material can be used, allowing for better long-term residences to be crafted.

  “Movement!” Yuto warns.

  Between the moment of warning and a shift of my head, Yuto’s hand blurs, severing the head of a Fenrimorph just exiting a building.

  “Keep going. The Alpha will direct them to us now.”

  I frown at the term. When the first Fenrimorph grows its third set of horns, it creates a psionic connection that connects to other Fenrimorphs. The creator of the connection is termed the Alpha and has not only improved its intelligence, but it also greatly accelerates its rate of undergoing Kaeru.

  Killing the Alpha will destroy the psionic connection until a new one takes its place. During that moment, Fenrimorphs lose any semblance of organization, allowing an easier time for them to be dealt with.

  As the group rushes deeper into Kyoshi, it becomes clear that they’re on a time-limit. Another two Fenrimorph arrive, this time from the roof of a building. Seeing us, they raise their heads and open their maws.

  Only for a from Auranta to sever them in half.

  Not a second after I’d thought that, I heard a nearby howl. Turning my head, I see a Fenrimorph within a nearby third story of a building, it’s head held high and jaws unclenched.

  “Faster!” Yuto yells.

  Our pace quickens, but the howling has been received. Distant howls rise up from around us, a warning of what is to come.

  All we get is a minute of running until the first swarm arrives. Over a dozen Fenrimorphs reach our position, jumping from the roof towards Yuto and his men.

  “Spread and sever.” Yuto orders.

  The [Elite Guards] comply, distancing from one-another, allowing the Fenrimorphs to land on the hard concrete. The moment they do, the [Elite Guard] reacts by severing limbs, weakening the monster before finally slicing through its head.

  One of the Fenrimorph had jumped higher than usual, avoiding the wolven men. Only for Nepenthes to catch it mid-flight with arms like a praying mantis. Followed immediately by a needle-like appendage that stabs through its neck to pierce into the brain- a Fenrimorph greatest weakness.

  “Keep moving! We’re almost there,” Yuto yells.

  We comply as the group continues running unmolested for several long minutes. A surprisingly long amount of time. Long enough for me to believe that I might not even need to lift a paw.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “We’re here. It's just around the corn-” Yuto stops dead in front of a large mansion. Which normally wouldn't be a problem if not for hundreds of Fenrimorphs seemingly waiting at the mansion.

  And these Fenrimorphs are different too, for most of them have a second set of horns, many of which are not only larger but covered in scales. In the center of them all is an even larger silver-furred Fenrimorph with a third set of horns. Other than its larger size, the most notable thing about it is that its fur has something of a metallic shine to it.

  “Elder Ning!” Yuto cries out in pain. Not physical pain, but something else.

  “What's wrong?” I ask, but Yuto shakes his head and takes a stance. Katana lowered and pointed at the Fenrimorph. “Nothing. We must fight through to get inside. I will lead- follow after I engage.”

  The [Samurai] releases a breath and rushes towards the hoard with a scream.

  The largest Fenrimorph reacts with a growl, ordering the charge. The monsters rush forward, a dozen of them beelining at Yuto. When they do arrive, Yuto reveals what it truly means to be an expert classer.

  “

  What happens next boggles my mind. Yutos katana glows brightly for a moment, and in that moment, swings his blade in a circle around him. When he does, a cyclone of thousands of transparent ghostly blades manifest outward from his location, cutting everything as it expands. The Fenrimorphs, unable to react in time to avoid the blades, are severed into chunks of meat. By the time the vortex disperses, the battle is fully underway with the [Elite guard] joining the fray alongside my own men.

  Turning into a bird and flying in the air, I assess the situation with a calculated singular eye. What I see is that though Fenrimorphs are stronger and faster than most, they are quite a bit at a disadvantage in regards to both skill and defense. Their dense muscles and bones are but butter to runed blades, whereas their speed isn’t fast enough to overwhelm skill. A claw is an effective weapon so long as a blade does not sever your arm when you try to use it.

  Unfortunately, superior ability means little when your opponent has a significant numbers advantage, even with Auranta blasting anything that tries to approach.

  Looking at the entrance to the mansion, I frown at the silver Fenrimorph. The monster isn’t looking at the ongoing skirmish in front of it. Instead, it’s eyes are positioned up at our flying [Air Mage] as she slaughters any flanking Fenrimorph with a wave of her staff.

  The Silver Fenrimorph bends its powerful legs.

  As the stone cracks from its jump, the monster soars at Auranta with a speed the Insectoid couldn’t hope to dodge.

  Not that she needs to as I transform mid-flight to slam my right fist into the monster's side. The silver Fenrimorph goes flying, crashing through a building from the impact.

  When I land on the ground, I can’t help but grimace at my mistake.

  Glancing at my right hand, I’m met with a piece of shattered ground meat.

  My musings are cut short as I hear the ruble shift. The silver Fenrimorph walks out of the building covered in dust, but otherwise unhurt.

  The monster titles its head at me, seemingly confused. Then its head shifts to the left, the same direction as I hear and feel a mental pressure.

  Submit!

  Submit!

  Submit!

  Though much stronger now, the pressure is still manageable. Once the pressure ends, the Silver Fenrimorphs attention returns to me. Curiosity now replaced with aggression.

  I take a stance, leaning more to my left where my armored hand is located.

  The Monster snarls loudly, bends its legs, and then rushes me.

  Though larger than me, the difference isn’t significant enough to put me in a different weight class. I dodge the swipe of its claw with a step to the side and take the moment to shove my gauntleted left fist into its belly. I am rewarded with a whine, only for the beast to recover enough to try to bite me.

  I react instinctively with my right arm, further tenderizing it with a bone-grinding punch that diverts the head to the side. Taking the opportunity, I jump away from a followup swipe of its armored claws.

  I take a stance again while the Silver Fenrimorph reorients itself.

  Just as I was contemplating a transformation, I hear the wind pick up behind at the same time I hear a warning.

  “Quasi, Jump!”

  I follow the direction and ascend into the sky. Passing by where I was is an orb of wind. The orb reaches the surprised Silver Fenrimorph and unleashes its magical payload.

  Similar to the first time she’d created the orb, the housing shatters, releasing a storm of Wind Cutters on the Fenrimorph, ones strong enough to sever steel.

  “Quasi!” Auranta yells, “The mansion is reached! Let's go!”

  Turning around, I find that the Fenrimorphs are mostly dead and that everyone else is rushing into the mansion.

  I grunt in acknowledgement and rush inside.

  As I enter, I hear a howl behind me.

  When I turn around, I see the Silver Fenrimorph somehow standing even with its flesh mangled by the spell. It should be dead, but it somehow still stands.

  Then I feel a sense of dread as I watch its flesh rapidly knit together, faster than any Fenrimorph should be able to.

  My surprise lasts only long enough to notice the growth of another pair of horns.

  I shut the mansion door and rush inside. I then quickly find Yuto waiting for me near a trap door leading down.

  I jump inside and descend a good five meters. Yuto follows me right after, closing and locking the entrance with a click. He slides down the ladder just in time to hear the walls of the mansion shatter, quickly followed by an ear-piercing howl.