Aster, Cassy, and Kali ran for their lives, cutting across the dark forest at breakneck speed while trying to keep clear of roots and such to avoid tripping their legs.


    *ROOOOAR!*


    More than a howl, it was a growl filled with anger that could be heard right behind them!


    ''If we ran just like this, then the Dire Wolf would catch up soon!'' Aster thought as he started to figure out another way to survive.


    Just running alone couldn''t let them survive. They need a n, at least!


    As he was looking around, he noticed a certain spot that could help them in their predicament. A part of the forest where the greenery was too thick will make it hard for the three-meter-tall wolf to chase them!


    "...! Over there! K! Head to the left!"


    "Got it!"


    With just a nce, Kali understood what Aster wanted to achieve and turned to the left. But this caused their speed to drop a little, allowing the Field Boss to shorten the distance between them! Cassy was almost within a w''s swiping distance!


    "JUMP!" Kali urged.


    "Hiiik!"


    She hurried her pace, almost bumping against Aster, as they jumped through the part of the forest with trees too close to each other. The trees were still young, with some looking almost dried from the fiercepetition for sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil. Still, it should be more than enough to block the wolf''s way.


    *AWOOOOO!*


    Unable to enter that part of the forest, the Dire Wolf red at the three before quickly running around it, nning to circle around and catch them from the other side.


    Of course, the trio didn''t dare waste this god-given chance and rushed to the other side. It was a race to see who would arrive at the exit, leading to the grasnds, first!


    A straight line is shorter than going around, so the three got out into the grasnds first. As soon as they did, Kali and Cassy sharpened their senses, trying to locate the Dire Wolf and checking if it was stilling after them.


    "... Nothing but slimes?"


    "Same, but..."


    The two discussed a little before, suddenly, their ears flicked up as they bit their teeth.


    "Shit! It''s still after us! RUN!"


    "Oh no, oh no, oh no!"


    "Wheeze...!"


    The two tried to increase their pace but realized that one of them would be unable to keep up if they did. Aster was at his limit already, his vision sparkling from running out of breath as he forced his heavy legs to take a step forward and continue running!


    Having no choice, the two matched his pace while keeping track of the Dire Wolfing from the corner of the forest and running closer to them with even more anger than before.


    However, slowly, Aster was losing speed, causing Kali to slow down too, with concern, as Cassy ended up in the lead. Cassy wiped the sweat off her forehead roughly before ncing behind her with trepidation.


    "Star, it''s no good! The boss is catching up!" Fear started to color her eyes as she saw the Dire Wolfing closer and closer to them. "Running away from it is impossible after all!" Her voice trembled.


    Kali gritted her teeth, getting irritated after hearing Cassy say the obvious. "Stupid rabbit! Just run!"


    Aster,gging behind the two, panted hard. However, he still tried to mediate between the two, who were getting in danger just because they were trying to not leave him behind.


    "You two... Stop... Fighting...!"


    He said each word, apanying an almost desperate gasp for air.


    He was feeling useless at the moment, being the one pulling the two''s legs. If they weren''t matching his pace, then they should be able to run faster than this! Of course, that''s considering if they were in full health.


    Kali had a gaping wound on her stomach, not fully closed with Cassy''sst heal. And Cassy had a hole through her thigh, still bleeding now. The more she forced her legs to move, the more blood seeped out, coloring the bandage wrapped around it a deep red.


    However, Aster still had his ace in the hole. ''As long as I can activate my Carved Seal, it''s my win!''


    Although he had no time to concentrate, he still decided to stop and face the enemy, trying to buy time for the two at least.


    He stomped his leg hard, skidding to a stop, while shouting toward the two. "GO! You two! I''ll hold back the boss here!"


    Cassy, hearing his reckless bravado, quipped as she also slid to a stop.


    "What?!No, you can''t, Star! That''s suicide!"


    With the two stopping midway, Kali had no choice but to do the same. She scanned the two''s faces, with Aster having a determined expression, albeit pale, while Cassy had a worried face.


    She sighed before raising her head and dering with a confident tone.


    "I don''t n to sacrifice the ones who saved me from danger just to save myself! You should go. I''ll be the one dying the boss!"


    Thinking logically, Kali had the highest chance of surviving a fight against the Dire Wolf. She had speed above all else, so she shouldn''t fall that easily.


    "Come on, you two! Stop joking and go!" Aster begged. "I''ve hunted the boss before; I can make sure I don''t die, at least!"


    Of course, that''s a lie. He wasn''t even sure if he couldst a few seconds, much less survive against the boss. All he had nned was to rely on his Carved Seal to clinch the fight!


    "Shut up, level 1! Just hurry and drag that rabbit out of here!"


    "No, I am not escaping without everyone together!"


    They werepletely in disarray, their opinions shing. Just as Aster was about to refute the part about him being level 1, he decided not to, since he''s practically just as weak. Noticing the approaching presence, he then turned toward it and gritted his teeth.


    "Danm! Toote!"


    *GROOOOOWL!*


    The Dire Wolf managed to close the distance during the moment the three were quarreling. Its roar, containing intense killing intent, froze the three in ce for a moment.