Chapter 264


    A while ago.


    Crossroad. Downtown.


    Next to the barracks. An open field.


    Huff, huff, huff!


    Gasping heavily, I staggered to my feet.


    Before mey a defeated White Werewolf.


    Stunned by Kurehas Blinking Dagger-Kickbo, the creature was critically injured. I was just barely able to finish it off with my magic-infused de.


    However, the real issue was Kureha.


    I quickly turned to check behind me. Kurehay in a pool of blood.


    "Hey, Kureha! Snap out of it!"


    "Cough, cough!"


    Arge gash was evident on Kurehas stomach, from which he spat out blood. Desperately, I poured a high-quality potion on his wound.


    But,


    Its healing too slowly!


    The injury wasnt mending quickly.


    Having exhausted all his strength and nearly mummified, Kurehas body didnt seem to absorb the potions effects properly.


    "Huff, cough! My lord... Those two elderly people from earlier... Are they safe...?"


    "Of course they are! Just worry about yourself!"


    Attempting to save others in such a state...


    While I was exerting all efforts to heal Kureha,


    "My lord!"


    The scouts I had deployed earlier rushed over to me.


    As I continued to pour potions over Kureha and staunch his bleeding, I cast a sidelong nce at the scouts.


    "Report!"


    "Yes!"


    The scouts ryed the current situation in turns.


    Listening to each update, both my face and the pale, blood-drained face of Kureha turned grim.


    Lucas, on his own, was under siege at the southern wall.


    The northern wall had seen Evangeline fall, and all the other heroes were overwhelmed.


    Most of the werewolves that sneaked into the city had been dealt with, but a few remaining...


    "They took hostages?"


    "Yes...! The werewolves have gathered at the central square and have taken citizens as hostages! Additionally, a few more are doing the same in the alleys...!"


    My head spun.


    The simultaneous crises from every direction left me unsure how to tackle the situation. I tried my best to think calmly.


    It was then.


    "Help me... stand."


    Kureha, vomiting blood, tried to rise. I yelled out in surprise,


    "Stop the nonsense! Youre dying!"


    "I need to... save my brother, Kun. Hurry..."


    "Stay down! With your condition, you wont even make it out of this field, let alone to the north gate!"


    "My brother is also dying!"


    Kurehas eyes burned with determination, leaving me momentarily speechless.


    Despite the blood and organs seeping out from his stomach, Kureha tried to rise.


    But having already exhausted his strength saving the two elderly people, he seemed to struggle even lifting his frail body.


    Risking his life for strangers, yet unable to save his own sibling.


    Seeing this tragic scene, I shut my eyes tightly.


    Think.


    Find a way out of this situation.


    Games are made to be cleared.


    Theres always a way out, a solution. My 742 past experiences proved that.


    Look for a slightly higher probability. A slightly more definite method.


    Find it.


    No!


    I opened my eyes wide.


    It wasnt enough. One shouldnt judge solely based on the given situation. I needed to look broader, farther.


    Observe from the games rules.


    Dont be governed by the rules. Govern the rules.


    Use every means avable.


    Bypass them, break them, twist them - find the vulnerabilities in the rules.


    "!"


    In that instant,


    An idea struck me.


    A fundamental solution to resolve this entire situation all at once.


    "Kureha."


    To my own surprise, I voiced out with an astonishinglyposed and cold tone.


    "If its to save your brother, to what lengths would you go?"


    Kureha didnt hesitate.


    "I can do anything."


    ""


    "For him, any and everything."


    I nodded heavily.


    "Theres one way, Kureha."


    I quickly exined the strategy Id thought of. A fleeting look of astonishment brushed Kurehas face.


    "Indeed, in theory, it is possible but"


    "Is it truly feasible?"


    "Yes. But I think Ill have to directly interact with the adversary."


    However, Kurehas current physical condition was dire.


    Messengers had rushed to the temple to call for a priest, but he seemed hed die before the priest could arrive.


    Kurehas face dimmed with every passing moment, the light of life flickering out. To execute the n in such a state...


    ""


    Then something urred to me.


    "...Kureha, from the past story you told me."


    Clutching my fist tight, I inquired.


    "You mentioned your father turned your curse-bearing brother into a wolf monster, right?"


    "Yes, thats correct."


    "So, you, who currently bear the curse, can also transform into that wolf monster?"


    Kureha stayed silent. I stared intently at his face.


    After a moment, with a resolute expression, Kureha slowly nodded.


    "...Yes, my Lord. But theres no tree here to assist the curse, so the curse wont beplete."


    ""


    "I may not fully transform into the wolf monster, and I might lose my sanity... possibly attacking you."


    "Its alright. I have a way. A method to make you obey mymand."


    ""


    A faint smile touched the bloodied corners of Kurehas lips.


    "I never thought the curse I learned from my mother for just in case... would be used this way."


    "...Kureha."


    "My life is already at its end. Turn me into the wolf monster. So I can execute the strategy youve instructed."


    Kureha bowed to me.


    "Please, help me save my brother."


    Gritting my teeth, I replied curtly.


    "Start right now. Were out of time."


    Following Kurehas guidance, I drew a magical circle on the ground andid him over it.


    Kureha, with his fading voice, chanted the spell to activate the curse. Using my Blink Dagger, I inflicted an X-shaped wound on Kurehas forehead.


    The sky was brightly lit, bathed in the light of a full moon.


    Groan, crack...!


    With grotesque sounds of flesh contorting, Kurehas shriveled arms and legs grew flesh, muscles, and red fur.


    Exposed to the moonlight, Kurehas entire body was transforming.


    By the time the X-shaped scar had been engraved on his forehead, Kureha had transformed into a grotesque wolf monster.


    Monstrously grown ws, vicious fangs that didnt interlock, twisted joints, and asymmetric muscles. And a body covered in red fur...


    A wolf monster that bore all the curses of his tribe.


    ...


    The massive wolf monster slowly rose.


    I tensed up, preparing for a possible attack, but the monster seemed to have no such intentions.


    I immediately used [Gaze of Command].


    Kneel and show your loyalty to me.


    Easily, [Gaze of Command] was applied. Kureha slowly knelt on one knee before me.


    Kureha.


    Facing the gentle eyes of the monster staring tenderly at me, I activated my second skill.


    Be mine.


    Whirr!


    Suddenly, a cor resembling a series of linked chains materialized in the air and snugly wrapped around Kurehas neck.


    Ding!


    [Unknown Werewolf Kureha(SSR) has been recruited to your side!]


    Current loyalty: 90/100


    Absolute Command: 1 use


    Sess.


    I heaved a sigh of relief. Whew...


    Thats when it happened.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    From the center of the city, magical projectiles rained down like a shower. I immediately recognized what they were.


    Damiens ultimate move, Showdown!


    I had read the skill description in advance and knew its effect.


    For all allied targets, it would shoot healing projectiles, and for enemies, attacking projectiles. It was Damiens area-of-effect skill.


    However, the projectile thatnded on me was a healing one, but...


    Click-!


    The one thatnded on Kureha was an attacking one.


    Kureha effortlessly deflected the projectile with his arm, but witnessing this made my heart race.


    Damiens Far-Sight had coldly judged.


    Kureha was a monster.


    No longer a human.


    Then Kureha slowly opened his mouth.


    ...Give, me, an, order.


    ...


    I, will, obey.


    Despite bing a monster, he hadnt lost his rationality.


    Kureha. Go. Execute the n.


    I terselymanded, then added,


    Save your brother.


    ...


    And... save this front.


    Kureha bowed his head slightly.


    I, will, give, my, all.


    Whoosh!


    With a powerful leap, Kurehas massive frame shot northward.


    I clenched my teeth and fists, watching his receding figure with a heavy heart.


    Present time.


    In front of the northern wall.


    Stter!


    Blood sprayed everywhere.


    ...?


    Kun closed his eyes, awaiting the impending strike from Lunareds ws. But no pain came.


    He opened his eyes hesitantly.


    Drip. Drip.


    He could hear the sound of blood dropping.


    ...?!


    Suddenly, between Lunared and Kun, a massive werewolf appeared, taking the hit on its back.


    Blood streamed down from the werewolfs back.


    But could this creature even be called a werewolf?


    It looked like a wolf that hadntpleted its transformation, with grotesquely twisted limbs. A hideous wolf monster.


    Yet, for some reason, Kun nkly stared at the monsters face.


    Could it be his imagination that he felt warmth from the eyes of the monster looking back at him?


    "What the, what is this?"


    Lunared eximed in a bewildered voice.


    "What are you? You seem to be from my tribe, why are you intervening...


    ...


    The monster that had been looking at Kun with gentle eyes suddenly spun its body like a lightning bolt, clenching its unevenly lengthened fists with both arms.


    Thud-!


    It struck Lunareds chest with both fists.


    Kugh-!?


    Lunared staggered back, spitting out blood.


    Thump!


    As Lunared dropped Kun from his hand, Kun hit the ground hard on his buttocks, anxiously looking up, still in shock.


    ...


    As if to protect Kun, the wolf monster gazed at him with a soft look once more.


    It assumed a stance.


    Despite its grotesque posture due to its reversed joints and limbs of different lengths, Kun could recognize it immediately.


    That was the martial arts stance of the Leaf Tribe.


    The one taught by his older brother... that was it.


    Daring to oppose me, a descendant sharing my blood, youuuuu!


    Lunared, with fiery eyes, charged again. The unidentified wolf monster rushed forward to meet him.


    Boom! Bang! Boom!


    A fierce battle began between the two monsters.


    Muscles far surpassing those of humans flexed and writhed as theyunched cannon-like fists at each other, intending to kill.


    Next to Kun, who was nkly watching this surreal scene,


    "We have to kill him now."


    Evangeline appeared. Kun looked at her, slightly surprised.


    Holding onto a wound on her abdomen, Evangeline looked pale, but she was firmly holding a shield in her left hand.


    Following her, other party members painfully walked over and stood behind her.


    Thanks to the healing magic cast by Damian, everyone managed to muster theirst bits of strength to stand.


    "I dont know why those two monsters are causing such a ruckus, but this is an opportunity."


    "Were all exhausted to our limits. We wont get a second chance. We have to kill them both at the same time."


    Evangeline signaled with her eyes.


    The Shadow Squad members who were ready for their godhand, and the Penal Squad members all clenched their weapons, nodding with grave faces.


    The blood-covered heroes moved forward to execute their final attack.


    ...!


    At that moment,


    Kun, who had noticed something, hurriedly blocked the party members. Evangeline furrowed her brow.


    "Kun? What are you doing right now..."


    Do, dont attack.


    Huh?


    Hes my brother.


    He couldnt exin it clearly but he knew.


    "That monster, its my brother!"


    In this world.


    There was only one person who looked at him with such a warm gaze.


    So Kun yelled out, almost like a howl.


    Hes my brother...!