Chapter 216: A Standoff With An Alpha

Since the battle had ended, the spectre warriors that had once fought alongside the group began disappearing in flashes of silver light.

However, they didn’t dissipate completely. Instead, they reverted to their original forms—the Earl Tier Coins.

The moment they transformed back into coins, the monetary manifestations streaked toward Caelestra like silver projectiles before revolving around her in an orderly formation.

Speaking of Caelestra, the silver-haired Merchant remained remarkably pristine, at least when compared to Valmyr, Vaelorin, and Kaeloris.

This was because, throughout the battle, the girl had relied entirely upon the might of her Coin Legion to fight the wolves. If anything, the only thing around her that bore the unmistakable marks of slaughter and carnage was the very Soul Essence she held in her hands.

Her once-ornate Treasure Chest had become almost unrecognizable. Its polished surface was smeared with thick layers of crimson blood, some fresh and glistening while other portions had already begun to dry into dark, crusted stains.

Strands of fur clung to its edges, while fragments of flesh remained lodged within the seams and grooves of its metallic frame. Several dents marred its surface, evidence of the countless impacts it had endured. Blood dripped slowly from one corner, falling onto the ground with quiet, rhythmic splatters.

The reason for this appearance was simple.

Caelestra had practically turned her Soul Essence into a bludgeoning instrument, using it to smash bones and flesh alike in a brutal rhythm that ensured she decimated any wolf foolish—or perhaps brave—enough to approach her.

For that reason, the Soul Essence looked less like a Treasure Chest and more like an executioner’s tool drenched in the remnants of its victims...

In the meantime, Veyrath’s earlier question remained suspended in the air for quite some time, while the group’s attention stayed fixed upon the beast radiating a palpable menace several dozen steps away.

Kaeloris adjusted his glasses before speaking. "Perhaps the Alpha is waiting behind, you know... in case we decide to go after the other members of its pack."

"So you mean it’s trying to stall us and give the others a chance to retreat?" Caelestra asked, her eyes remaining fixed upon the wolf before them.

"I can’t say for certain. But if I were to make an educated guess, then that is probably the case," Kaeloris replied, his tone filled with tentative conviction. "After all, Alphas are supposed to be the protectors of their pack, so it would make a lot of sense if it remained behind to ensure the others escaped safely."

The more knowledgeable members of the group readily accepted Kaeloris’ words because, at the very least, it was the only somewhat plausible explanation for the Alpha’s strange behavior.

And Kaeloris wasn’t wrong.

In nature, an alpha serves as the central authority and protector of its pack. It helps maintain order within the group, guides the pack during movement, and plays an important role in defending its members from external threats.

When danger emerges, the strongest individuals often place themselves between the threat and the more vulnerable members of the pack. In that sense, remaining behind while the others retreated would not have been unusual. An Alpha willing to sacrifice itself could create enough distance for the rest of its pack to escape. Yet this particular wolf had not done anything of the sort. It simply remained where it was, watching them.

Regaleon suddenly furrowed his brows. His expression darkened as he stared at the Alpha, his voice grim and measured.

"Or maybe it isn’t staying behind to stall us."

"And why do you say that?" Vaelorin asked.

Regaleon’s eyes narrowed as he replied. "To me, it doesn’t seem as though it’s trying to give the members of its pack a fighting chance."

He paused briefly before adding. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

"If that were truly its intention, then it should have taken the initiative and attacked us. At the very least, doing so would keep us occupied and prevent us from pursuing the others, especially considering its strength."

His gaze remained fixed on the motionless beast. "But it hasn’t. Instead, it had simply remained there."

Regaleon’s voice became quieter.

"And perhaps the fact that it remained behind doesn’t mean it’s trying to stall us." His eyes sharpened. "If anything, I’d say it’s actually reassessing us."

The group was momentarily confused by his explanation. To them, everything Regaleon had just said made it sound as though he were treating the Alpha like some sort of sentient tactician, and that was rather peculiar.

Before anyone could dismiss his conclusion, Aureleah suddenly spoke.

The girl had already dismissed her Shadow Cloak, causing the swirling darkness that had previously shrouded her body to disappear. Yet its absence did little to diminish the aura of death that seemed to surround her.

Her voice remained detached and indifferent as she elaborated upon Regaleon’s words. "I agree with Regaleon’s analysis."

Her gaze remained fixed upon the Alpha.

"Considering its strength, there is no doubt that it could probably take on all of us in our current condition. And considering our present state, it would likely be able to hold us for longer than necessary."

"But that’s only if it were actually trying to stall us." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke further. "Since it hasn’t attacked and is simply watching us, there’s a high chance that it is actually observing us."

The weight of her words gradually settled over the group.

"Let’s not forget that wolves are highly intelligent and adaptive. Besides that, they’re persistent and tenacious, capable of pursuing prey for considerable distances without abandoning the hunt."

Aureleah’s expression remained unchanged.

"Therefore, if it has been watching us this entire time, then it probably has something to do with trying to identify our weaknesses so that the next attack it launches will be more decisive."

Her words caused a solemn atmosphere to settle over the group and for several moments, nobody spoke.

Caelestra was eventually the one to break the silence.

"I think another attack is highly unlikely. Besides, after today, we won’t have anything more to do with the Crimson Forest because Aelric will be taking us to the Sanctuary."

Regaleon suddenly spoke again. "You shouldn’t underestimate the persistence of a pack."

The seriousness in his voice immediately drew their attention.

"You see, wolves are creatures that are highly determined. Failing to bring down prey once doesn’t necessarily make them give up. Rather, it can make them even more persistent, further fueling their predatory instincts."

He glanced toward the Alpha.

"Although it looks like we’ve won now, it’s never too late for the pack to decide that we are still their prey."

A faint tension crept into his voice.

"And we’ve been using the behavior of ordinary wolves to assess these Animas. Don’t let us forget that their status as Animas means their behavior and instincts are only more extreme and pronounced. So one can only imagine the trouble we’ve gotten ourselves into."

Regaleon’s analysis made the already solemn atmosphere even more foreboding.

"So what are we going to do now?" Valmyr asked. "Are we just supposed to let it go so that it can regroup and come at us stronger, or are we supposed to fight it to the death here and now?"

Although he appeared to be asking for their options, the maniacal glint in his eyes made it obvious that he had already chosen the second.

"We don’t need to do anything." Regaleon spoke with unwavering certainty. "We’ll act based on how the Alpha reacts."

A serious gleam flashed across his eyes.

Though the group had been engaged in a series of strategic conversations, their attention had never truly left the wolf.

If anything, they had been deliberately observant throughout their discussion, carefully monitoring every movement, every shift in posture, and every subtle change in the Alpha’s behavior.

Therefore, the moment Regaleon finished speaking, they immediately doubled their vigilance upon the wolf.

The battlefield fell silent once more with the Alpha remaining where it was. It neither advanced nor retreated; rather, it simply stared back at them.

And somehow, that unwavering gaze felt far more threatening than an attack...