37 Defea

The forest was silent as the two wolves, one pitch black and the other red with blood, faced each other off in the open clearing.

Ark watched the two with a calm expression while drawing his bow to the max and then he waited for the signal.

After a few minutes of glaring at each other, the demonic wolf attacked, straight forwardly dashing towards the black wolf. The black wolf, seeing this, snarled and planted its legs firmly for what was about to come. When the demonic wolf was about for feet away from the wolf, it suddenly blurred and appeared right in front of the black wolf. Surprised, the black wolf tried to dodge it.

However it was too late.

The demonic wolf had already bit into the shoulder of the black wolf causing it to yep in pain.

Before the wolf could retaliate, the demonic wolf disappeared once more and reappeared again a few feet away.

Ark couldn't help but frown.

If this goes on, the black wolf will die. the demonic wolf is just playing with it. its going to keep on attacking and retreating until it gets too weak to fight back.

However, there was one thing that bothered Ark.

Why does it stay there and let itself get torn apart ton shreds? Why not at least try to run away?

From the beginning of the battle to the current time, the black wolf was adamant on staying in the same spot. Even at the cost of its life.

The black wolf shifted its body in order to put less weight on its damaged shoulder. Thats when Ark saw it.

Ark couldn't help but make a complicated face. He immediately let loose the arrow that was knocked on the bow and dropped it in exchange for four daggers that hung on his waist. Before the arrow had reached its target, Ark threw the daggers and unsheathed his black blade. The arrow struck the demonic wolf on the back and the wolf howled in pain. The wolf turned around and faced the direction where the arrow came from, only to see four daggers heading it way.

No time to think, the wolf jumped and performed a mid air spin that caused three daggers to glance off of its fur. The last dagger, however, struck the wolf directly in the eye.

The wolf let out a loud howl filled with pain, and left the now forgotten black wolf in order to face Ark. Not giving the wolf a chance to get used tot he pain, Ark held his sword at eye level and slashed at the wolf's side causing a long but shallow cut. The wolf finally recovered and attacked Ark with its eyes filled with hate and anger. It leapt up once more and attempted to slice Ark with his claws.

Ark calmly raised his sword to meet the claws, and was immediately flown away and crashed into a tree.

Ark let out a wry smile filled with self deprecation.

"Seems that I got a bit cocky after defeating a rank 3 robot mage even when I knew that the robot was incomparably weak."

Ark glanced at the triumphant wolf that seemed pleased with its victory.

"You really are strong mister wolf."

The wolf tilted its head as if confused by what the human in front of it was saying for his last words.

"I would probably die today if I didn't use my oculus, however I won't. it is all because I think that I don't think my life is in that much danger right now."

Sensing that it was being belittled, the wolf growled and leapt up in order to deal the finishing blow. However, Ark kept on smiling.

"You see mister wolf, while I am indeed very hurt, I am not alone."

As if sensing the danger, the wolf stopped its attack midair and turned around.

However it was to late.

The flat side of the sword hit the wolf in its underside, causing the wolf to launch up in the air. Still stunned from the initial blow, the wolf was slowly coming down when a bolt of pure light planted itself in the stomach of the wolf. Following the bolt were a bunch of shurikens that lodged themselves in the body of the wolf.

The wolf finally fell down to the ground and struggled to get up. Just as it was about to completely stand up, a thin silver blade appeared from above and severed the wolfs head from its body. The headless wolf stood up for a couple seconds before inevitably falling to the floor dead.

Ark let out a sigh.

"Took you guys long enough, I thought I was going to die there."

Kali silently raised her hand and cast a healing spell over Ark while wearing a blank face.

Hanabi appeared from the shadows and one look was all it took to reveal her anger.

"YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO WAIT FOR MY SIGNAL!"

"I thought I was the signal?"

"WELL YOU WERE WRONG! ONE SLIGHT MISTAKE AND YOU WOULD'VE DIED!"

"But I'm still alive, aren't I?"

"THIS IS WHY I HATE YOUR GUTS! YOU NEVER REALIZE HOW YOUR OWN SELFISH ACTIONS CANGET YOURSELF KILLED!"

"Hanabi, thats enough. I think he understands now."

"HE NEVER UNDERSTANDS, HE ALWAYS RUNS INTO THESE SITUATION WITHOUT USING HIS BRAIN!"

"I'm first place in theory though?"

"SHUT UP!"

James gave Ark a serious look.

"I have to agree with Hanabi on this one, why did you rush in like that?"

Ark gave a shrug.

Seeing this, James let out another sigh.

"Whatever, just don't do this again next time."

James finally cast his gaze at the injured black wolf.

"What do we do with this guy?"

He gave a complicated face before saying.

"Do we kill it?"

Sensing itself being threatened, the black wolf let out a growl.

Ark sighed.

"Kali heal it."

Hanabi expressed her dissatisfaction immediately.

"What if it attacks us immediately after, it be easier it kill it right now. Don't heal it Kali."

But of course, Kali listened to Ark.

The wolf stared at the group as he got healed while Kali wore a curious face and stared back.

After the wolf was completely healed, it tried to stand up but fell right back down due to exhaustion.

Ark immediately stood up and went near the wolf.

"Calm down miss wolf. You are exhausted right now so take it easy. Healing spells don't recover fatigue after all."

The wolf started to growl as Ark got closer and James couldn't help but become nervous.

"Ark, I think it's best to leave it alone."

However Ark dismissed it with a wave.

"I know what I'm doing."

"See, he never learns."

Hanabi made stoke you so face towards James before once again looking back at what Ark was trying to accomplish.

Hey Dusk.

(Dusk) Ye.

I will test out if the element of soul truly affects the success ratio of taming.

Ark reached out to pet the wolf but immediately pulled back seeing that the wolf was getting ready to bite.

Now is the real test.

Ark slowly took off his bandana while infusing the soul element into his eyes.

His back faced his friends as his eye turned a magnificent gold color with a black ring circling the pupil.

"Missus wolf, can I come closer?"

The wolf hesitated but when it saw the golden eyes, it decided to concede.

Ark's hand touched the wolf's fur and stroked it.

Hanabi gasped.

"He actually got the wolf to let him touch her."

Kali let out a smug smile.

"That's my Ark."

Olivia and James looked on with a dazed look.

"Amazing."

After stroking the wolf for a few more seconds, Ark reached under the wolf causing it to let out a growl.

James immediately brandished his sword.

"Get away from it Ark."

Ark once again ignored James but stopped his advancement.

"Miss wolf, I promise I won't hurt him. Can you trust me?"

The wolf hesitated once more before slightly moving her head to the side and gave Ark permission.

Ark reached in and pulled a dark furry object out from underneath the wolf.

All three girls gasped.

The thing that Ark pulled out was a wolf pup.

Ark stoke the sleeping pups head which caused it to wake up. At first the pup let out an annoyed help but after it saw Ark's eyes, it immediately started to wag its tail. It bit ark's fingers in an attempt to get him to play with him.

Ark let out a smile.

"Whose a good girl?"

The pup barked once as if saying me.

Dusk, it seems our theory was correct, the soul element has a part in increasing the friendliness towards beasts.

(Dusk) It seems so.

The wolf, seeing that its baby was safe, pit it's head down and slept. Ark put his back on the wolf's stomach and also proceeded to sleep due to the accumulation of fatigue he earned from fighting a bunch of monsters along with the demonic wolf. The pup was still gnawing on his fingers.

The three of them sat in the center of the clearing, peacefully embracing the warmth of the sun as a boy watched on with a smile while three girls stood some distance away madly taking pictures of the pup.