Chapter 376: Forest of Ice and Snow — Tracking Wild Boar Trails and Engaging Northland Wolves

These cunning Northland Wolves, in order to hide their tracks, specifically hid within the messy trails created by this group of wild boars. The wild boars' range of activity was not fixed, so these Northland Wolves, which did not appear numerous, not only calmly relied on these boars to hide their tracks after the snowfall, but when necessary, could also directly treat this family of boars as food to prey upon.

Everyone was shocked by the cunning of these animals; fortunately, the three old Hunters had hunted for many years and had encountered even smarter prey. And Knight Lanisha, who had charged up to the Wolf King many times, knew these Northland Wolves quite well.

Only Jier and one or two young people who had little dealings with wolf packs showed expressions of surprise at this.

The female Knight called everyone over, and she used her Sword to draw two arrow directions in the accumulated snow: "This way, toward the north, is the direction that group of wild boars came from; judging by the fact that the wolf pack specifically hid their tracks, they also followed behind the boars from the north."

"And this way, toward the southeast, is the direction the group of wild boars and the Northland Wolves following behind them are heading. The tracks are relatively fresh, left at most two days ago, so if we continue to track them, there is a high possibility of catching them." The female Knight said this much.

An old Hunter rubbed his beard, which was stained with snowflakes: "I just checked carefully and found that the number of wild boars is about twenty or so, while the number of Northland Wolves following behind them is not very certain, but it will not exceed about eight."

"So?" Jier asked his question.

"So the team will split up here! I will ride a horse north along the tracks, striving to find the den of this small group of Northland Wolves. If my guess is correct, there must be a large group of wolf pups waiting to grow up in this year's den. They must be eradicated!" As Knight Lanisha spoke, the Fine Sword in her hand slashed through the air at high speed twice, emitting a terrifying whistling sound.

"I don't know how far those Northland Wolves ran to follow the boar herd, so I will go by horse. You all should strive to quicken your pace and catch up to those Northland Wolves that came out to hunt. If you have the ability, kill one or two more wild boars, so that everyone will have an easier time in their stomachs."

Speaking of this, everyone laughed. Although wild boars are very difficult and ferocious animals in the Forest, and unusually fierce individuals often appear, since those Northland Wolves dared to follow behind them, it would be a waste of their skills if they didn't hunt one or two.

As the leader of the Hunter team, Knight Lanisha made the decision, and it was impossible for anyone to object. Therefore, it was agreed that if there were no discoveries after two days, everyone would return to the Yanshi Shan Judian.

Thus, the team split up.

Knight Lanisha mounted her warhorse, increased the horse's speed, and followed the tracks of the wild boars' rampage northward. On the other side, the Hunters did not have the Knight's nimble skills, so before they started tracking, they each checked their respective weapon preparations and the supplies they were carrying, confirming that the food was enough to last at least five days.

Everyone began to follow the wild boars' tracks forward.

Because there was no need to worry about going in the wrong direction, and the wild boars and Northland Wolves had already trampled through a large amount of thick snow on the ground, the Hunters' speed was very fast at this time.

If it weren't for the heavy Metal Clamps on their backs slowing them down, their speed could have been even faster.

On the way, experienced old Hunters took turns leading, and everyone tracked continuously for a whole day. Although they encountered some deer-like animals on the road struggling to find food in the places the wild boars had rummaged through, everyone had no heart to hunt, nor did they chase the small animals that didn't run away after seeing Humans, passing by them without disturbing each other.

During one stop to rest, the old Hunters told the others: "Judging by the frozen state of the wolf feces found just now, we are very close to them."

"So next, everyone must be prepared for battle, especially after the three of us spot the Northland Wolves, the team must gather from the moving front-and-back column to fight together."

"Especially since we are carrying Metal Clamps this time, so when the time comes, we must back against a rock or a large tree trunk and quickly set up the Metal Clamps in the area in front of us. Jier, you must be careful, never step on those Metal Clamps yourself during the battle, otherwise your legs will definitely be injured. Although you have armor protecting your shins and ankles, no matter what, that feeling will definitely not be pleasant."

Jier rubbed his hair and muttered: "I know, I will be careful about that."

"How about this, Jier. You mainly use your Shield to block the pouncing Northland Wolves, and we will immediately supplement with arrows to shoot and kill the Northland Wolves that are blocked?" An old Hunter suggested.

Jier considered the Shield and the axe, but ultimately chose the axe. The wolf pack was not Human; their sharp teeth and claws could not cause very serious damage to the Hard Cowhide Armor on his body, and as long as he wasn't bitten entirely by a wolf's mouth, he would be safe. So compared to the extra defense the Shield brought him, the Two-handed Axe that could deliver a fatal blow would play a greater role in the upcoming battle.

And he didn't know if it was his illusion, but ever since he defeated the Magic Beast last time, not only did a new image of a Magic Beast appear on the axe head, but the whole axe seemed to have become heavier.

Regarding Jier's choice, the old Hunters maintained their respect. Jier was not an unknown young man; he could defeat many Monsters and Bandits by himself, and in close-quarters combat, these Hunters who used Bowstrings were not qualified to point fingers or give orders.

Thus, after simply lighting a small fire and heating up a few pieces of frozen Bread to eat, everyone covered the resting place with snow and continued to track along the wild boars' trail.

The old Hunters' judgment was very accurate; they discovered the tracks of the Northland Wolves two hours later.

It was a Northland Wolf that was tearing at the legs of a tender fawn, and it was different from the Northland Wolves they had encountered before; its size was a circle larger than the wolves that had ambushed them earlier.

Added to the dirty, fluffy wolf fur on its body, it looked even bigger. Standing up, it was estimated to be about the same height and build as a normal man.

When the Hunters discovered it, this Northland Wolf, which was excitedly tearing at its prey, also heard the low calls and instructions from not far behind it at the same time. It loosened its wolf mouth, its claws no longer pressed down on the prey, and it stood up and turned to face behind it.

Immediately, its gaze stared tightly at those few Humans, and it stared even harder at the few old Hunters in the middle. It recognized them as the Human Hunters who had killed its brothers and sisters before.

"Awoo! Awoooo! Awoo! Awoooo!" Unable to care about disturbing the wild boar herd, this Northland Wolf directly raised its wolf head and howled loudly.

The silent snowy Forest was broken by this sudden wolf howl.

Subsequently, short wolf howls sounded one after another in the surroundings in response.

While Jier was prying open a Metal Clamp he was carrying and placing it in the snow in front of him, he guessed: these short wolf howls sounded like a kind of inquiry and response.

It was almost like asking: "What happened?" just like that.

Just as Jier expected, after the short wolf howls sounded one after another in the surroundings, the Northland Wolf not far away continued to howl, which should be summoning companions and confirming the situation.

And the prey under that Northland Wolf's mouth, a fawn, hissed lowly and, regardless of having one leg bitten off, struggled and fled the place on three thin legs.

The Northland Wolf, anxious to respond to its companions, didn't pay any attention to the prey at its mouth escaping; all its energy was focused on the revenge that was about to unfold.

After it howled one last time to summon its companions, it shook its body directly, shaking off the snow on its body, and shaking its thick fur to be even looser.

This was a technique the elders had mastered in battles with Humans; fluffier fur could better resist the cutting of Human metal claws and could prevent Human-flown metal teeth from biting them.

As long as these two things didn't work, the vast majority of Humans, after being approached and pounced on by them, could only become a delicious meal.

After it finished preparing for battle, it didn't foolishly stay in place and suffer the biting of Human metal flying teeth. Finding a position, it hid behind the trunk of a large tree.

After waiting for a moment, with the huffing and puffing of beastly breathing, several other Northland Wolf companions, just as tall and strong as it, came over one after another.

Everyone recognized that among the Humans in front, there were some who, together with a female Human before, had killed many of their elders and companions.

Once all the wolves were gathered, they could no longer suppress their desire for revenge. But following a short howl from a Northland Wolf a circle smaller than them, the other Northland Wolves calmed down.

This Northland Wolf, a circle smaller than them, was one that had joined them recently. Although it was a female wolf that came from the southern wilderness, it was chosen by the Northland Wolf King and joined them by relying on the support of the companions who came with it and the calm cruelty it displayed.

It mated with the Wolf King and drank its fill of the King's blood bestowed by the Wolf King, thus gaining the recognition of the wolf pack and more powerful strength.

This group of theirs, which had come out of the eastern wolf den to find food, was now led by this female wolf that had recently become a Northland Wolf. Hearing its reprimand, everyone quieted down.

With continuous communication, the small group of Northland Wolves formulated a battle plan.

"What are they doing? Why don't they attack after gathering together?" Jier asked in confusion, and then he said: "Is it because our numbers are about the same as theirs, so the wolf pack is hesitant?"

"Possible, but I believe those cunning guys are more likely communicating on how to kill us," an old Hunter said.

Another old Hunter took over the conversation and followed up: "Ever since we killed a large number of Northland Wolves in one fell swoop before, throughout this whole year, the few Northland Wolves I encountered sporadically would all discover us and then charge straight at us, trying to leave some scratch marks on me even if it meant their death. These Northland Wolves now know to hide behind trees; it seems they are not just beasts that only know how to act recklessly."

"Guys favored by the God of Hunting and the God of Beasts. Hmph." The last old Hunter sneered in a low voice.

Jier knew that this old Hunter was a believer in a deity, and it seemed to be exactly the God of Hunting he spoke of. It seems that even if one side is favored by the gods and the other craves the gods, there is still a deep contradiction between them.

Obviously I can hunt and kill you, so why are you more favored by the god I believe in?

That's probably what it means.

Although not all Hunters, old or young, believe in this god, everyone has known each other for a long time and has been influenced to some extent.

Therefore, when dealing with Northland Wolves, not only was there the support of Knight Lanisha, but everyone was ruthless.

After a little while, Jier saw that those Northland Wolves hiding behind the trees did not charge directly at their position. Instead, they took a large circle, stuck to the area outside the shooting range of the Hunters' bows and arrows due to the influence of the Forest, and circled around to their rear.

Jier grew anxious: "They've circled around to the back. Should we shift our position quickly? We can't shoot behind us from here."

"Steady! Jier, stay steady. If they come from behind, then let them come, but our position must remain firm. Do not be distracted by the Wolf Pack's movements," an old Hunter said loudly.

These words steadied the young man's mind.

Then the old Hunters began to command: "Two people on each side of the tree trunk, stay close to the tree, and don't step on the Metal Clamp we set on the ground."

An old Hunter and a young Hunter each leaned against opposite sides of a tree trunk, exposing half their bodies, then raised their bows to aim and shoot at the rear.

After three rounds of shooting, a howl of a Northland Wolf rang out.

"Those guys are using the tree trunks to close in bit by bit," a young Hunter said hurriedly.

The commanding old Hunter asked: "Are there many of them?"

"There are only a few of them, how could they all come at once?" an old Hunter aiming at the back replied.

The commanding old Hunter patted Jier: "Perfect, Jier, you can handle one wolf at a time, no problem, right?"

Jier spun the wooden handle of his axe in his hand, the blue axe head leaving a blue cylindrical trail as it swung through the air: "No problem." After speaking, having received his instructions, Jier bypassed the Metal Clamp set at the side of the tree trunk and quietly followed the Hunter's directions to rush behind a nearby tree trunk.

Behind the tree trunk, just as the Hunter had said, a Northland Wolf was hiding.

It was carefully crawling in the snow on the ground. When Jier rushed over, it was startled, but it still reacted as quickly as it could, swiping a claw at Jier's abdomen.

Jier ignored its attack and smashed his axe directly down onto its back.

With a squelch, the axe heavily cleaved the Northland Wolf's back, simultaneously smashing its spinal column in two. At the same time, the long claws extended from the wolf's paw also raked across Jier's Abdominal Armor.

Jier felt a heavy blow to his abdomen and suddenly couldn't catch his breath, but he slammed his chest hard, and his breath smoothed out again. He glanced at his abdomen; there were three half-centimeter-deep scratch marks on his hard cowhide Abdominal Armor, but it hadn't penetrated.

The front of his armor was the best-protected piece; the abdominal armor wasn't too thick. The thickest part was actually on his shoulders, where the thickness was double that of other areas because, outside the armor wrapping his arms, there was an additional layer of shoulder armor that strengthened the defense.

With its waist broken, the Northland Wolf couldn't get up immediately. It swiped its claws around wildly, but Jier simply took two steps back, causing its attacks to hit nothing.

Just as Jier was fighting here, a Northland Wolf behind this one saw its companion suffering a bold attack from a Human and immediately wanted to rush up, but as soon as it poked its body out from behind a tree trunk, it was hit by consecutive shots from four bows.

The Hunters were very experienced at shooting fast-moving targets. They were not like when they shot at fleeing Bandits before, where they would fire a direct volley to seal off the target's dodging route, causing them to be hit by arrows and die.

They relied on team tacit understanding, firing arrows one after another. The young Hunter reacted quickly and shot first, but at that moment, the prey's movements were stable, making it easy for it to dodge the Arrow while running.

But the real killing blow was yet to come.

The old Hunters who had been hunting their whole lives were experienced; two of them specifically watched for the moment the Northland Wolf's movement became distorted and it struggled to grip the ground after dodging twice, calculating the Northland Wolf's next move.

Then, *whoosh, whoosh*.

Two arrows flew out in succession, their flexible shafts vibrating as they drilled through the air. The first arrow hit the Northland Wolf's body, causing the prey to lose the ability to maneuver and turn in its intense pain.

Subsequently, the second arrow struck the Northland Wolf's neck directly.

The thick wolf neck and fur obscured the lethal power of this arrow, but as the Northland Wolf fell to the ground, it still made people admire the old guys' tricky and superb skills.

The Northland Wolf that had come to support was hit halfway through its run and could only fall to the ground panting. It tried to crawl up twice, but its body seemed to have lost all its strength, its neck pierced by the flying metal teeth of the Humans, causing it to howl in panic.

But everything for it ended there.

Four arrows from the Hunters flew over, all hitting its head. The Northland Wolf's hard skull could not withstand the piercing force of the arrows; the hard arrowheads smashed through the skull, completely killing this Northland Wolf.

Jier didn't pay attention to the battle on his side; he only heard the sound of bows and arrows flying past, and then the footsteps running toward him stopped. Jier aimed at the Northland Wolf whose spine he had smashed; half of its body had lost control.

Then he swung his axe twice, cleaving off the wolf claws swiping at him, and then gave the Northland Wolf, which had lost control of its body, a solid blow to the head with his axe, splitting the wolf's head in two from the front in one stroke.

He ended this guy's life.

With two companions killed in a row, the commanding Northland Wolf immediately let out a short howl, signaling the companions who had run behind the Hunters to retreat. It then led three Northland Wolves to charge from the front of the Hunters.

However, at the same time it launched the attack, a flash of Magic Power flickered in its eyes. Its gray-white wolf fur shuddered, then suddenly stood straight, becoming hard and suddenly taking on a metallic luster.

Each hair made a clinking sound as it ran, and the tree trunks it brushed against had a layer of hard bark scraped off. Even its three companions carefully avoided running alongside it, fearing they would be bumped and injured.

The commanding old Hunter was shocked: "What is that thing?!"

All the Hunters heard the sound and turned around, seeing the Northland Wolf with its hair standing straight, looking more like a hedgehog than a wolf, charging straight at them.