The battle against the level 5 dark magic wolf had been raging for what felt like hours, though it had probably been only minutes. Zhou Bai and Zhou Zhengping were both wounded and exhausted, but they refused to give up.
The enhanced weapons had made a significant difference, but the wolf was still incredibly resilient.
【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 420/800】
“We’re halfway there!” Zhou Bai panted, dodging another swipe from the massive creature.
Around the territory, the tide of battle was slowly turning. With their enhanced weapons, the residents were finally able to effectively fight back against the smaller wolves. Li Xingteng’s team had managed to clear out several of the level 3 and 4 wolves, and were now moving to support other areas.
But the pack leader’s aura was still affecting the remaining wolves, keeping them coordinated and fierce.
“We need to finish this!” Zhou Zhengping said, his breathing labored. “The weapon enhancement won’t last much longer!”
Zhou Bai checked her interface. Only three minutes left on the enhancement.
The level 5 wolf seemed to sense their urgency and became even more aggressive. It used its Shadow Step ability repeatedly, appearing and disappearing around them, making it nearly impossible to predict its attacks.
“I have an idea,” Zhou Bai said suddenly. “But it’s risky.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going to use the last of our territory points to activate the emergency barrier around just this area. It’ll trap us in with the wolf, but it’ll also prevent it from escaping or using its full mobility.”
Zhou Zhengping looked at his daughter with pride and concern. “That’s… actually brilliant. But if we can’t kill it before the barrier fails…”
“Then we die together,” Zhou Bai said grimly. “But at least the others will have a chance to regroup.”
She activated the emergency localized barrier, spending her remaining 156 territory points.
【Emergency Containment Barrier Activated】 【Duration: 5 minutes】 【Area: 10-meter radius】
A shimmering dome of energy surrounded Zhou Bai, Zhou Zhengping, and the level 5 dark magic wolf. The creature immediately tested the barrier with its claws, but found it impenetrable.
Now it was truly trapped with them.
“No escape for any of us,” Zhou Bai said, raising her spear.
The wolf’s eyes blazed with fury as it realized what had happened. It let out a deafening howl and charged directly at Zhou Bai.
But in the confined space, its size worked against it. Zhou Bai was able to dodge more easily, and Zhou Zhengping could attack from the side without worrying about the wolf escaping.
Their coordinated attacks became more effective. Zhou Bai would draw the wolf’s attention with feints and quick strikes, while Zhou Zhengping delivered powerful blows with his enhanced axe.
【Damage dealt: 48】 【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 372/800】
【Damage dealt: 52】 【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 320/800】
The wolf was becoming desperate. Its attacks grew wilder but less accurate. In its fury, it left itself open to more counterattacks.
“Two minutes left on the weapons!” Zhou Zhengping called out.
“And three minutes on the barrier!” Zhou Bai replied.
They had a narrow window to finish this.
The wolf seemed to understand its predicament. It stopped its wild attacks and began to gather shadows around itself, preparing for one final, devastating assault.
“It’s charging up something big!” Zhou Bai warned.
The creature’s Darkness Manipulation ability reached its peak. Shadows coalesced around its claws and fangs, making them appear to extend far beyond their physical reach.
“Whatever it’s planning, we can’t let it complete the attack!” Zhou Zhengping said.
Both father and daughter charged simultaneously. Zhou Bai aimed her spear at the wolf’s throat while Zhou Zhengping brought his axe down toward its skull.
The wolf’s shadow-enhanced claws swept toward them both, but they were committed to their attack.
Zhou Bai’s spear found its mark first, piercing deep into the creature’s throat.
【Critical Hit! Damage dealt: 78】 【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 242/800】
Zhou Zhengping’s axe followed a split second later, biting deep into the wolf’s skull.
【Critical Hit! Damage dealt: 85】 【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 157/800】
But the wolf’s attack also connected. Its shadow-enhanced claws raked across both of them.
Zhou Bai felt searing pain as the claws tore through her leather armor and into her side.
【Zhou Bai HP: 25/120】
Zhou Zhengping took an even worse hit, the claws catching him across the chest.
【Zhou Zhengping HP: 15/95】
Both were critically wounded, but the wolf was also on its last legs. It staggered, dark blood pouring from its throat and head wounds.
“One more hit!” Zhou Bai gasped, struggling to stay upright.
But the weapon enhancement chose that moment to expire. Their weapons returned to normal power.
The wolf, despite its wounds, managed one final attack. It lunged at Zhou Bai with its remaining strength.
Zhou Zhengping, seeing his daughter in mortal danger, threw himself between them. The wolf’s fangs sank deep into his shoulder, but he managed to drive his axe into its heart.
【Damage dealt: 35】 【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 122/800】
Still not enough!
Zhou Bai, seeing her father’s sacrifice, found strength she didn’t know she had. With a cry of rage and desperation, she drove her spear with all her remaining power into the wolf’s eye, penetrating deep into its brain.
【Critical Hit! Damage dealt: 122】 【Dark Magic Wolf HP: 0/800】
The massive creature shuddered once and then collapsed, its body dissolving into particles of light.
【Level 5 Dark Magic Wolf Defeated!】 【Experience Gained: 500】 【Zhou Bai Level Up! Level 4 → Level 5】 【Items Dropped: Dark Wolf Pelt (Epic), Shadow Fang (Rare), Wolf Leader’s Claw (Rare)】
The containment barrier flickered and disappeared. Around the territory, the remaining wolves, no longer coordinated by their pack leader’s aura, began to flee into the night.
Zhou Bai collapsed beside her father, who was breathing heavily but alive.
“Dad! Are you okay?”
“I’ll… I’ll live,” Zhou Zhengping managed to say. “You did it, Xiao Bai. You saved everyone.”
Li Xingteng and several other residents came running over, having finished dealing with the remaining wolves.
“The pack leader is dead!” Li Xingteng announced. “The remaining wolves are retreating!”
Cheers erupted throughout the territory, but they were subdued by the sight of the wounded and the knowledge of what they had lost.
Zhou Bai looked around at her territory. Several buildings were damaged, and they had lost three residents in the battle. Many others were wounded.
But they had survived. Hope Village had endured its first major crisis.
As dawn broke over the territory, Zhou Bai stood among her people, bloodied but unbowed. The apocalypse had tested them, and they had proven their strength.
“We’ll rebuild,” she said quietly, her voice carrying to everyone present. “We’ll make Hope Village stronger than ever. This is our home, and we’ll defend it no matter what comes.”
The residents, despite their exhaustion and grief, nodded with determination. They had found something worth fighting for in this harsh new world.
Hope Village would endure.
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