The howling of wolves echoed in succession, followed by the sound of numerous movements.
"Rustling, rustling…"
Even inside the force field, Natee and his friends could perceive things from the outside. The energy barrier created by the scripture allowed almost 100% of light and sound to pass through. This is why, when viewed from the inside, the barrier appeared transparent.
Conversely, more than 90% of the light and sound within the barrier were filtered out, making it difficult for those outside to see or hear what was inside. Those outside saw the force field like a mirror reflecting the surrounding landscape. Unless they observed carefully, they wouldn't even know the force field was in their vicinity.
Even so, Natee and his friends weren't careless. They knew that the force field's camouflage wasn't perfect. People or monsters with high accuracy stats could notice the abnormalities in the reflections, or even see through the barrier. Therefore, upon hearing the howling of wolves, Natee and his friends drew their weapons and prepared to fight immediately.
Nawa was very impressed with Ploy and her friends' teamwork. Just moments before, they were arguing fiercely, but when something unusual happened, they set aside their disagreements and joined hands, ready to fight instantly. This was clearly due to their immense trust in each other. And with all their training, they couldn't possibly do this.
"Five or six wolves are coming this way!" Mai shouted.
In the group, she had the highest accuracy stat. This stat made her vision incredibly efficient. Even on a moonless night with only faint starlight, Mai could see things within a hundred meters.
"How is that possible? The information said we still have at least two more days to travel to reach the wolf territory. How did they get here?" Somchai exclaimed.
"Mai, are you sure there are only that many?" Natee asked calmly, his eyes thoughtful.
When Mai nodded in confirmation, a sharp glint appeared in Natee's eyes, followed by a powerful surge of killing intent.
"What are you guys planning to do?" Nawa asked, seeing Natee and his friends about to go deal with the wolves.
"What a stupid question. Monsters came to us to be hunted, so we have to go deal with them!"
Somchai cursed at Nawa in frustration, but this time it wasn't just Somchai; Natee was equally displeased. The reason was that Nawa had interfered in the monster hunting, even though Natee was supposed to be in the support team.
Nawa's actions were considered extremely impolite in the player community.
"This isn't a support team matter. Your job is to wait here until we've dealt with all the wolves outside," Natee said in a stern, almost commanding tone.
But Nawa showed no sign of being intimidated. He simply replied in a normal but confident voice:
"If you go out now, you'll all die."
"Damn... you dare talk to us like that? Who do you think you are?" Somchai was about to lunge at Nawa, but Natee stopped him, then turned to speak to Nawa in a serious tone.
"What do you mean?"
"There aren't just a few mountain wolves outside, and now they've surrounded us on all sides." "If you guys go outside the force field, you'll be swarmed by them. It's like throwing meat into a crocodile pit," Nawa said with a more serious tone.
Although Nava's accuracy stats weren't as high as Natee's and friends', his senses were many times better. Combined with White Snake's ability to see through darkness as if it were daytime, Nava knew the situation well. The wolves had spread out, surrounding the area on all sides, and only a few wolves had been sent in as bait.
"How do you know?" Natee asked, narrowing his eyes and scrutinizing Nava.
Even though Natee was young, he was known as the most talented student in his year at Asashi Academy, a rare combat genius. His senses and instincts were far superior to ordinary people. If there were that many wolves, even if he couldn't see them, he should be able to sense their killing intent.
Nawa didn't intend to reveal his abilities, so he skipped straight to describing the current situation.
"The wolves that approached our camp are only a small part of the pack. Most of them are more than 500 meters away, and they're just observing. Their killing intent is therefore very weak."
"If what you say is true, it means your senses are superior to a warrior-class like me, and your eyesight is better than an assassin-class like mine, isn't that right?"
Natee spoke, trying to keep his voice as normal as possible, though he was seething inside. If it weren't for the critical situation and the fact that Nawa had just helped him and his friends, Natee would have challenged Nawa to a duel.
But even though Natee managed to control himself, not everyone could, especially Somchai, who looked up to Natee as an idol.
"Grrr… Natee is a genius, one in ten thousand, with a brain function level above 25% since the age of 18. If we only measure by senses…"
Even high-ranked players can't possibly compare to him. Who do you think you are to dare say you're superior?" Somchai yelled angrily.
Although brain function doesn't directly affect physical strength, it impacts other abilities that are just as important as physical stats, such as memory, senses, and mana control.
These factors allow players to utilize combat and other skills effectively, as well as enabling them to quickly learn and master various skills. One reason Natee has the most outstanding combat abilities in his year is because he has a brain function level of 25%, while most players only have brain function levels of 12.5 - 20 percent.
Although brain function levels can be increased with physical strength, the increase is very small. Even accumulating stats from Rank E to High Rank may only increase brain function by 1-2 percent.
Over the years, many people have tried to find ways to increase brain function levels, whether through surgery, medication, or even meditation, but none of these methods guarantee 100% results.
Except for using life-threatening combat skills. The evidence is that top-tier players with brain function levels exceeding 30% are all those who have extensively participated in life-threatening battles in The Oneness.
This is a key reason why Natee and his friends... Somchai decided to go monster hunting in The Oneness even though he had just finished his first year of university.
"Somchai, that's enough," Nathee said, reprimanding his friend, causing Somchai's face to contort with anger.
"Natee, are you really going to believe that guy's nonsense?" Somchai shouted, refusing to accept it.
Natee smiled slightly before speaking confidently.
"That's not it. We're going to deal with those wolves."
"Hahaha! That's the spirit, friend! Let's show them how formidable we are!"
Somchai said excitedly, tightening his grip on his weapon, ready for battle.
"If you guys plan to die, I can't stop you. But Ploy, you have to stay here," Nawa said, turning to look at Ploy with a fierce gaze.
"Brother Nawa," Ploy exclaimed, her voice filled with disapproval. Nawa ignored her and continued, his expression even more serious.
"Ploy, we promised each other that during this hunt, you would obey me in everything. Remember?"
"But I'm a Healer. If I don't join the fight, my friends will be in danger," Ploy said, her voice choked with sobs, tears welling up in her eyes.
Natee frowned, his expression difficult to decipher. He hadn't expected Ploy to make such a promise without telling him. Whether as the team leader or as a friend, it made Natee feel betrayed.
"Ploy, we won't force you on this. But if you don't join us on this hunt this time, you won't be one of the Four Heavenly Kings anymore."
Natee spoke with a decisive tone, deliberately pressuring Ploy to choose a side. Ploy turned to look at Natee, her face filled with a complex mix of emotions—anger, sadness, or perhaps both.
"Are you crazy? Kicking Hiller out of the team?" May shouted, clearly disagreeing.
"Natee, don't go that far. Ploy is still our friend," Somchai, who usually follows Natee around, also disagreed with kicking Ploy out of the team.
"I'm not kicking her out. I'm just offering Ploy a choice," Natee insisted. As the team leader, he couldn't give in to Ploy's demands.
Ploy, almost in tears, couldn't hold back her emotions under this pressure. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Nawa, seeing this, felt pain too, but he had no choice. Letting Ploy leave would be like letting her die.
Ploy walked towards Nawa, tears streaming down her face, but before she could say anything, a loud clash echoed from one side of the force field.
"Bang!"
"What happened?" Ploy exclaimed.
The pressure from a moment ago... "That was replaced by shock in an instant.
"Those wolves are attacking the force field!" Mai said, sweeping her gaze around the force field. She saw the pack of wolves leaping into the force field.
When the wolves collided with the force field, cracks resembling a spiderweb appeared in the energy barrier, spreading for several feet. But they soon disappeared, as the latest generation of force fields at the Asashi Institute could repair damage.
. The problem was, the mountain wolves didn't stop there. They got up again and immediately began leaping into the force field.
"Bang…bang," the sounds of impact continued incessantly.
"What is this?" Nathee exclaimed, his face clearly filled with worry.
Normally, when monsters come into contact with a force field, they feel like they're being electrocuted. Even if the electricity isn't strong enough to harm the monster, it still causes considerable pain.
Most monsters would then run away. But these wolves didn't run away; instead, they attacked continuously, ignoring the pain completely.
"Looks like they're starting to act. Remember, as long as you guys don't go outside…"
"The area surrounded by the sacred thread will keep you safe," Nawa repeated, his voice serious.
Somchai looked at Nawa with a contemptuous gaze before speaking:
"What are you talking about? These wolves are just stupid monsters that charge their heads into the force field even though they know it's useless. Natee, let's deal with them. Leave the cowards behind."
Natee remained silent, so Somchai continued:
"Opportunities like this don't come easily. Wolves are so close to our camp. If there's any danger, we can just return to the force field. What else is there to worry about?"
"Listen, these wolves aren't stupid. Especially their pack leader, who's a high-level, intelligent monster. If you don't believe me, look over there."
Nawa spoke seriously, pointing his finger in a distant direction. When Natee and his friends looked in that direction, their eyes widened in shock.