novelraw Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166: Zakarin (4)
Whenever Evan devised a plan, those who followed him always harbored doubts deep within.
Yet, in the end, they trusted him.
No matter his methods, he always produced the best outcomes, and he was the one who saw his will through to the end, no matter the hardship.
“We need to leave this place.”
But this time, the situation was entirely different.
Even setting aside being surrounded by werewolves, the being standing before them now was the wolf god Fenrir.
No matter how much they racked their brains, there seemed no way to escape the grasp of that colossal wolf.
“He’s lost it…”
“No wonder he paid so much.”
“…”
“Princess, I don’t think I can keep my promise.”
Each of them mulled over escape plans in their minds, but the conclusion was the same.
They would all meet their end under Fenrir’s claws.
Thus, the group muttered with grim expressions.
But Evan was different.
His demeanor and posture remained steadfast and unshaken throughout, as if he already knew how to safely escape this place.
Intrigued by this, perhaps, Fenrir lowered its body, its massive golden eyes fixed on Evan.
“I never said I’d let you go easily.”
“Even so, I must go.”
Fenrir’s forepaw moved slowly.
Even its smallest claw was larger than Evan’s body.
The overwhelming pressure suggested that a single swipe could obliterate him without a trace.
“Do you think you can defeat me?”
“I cannot win. That’s why I’m asking you to let us go.”
Evan met Fenrir’s gaze head-on, speaking boldly without retreating an inch.
“If you do… I will bring you what you desire.”
“What I desire?”
A curious glint appeared in Fenrir’s eyes.
Evan seized the moment and pressed forward.
“I mean I’ll exact the price from the one who dared wound the wolf god and ravaged the Zakarin Tribe.”
The wolf god, Fenrir.
It bore another title: the god of vengeance.
‘Stabbed by Delken’s Fang, forced to focus solely on recovery. With countless tribe members slaughtered… even Fenrir must be burning with vengeance.’
Evan saw through this precisely.
Fenrir must be seething with a desire for revenge against the Empire.
And right now, Evan was offering to carry out that vengeance in its stead.
“I, too, have a debt to settle with that man.”
“Hmm… So, we share a common goal, and you’re asking for cooperation.”
“Not cooperation.”
Evan calmly shook his head.
“Just let us go. I will surely bring a brutal death to those Imperials. Isn’t that the true vengeance you, the wolf god, desire?”
“Vengeance…”
A sharp, chilling smile slowly spread across Fenrir’s lips.
“Your words sound as if I cannot handle the Empire myself.”
Fenrir’s voice dropped low and menacing.
“That’s not what I mean. If you, the wolf god, took action, you could surely achieve vengeance. But facing the entire Empire would surely harm you. You might even face a danger like Delken’s Fang again. You know this, which is why you’ve stayed passive until now, haven’t you?”
The sweet allure of vengeance hid a deadly risk.
Evan pinpointed this sharply.
‘Even if Fenrir is called a god, it’s not immortal. If the Empire unleashed its full might, even Fenrir couldn’t guarantee survival.’
No matter how powerful Fenrir was as the mightiest being on land, no matter how frail humans seemed in comparison, humans had dominated the continent thus far.
They had defeated the evil dragon and subdued monsters of its caliber—that was what humans were.
Evan’s words carried the implication that human strength shouldn’t be underestimated, and he was prepared to bear that danger himself.
“You speak sweet words, human.”
Soon, Fenrir nodded slowly, accepting Evan’s proposal.
Not only was there nothing wrong with his words, but there was also no downside for Fenrir.
“Very well. If you’re willing to stain your hands with blood in my stead, I have no reason to refuse.”
“Thank—”
Before Evan could bow and continue, Fenrir interrupted.
“But I can’t just let you go. At the very least, I must confirm if you’re worthy of carrying out my vengeance.”
“You mean… you’ll test us?”
“Exactly. If you can defeat our Zakarin Tribe’s warriors, then I’ll reconsider.”
As soon as those words fell, a warrior stepped forward from the werewolf pack.
“Chief! Then I’ll face this human. I’ll see for myself if he’s strong enough to face the Empire!”
Baring its wolfish fangs, the warrior approached Evan confidently.
A thick hand roughly landed on Evan’s shoulder.
“Well, what do you say?”
But in that moment,
―Thud!
Evan’s elbow struck the warrior’s abdomen dead-on.
The unexpected blow made the werewolf’s eyes widen.
“Guh…!”
As the werewolf doubled over in pain, Evan didn’t hesitate, raising his arm high.
―Boom!!!
The next moment, his elbow slammed down, striking the warrior’s nape precisely.
The werewolf collapsed helplessly to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Just two blows.
That was enough to bring the warrior down, motionless.
A stunned silence fell over the werewolf pack.
Evan slowly stood upright.
His eyes held no trace of the earlier wavering or tension.
Only deep, sharp resolve surged within them.
He looked directly into Fenrir’s golden eyes.
“Is this enough to prove my worth?”
Fenrir’s lips parted slowly.
Its massive fangs were fully exposed, and its gleaming eyes fixed solely on Evan.
It was unmistakably a smile.
But it was a cruel, chilling smile that sent shivers down everyone’s spines.
That smile clearly showed why Fenrir was called the god of vengeance.
“I expected as much, but to hide such strength. No, perhaps it’s more accurate to say you hid your true nature.”
Fenrir’s low, resonant voice carried a mix of admiration and intrigue.
Evan wasn’t naturally gifted with overwhelming strength or dazzling speed.
Yet, he could subdue a werewolf, whose physical prowess far surpassed his, with just two attacks because of his technique.
Knowledge of human weaknesses, gained through countless blood-soaked battles.
And mastery of vital points, thoroughly learned from one once called a war god.
These two combined made Evan unmatched in the art of killing.
And since werewolves, being a blend of human and beast, had vital points not so different from humans, they were defenseless against Evan.
“That weak humans have surpassed dragons, vampires, and our wolves to rule this continent is likely because of beings like you.”
Fenrir seemed immersed in complex emotions, observing a human pursuing strength in a way entirely different from its own kind.
Meanwhile, Evan’s group, watching from behind, didn’t voice it but shared the same thought.
We’re done for.
Knocking out a werewolf warrior in front of the wolf god—
the outcome seemed obvious.
…Or so they thought, but reality defied expectations.
Fenrir, with a strange sense of satisfaction, spoke graciously to Evan.
“Human. What is your name?”
“Evan Lafard, from the Kaien Kingdom across the sea.”
“I see. That’s why you don’t smell like an Imperial. To think such strength exists beyond the continent. The world is vast.”
Unexpectedly, Fenrir burst into laughter, praising Evan.
“I’m no match for the wolf god.”
“Too much humility. With your true skill, you could have an interesting match with me.”
“The outcome wouldn’t change. I’d lose.”
“The process matters as much as the outcome, like that fight just now.”
As Fenrir’s demeanor turned completely favorable, the surrounding werewolves exchanged glances and nodded.
But the relaxed atmosphere was short-lived.
Fenrir’s expression grew serious again.
“But do you believe your comrades share your caliber?”
“I believe they do. Even if they don’t, I’m confident I can achieve vengeance alone.”
“I don’t think so. I acknowledge your skill, but there are things humans cannot achieve alone.”
At the cryptic remark, Evan made a guess and asked.
“Does that include vengeance?”
“You could say that.”
“Is there something I don’t know?”
“You don’t know? That’s possible. You came straight here from across the sea, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I don’t yet know the current state of the Empire.”
“Your reaction suggests you truly don’t.”
Fenrir, with a meaningful tone, shared news Evan hadn’t known.
“The Empire is currently waging war against the entire continent.”
“What?”
“Such chaos could be a good opportunity for vengeance, but the one who started the war will likely hide deep, making it even harder to kill him.”
Evan was shocked by Fenrir’s words.
“War? Since when? There were no signs of it before we set sail.”
“Well, it hasn’t been long. About ten days, perhaps?”
According to Fenrir, the war had only recently begun.
Evan was thrown by the sudden revelation of the continent’s chaotic state.
War declared? That cautious coward?
The Emperor Tarkin, always meticulous and careful, starting a war
meant he had a hidden card guaranteeing victory.
Though Evan couldn’t immediately discern what that card was,
it was clear, as Fenrir said, that vengeance against the Empire had become far more difficult.
Even in peacetime, he’s always heavily guarded. In wartime, that protection would be doubled. Damn it!
Fenrir looked at Evan’s complex expression and spoke.
“Thus, I must thoroughly assess all your abilities before deciding.”