Lang and Karen weren’t the first werewolves to sneak down after Little Blue—they were the third wave.
The first two groups, now locked up with Little Blue, sat in confinement.
Two burly old wolves stepped forward, pinning Lang and Karen by the shoulders.
Karen didn’t resist or flinch. Her wolf eyes locked on the clan elder, voice loud for all to hear:
“Wolfgang was right—the outside’s a million times better than this cramped hole! You old fossils can rot here if you want, I don’t care! But you think you can cage me? Can you cage every young wolf? What’s your plan? Kill everyone who’s been out? Lock us up forever? I’m telling you, the second I’m free, I’m gone again! And I won’t come back! Not just me—every wolf who leaves won’t return! When that happens, will you old bones chase us down?”
Bang!
A heavy fist smashed Karen’s face, knocking a bloody fang loose.
The furious old wolf glared, but Karen just spat blood and shot him a careless glance.
That set him off. As more fists rose, his claw was caught by an older, equally strong hand.
“Elder?” The angry wolf looked confused but stepped back, obeying.
“Karen, we stay here to await the Demon King’s return. It’s our sacred duty. Leaving betrays him,” the clan elder said.
Their eyes met. Karen saw no rage in his gaze—just pain, helplessness, and a hint of pleading.
His complex look made her pause, but her fierce will and thirst for freedom crushed any pity. “That’s not every wolf’s duty! It’s yours, you old wolves’ obsession! The Demon King? We never saw him at birth! When humans killed our parents, where was he? Even now, where is he? Some in the clan grumble about him, but I don’t. He’s got nothing to do with me! Loyalty? Don’t make me laugh!”
As if expecting her words, the elder’s last spark faded. He stepped back silently.
“You dare mock the Demon King? You should be torn apart!” some old wolves roared, lunging for her.
The elder raised a hand, stopping them. He even signaled to release Lang and Karen.
Soon, Little Blue and the other six young wolves were brought out, joining them.
“Go,” the elder’s voice was heavy. “Don’t come back.”
“Elder! You can’t let them go! The young wolves will—”
“Anyone else who wants to leave,” the elder scanned the crowd, “go with them. I won’t stop you… can’t stop you.”
His gaze settled on Karen. “You’re right, Karen. Waiting for the Demon King is my duty. I’ll stay with those who share it until we die. You? Leave. Never return. Next time we meet, I’ll rip your throat out.”
The young wolves exchanged glances, murmuring.
In the end, besides the nine who’d gone down, three more gritted their teeth and stepped forward.
The clan had far more young wolves, many curious about the outside, but most lacked Karen’s resolve to change their fate.
Twelve wolves, under countless mixed stares, were forever banished from their lifelong home on level ten.
Half a day later, Karen’s figure reappeared in the Fire Demon’s cavern.
Norris and Qióng were gone.
The three new young wolves gawked, marveling at everything.
Little Blue’s jaw dropped, glancing at the empty stairs behind, then at Karen’s calm face, pointing at himself, baffled. “Wait… what? I’m banished?”
He’d planned to sneak down again after confinement! Now, the chance came knocking, no sneaking needed.
Karen crossed her arms, too lazy to explain.
A Puffshroom flapped over, landing on Little Blue’s furry head.
He sniffed—yep, that familiar scent with a slight twist.
Moments later, he told the others, “Big Mushroom asks if we’re in a tough spot. Says we can visit its Mushroom Garden!”
“How do you talk to it?” a wolf asked, curious.
“Like this!” Little Blue parted his chest fur, revealing gray-white mycelium woven into his flesh.
To these lifelong level-ten wolves, “parasite” was a foreign concept. They crowded around, amazed, asking how to get this “talking trick” and wanting one too.
All were eager when approved.
Lin Jun didn’t rush to bond them. Through Little Blue, he led the wolves to settle in the Mushroom Garden, saving other matters for later.
Twelve wolves.
Far fewer than Lin Jun expected.
He’d hoped to pull at least half the clan—over a hundred!
Thanks to the elder and… Karen.
The original plan was to let freedom’s allure spread quietly, letting wolves see the outside’s wonders through “trips.”
Once most young wolves were hooked, he’d push them to bring more clanmates along.
But Karen, fierce and bold, sparked it early.
The elder, just as decisive, banished all rebellious wolves, snuffing out the “dangerous idea’s” spread.
This harsh move spooked restless but timid wolves, curbing their urge to explore.
Long-term, it wouldn’t stop the tide.
Short-term, it stalled Lin Jun’s plan to absorb the clan.
He wasn’t mad, though.
Quite the opposite—it was fun!
As he pushed his plan, the other side fought back, struggling in such a raw, messy way… that struggle was part of Lin Jun’s thrill.
(End of Chapter)
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