Inside the 7-star gate, the air was thick with warping magic and unnatural silence. The sky above was dusky red, casting long eerie shadows across cracked stone paths and monstrous trees.
The five 7-star hunters led their formations through the foreign terrain. Hundreds of elite 6-star and 5-star hunters split into five divisions, each commander leading a charge toward the thick, darkened forest ahead.
Suddenly—howls.
From the edges of the forest, dozens, then hundreds of humanoid wolves burst forth, eyes glowing red, fangs bared. Their speed blurred, their claws glimmered with cursed energy.
"Wolves incoming!" Alek barked, unsheathing his greatblade. "Form squads! Don't scatter!"
Dmitri raised a fist, his aura surging. "Shields up!"
Maks flicked his wrist, sending a slicing gust forward. "Cut the front lines—suppress the forward charge!"
As the wolves leapt forward, the hunters met them with coordinated fury.
Lena soared into the air on levitating glyphs, summoning dozens of golden javelins that pierced through enemy ranks. "Light Shower!"
Niko laughed, his dual pistols humming with blue energy as he shot down wolf after wolf. "Come on, you furballs! Bet you've never seen laser rounds!"
Alek roared and slammed the ground with his blade, creating shockwaves that sent wolves flying.
On the far right, Alisa stepped forward, calm as ever.
She didn't flinch. She didn't blink.
She simply raised her hand—and the temperature dropped instantly.
Frost erupted from her body. In seconds, a wave of subzero magic swept forward, freezing an entire horde of wolves mid-leap.
"They're... ice sculptures," one hunter whispered in awe.
Another nudged his partner. "She's so strong… we don't even have to lift a finger."
"She's also hot," someone muttered, blushing. "Like… in the coldest way. I would absolutely risk everything for a date with her."
Alisa ignored them completely, staring forward. "Clear the rest," she said. "This is just noise."
Within minutes, the hunters overwhelmed the wolf swarm.
"Too easy," someone whispered.
"Can't be a 7-star dungeon," another muttered. "Feels like a 3 or 4-star at most."
---
Meanwhile, at home, Max's mother and Yelena watched the live broadcast.
"Thank God Max isn't there," Yelena sighed in relief. "They've got it under control."
His mother nodded softly. "He promised… no unnecessary risks."
---
Inside the dungeon, the 7-star hunters regrouped using long-range communications.
"All forward packs have retreated," said Dmitri over the comm. "No casualties. But they ran toward the cave system."
"Same here," Maks replied. "It's like they vanished on purpose."
"They're gathering," Alisa said flatly. "Let's follow and finish this."
They converged near the mouth of a massive cave.
Inside, the wolves gathered in silence. The largest among them—a massive black creature with crimson eyes—stood by an ancient door. It whispered a chant.
The stone gate cracked open, revealing an empty throne atop a raised platform.
And then—a shadow descended over the hall.
A massive wolf, larger than all others, stepped from the black.
Its eyes glowed red, and when it spoke—its voice rumbled like an avalanche.
"So. Humans come. Tell me… what is the test of mankind?"
---
Outside, Sunny leaned back, watching the broadcast.
"They've got this," he murmured. "No need to bother Max…"
Then Niko frowned, eyes narrowing. Something prickled his instincts.
"Dmitri," he said quietly, "wait. There's—"
Suddenly, the massive wolf struck. A blur of darkness. Blood sprayed.
Dmitri flew back, crashing into a stone pillar, blood trailing behind.
"Dmitri!" Maks shouted.
The beast bared its fangs. Its aura crushed the air.
Alisa fired ice spears—one, two, a dozen. The wolf dodged them all, moving like a phantom.
Lena cast a chain of holy fire. The wolf passed through it like mist and tore into three nearby hunters.
It was untouchable.
It wasn't just fast—it predicted them. Learned them.
One by one, the hunters fell back. Only Alisa remained, cold blue light dancing in her eyes.
"So you're the strongest bitch 's heir?" the wolf snarled, words twisted with malice. "Then die here."
He lunged—Alisa barely dodged, ice cresting beneath her feet.
"You can talk," she muttered.
The battle exploded.
Alisa moved like wind, her sword trailing frost arcs. The wolf danced around her attacks, countering with monstrous force. Claws and fangs met freezing steel. Craters formed beneath their steps. The cave shook.
Alisa slashed across his cheek—blood spilled.
The wolf growled and tackled her, smashing her into a wall. He bit down—tasting blood.
He paused.
A strange shiver ran through him.
"Ooo… human blood."
He smiled. A cruel, wild grin.
"I like this."
With a roar, he tossed Alisa aside and sprinted past.
"Wait!" she shouted, struggling to rise. "We're not finished!"
He ignored her.
Far above, he could smell it now.
Humans.
Millions of them.
Food.
---
Wolves poured from side tunnels. Dozens, maybe hundreds. Alisa turned, eyes narrowing.
She raised her blade.
"Form a wall! Everyone move!"
She covered the retreat as the remaining hunters regrouped.
"We need to warn the others. Evacuate—immediately!"
---
Back at the presidential emergency office, the Russian President sat in silence, watching the screen. The broadcast had gone dark.
He whispered, barely audible.
"It's over…"
Then—the doors creaked open.
The room turned.
There, standing in the hallway—was the wolf.
Blood dripping from his claws. Behind him—an army of monsters.
He licked his fangs.
"So much food."