Eventually, under the unslaught of Captain and the rest of the team. The wolves began to relent and no longer attacked with the same fervor and ferocity as before.
Instead, slowly they began to retreat. Maybe it was because of the hundreds of dead wolves that filled the empty canyon. Or because of the brutal slaughter of Grey and the Captain as they watched each other's back and attack with madness. Or maybe it was simply both.
But slowly and surely, they stopped coming and instead ran away from the group now. With the pressure significantly lessened. The team took a few minutes killing the rest of the lingering wolves.
Immediately after the battle, Greg laid down on the floor in exasperation. He wasn't the only one who decided to rest by lying on the blood colored ground. Zuro, as well was on the floor.
His entire person covered in blood. Most of them his while the rest was from the wolves he had slaughtered.
And he wasn't the only one that was wounded. Grey had several injuries as well. Including Luo, the two other guys and captain.
Although his and the captain were less than the rest of the team despite them fighting the upcoming horde themselves.
"Haha, what a show kid. You did well, I can't believe you are a battle maniac like this." The man named Trojan said as he sat down near a puddle of blood.
Scrunched his nose because of the smell but the unwavering smile never left his face. The rest of the cohort looked over and each of them had an expression of approval on their faces.
Even the gaze the Captain used to look at him was much softer now.
"Hehe, if you are this strong now I wonder how strong you'll be in the future. You'll truly shock the world." Zuro stood up and patted Grey on his shoulder.
But because of how big his hand was, he covered Grey's shoulder entirely.
Grey's face flushed red because of the praise he was receiving. But he didn't know what to respond, so he nodded his head and said.
"En."
Zuro smiled lightly and he stood up. With this performance of his, they had now truly accepted him as a member of their team and the look they gave the Captain was one of respect.
After cleaning themselves and putting some wolf meat into their storage bag, Zuro ran up to the captain and said.
"How did you know?"
"How did I know what?"
"Don't try and play dumb with me! I've been with you the longest and know that you don't do things anyhow. How did you know the boy was this strong? Is this why you asked him to follow you?" Zuro bombarded the Captain with questions.
"I don't know what you're talking about." The Captain said at first then paused before saying.
"I asked him to join us because I like the color of his hair." The captain said and then walked off. His gaze was still cool and calm like he hadn't given the most stupidest answer yet.
Zuro stood there stunned for several seconds before he got himself. "Like the color of his hair my foot! What kind of lie is that?" Zuro said but didn't go to the captain to confirm. Despite what the captain said, he still believed him... Somewhat.
Grey was oblivious to this as his entire face was flushed red by the rest of the cohort's praises. It was hard to find people as young as him and who were so strong. So naturally they had to give praise where it was due.
Luo was ruffling his hair and saying. "Aww, you're so cuts and strong. Every woman's dream. I bet I know a girl who would be interested in you..." She kept on saying as she ruffled his grey hair.
Grey wanted to take her hands off him. But she was too fast and strong. Just as he thought he would die of embarrassment, the Captain cleared his throat and said to everyone.
"That was nice work. We originally came here to hunt for food. But with the number of wolves we killed, I'd say we have more than enough. So we can start heading back now." The Captain said.
Everyone's expression was downcast. They had only gotten to the corroded zone and now they were leaving. Their objective was complete but no one argued with the Captain.
After all, no matter how much they fought today. The wolves were one of the weakest creatures here in the corroded zone. They were many more creatures that could overwhelm them instantly if they were not careful.
Like for example bizarre existences. Any one of them could mean death for each and everyone of the cohort. Including the Captain. So as much as they were downcast, they were still happy to be leaving the corroded zone earlier than they planned.
On their way out, Grey took out a medicinal pill and threw it in his mouth. The deacy point on his hand had become more painful after fighting the wolves.
As one exhausted the spirit energy in their body, they would unconsciously absorb more from the surroundings. And because they had been focused on their battles instead of their decay points on their bodies, it had skyrocketed and was nearing the mutation level.
As Grey and everyone else popped a pill, Grey noticed his wounds had already started healing a long time ago. But he forcefully suppressed the healing of the purple crystal.
He wouldn't want anyone to know the awesome healing prowess of the purple crystal. So he would fake it for some time and when he was alone, he would fully heal himself.
Maybe it was because if the smell of blood emanating from each and every single one of them, or because of the baleful aura they released, they were not approached by mutated creatures and got to the edge of the corroded zone before the sun had set.
Because of the red clouds in the sky, it was hard to tell the time. They camped some certain distance from the corroded zone and made a fire to roast the meat they got from the wolves.