Swamp Wolves

“Do you know how lucky I was to grab this quest from the board? If I were two seconds late, everyone would be swarming! Though if I knew what it was, I’d smash those losers away! In other words, you were always destined to join this quest no matter what!”

The gruff, booming voice is from Lev, the tanky member of Marigold’s party. He has features of a lion, but Kitezh never asked to confirm. She trusts he is both beastly and agile like one, especially when going up against a group of beasts. With his brute strength, his main weapon of choice are a pair of brass knuckles.

“And I’m glad you did. Kitezh is a hottie! It’s always the miracle girls that look the most perfect. Maybe try without the helmet when we’re getting a drink. Oh, I’m not implying I only like your lower body.”

The failure trying to woo Kitezh is Frigyes. He is a blend of thing, utilizing magic and weapons to an acceptable level. He is very quick-minded, except when it comes to talking to girls. In any situation, he can turn any item into a weapon. He has been practicing his technique with things in his bag while we were on the train. He prefers using a spear as his weapon of choice. His lanky build and light armor were specifically made for his skill set.

Finally, Marigold is the mage of the group. She says she has useful magic for healing and offense. Kitezh didn’t dive deep into her skills. Kitezh only had to one thing to ask Marigold:

“How do you put up with Frigyes’s dumbass flirting?”

Marigold twirled to have her perky face pointing at me.

“Oh, you think I have difficulty putting up with him? No, it’s the opposite. These guys are the ones forced to put up with me! They were really desperate for a mage who could heal.”

Marigold twirled to my side again. “But don’t worry! I treat his comments like I’m his little sister!”

“Yeah, as cute a she is, I prefer an older woman with big boobs,” Frigyes cuts in.

“You’re calling me old?” sighed Kitezh.

“Yeah, and you’re boobs and butt will age just right… Oh! And of course your face too!” fumbled Frigyes.

“Marigold, shut up!” shouted Lev.

“I wasn’t the one ta-“

SMACK!

Kitezh was lucky to have kept her mouth shut on time. Lev slammed his head on the ground.

Kitezh and the party were at the riverbank of the small town of Mala Raka. Kitezh looked around. Her eyes were set on the large white stone bastion up ahead that lay parallel to the river. The main street of the town had several markets with people crowding.

Lev suddenly gets up.

“Kitezh and others, huddle. Make us invisible now!”

Before Kitezh could response, Lev bearhugged, or lionhugged, everyone around him.

“G-Give me a moment. Ahk! Stop squeezing me!”

Lev didn’t let go, but Kitezh managed to turn herself and her party invisible. Kitezh made sure to explain how her powers work. Anything she is in contact with, she can spread her invisible veil on them. The veil can cover most things, but only at a surface level. If an invisible layer is lifted, the underlying surface is exposed. Additionally, Kitezh can spread her invisibility to objects and weapons as well, even when others are holding on to them.

Once everyone could see nothing but the ground, Lev backed off and everyone stumbled back a bit.

“The bastion looks like a pretty spot to return if we can’t locate one another! Oh, but I’m going to ride the horse statue, so make sure you touch that if you can’t find me!” cheered Marigold.

“Hold up, we’re going to farm to first to stop the invasion, right? We ain’t just doing some ghost mission. I want people knowing I saved them!” boasted Frigyes.

“Great, you can start right now!” responded Lev.

“AAAAAAAAAH!”

Screams suddenly shrilled from the distance. A cloud of dust formed. Deep growls were heard from the distant, as well as the pattering of paws. They were the swamp wolves.

“Did we get here too late? I thought that jerk at the guild told us they would get to the farms around 7am. I hate waking up earlier, but come on, this is ridiculous,” said Frigyes. Kitezh couldn’t see it, but she could tell he was reaching for his spear from the way he talked.

Three large sickening wolves flew from the crowd of dust. They were the size of the buildings themselves. Their fur was dark green as if covered in algae. In fact, it almost glistened like fish scales.

The part that caught her eyes the most were their teeth. From the name alone, you expect a menacing wolf, but their mouth almost looked like it belonged to a crocodile. It was long and full of jagged teeth, yet still resembled the snout of a canine.

“They must have already destroyed the farms! They’re after the people of town now!” yelled Marigold.

The wolves began charging through. They destroyed every cart and market stand in their path. One could easily demolish a building if he wanted to.

People were scattering in their sight. However, instead of chasing individuals one by one, they bolted straight down the street. The most that they did was kick people off to the side. Not a single one tried to swallow them, despite how easy it is to snatch one with their large jaws. They were like incoming monstrous trains driving through a straight path.

“They’re not attacking the people? Are they just using this town as a fun playground?”

Kitezh thought for a moment. The wolves already destroyed the farms? It was not possible, as her team got to the town as early as possible, before the estimated time of their wolves’ arrival. Even if they are subjects of the demon lord, they couldn’t have destroyed the farms that quickly.

The wolves must’ve avoided the farms and headed for the town first. But, they aren’t attacking the citizens. Where are they going?

Kitezh finally remembered the words.

Bring Kitezh the Invisible Phenomenon.

“They’re headed straight to me!” exclaimed Kitezh.