Chapter 35 – Mission with Doni

The Eastern City Guild Hall was even busier than usual that morning. Adventurers came and went in a constant flow, and the mission board was overflowing with fresh contracts.

Zareen stood in front of the board, carefully reading through the requirements.

> **Mission: Stop the Steel Wolf Attack in the Black Forest.**

> *Minimum Party Size: 4 Members.*

He glanced back at his new party. Yuna sat upright with a serious expression, Sari stretched lazily in her chair, and Doni—finally accepted into the team—was polishing his bow while humming cheerfully.

“Steel wolves, huh…” Zareen muttered. “Their hides are tough. We’ll need steady damage to bring them down.”

Yuna nodded. “I can hold the front line. Sari can go for the throat. Doni will provide ranged support.”

Sari grinned, pointing at Zareen. “And you, Zareen, you’re our battery. Don’t let our HP drop.”

Zareen patted his chest confidently. “Don’t worry. That’s my specialty.”

---

### A New Party Dynamic

The trip to the Black Forest took half a day. During the entire journey, Doni would not stop talking.

“You guys know, right? My Meteor Rain Shot once wiped out an entire line of orcs in one go! Yeah, I was soloing back then, but if there had been an audience, it would’ve been legendary!”

Zareen just nodded along, not sure how to respond.

Sari turned her head, chuckling. “Hey, Zareen, you look like you’re suffering.”

Zareen leaned closer and whispered, “He… hasn’t stopped talking since we left.”

Yuna, who was walking at the front, suddenly said flatly, “If your mouth keeps running, Doni, you’ll run out of stamina before the fight even starts.”

Doni froze for a moment, then laughed awkwardly. “Heh… yeah, yeah, I get it.”

Zareen nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it in. Deep down, he admitted Yuna really did have a talent for shutting people up.

---

### The Steel Wolves Appear

At last, the Black Forest came into view. The trees were tall and thick, their canopy blocking most of the light, and the air was damp and heavy.

Suddenly, a loud howl echoed through the forest. From the underbrush, a pack of massive wolves emerged, their metallic-gray hides gleaming like polished armor. Their teeth flashed in the dim light, eyes glowing red.

“Six… no, eight of them,” Sari whispered.

Yuna unsheathed her sword. “Formation. I’ll take point.”

The wolves charged. Yuna intercepted two at once, sparks flying as their fangs struck her armor.

Sari darted to the side, landing a precise stab into the soft spot under one wolf’s belly.

Doni took position at the rear, pulling his bow. “Target locked… Multi Arrow!”

Three arrows shot through the air, striking two other wolves with precision.

Zareen raised his staff. “Barrier for Yuna! Heal for Sari! Attack Buff for Doni!”

A lavender glow enveloped them all. Zareen could feel just how critical his support role was to keeping the team together.

---

### A Bit of Comedy

One of the wolves slipped through the front line and lunged at Zareen.

“Ah—!?” Zareen yelped, panicked.

Doni quickly fired a shot, the arrow piercing straight through the wolf’s skull. The beast collapsed just a few steps away from Zareen.

Zareen froze, breath caught in his throat.

Doni grinned smugly. “Heh, see that? I just saved your life. You can start calling me *Hero Doni* now.”

Zareen glared. “Not happening.”

Sari burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Perfect, Zareen—you’ve got your own personal bodyguard now.”

Yuna only snorted before cleaving another wolf in half.

Zareen covered his face with one hand. Deep inside, he groaned. Fighting Doni’s ego might be harder than fighting monsters.

---

### The End of the Battle

It took nearly thirty minutes to bring down the last steel wolf. Everyone was panting hard, but no one was seriously injured.

Sari flipped her hair back with a smirk. “Mission complete. Not bad.”

Yuna sheathed her sword and nodded. “Teamwork… satisfactory.”

Doni puffed out his chest proudly. “And don’t forget who just saved Zareen’s life back there!”

Zareen gave him a tired look. “Yeah, thanks, Doni. But don’t let it go to your head.”

“Ha! I’ll take that as recognition!” Doni cheered, pumping his fist.

Zareen sighed and smiled wryly. Somehow, he knew that from this day forward, his life was only going to get louder.