SWNOVELXO Chapter 90
Surrounding their guild leader, three men landed at Capture Spot 21. Among them, two were making their first appearance.
An intellectual-looking agent with black hair, similar to their guild leader’s, and a handsome blond man capable of transforming into a crazed wolf.
“Gio, act alone. Choose any capture spot between 10 and 25.”
“Alright.”
The man with gray hair tousled it lightly before sprinting down a narrow factory corridor as soon as Rudel finished speaking. Gio, as the dominator of the earth, had nearly perfected his unique abilities. His area-of-effect skills were especially devastating, so it was better for him to be away from allies.
“I want to follow Gio.”
“Gio’s here, LOL.”
“A one-on-one with Aleon would be epic.”
“Rudel already sent him somewhere not overlapping.”
“Too bad.”
Rudel had strategically ensured that their paths wouldn’t overlap with Aleon or Shemarin. Considering their abilities and the terrain, she could roughly predict their movements. Aleon would likely handle the expansive outdoor area alone, while Shemarin, who benefited from walls and ceilings, would have ventured deep into the building.
There were surprisingly many capture spots compared to the number of guilds. Rudel aimed to avoid encounters with allies and compete purely on the number of captures.
Rudel had chosen Point 21 within the main factory building. Observing the characters already converging on Spot 21 from a distance, she issued another order.
“Kanel, hold your fire and wait. Find a sniping position on the map before Zone 2 opens. After it opens, support our subordinates’ landing.”
“As you command.”
Viewers instantly recognized the role Rudel had assigned Kanel, based on his unique ability ‘Bullet Acceleration’: a long-range supporter.
Then, who was the beautiful blond man Rudel intended to keep close for the battle?
“Using the rabid wolf?”
“Maybe he’s just for numbers, not transformation.”
“Don’t you trust Rudel by now? She wouldn’t do anything pointless.”
At that moment, all the viewers recalled the still-famous RudelXUnahar scene. In the dark cave of the first round, Rudel had told the despairing Unahar, driven mad by the wolf’s frenzy, “Can I tame you?”
“Did she really tame him…?”
As the viewers speculated, Rudel and Unahar plunged into the chaotic battle for the capture spot.
[Spot 21, Agasa Guild’s entry makes it a four-way battle!]
This meant there were four guilds fighting over the capture spot. To secure the spot, they needed to either force the other three guilds to retreat or eliminate them.
As Rudel launched herself forward, three distinct, ominous auras shot down towards her from above, their impact imminent.
The viewers held their breath, anticipating the next moment.
They expected a massive wolf to charge in from behind Rudel, shattering the capture spot with its immense power.
Bang-!
But instead of the menacing jaws of a wolf, a shell exploded above Rudel, deflecting the attacks.
“Did Unahar change to artillery…?”
The golden-haired man showed no signs of transforming into a wolf. Instead, he wielded the bazooka from the first round on his shoulder.
“What? That was the perfect moment for the wolf to appear.”
“Maybe he still hasn’t tamed it.”
“Honestly, I’d be scared to tame it too.”
“Maybe Unahar doesn’t want to put Rudel in danger, so he won’t let himself transform. He loves her.”
“How could he show that wolf to the woman he loves?”
“Lolol.”
Rudel’s flames and Unahar’s expert control of the bazooka quickly drove the other guilds’ characters out of the capture spot.
“This is kind of boring…”
“Yeah, it’s cliché.”
“Below expectations.”
Grinning slightly, as if she had read the viewers’ chat, Rudel’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
* * *
The sound of cannon fire filled the air.
Unahar fired the bazooka in multiple directions almost like a machine gun. When anyone got close, he swiftly removed the bazooka from his shoulder and swung it like a spear, knocking down two players in an instant. Sweat glistened and flew off his body as he gracefully returned the bazooka to his shoulder.
What visual couldn’t Unahar pull off?
Before the fourth round, I had carefully considered what weapon would best suit Unahar. Just as Gio wielded a greatsword, what weapon would be perfect for Unahar?
However, Unahar looked good with any weapon.
With a fantasy-style rapier, he resembled a gallant paladin, and with a poisoned dagger, he appeared as a mysterious assassin. Whether wielding the reaper’s scythe, a mace, a whip, or a chakram, his physique and face complemented each weapon perfectly. If I held half of those weapons, I’d probably look ridiculous, but not him. Even with Kanel’s sniper rifle, he exuded more charisma than the original wielder, much to Kanel’s displeasure.
Eventually, we decided to stick with the bazooka, acknowledging that Unahar looked impressive to viewers no matter what he used and that he had prior experience with it.
“…!”
I narrowly dodged a sudden punch. My reactions were slowing down. Predicting multiple attack directions was becoming increasingly challenging as my body grew heavier. We needed to change the situation soon. If we delayed any longer, Zone 2 would open before we could secure this capture spot.
[Spot 18 has been captured by the Agasa Guild!]
The broadcast announcement echoed loudly. Gio had succeeded.
Now, Unahar and I had to secure this spot to capture two points in Zone 1 and approach first place in the fourth round.
Aggressive energy flew at me from both the front and back. Instead of trying to block or dodge with a flash of red flame, I bit my finger and blew a sharp whistle.
The characters closing in on the Agasa Guild leader looked confused. They wore expressions as if questioning whether a new item created a shield when whistled.
I smirked, intending to give viewers the thrilling moment they had been waiting for.
Ladies and gentlemen, for those who have been disappointed so far, here comes the rabid wolf you’ve been waiting for.
* * *
There was absolute silence.
Yet, the murderous aura of the beast behind me pricked my back, making even me break out in a cold sweat.
“…”
The atmosphere at the capture spot changed. The previously heightened excitement cooled rapidly.
Despite their different abilities and appearances, the characters now shared a common reaction: they were all looking past me with terrified expressions, stepping back hesitantly.
A massive shadow loomed over me, so large it covered my entire body and reached the feet of the characters in front of me.
To them, it might have seemed like I was about to be the first to be devoured.
Right behind me, a wolf’s maw was likely dripping saliva. The knowledge that it wouldn’t happen to me brought a slight thrill.
I called out the beast’s name.
“Unahar.”
A growl reverberated through the factory area, startling most of the characters around me.
“Take this spot. Leave no one standing except for us.”
Before the words were even fully spoken, the wolf surged forward, a powerful gust trailing behind. My hair whipped in the opposite direction. I saw the blood-red eyes arc above me in a predatory leap.
“No, don’t come!”
One character extended her palms. A high barrier erected itself above her, effectively creating a space partition. According to her status window, her unique ability was ‘Barrier,’ rated at A. It had kept her dominant in this capture spot, nullifying most attacks.
But the wolf acted as if the barrier didn’t exist, pouncing directly over it. The character squeezed her eyes shut.
Crash!
The thick barrier shattered like it was nothing.
The once chaotic spot, filled with the sounds of heavy breathing and explosions, now echoed with screams. Blood splattered everywhere, turning the area into the wolf’s slaughter ground.
“Try to make it quick, biting their necks so they feel less pain… Not that you’d listen to this command.”
I averted my gaze and sighed, rubbing my forehead.
I hoped Lilith, supporting us from the lookout, wouldn’t be too shocked by this scene.
The wolf, having just torn into a character’s head, spat out flesh and turned to the rear to counter the incoming artillery. Shotguns fired at the wolf, but the bullets ricocheted off its body.
It moved with astonishing agility, despite its size, leaping and attacking anyone trying to pin it down, sinking its teeth into them at the first opportunity.
How could something so large be so nimble?
[Spot 21 has been captured by the Agasa Guild!]
“Good job.”
I didn’t shy away from the blood-covered wolf as it approached me for a nuzzle. Even as my clothes absorbed the blood, I didn’t push it away. Instead, I slipped my hand into its fur, gently scratching its head.