"Resume the subjugation!"

After the break, the subjugation party reformed its formation and resumed the operation. I trailed behind the party as before, utilizing my stealth skill to stay unnoticed.

"Damn it, aren't these monsters stronger than before!?"

"Did you even listen to what Captain Gildart said earlier? He warned us that the closer we get to the mutant species, the more ferocious the monsters would become!"

"Still, this is too much! This sudden spike in strength is brutal for a three-member C-rank party like ours!"

"We barely made it to C-rank not long ago, and now this!?"

Clang!

"Shit! My sword snapped—"

"Grrrraaah!"

"Aaaaahhh!"

"Hey, Mark! Damn it! I'll distract the monster—quick, cast a healing spell!"

"Shit, it's bitten into his throat! My healing magic won't fix this!"

"What!? Quickly, call for help from another party!"

"No use! The wound is too deep! There's no way anyone can heal this—"

"I'll assist. High Heal!"

"Huh!? Who are you, and where did you come from!?"

"Ugh... ow, that hurts."

"Mark! No way, your wound—it’s healed!?"

"Amazing! What kind of magic is this? You saved us—thank you!"

"It's fine. Please be more careful. The monsters are getting much stronger now."

"Yeah, no kidding. You really saved us! We'll repay this somehow!"

"Just stay safe, alright?"

Phew... That Mark guy was in serious danger according to my danger detection skill. This makes two adventurers I've healed so far. According to Gildart, the monsters will only grow more powerful and aggressive as we get closer to the mutant species in the forest's center.

Looks like I’ll be using my healing magic more often from here on. As long as it's not an instant death, my advanced healing magic can save them. I'll continue to focus on providing support.

"This ominous feeling is intensifying... The mutant species is close. Everyone, stay alert!"

Gildart called for heightened vigilance, and I could sense it too—the suspicious presence of monsters ahead. But this...

"Captain! I’m telling you, something feels very wrong. We should have everyone fall back immediately!"

Lilith's voice echoed from a distance, clearly sharing the same unease.

"Damn it! Retreat to the previous rest area! What were the scouts even doing!? They said it was a smaller mutant species this time—clearly a colossal miscalculation!"

Oh no! Before the subjugation team could pull back, something rushed toward us at incredible speed from the direction of the mutant species!

"Tch, it's here already! Everyone, fall back! Sir Drain, Verdant Cats, please provide cover!"

"Graaaahhh!"

"Tch!"

Clang!

As expected of former A-rank adventurer Gildart—he intercepted the mutant species' ferocious charge with his shield.

Finally, the mutant species revealed itself—or rather, the mutant species revealed themselves.

"Grrr..."

Their size wasn't particularly large. Compared to a dragon, these black-furred wolf-like creatures were much smaller, about two meters long. Back in Japan, wolves were only about a meter in length at most. These mutant species, however, were significantly larger.

The real issue was their numbers. Behind the one that attacked Gildart, dozens more emerged from the shadows—nearly 30 in total!

"What the hell is with this number!?"

"Captain, this is my first time in a mutant species subjugation, but... are they always in such large groups?"

A-rank adventurers Drain and Lilith moved forward, while the rest of the subjugation team retreated under Gildart's orders.

"I've participated in four subjugation missions before, and in all of them, the mutant species was a single entity. Giant boar-like beasts spanning tens of meters, massive bird-like monsters, ogres... Even a smaller, highly agile cat-like mutant species. These wolves resemble that last one, but their numbers are absurd!"

"Illusions or clones, perhaps?"

"No, they all have physical forms."

"Each one looks tough as nails!"

"This number is seriously dangerous..."

"Indeed... Even the lone wolf’s earlier charge packed enough power to be concerning. If all of them attack simultaneously, we might not be able to hold them off."

"By simple math, that's five to six per person, but it won't be that straightforward."

"Ha! Leave it to me. With my armor, even these mutant pups can’t lay a scratch on me!"

"Sir Drain, wait! Don't charge in recklessly—"

"Watch and learn, everyone! I’ll show you the strength of an active A-rank adventurer!"

Drain, the "Ogre Slayer," earned his title by soloing an ogre that had ravaged a town and killed countless people. His custom-made armor and massive sword could withstand the ogre's terrifying blows and cleave through its thick hide.

"Hngh!?"

But the mutants nimbly evaded his massive swing. The greatsword carved deep into the ground, missing its mark entirely.

"Growrrr!"

Then, all 30 mutant wolves leapt at Drain simultaneously. The idea of dividing them into manageable groups was irrelevant to these beasts—they attacked as a unified pack.

"W-Wait a minute! Gaaaahhh!"

"Sir Drain! Damn it, I told you not to charge in alone! Verdant Cats, we’re going in to save him, though it may be too late!"

"Captain, calm down. Drain will probably be fine."

"L-Lilith, what are you saying!? Even someone like Drain can’t survive being surrounded like that!"

"He’s always been overconfident. His equipment might be exceptional, but that alone won’t save him."

"He’s lucky this time. Normally, he’d be dead already."

"If big brother’s here, there’s nothing to worry about, nya!"

"…Being trusted this much is a lot of pressure, honestly."