Throne of the Wolf

The Alchemist's Ring

"You despicable insect, how dare you ambush me like this?" For a warrior of human valor, a werewolf, whom he normally regarded as no more significant than an ant, had dared to strike at him. In the past, he would have effortlessly crushed such an opponent, but now, with shattered bones and barely any strength to move, he found himself powerless to chase the werewolf down. His furious outcry was nothing more than a futile waste of breath.

“Whoosh, whoosh!”

With a swift flick of his wrist, Sun Bernard transformed the broken arrows in his hand into deadly projectiles aimed at the human warrior’s vital points. His attacks, as swift as lightning, struck multiple times in a matter of moments. This tactic was meant to drain his opponent’s remaining strength, knowing full well that if the human warrior held a trump card, recklessly approaching could mean his own downfall.

Sun Bernard, however, had no intention of ending his opponent’s life with hidden weapons alone. Only a kill delivered with his own hands would allow him to absorb that mysterious heat—a technique he’d honed on the battlefield. When he sensed that his opponent posed no further threat, he drew upon his light-footed skills and shot forward, cutting through the air with a speed increased by over fifty percent. In an instant, he stood before the human warrior, his wrist flicking as he unleashed a move as fierce as a dragon’s charge, driving his weapon into the man’s throat and ending his life.

A powerful surge of energy poured through the spear into Sun Bernard, nearly overwhelming him with a rush of euphoria. His energy cyclone expanded outward and accelerated, strengthening him noticeably. The victory over this human warrior yielded rewards equivalent to slaying over ten Minotaur warriors.

“What’s this? An alchemical ring?”

As Sun Bernard's gaze shifted downward, a flash of light caught his eye—the glint from the ring on the human warrior's hand. He slipped it off and swiftly put it on his own finger. A sudden weight in his right hand confirmed his intuition: he’d acquired a treasure of significant power.

Alchemical artifacts, rare and prized in this world, were costly and typically affordable only by valorous warriors. They could enhance various attributes such as strength, vitality, and spirit. This ring, crafted to amplify power, was a blessing for the Dars werewolves, whose natural strength was often lacking.

“Whiz!”

A chill crept up Sun Bernard's spine. Instinctively, he activated the “Swallow Skimming the Water” technique, his body flickering three feet away in an instant, landing several meters to the side. Where he’d just stood, an arrow now quivered, its tail vibrating with a chilling hum.

He turned to the gathering Minotaurs and enemy warriors, inwardly cursing his own complacency. If he hadn’t reacted in time, he might have perished beneath that deadly arrow.

“Hand over that alchemical ring!” The brawny Brigh Minotaurs surrounding him sneered, eyes locked on him with savage intent. Forming alliances in sprawling tribes and clans, the beastly races had no united empire, each standing independently. Brigh Minotaurs were often the vanguard of slave raids on the plains, holding a bitter enmity with the Dars wolves. Their muscles bulged ominously, and with weapons raised, they seemed prepared to kill him if he didn’t yield.

Of course, killing him would be inevitable, whether he yielded or not. Mercy had no place on the battlefield.

"This wolf pup is still alive! Hand it over, or I’ll rip you to pieces!”

"Hurry up! I’ve got more wolves to kill if I want that promotion to squad leader!"

Their taunting voices dripped with arrogance, treating Sun Bernard as though he were nothing but a slave. But as he cast his gaze upon them, the killing intent emanating from his battle-hardened body grew almost palpable. A fierce aura enveloped him, far more intense than the Minotaurs’ brutish posturing, silencing them in stunned awe. Then, with a sudden movement, Sun Bernard pounced.

When the battlefield finally lay silent, blood soaking the ground, two resonant horn blasts echoed, signaling the end of the battle.

…

In the camp.

Dars gray werewolf Sun Reily sat at the entrance, carefully wiping his black spear. His expression was focused, each stroke measured and deliberate, dipping the cloth in the water basin between strokes until the water turned a deep crimson.

No one knew that in his mind, he was reliving every memory embedded in this body, piecing together the fragmented recollections.

Across the continent, the Dars wolves had built a fearsome reputation for ruthlessness and cunning. These qualities had earned them many enemies, frequently igniting conflicts with other races.

The Skarsk Canyon, marking the northern border of the Alamu Plain, was the latest battleground. The cause was simple: a group of slavers from the Cartier Empire had crossed into wolf territory, only to be hunted down. Unluckily for them, this was no ordinary caravan but a hunting party led by noble heirs, including a Cartier prince. None survived the ambush.

News of the m******e reached the Cartier Empire, inciting outrage. Grieving noble families implored the king, prompting him to dispatch a massive force, which included the powerful Brigh Minotaurs, allies of a hundred years. Together, they marched toward the Alamu Plain.

The Dars wolf clan would not wait idly by, rallying their warriors for the inevitable battle at Skarsk Canyon. While most of the Dars forces were hastily conscripted villagers destined as fodder, their sacrifice bought time for the elite wolf cavalry to seize tactical opportunities.

The wolves’ fierce discipline was their strength. Bound by an unbreakable will, they would fight to the last, unless ordered to retreat by their leaders—a resilience that had allowed them to defend the Alamu Plain for centuries against countless invasions.

As the memories settled within him, Sun Bernard fully grasped his precarious situation.

“This ring... the Shattered Spider Bone Ring? An entry-level black iron alchemical artifact that amplifies strength by thirty percent, usable up to three times daily with a maximum of three thousand pounds.”

Sun Bernard raised his hand, observing the faint glow emanating from the ring he’d taken from the human warrior. Using his internal energy, he felt the power wrap around his right hand, filling him with a powerful surge. It was clear he had stumbled upon a rare treasure.