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“Rock Maze Gnomes. Looks like they’ve been living here for a long time; long enough to name themselves after the land itself.”

Yalu spoke awkwardly, “We’ve lived in the snowy mountains for generations, so we know very little about the outside world. If not for this descent, we probably wouldn’t have learned much about anything at all. Going to the Crimson Plains this time is already a risky decision. I once heard the elders of our tribe say that the land there is barren, with pitifully few plants and animals. But that’s exactly why it might suit our current situation.”

‘So it was all hearsay, huh!’

“Miss Starry, I…”
“Don’t panic. I would carry you all through this,” Starry said.

Their survival was tied to her quest. If this place fell, the Gray Wolves would have nowhere to go. In truth, she was using them to scout the way.

“What…?”

“Nothing. The question is, do we keep moving forward, detour, or… —Take the gnomes’ territory?”

“…”

Thinking it through, since the goblins had been trapped here once, the Gray Wolves would likely be trapped the same way if they came. In that case, it might be better to seize the gnomes’ domain instead.

It sounded far-fetched, but Dreamscape offered far more freedom than most could imagine. Maybe this really was doable.

The gnomes’ attributes themselves were not frightening, but they excelled at using strange gadgets and potions to torment their enemies. The Magic Landmines and Flashbangs from earlier were perfect examples.

As for combat power, the goblins on their side were no pushovers either. Each could serve as ranged support, and under a round of focused fire, it was hard to say who would actually win.

“Think about it, we’re in the center of the Rock Maze right now. There are pits and burrows everywhere, and the gnomes’ short bodies let them hide in all sorts of places.” Starry continued as she saw them grow serious, “No matter which way we move, we’ll be ambushed. We also don’t know where the mines are. If we charge blindly, we’ll just repeat Liburi’s injuries.”

“You’re right, but this is their turf. Our only option is to push through in one go and get out. A counterattack… that’s too unrealistic,” Yalu said through clenched teeth.

“Yeah,” Kanrel chimed in. “These gnomes are crafty. Even the smartest folks get caught by them.”

Starry flashed a quick, clever smile. “I have a way.” She stood there quietly, without moving. Suddenly, she swung her sword toward the giant tree behind her! But before the blade touched the trunk, the tree began to shake violently.

“There are still gnomes up there!” Yalu’s face changed.

A blurry figure dropped from the branches, its movements suddenly accelerated as Quickstep Escape activated!

“Starmew!”

“Rrraaa—!”

The Frostfang Tiger unleashed its power. An icicle nearly as tall as a man tore through the air, piercing straight into the gnome’s leg.

“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!” the gnome cried in panic.
“Freeze it first, then we will talk!”

On command, Starmew caught up to the limping gnome and slammed its paw down.

The gnome’s HP dropped to a sliver before its whole body froze into a block of ice.

Carrying the frozen block back, Starry patted the Frostfang Tiger’s head and nodded. “Now we have ourselves a living mine detector.”

“I only now realized how wise our ancestors were,” Yalu sighed, “for not choosing to become enemies with humans…”

***

They finally reached Saintbloom Village, with hundreds of Gray Wolves trailing close behind. The Gray Wolf Alpha had already given its final command, Zane was now their new alpha!

A warrior capable of breaking the seals of the forbidden zone and possessing the mighty class of a Human Tamer was more than qualified to lead them. The wolves willingly accepted this young alpha’s command.

At that moment, Shiu and his group came rushing in from the opposite direction after taking a detour. The Gray Wolves instantly went on alert, tense as drawn bows, ready to pounce.

“Don’t attack them! These humans are friends of my pet, they’re here to help us relocate to a new home!” Zane howled.

Though doubtful, the wolves obediently halted on the spot.

“Holy crap, Emberveil, you’re insane! You actually became the Wolf Alpha?!” Endless Sea stared at the pack of over a hundred wolves, utterly astonished.

“That’s right,” Zane typed calmly.

Even Endless Sea, who thought he had seen it all, looked dumbfounded. An online game actually allowed something like this? Suddenly, Endless Sea’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Then… can I be a Wolf Rider?”

“Uh… I’ll ask them.” Zane pretended to clear his throat, then let out a few loud howls. “Ahem! Warriors of the Wolf Clan! Since I have now become your king, there’s no reason for me to keep my Human Taming skill a secret!”

“What!?” Mick gasped. “Chief, you mean to teach us this legendary art?”

“Exactly!”

“Look here—there are ten humans. I need ten of our finest warriors to test this skill. Who wants to give it a try?”

For a moment, the entire Wolf Clan fell silent.

“I’ll go first!” Mick shook out his fur and stepped forward with a determined gleam in his eyes.

“Mick, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, trying to snatch the glory? I’m joining too!”

“Chief, let me try!”

***

Three minutes later, ten elite wolves had been chosen.

‘Not bad, Mick,’ Zane thought. ‘Good teamwork, I’d give you a thumbs up if I could.’

“The goal of Human Taming,” Zane lectured grandly, “is to fight side by side. When you’re together, you must try to soothe them as much as possible.”

“In turn, they’ll fight with all their strength to repay your trust. Once your Human Taming reaches its peak, you’ll even be able to tame creatures like this beetle with ease!” Zane declared proudly from atop Morthar’s head.

At those words, the previously listless wolves began to stir. Their once-bloodshot eyes glowed an even deeper red. They had all witnessed the terrifying power of that beetle, it had effortlessly crushed dozens of players. If even such a mighty creature had bowed before their chief, then this so-called Human Taming skill must truly be extraordinary!

In the distance, a few human figures appeared over the plains.

‘Damn it, they caught up this fast?!’

“There’s no time for slow introductions. Ten warriors, pick a human and mount them! They’ll be your allies in the coming battles!” Though Zane’s tone rose and fell with conviction, in Nangong and the others’ eyes, it was nothing but a chorus of wolf howls.

“My Wolf Speech is Level 10, you believe that?” Nangong muttered, twitching his mouth.
“Nope,” Zane replied offhandedly.
“The hell you mean ‘nope’? Then why aren’t you translating for me!?”
“Quit whining. You’ll see soon enough.”

Suddenly, a Gray Wolf slowly approached.

“Hey, hey, it’s not gonna attack me, right?” Nangong gripped his bow hesitantly. But instead of lunging, the wolf bent its body halfway, seemingly inviting Nangong to climb on.

Seeing no hostility, Nangong relaxed and bravely mounted its back—only for the wolf to burst into an excited sprint, carrying him away at high speed.

“I did it, Chief! I tamed a human!” the elite wolf howled proudly.

“Well done!” Zane grinned. “You’ve got the makings of my younger self!”