Chapter 83: Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers
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Suddenly, a song comes to mind: "Vote Even If I Die!"
——
"It's time to retreat!"
The Supreme Mercenary Corps was simultaneously facing targeted attacks from several directions, along with the onslaught of the Direwolf pack. In such a short span, it was impossible for them to organize any effective counterattack.
With both overt and covert threats, the situation had become clear. Even some of the Supreme mercenaries were growing anxious and uneasy, their fighting spirit plummeting! If they didn’t retreat now, the entire Supreme Mercenary Corps would be buried here...
As expected!
Just as the Dragonwolf Cavalry was preparing to seize the opportunity and expand their victory, the Supreme Mercenary Corps seemed to receive some order. Suddenly, they all turned their spears around and launched a fearless, ferocious assault at the rear—the Dragonwolf Cavalry—leaving behind a row of massive summoned beasts to block the surging wave of Direwolves.
There weren’t many members of the Dragonwolf Cavalry in the Blackwind Forest. With this sudden turn by the Supreme Mercenary Corps, those who were hoping to profit from the chaos were thrown into disarray. Amid frantic orders, they split up and swiftly vanished into the sides of Blackwind Forest.
The Supreme Mercenary Corps had no intentions of pursuing. Keeping their direction unchanged, they occasionally hurled frost spells and ice arrows behind them, retreating from Blackwind Forest at maximum speed.
By this point, I too quietly withdrew from this former battlefield:
The battle was over!
The Supremes had already recognized the difficulty posed by the Dragonwolf Cavalry, and knew they could not withstand simultaneous assaults from the Direwolves and the Cavalry. Remaining in Blackwind Forest was no longer an option.
As for the Dragonwolf Mercenary Corps, once the Supremes withdrew, their only advantage would be gone, making it impossible for them to continue entangling themselves and courting destruction.
As for the Direwolf pack...
The Wind Direwolf King’s intelligence was no less than that of players; since it knew to return to Blackwind Forest before, it certainly wouldn't chase outside to court death.
Pondering all this, I quietly exited Blackwind Forest—the Wind Direwolf King still lives, and the Direwolf pack inside won’t disperse anytime soon. Level grinding here is out of the question.
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Though plenty of high-level gear from Tier Three players remained in the forest, I had no desire to become wolf fodder myself!
...
After leaving Blackwind Forest, I was still reflecting on the battle that had just played out.
While I felt gratified by the fierce clash between the Dragonwolf Cavalry and the Supreme Mercenary Corps, I also sensed a faint heaviness. My satisfaction stemmed from the fact that both mercenary groups had left me with a very negative impression! In this world, there’s nothing sweeter than witnessing your enemies fight among themselves...
Yet the strength these two mercenary corps displayed was a harsh blow to me!
Before entering the game and witnessing this battle, I harbored a rather naïve belief: that relying on my real-world combat skills and abilities, I could surely reach Tier Four within a month!
By then, helping my best friends and academy brothers resist the Chaos Mercenary Corps wouldn't be too difficult... But after seeing this battle, my belief shattered completely.
I realized how shallow my thinking had been. Top-tier mercenary groups were far tougher than I’d ever imagined.
...
In my mind, Tier Four powerhouses weren’t frightening;
Having more people isn’t necessarily impressive... but!
A Tier Four powerhouse with a shrewd mind, capable of strategizing and commanding, cannot be underestimated!
Similarly, numbers alone aren’t terrifying; what’s truly dangerous is when these people understand unity and teamwork, when they cooperate with perfect coordination—they become a force of tigers and wolves galloping across the battlefield!
When an organization possesses both these traits, their combined strength becomes even more formidable!
The Supreme Mercenary Corps is just such an organization!
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The Supremes’ strength is beyond doubt;
Their unity and power were evident in their battle with the Direwolf pack.
Moreover, when faced with a sudden assault from the Dragonwolf Cavalry, they remained unruffled, managing to retreat within the shortest possible time... Cutting short the Cavalry's attack after barely three minutes, their decisive orders and strict discipline are far beyond what ordinary mercenary groups could achieve.
If the Supreme Mercenary Corps were in the real world, in the era of cold steel and ancient warfare, they would already be a formidable army...
In comparison, the Dragonwolf Cavalry’s assault—with its meticulous planning and strategic arrangement—left me deeply shaken:
From attacking the White Cloud Mine, luring the Direwolf pack, to forcing the Supreme Mercenary Corps into action, their calculations were flawless. They even managed to evade the Supremes’ watchful eyes, allowing so many to lie in wait within Blackwind Forest... then, at the moment of the bounty, launching a powerful surprise attack!
No wonder the Dragonwolf Cavalry can challenge the Supreme Mercenary Corps, one of the Empire’s strongest mercenary groups. Their strength and cunning are far beyond ordinary.
Yet, what impressed me most from this observation was the Dragonwolf Cavalry!
They were like a band of scouts lurking in the shadows... Though unable to confront powerful enemies head-on, they always hid themselves in safe places, waiting for the opportune moment...
Only after carefully probing every aspect of their enemy, identifying strengths and weaknesses, did they select the right time—or create their own chance! At the moment when the enemy's abilities were most restricted, at their weakest point, they delivered a fatal blow!
That’s exactly what the Dragonwolf Cavalry did, skillfully creating a highly advantageous environment for themselves, then deploying a small force to inflict heavy losses on the Supreme Mercenary Corps.
Anyone capable of such planning must never be underestimated...
As I thought deeper, I finally began to understand: Why, despite my best friend's strength and the help of senior academy members, he was still suppressed in the game and forced to retreat to smaller places to recuperate.
Even the Dragonwolf Cavalry, with such strength and cunning, can only remain beneath the Supreme Mercenary Corps; could the Chaos Mercenary Corps, peer to the Supremes, be any less formidable?!
"Age of Magic" truly is a world of hidden talents... It seems I’ll need to be much more careful from now on!
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