"Demonic beasts that like to live in groups in the Mist Forest are likely Howling Moon Demon Wolves or kobolds... but judging from our current location in the Mist Forest, it's highly probable it's the former."
Several people had already walked for over an hour, but based on their speed, they were still only on the periphery of the Mist Forest and hadn't truly gone deep.
As for kobolds, intelligent creatures skilled at digging holes and hiding, who live year-round in underground caves, their tribal locations are mostly deep within the forest, and they wouldn't expose themselves so recklessly on the forest's outskirts.
Only Howling Moon Demon Wolves, which have the habit of "sacrificing to the moon," would appear in groups at this time.
"What you said is the same as my guess. If we really have a head-on conflict with a pack of Howling Moon Demon Wolves, although there won't be a life-threatening danger, our subsequent actions will become very troublesome."
Although Howling Moon Demon Wolves are not intelligent creatures, they are naturally cruel and vengeful. If even one is not killed and escapes, it is highly likely to attract the much more powerful Howling Moon Wolf King later on.
If it truly comes to that, with their combined strength being only at the apprentice level, even working together, it would be difficult to defeat the Howling Moon Wolf King, which possesses the physical strength of a quasi-Wizard.
"So, Jia Na, the method you mentioned couldn't be using the Siren's Chant Witchcraft to mentally interfere with the Howling Moon Demon Wolf pack, right?"
Richard-Eva, who had already learned about the Witchcraft each person had mastered, quickly thought of the mental charm Sound-type Wizardry Jia Na possessed after confirming her speculation.
"Exactly. At night, under the amplification of moonlight, the Howling Moon Demon Wolves' sense of smell is greatly enhanced. It's because we are relatively far away and have illusionary cover that our tracks haven't been exposed. Once we get close, our scent to the Howling Moon Demon Wolves at night will be like fireflies in the dark, and we will likely be discovered... However, they have poor resistance to mental Witchcraft, so I want to use this point to hypnotize and interfere with them."
"She is right."
Luo - Yinhu, who had remained silent, also nodded in agreement after hearing Jia Na's analysis.
"I didn't expect your jungle experience to be so rich, you can even grasp the characteristics of the Howling Moon Demon Wolves so clearly."
"I don't have much experience, I just got a perfect score on the written exam for the Basic Biology class."
Hearing this, the other three who had long forgotten their first-year apprentice courses were truly impressed by Jia Na's academic prowess.
"Truly a monster among newcomers."
Richard-Eva muttered to himself, then pulled back his wandering thoughts and refocused on the plan for tonight.
"Then here's how it will be: I will first go to investigate the specific situation of the demonic beasts ahead. If they are indeed Howling Moon Demon Wolves, Luo, you continue to cast illusions to cover our tracks. Suoluo, when we are about a hundred meters away, you give an early warning. Jia Na, be ready with the Siren's Chant Witchcraft at any time, and release it immediately after receiving Suoluo's cue... Oh, and everyone, remember to block your hearing to avoid being affected by Jia Na's Witchcraft. Is there anything you would like to add?"
"No."
After quickly finalizing the plan, Richard-Eva immediately made a Witchcraft gesture, silently chanted a spell, and as the Witchcraft took shape, a palm-sized black bat slowly flew out from the shadows.
"Go!"
His gesture didn't stop. The moment the black bat flew out, Richard-Eva looked up, his eyeballs completely turning a chilling white.
"They are Howling Moon Demon Wolves... twenty-one in total... They are all lurking on both sides of the bushes... There is no Wolf King."
Richard-Eva, who was continuously casting the spell, still maintained his head-up posture, speaking the information intermittently.
"Hoo—"
As the bat retreated back into the darkness, Richard-Eva let out a long breath, and his eyeballs returned to their normal appearance.
"This pack of demonic wolves is lurking and hunting. Their number is more than I expected... but it doesn't hinder the implementation of the plan. Let's start."
After receiving confirmation from Richard-Eva, the several people nodded. Except for Jia Na, everyone temporarily sealed their hearing with magic power.
"False appearance, true form, layers of phantoms."
Reinforcing the illusion, the already unreal figures of the several people became even more illusory. They seemed to merge into the forest, silent and unnoticed.
"We're here."
The sound converged into a line, transmitted directly into their ears. Upon hearing Suoluo's reminder, Jia Na's Witchcraft, which had long been ready, was immediately cast aloud.
"La—lalala—"
The vocal line was ethereal, like the wind singing.
Under the blessing of the Heavenly Voice talent, the enchanting sound of the Siren's Chant gently rippled through the forest like water waves.
"Oow... woo..."
The moment they heard the sound, the Howling Moon Demon Wolves in the front immediately prepared to give a warning. However, the effect of the Siren's Chant Witchcraft had already taken effect. With just a whimper, the Howling Moon Demon Wolves hidden in the dark were all confused, not only losing their vigilance but also quickly falling into shallow sleep under the mental interference.
"Crunch—crunch—"
Seeing the plan succeed, Jia Na gestured to the others. Upon seeing this, the several people who immediately understood her meaning quickened their steps, stepping on broken branches, and left the Howling Moon Demon Wolf pack's ambush point.
"Okay, we're safe."
Suo Luo-Lie Yan, who could no longer smell the demonic wolves, patted Jia Na's shoulder, signaling her that she could stop casting the Witchcraft. At the same time, the others also successively removed the magic that sealed their hearing.
"I didn't expect this matter to be resolved so easily. It seems I need to thoroughly review the content of the Basic Biology course after I return to the academy... Watch out!"
Suo Luo-Lie Yan hadn't finished speaking when a wrist-thick, emerald green venomous snake, flicking its tongue, shot towards Jia Na.
Before Jia Na could react, a flash of fire appeared, and a scorching High Temperature Witchcraft directly burned the venomous snake into charcoal.
"Thank you."
Looking at the venomous snake's corpse that had shattered into carbon residue on the ground, Jia Na sincerely thanked Suo Luo-Lie Yan.
"We're just helping each other."
For a plant-type apprentice, clearing toxins is not difficult, but getting bitten would still inevitably cause suffering.
"Sorry, this venomous snake sensed us through heat detection, which is why my illusion didn't work..."
Looking at Jia Na, who was almost injured, Luo - Yinhu, who was responsible for concealing their tracks, clearly felt a bit embarrassed. While reinforcing the illusion again, he apologized to Jia Na with a hint of guilt.
"It's okay. The venom of this snake isn't very strong. Even if you were bitten, it wouldn't pose a threat to an apprentice with the Plant Affinity talent."
Hearing this, Richard-Eva also nodded.
"Alright, it's getting late. We need to hurry and get going... Luo, thank you for your hard work maintaining the illusion along the way. We'll rest when we reach Mist Valley..."