Chapter 5: The Leader’s Decision
The battle continued.
Another Grayfang squeezed through the narrow opening between the log carts. Before it could land—
"Now!" Three hunters thrust their spears at the same time. The wolf yelped in pain and stumbled backward.
The next one tried to force its way through. It met the same fate. One by one, the wolves failed to break through — the narrow passage had turned their greatest advantage into their biggest weakness.
Chief Rokan stared at Aren in disbelief. "You thought of this... in the middle of a battle?"
Aren shook his head. "I... don’t know." It was the truth. The idea had come so naturally that he couldn’t explain it. It felt less like inspiration, and more like remembering something he’d once known.
A sharp pain pulsed behind his eyes. The cold voice returned.
[Memory Synchronization: 4%]
Recovered Memory: Defensive Formations**
The message disappeared. Aren exhaled quietly. "So that’s how it works..." His memories weren’t returning randomly — they awakened only when he truly needed them.
A deafening howl echoed across the battlefield. The Grayfang Leader had moved. Every wolf froze, then, without hesitation, began retreating into the forest.
"They’re running!" One of the younger hunters raised his spear. "We should chase them!"
"No." Chief Rokan’s voice stopped everyone. "No wounded beast is more dangerous than one with nowhere to run."
The hunters slowly lowered their weapons. The village fell silent. Only heavy breathing remained.
Several people had been injured. Two huts had collapsed. Part of the fence lay in ruins. But they were alive.
Children cautiously stepped out from hiding. Women rushed to treat the wounded. An old hunter sat on the ground and laughed quietly. "We survived..."
Chief Rokan turned toward Aren, walked over, and rested a hand on his shoulder. "If it weren’t for your idea, many of us would have died tonight."
Aren lowered his head. "I only said what came to mind."
Chief Rokan smiled faintly. "Sometimes the ancestors choose strange people to guide us."
Before Aren could reply, the system appeared once more.
[Mission Complete]
The Village Survived the Grayfang Attack.
Rewards Received:
Memory Synchronization +1%
Civilization Points +10
New Feature Unlocked: Village Overview
A blue panel appeared before Aren.
```text
══════════════════════
Village Overview
Population: 47
Food: 11 Days
Morale: 58%
Buildings Damaged: 3
Hunters Injured: 4
Next Priority:
Repair the village before sunset tomorrow.
══════════════════════
```
Aren read the panel in silence. Then his gaze shifted toward the dark forest. Far beyond the trees, two golden eyes still watched the village.
The Grayfang Leader had not truly left. It had simply chosen to wait.
*End of Chapter 5*