Episode 1, Chapter 7: Mt. Luporum Entrance

A wolf beastkin...?

He's one of the White Wolves. He's pretty far from home, though.

That's... Grr...

That's... Grr...

Hey! You good?

G-gah! S-save me!

What's a White Wolf like you doing in a place like this?

I-I was running, I mean, retreating! Retreating to call for help!

What happened?

There was a huge fight within the pack... It was all so sudden. I don't know why it happened.

Isn't the White Wolf pack's hierarchy very strict?

Yes... I heard that the White Wolves value a warrior's valor over all else...

That's all true, yes... But I-I'm actually...

Alright, slow down, everyone. We can hear the whole story while we head up there.

Hey, man. We didn't introduce ourselves yet, right? My name's Cloud.

My name is Haight. I am Haight... the Gatekeeper.

Oh, you're the gatekeeper! You're the perfect person to lead us back there!

Yes... Taking you there is something I can do. Fighting... not so much.

Okay, Haight. Don't worry, we're here to help.

You're here to help us? Really...? Thank goodness you're here...!

That seed... So it must be...!

What is that?

This must have caused the incident.

So this tiny seed is what caused our pack to tear itself apart...?

Anyway, what are you kids doing all the way out here?

We're here for the key your pack protects.

Key? You mean the key to the forest?

The key is held by our Mighty Warrior, Lupe.

White Wolves...? They're already corrupted!

Please, try not to kill them... I know it's a lot to ask...

Phew. That's all of 'em. What a relief.

You guys... You're amazing!

Alright, everyone. Stand back. And try not to breathe, okay? It'll take just one second...! ♡

Whoa, something's stirring inside me. What kind of medicine did you say this was?

An emetic. It makes you vomit. I told you to hold your breath.

*Hup*

Shh! Goblins! What are they looking at?

It's a seed!

What the? Stop right there!

Don't touch that seed!

Kshaa!

The seeds are spreading quicker than I thought was possible...

Just how many of them are out there? Oh my...

Let's go before it's too late.

This valley is pretty dangerous... We call it the Valley of Trials.

Our lives are filled with trials and hardship. That's how we...

Oho! This seed... It's a seedy seed. I've never seen it before!

I saw the seedy seed earlier! I couldn't take it 'cause a weird blue guy charged at me.

You think it's tasty? Should we eat it?

No!

Hey! That's the guy from earlier!

That's a very dangerous object. Can you give it to us?

What?! This is ours! We found it first!

This blue guy is here to take our stuff... He's a thief!

W-wait, that's not what I wanna...

Stop wasting your time.

They're obviously not going to listen.

But, I...

Kshaa! That seed is mine!

I'm being robbed! It's a robbery! Death to the robbers!

Well... that didn't work. Okay!

Phew... Thank goodness we were able to save them from being corrupted.

You beat them within an inch of their lives. Why do you look so pleased with yourself?

That door! That's my post!

Here's the door we need to go through. One moment.

What?! Th-the door won't open!

There's no time.

Stay back.

A-amazing...!

Huh. Now that there's no door, what are you gonna guard?

Huh?!

The cave is full of corrupted wolves, correct?

Wait a minute. Didn't you say that species with high intelligence were more resistant to corruption?

I did...

So why are all of the White Wolves corrupted, then?!

Maybe the pack isn't as smart as we thought.

What...?

Or there might be other variables at play. High risk individuals like you should be extra careful, Cloud!

High risk? Wait, what do you mean by that?! Francis?