MARD Chapter 2 Remastered Wolves (Patreon)

The forest canopy whispered softly overhead as the group continued along the narrow dirt path. The light filtering through the leaves cast shifting patterns over the sisters and the boy walking among them. The rhythmic sound of footsteps on soil and the occasional chirping of birds were the only things breaking the silence.

For Issei, the silence was becoming unbearable.

‘It’s weird,’ He thought, glancing around. ‘We’ve been walking for hours, but… I’m not even tired. Actually, I feel amazing, like I could run two marathons without breaking a sweat.’

It wasn’t normal. His body felt lighter than it ever had back on Earth, his muscles humming with energy. Still, he tried to ignore the sensation. The last thing he wanted was to act weird in front of the three girls who had taken him in.

He looked at them as they walked, Wu Lan leading calmly, Wu Ying following warily a few steps behind her, and Wu Xiao humming to herself at the back, skipping along and occasionally plucking flowers from the ground.

The silence stretched, awkward and heavy. Finally, Issei couldn’t take it anymore. He rubbed the back of his neck, debating for a second before blurting out,

“So… why are you three walking in the middle of a forest?”

Wu Lan turned slightly, her calm eyes softening. “We’re out here collecting herbs. We gather them to trade with the villagers and to make medicine for my sister.”

“Wu Ying?” Issei blinked in disbelief, turning toward the middle sister, the same girl who had casually split a tree in half with her fist. “Are you sick?”

Before Wu Ying could respond, Wu Xiao burst into giggles. “Of course not! Sis Ying could fight a bear and win!”

Her laughter echoed through the forest, earning her an indignant glare from the middle sister.

Wu Lan smiled faintly, shaking her head. “We use the herbs to make medicine to heal her injuries after her martial training,” She explained patiently.

That caught Issei’s attention. He looked more closely at Wu Ying’s hands and noticed the white cloth wrapped tightly around her knuckles, faintly stained and frayed from overuse.

“Stop looking at them!” Wu Ying snapped, turning her face away, her cheeks tinged pink.

“S-sorry! I just noticed,” Issei stammered, lifting his hands defensively. His heart skipped a beat under her glare. “I mean—no wonder you’re so strong.”

Wu Ying froze for a second, her posture softening ever so slightly. She crossed her arms and looked away, muttering under her breath, “Well, obviously…”

Issei blinked. Did he just see her blush?

Her tone was defensive, but her voice was smaller now, less sharp. The sight made him grin slightly, though he tried to hide it.

‘So she’s embarrassed when complimented… huh? Cute.’

He chuckled quietly to himself, stealing a glance at her pout. ‘As expected of a bishoujo. I bet she’s a total tsundere.’

Wu Lan glanced over her shoulder, noticing the exchange and smiling softly. Wu Xiao, meanwhile, looked between them with a mischievous grin.

“Big sis Ying’s face is red~,” she sang playfully.

“W-Wu Xiao!” Wu Ying barked, glaring daggers at the little girl. “One more word and I’ll make you carry all the herbs!”

Wu Xiao laughed, dashing ahead as Wu Ying chased her for a few steps, their bickering echoing down the path.

Watching them, Issei couldn’t help but smile. Despite the unfamiliar world, the strange energy flowing through his veins, and the uncertainty gnawing at the back of his mind, he felt… lighter. Almost at peace.

‘I guess… this isn’t so bad,’ he thought, looking up at the sunlight peeking through the trees. ‘If this is what my new life’s gonna be like, maybe I can get used to it.’

“GRrrooowwl!”

The low, guttural sound echoed through the trees, cutting through the peaceful forest like a blade. The air instantly grew colder, the distant chirping of birds falling silent.

Everyone froze.

Issei’s breath hitched, his body stiffening as he glanced around nervously. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. ‘Oh, please tell me that’s not coming our way.’

Wu Ying’s reaction was immediate. Without hesitation, she dropped her basket to the ground, herbs scattering over the moss, and stepped in front of the group. Her stance shifted, feet planted firmly, shoulders squared, eyes locked in the direction of the sound.

Her calm but focused voice cut through the tension. “Stay behind me.”

“Y-yeah, sure thing!” Issei blurted, instantly obeying. He stumbled backward and ended up half-hiding behind Wu Ying, his heart pounding. ‘Great…I'm hiding behind a teenage girl.’ The embarrassment burned in his chest, but the survival instinct screamed louder.

Behind him, Wu Lan quickly pulled Wu Xiao close, shielding her with both arms. “Stay quiet,” She whispered to her little sister, her own eyes darting toward the dense bushes ahead.

The forest fell eerily silent again… until the sound of snapping twigs broke the stillness.

Then, out of the shadows, five wolves emerged, lean, hungry, and wild-eyed. Their fur was gray and matted, their fangs glinting beneath snarling lips. They spread out, slowly encircling the group, their growls deep and threatening.

Issei swallowed hard. ‘Five? Really? Why couldn’t it just be one?’

Wu Ying exhaled slowly, her gaze narrowing. When she spoke, her tone was steady and confident, almost casual. “Just wolves.”

Issei blinked in disbelief. “Just wolves”?! Are you kidding me?

But Wu Ying wasn’t afraid. If anything, she looked annoyed, like someone forced to squash a few pests before dinner.

She didn’t wait for them to attack. With a blur of motion, she lunged forward, closing the distance faster than Issei’s eyes could follow.

Her first strike, a clean, brutal punch, connected with the nearest wolf’s skull.

CRACK!

The beast’s head snapped to the side, its body collapsing instantly to the forest floor.

Before the others could react, Wu Ying pivoted, her leg slicing through the air in a smooth, graceful arc. Her heel struck another wolf square in the stomach, launching it backward with such force that it slammed into a tree trunk. The sound of breaking wood echoed through the clearing.

Issei’s jaw dropped. “Holy crap…”

His awe only grew as he watched her body move, each strike precise yet fluid, her every motion a mix of strength and elegance. The way her hair whipped behind her, the glint of determination in her eyes, the soft rise and fall of her chest—

‘And the way that punch made her oppai bounce.’ He blinked, his face turning red. ‘Wait—focus, damn it!’

While Issei’s mind spiraled into unholy territory, the wolves regrouped, circling their target more carefully this time. They were ordinary animals, but instinct told them that the girl before them was no ordinary prey.

Wu Ying shifted her stance, fists raised once more, waiting for the first move.

“Wow…” Issei breathed, unable to help himself. “Wu Ying is amazing.”

Wu Xiao nodded vigorously, her pigtails bouncing. “That’s right! Sis Ying is the best!”

Wu Lan, standing protectively beside her younger sister, smiled faintly. “She really is.”

But before she could say more, her expression changed, her eyes widening in alarm.

The wolf Wu Ying had kicked into a tree earlier was back on its feet, staggering but determined, and it was heading straight for them.

“Wu Ying!” Wu Lan cried out instinctively.

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

Wu Ying turned—just for a second. A fatal second.

“!!!!”

The remaining wolves pounced. One bit down on her ankle, another lunged upward, teeth sinking into her arm, dragging her to the ground with a snarl. She grunted in pain, struggling against their combined weight.

The third wolf leapt toward her throat, going for the kill.

“Wu Ying!” Issei shouted, panic surging through him.

But the girl wasn’t done yet. With a desperate yell, she slammed her free fist into the air mid-lunge, catching the wolf square in the side of the head. It yelped, flying back several feet before crashing into the dirt.

Still, it wasn’t enough. Blood trickled down Wu Ying’s arm, her ankle twisted beneath one of the wolves that refused to let go.

Issei froze for a moment, watching helplessly. She’s strong… but even she can’t take on all of them alone.

Then movement caught his eye, the wolf that had been thrown earlier was now limping toward Wu Lan and Wu Xiao.

“Crap!”

Without thinking, Issei jumped in front of them, spreading his arms wide. His legs trembled, his heart pounded, but he forced himself to stand tall.

“I—I’ll protect you!” He shouted, though his voice cracked halfway through.

Wu Lan gasped. “Issei, no—!”

The wolf snarled, crouching low. Its yellow eyes locked on his shaking form. It could smell the fear rolling off him.

It charged.

Issei’s breath hitched. His muscles screamed to run, but he didn’t move.

‘Come on, Issei, do something!’

When the wolf leapt, he closed his eyes and swung his arm wildly in blind panic.

The forest had gone eerily silent. The smell of blood lingered in the cool air, mixing with the scent of damp earth and crushed leaves. Even the wind seemed to hesitate, unwilling to disturb the scene before them.

Issei stood frozen, his right fist still trembling midair. His heart pounded in his chest like a drum.

There was no pain. No bruising. No sensation of his bones cracking or his arm shattering like he expected. Only the solid impact—that sharp, heavy resistance followed by a sickening crunch.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

Before him lay the wolf that had lunged at him. Its body was still, blood seeping from its jaws and pooling into the dirt. Its lifeless eyes stared blankly at nothing.

Issei blinked once. Twice. Then looked down at his hand. His knuckles were red—not from his own blood, but from the wolf’s. He flexed his fingers, his mind blank.

“...Did I… just…?”

His thoughts were spinning when a sharp cry brought him back.

“Wu Ying!”

He turned and saw the middle sister struggling to push herself upright. Three wolves lay dead around her—broken, bloodied—but Wu Ying herself was in no better shape. Deep bite marks ran along her leg and arm, blood staining her robes. She was panting, her eyes still blazing with stubborn defiance even as her body trembled.

But one wolf still stood. The last survivor, teeth bared and growling low, its yellow eyes locked on her weakened form.

Wu Ying clenched her fist, but her body wouldn’t obey. She tried to raise her arm, wincing at the pain, knowing she wouldn’t be fast enough.

And before she—or anyone else—could move, Issei’s body reacted on instinct.

His legs kicked off the ground.

He sprinted forward, faster than he ever thought possible. He didn’t even think—he moved.

The wolf leapt.

So did he.

Their paths crossed midair, only a few feet apart—

WHAM!

Issei’s foot struck the wolf’s skull cleanly, snapping its neck with a sharp, echoing crack. The creature crumpled instantly, sliding across the dirt before going still.

Silence fell once again, broken only by the ragged breathing of those left standing.

‘What just happened?’

The same thought ran through all four of them—Issei and the three sisters alike.

Wu Lan was the first to move. She dropped to her knees beside Wu Ying. “Wu Ying, are you okay?”

Wu Ying groaned, wincing as her older sister began to check her wounds. “I’ll live… Just a few bites.”

“That was amazing, Big Bro!” Wu Xiao exclaimed, running over to Issei, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. “I didn’t know you knew martial arts like Sis Ying!”

“Martial arts?” Issei repeated, still dazed. “Heh… yeah, about that… I don’t remember being this strong.”

He laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. ‘Was that me just now? There’s no way I could’ve hit that hard… right?’

Wu Ying’s head snapped toward him, her expression equal parts shock and anger. “You—! Why didn’t you tell us you were a First Stage Fighter?!”

“...What?”

Her tone made it sound like an accusation.

Wu Ying scowled. “Don’t play dumb! Even if you’re from another country, everyone knows what that is!”

Issei blinked. “I’m not playing dumb! I seriously have no clue what that means!”

Wu Lan sighed, tying a bandage around her sister’s arm using strips of cloth torn from her robe. “Wu Ying, wait. Look at him—he’s not lying. He really doesn’t know.”

Wu Ying’s glare faltered as she studied his face. His eyes weren’t mocking or evasive. They were wide with honest confusion.

“How can you not know what a Fighter is,” she muttered, exasperated, “if you’re clearly in the first stage?”

Wu Xiao giggled behind her hand. “Big Bro must be stupid.”

“Wu Xiao!” Wu Lan scolded gently, giving her younger sister a light flick on the forehead.

“Sorry…” She said, giggling anyway.

Issei raised his hands helplessly. “So uh… someone mind explaining what a ‘First Stage Fighter’ is? Because I’m kinda lost here.”

Wu Ying groaned and turned away, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Y-you! Fine. I’ll explain later. The forest isn’t safe.”

Issei rubbed his neck. “Fair enough. Uh, here—let me help you up?”

Wu Ying shot him a glare. “No, I can stand on my own. You’re carrying the dead wolves.”

“Wait, what?!”

“So we can trade them, of course,” Wu Lan said matter-of-factly as she finished tying Wu Ying’s last bandage. “Their furs are valuable, and their meat will help us and can be used to batter with the villagers.”

“Ugh…” Issei groaned, pinching his nose as he stared at the carcasses. “That’s… kinda gross.”

Wu Ying smirked despite her injuries. “What, never seen blood before?”

“Not this much of it!” He protested, shuddering slightly.

Still, he didn’t argue further. He bent down, grimacing as he lifted one of the wolves by the scruff, its weight surprising him less than it should have. His body felt light—stronger than he remembered. He then went to grab the other four and was surprised that even with their combined weight, it didn’t even feel like he was straining himself.

He frowned. ‘Just what the hell’s happening to me?’

As Wu Lan supported Wu Ying and Wu Xiao hummed cheerfully beside them, the small group began their trek back through the quiet forest.

Behind them, the faint trail of blood marked the site of their first true encounter with this world’s danger.

Done. Tell me if I made any mistakes. These are surprisingly coming out much faster.