Rowan did not know why he did it.

  Instinct had taken over and before Rowan knew it, he was already aiming his bow at the giant centipede; releasing a mana reinforced arrow that had been transformed from his finger.

  It seems that as of late, his body acted on its own before he could actually give out the command.

  It could be a lifesaver at times, but also extremely frustrating as seen the day before.

  The only reasonable explanation was that his body reacted to his thoughts when it saw the opportunity. The giant centipede's sole attention was on the pack leader. The pack leader had unintentionally made a chance for Rowan to deal a killing blow and he took it.

  It was said that master class monsters could sense everything within a hundred miles. Rowan didn't know how true this fact was, but he did not want to take the risk of finding out. Assuming the centipede already knew he was there, Rowan did not like his chances if he had to face the monster alone.

  Rowan could also assume that the giant centipede didnt sense him at all, or if it had it would ignore him. There was too much what if scenarios and Rowan didn't like it.

  The giant centipede wasn't the only problem to worry about

  The problem was that even if he somehow helped the wolves, there was no guarantee of victory working together. The wolf pack had barely dealt any significant damage before their pack was demolished.

  One more problem. Who to say the wolves wont turn on him if they somehow won together? Their numbers would be highly diminished and all the surviving members would be tired and injured. Wouldn't a good tired and hurt human serve as the perfect recovery snack?

  There was too much at risk and that was why Rowan waited for the perfect opportunity. To do what exactly, he did not know, but he would plan accordingly as he always did.

  So when the pack leader latched itself on the giant centipede, it was the opportunity that Rowan was waiting for. The wolf pack leader had driven the proverbial nail into the centipede's coffin and now all Rowan needed to do was drive it in. Only problem was that the ‘nail’ was a bit weak and he may need to drive in one more nail.

  This was not the practice test shot that he had been imagining. Rowan had wanted to try it on some regular monsters in the forest, such as wolves or deer. Not a giant centipede that had the power to match an army.

  Rowan had learned a long time ago that things rarely go according to plan, so he adapted. Rowan’s finger arrow had already been transformed and released. He waited with baited breath as he watched the arrow reach its target.

  While not the test the originally planned, it worked just as well.

  The giant centipede had barely registered the incoming projectile when it reached its head. The head was the size of Rowan's body. The arrow looked tiny and insignificant in comparison. The centipede's first reaction was to disregard the arrow. What could a mere stick do?

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  That was the last mistake of its life.

  The arrow pierced right through the centipede's head easily, boring a tunnel through it.

  Huh, that was a lot stronger than I thought it would be.

  Rowan's eyes widened in amazement at how devastating the single arrow had been. He underestimated his new technique and had been in the process in creating the second arrow with his middle finger.

  With nothing to control the rest of the body, the centipede immediately collapsed on the floor with a thud. Along with it was the pack leader who was barely holding on at this point.

  Rowan walked up to the wolf with bow and arrow ready. It was better to put the monster out of its misery right now, As cold as it seems, prolonging its life was even more worse as its injuries could no longer be healed.

  The wolf looked calmly at the approaching human. It had long accepted its death as it made one final desperate gamble with its foe. Even though the human had helped it, the human purpose was to originally hunt. It did not take a lot of intelligence to figure who the arrows were meant for. It had seen humans long ago when it traversed across the outer layers of the forest. Its last wish was to deal as much damage as it could to the slaughter of its pack.

  Now it had succeeded and had nothing else to wish for.

  No, that was wrong. There was one more thing remaining. The whole reason why the battle was fought in the first place.

  As Rowan approached the dying wolf, he noticed it was unbelievably calm. It had accepted its death with grace.

  Just like a certain dragon.

  Monster apparently knew when death was certain and accepted their end proudly.

  The only difference from that battle was that Rowan was not heavily injured. One more thing that stood out to Rowan.

  The wolf had not closed its eyes. Instead, it kept staring at a certain point in the forest. Rowan couldn't help, but be curious. What could possibly drive the wolf to focus that even in its dying breath, it could not let go. He had an inkling, but Rowan wanted to be sure.

  Rowan walked over to the spot that the pack leader had been staring at. It was covered in harmless plants that looked as if it had been moved there intentionally.

  With one hand he swiped the plants to the side revealing a recently made hole with something inside. That was how he discovered it.

  A small wolf pup with fur as white as snow.

  Its eyes were closed and it was so small that it could be lifted with one hand. It was a newborn, Rowan realized. He turned his gaze back to the pack leader. The giant wolf met his gaze and then closed them once and for all.

  However the message was sent.

  I leave it up to you.

  How a wolf could entrust its own child to a human, Rowan did not understand. He did understand the whole battle was fought over keeping the pup safe. Why the wolves had not run away with the pup, the world would never know as only the dead wolf members knew. All Rowan knew the wolves had put everything on the line to protect this newborn.

  Rowan understood the pack leader’s feeling of entrustment. Now he had to decide whether to take this wolf pup with him or not. The smart choice would be to put an end to its life right away. The wolf no longer had any family members alive and Rowan was in no environment to raise another being. He could barely keep himself alive, yet to add on another creature?

  The pup was an extra burden he did not need.

  As Rowan stared at the baby monster, he soon came to a realization.

  And with that realization came a decision.