Chapter 1486: The Longest Time With Ylva, Lupus, and the rest of the Werewolves ready to attack at any moment, the Howlers had to act quickly. The very first step was preparation. Sadie, Frank, and Vlad were sent out in three different directions to serve as lookouts, their job simple but vital: to warn the others the instant the enemy arrived. Crawley would have been the obvious choice, his bird-type Altered body naturally suited for scouting. But Crawley was too badly hurt, his wings shredded and his body trembling from exhaustion. Even if he tried to fly, he wouldn’t last long. The others couldn’t risk him collapsing mid-flight, so the responsibility fell to the three next-fastest members of their group. Meanwhile, Marie, Kevin, Olivia, Park, and Midwak descended to the first floor. Their task was far less glamorous but no less critical , to raid the kitchen for food. Gary knew exactly why. The power of the Warhammer had drained every last drop of energy from those bound to him. The surge had given them strength when they needed it most, but now the crash left their bodies weak and trembling. Some were struggling just to remain standing. He could imagine that the Werewolves who had been stationed farther out, those whose energy he had tapped into, were also unable to fight even if the sun rose at that very moment. It was a cruel cost, but at least they had food. Being in a restaurant gave them one advantage , shelves and refrigerators stuffed with supplies. Plates, canned goods, cooked dishes that hadn’t yet been touched. There was plenty to keep the drained fighters on their feet, even if none of it could return their strength quickly enough for the coming battle. Gary had already decided none of them would fight until the sun came up. He wouldn’t let them. They had given enough. Upstairs, the core of the group was already discussing what came next. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy as though the walls themselves were bracing for impact. “We need to think of groups or individuals strong enough to go against the main targets,” Gary said. His tone was firm but measured, the voice of someone carrying the burden of command. “With so many Werewolves charging in, fighters like Crawley, Numba, and the others will be busy holding the line. If we don’t protect our back, if the frontline cracks, they’ll overwhelm us.” Don stepped forward, his arms folded tightly across his chest. His usual confidence hadn’t wavered. “One of those targets is obvious,” he said. “I’m the only one here strong enough to take on Lupus.” He narrowed his eyes at Gary. “That trick you pulled before , with the Warhammer. You can’t do it again, can you? Lupus will be even stronger than your friend Kai was just now.” Gary’s throat tightened. He swallowed, but the answer came with difficulty. He shook his head. “If that’s the case,” Don continued, “then I’ll face him alone. I don’t have much energy left, but I can fight. No one else should interfere. If they do, they’ll just die.” The words were brutal, but there was truth in them. Gary wanted to argue, but deep down, he knew Don was right. Without the Warhammer’s borrowed strength, he himself wouldn’t have lasted a heartbeat against Kai. Against Lupus? The thought alone sent a chill down his spine. “I’ll take care of Ylva,” Blake said suddenly. His voice was calm, but there was steel in his eyes. “You said she’ll be different in her Luna form, but I don’t care. She’s someone I have to face.” “I’ll help you,” Gary added without hesitation. “I know how tricky a Luna can be, especially with powers like hers. If we can pin her down, even for a moment, we might be able to break the flow of the entire battle. Taking her out is the key to stopping them.” Austin spoke up next, determination flickering across his face. “If Broodie shows up again, I’ll go against him. I’ve recovered enough to take down someone like him, and since the others already faced the Ironfangs, it’s my turn to pull my weight. My portals are coming back. If I can finish him quickly, I’ll join in to support the rest.” Gary nodded. That was one more piece of the plan secured. “We’ll also need to keep watch for Slit,” Gary continued. “I hurt him badly before, but he’s still alive. Maybe one of us will run into him. Either way, we can’t ignore him. That still leaves one more problem , the iron-masked Werewolf.” The group fell quiet for a moment. Then Blake spoke again. “I think Innu should take him. The Iron Mask fights like an Altered Hunter. Innu’s knowledge of their style might give him an edge. If anyone can adapt against him, it’s him.” Innu’s face paled. His hands trembled slightly. “I… I can try,” he said, voice low. “But I’ve burned through most of my energy. I’ve barely had time to recover. I’m not sure I’ll be enough.” “I’ll help you,” Apollo said firmly. “I’ve already used up my healing factor fighting Lupus, but I need to do something. I need to get them back somehow.” Gary noticed Blake’s expression twitch. It looked like he wanted to say something, perhaps to argue or offer a different plan, but he stayed quiet, holding his words back. In the end, they had their assignments. Everyone knew who their targets were. Don against Lupus. Blake and Gary against Ylva. Austin against Broodie. Innu and Apollo against the Iron Mask. Slit, if he appeared, would be handled on the spot. It was a plan , fragile, desperate, but a plan nonetheless. Gary took a deep breath and looked around at them. He saw determination in their eyes, but also exhaustion. They were bruised, bloodied, and barely holding on. Yet here they stood, ready to face death head-on. “I want everyone to go into these fights with the same mindset,” Gary said. His voice was low but carried across the room. “We’re not trying to win. Not yet. We’re not here to kill them or finish this fight in one stroke. We’re here to survive.” He looked each of them in the eye. “Hold out. Buy time. Once the sun rises, Kai, Marie, and the others will be able to fight again. That’s when we push back. That’s when we strike. But until then… fight to survive. Don’t fight to win.” A silence fell over the room, heavy but resolute. Then one by one, they nodded. Even Don gave a single, sharp nod. Survival came first. And then Gary’s body stiffened. His eyes flickered, his instincts flaring. He felt it , the surge of power rising in the distance, a pressure that made the hairs on his arms stand on end. The True Alpha. The Luna. Their forms had been summoned. Their howls echoed faintly through the night, deep and chilling, promising death. Gary clenched his fists. He could feel it in his bones. They had thirty minutes. Thirty minutes until dawn. Thirty minutes to survive the most terrifying battle of their lives. For Ylva, thirty minutes was more than enough to wipe them all out. For Gary and his people, those thirty minutes would be the longest they had ever known. ***** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. Instagram: jksmanga P.a.t.r.e.o.n: jksmanga When news drops about My Vampire System, My Werewolf System, or any other series, you’ll hear it there first. Feel free to reach out, if I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.