Elder Smith looks exhausted, it's not that it's a do or die situation. But they have the responsibility to defend any means possible, dying is the last choice. Right now, each has sufficient artefact on them to protect themselves from life threatening situations.
Yet they can't use it casually, they need to find an appropriate chance for that. Both of them had already requested emergency assistance. For now they need to hold on until the help comes.
That's why both of them are reluctant to use artefacts on their hands. It's also important to notice, they can't be sure that the enemy faction doesn't have any artefacts on them.
"BOOM"
Another big collision sound resonated in the area. The Peak Elite Warrior from the enemy faction continuously bombarded Elder Smith with huge boulders.
Elder Smith uses concentrated flames to destroy those rocky boulders in a single attack.
