The group descended from the rooftop in silence, their steps purposeful and measured as they left the safety of the building behind.
The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint echoes of distant creatures prowling through the ruined city.
Shadows danced across the rubble-strewn streets, the fading light casting an ominous glow on the crumbling remains of civilization.
Laura led the way, her movements calm but deliberate. Behind her, Eric adjusted the grip on his dagger, while Essei held her bow tightly, her fingers brushing the new arrows Laura had provided. Miara followed closely, her face a mixture of resolve and nervousness, her healer's bag slung over her shoulder.
The moment they stepped outside, danger greeted them. Two creatures emerged from the shadows, their low growls cutting through the silence.
One resembled a bloated canine, its back hunched and its jagged teeth bared in a feral snarl. The other was smaller, more feline in its movements, but its elongated limbs and glowing red eyes gave it an otherworldly, predatory edge.
Essei acted first, her instincts honed by their training. She nocked an arrow, her Target Lock skill activating as her vision zeroed in on the canine-like creature.
With a deep breath, she drew the bowstring back and released. The arrow flew true, embedding itself in the beast's skull. It let out a choked growl before collapsing to the ground in a lifeless heap.
Eric stepped forward to deal with the second beast. A flame flickered to life in his hand, glowing brighter as he channeled his Fireball ability.
He hurled the orb of flame at the feline creature, the heat illuminating his determined expression.
Bwoooom!
The fireball struck the beast directly, engulfing it in flames. It screeched and writhed, its limbs flailing wildly before it crumpled to the ground, smoldering and still.
Miara, who had stayed close to Laura, let out a quiet breath of relief. Laura glanced at her, her expression calm but firm. "Stay close," she reminded her. "You're the healer, and that makes you the most important part of this team. If we lose you, we lose everything."
Miara nodded, her grip tightening on the dagger at her side. Her nerves were evident, but she was determined not to let them hold her back.
The group continued onward, moving cautiously through the ruins. Laura led the way, her sharp eyes scanning every shadow and corner for signs of danger.
As they walked, she began to explain their objective. "Tonight's goal is simple," she said, her voice steady. "Each of you will kill at least twenty creatures."
The others stopped in their tracks, turning to her in surprise. Miara's eyes widened. "Twenty?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Laura turned to face them fully, her expression unyielding. "And Miara," she added, her tone firm, "you'll need to kill thirty."
"Thirty?!" Miara blurted, the panic in her voice impossible to hide. "Laura, I—"
"You can do it," Laura interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. "You've been through the same training as the rest of us. You've sparred with Eric. You know how to fight. This isn't about punishment—it's about preparation. The stronger you are, the better it is for all of us."
"But I'm the healer—" Miara began, only for Laura to cut her off.
"Exactly," Laura said. "You're the healer, which makes you both our biggest strength and our greatest liability. If you're strong enough to defend yourself, we don't have to divide our focus between protecting you and fighting. This isn't just for you. It's for all of us."
Essei glanced at Miara, her expression thoughtful. "Makes sense," she said with a shrug. "The stronger you are, the less we have to babysit you."
Miara's face flushed, but after a moment, she nodded. "I'll do it," she said quietly, determination creeping into her voice.
Laura smiled faintly. "Good. Now let's find our targets."
The hunt didn't take long to begin. After a short walk, they stumbled upon a courtyard where a group of a dozen creatures prowled among the rubble. Each beast was unique, a grotesque amalgamation of features that seemed plucked from nightmares.
One had the body of a spider, its legs long and hairy, but its head was avian, a sharp beak snapping aggressively. Another was a hulking, tusked brute with two heads, its massive frame lumbering as it sniffed the air.
There was a sinewy, serpentine creature that slithered among the debris, its scales shimmering like oil in the dim light. A bipedal beast with elongated limbs and jagged spikes covering its back snarled as it clawed at a nearby wall.
Laura stopped, motioning for the others to do the same. She turned to Miara, placing a short sword in her hand. "Your turn," she said, her voice calm but commanding. "It's time to see what you've got. Stay calm, remember your training, and you'll be fine."
Miara stared at the weapon, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the hilt. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to nod. "Okay."
The others moved into action, engaging the creatures and leaving one behind for Miara. It was a smaller beast, about the size of a large dog, with sharp claws and a twisted, skeletal frame. Its glowing yellow eyes fixed on Miara, and it let out a low growl before lunging at her.
Miara's instincts kicked in, and she sidestepped the attack, her movements surprisingly fluid. Her grip on the sword tightened, and she slashed at the creature's side.
Thwack!!
The blade connected, drawing a dark, viscous liquid that oozed from the wound. The creature snarled in pain, swiping at her with its claws, but she ducked, her training taking over.
Each move came back to her like muscle memory. She dodged, countered, and struck again, her blade biting deeper into the creature with every swing. It stumbled, its movements growing sluggish as she pressed the advantage.
Finally, with a decisive thrust, she drove the sword into its chest. The creature let out a final, pitiful screech before collapsing at her feet.
Miara stood there, breathing heavily, her chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through her veins. She stared at the fallen creature, a small, triumphant smile forming on her lips. For the first time, she felt the weight of her potential. She could fight. She could survive.
But her smile vanished as she caught movement from the corner of her eye. Another creature was charging toward her, its claws extended.
Miara's heart skipped a beat, but then she saw it—Laura, standing off to the side, watching her with a faint smirk. She realized instantly that this was no accident. Laura had let it through on purpose.
Taking a deep breath, Miara steadied herself. She wasn't going to falter. She wasn't going to be a burden. Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword as she stepped forward to meet the creature. Her resolve burned brighter than ever.
She would level up. She would grow stronger. And she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that her teammates were watching her back.
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Author's Note!!
Hello dear readers, I'm not dead yet!!
I'm back and completely healthy! Lol...
I'm back to daily updating and I promise I won't miss this time. I swear on Laura's life.