The battle unfolded with intensity and precision, each member of the team working to hold their ground and accomplish their goals.
Eric and Laura faced the brunt of the creatures, their movements fluid and coordinated as they kept the majority of them at bay.
Eric wielded his fire magic with growing confidence, creating bursts of flame that scorched the beasts while dodging their retaliatory strikes. Laura, a blur of speed and precision, dispatched any creature that strayed too close to Miara or Essei.
Essei, perched at a safe distance, focused on sharpening her aim and speed. She nocked arrows one after another, her Target Lock ability allowing her to hit vital points on the creatures with increasing accuracy.
She alternated between taking down creatures on her own and providing support to Eric, ensuring he wasn't overwhelmed.
Miara, meanwhile, fought in a controlled environment created by Laura's careful planning. Laura ensured Miara faced one creature at a time, giving her the space and time to adapt.
Each encounter forced Miara to focus on her training, slowly building her confidence and honing her movements. The initial awkwardness in her strikes began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of purpose.
By the time Miara had slain her seventh creature, her breathing was steady, and her eyes gleamed with determination.
Essei's final arrow pierced the last of the group, and the courtyard fell silent once more. Miara looked at her bloodied blade, a small but proud smile forming as she realized how far she had come.
Laura approached her, a faint smile on her lips. "You've done well," she said, clapping Miara on the shoulder. "But don't get too comfortable yet. Your target has risen to forty creatures tonight. That means you still have thirty-three to go."
Miara's smile faltered, but she quickly nodded. "I can do it," she said, her voice filled with quiet determination.
Essei stepped forward, stretching as she wiped sweat from her brow. "What about us?" she asked. "How many do we need?"
"You're at fifteen left," Laura replied. "Eric and I haven't taken any yet. We both have twenty to go."
Eric shrugged, a faint grin on his face. "Guess it's time to get to work."
With their goals clear, the group pressed on, their footsteps echoing through the desolate streets.
Eric carried a map he'd insisted on bringing, marking their paths to ensure they didn't get lost.
Laura had initially dismissed the need for it—she knew the area better than anyone—but she allowed him to use it anyway, deciding there was no harm in letting him feel prepared.
As they advanced, they came upon a dilapidated building, its facade crumbling and its windows shattered.
The inside of the structure seemed dark and cavernous, and faint sounds of movement reached their ears. Laura stopped, raising a hand to signal the others to halt. She peered inside, her sharp eyes adjusting to the dimness.
The hall within was teeming with creatures—over fifty of them. They moved about restlessly, their grotesque forms illuminated by the faint glow of their predatory eyes. This wasn't just a random gathering; it was a lair.
Laura frowned. "This is too risky," she said, turning back to the group. "We'll take a detour."
"No," Eric said firmly, stepping forward. "We can handle this."
"Agreed," Essei added, her bow already in hand. "We've been training for this. Let's test our limits."
Miara hesitated, her gaze flicking between Laura and the lair. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "I want to try. I can do this."
Laura's gaze swept over her team, weighing their determination. After a moment, she sighed. "Fine," she said. "But we do this smart. Follow my orders exactly, or we pull back immediately. Understood?"
The others nodded in unison.
"Essei," Laura began, pointing to a building across the street with a collapsed wall. "Get up there. It'll give you a clear vantage point. Focus on hitting weak spots—eyes, joints, necks. Save your arrows; make every shot count."
Essei nodded, already moving toward the building.
"Eric," Laura continued, turning to him. "You're the vanguard. You'll face the majority of the creatures head-on. Use your fire to control the flow of battle and keep them from overwhelming us."
"Got it," Eric said, gripping his dagger tightly.
Laura looked at Miara last. "You'll stay close to me. Focus on taking down one creature at a time, just like before. Stay calm and remember your training."
Miara exhaled slowly, nodding. "I'll do my best."
With their roles assigned, Laura positioned herself a few meters from the entrance, Miara by her side. She took a deep breath, then slammed her blade against a nearby metal pole, the sharp clang echoing through the street.
The sound traveled into the building, a clear challenge that immediately drew the attention of the creatures inside.
A guttural roar erupted from within, followed by the thunder of claws and feet as the beasts surged toward the entrance. The battle had begun.
Eric was the first to engage, stepping forward as a massive canine-like creature lunged at him.
Woooong...
A fireball roared to life in his hand, and he hurled it directly at the beast, the explosion sending it tumbling back into its companions.
Booooom!!
He followed up with a wide arc of flames, creating a barrier that forced the creatures to funnel toward him one at a time.
Essei's arrows rained down from her perch, each shot precise and deadly. She focused on creatures that strayed from Eric's path, her Target Lock ability allowing her to hit weak points with ease.
Her arrows pierced eyes, snapped limbs, and severed tendons, leaving her targets crippled or dead before they could reach the fight.
Laura kept a sharp eye on Miara as she faced her first creature, a hulking, quadrupedal beast with jagged spines along its back.
Miara dodged its initial charge, her movements fluid and precise. She struck at its legs, her blade carving deep wounds that slowed its movements. Finally, she drove her weapon into its neck, finishing it off.
"Good," Laura said, her voice steady as she dispatched a creature that had strayed too close to Miara. "Keep going."
Miara nodded, her confidence growing as another creature approached her. She focused, recalling every lesson from their training. As the battle raged on, she began to find her rhythm, each kill coming with more ease than the last.
Laura kept a close watch on the others, stepping in only when necessary to ensure no one was overwhelmed. By the time the dust settled, the hall was littered with the bodies of over fifty creatures. The group stood amidst the carnage, breathing heavily but victorious.
Essei climbed down from her perch, a satisfied grin on her face. "I lost count," she said. "But I'm pretty sure I'm done for tonight."
Miara wiped sweat from her brow, a small smile forming as she looked at the fallen creatures around her. She had done it. She had faced her fears and proven herself.
Laura sheathed her blade, a faint smile on her lips. "Good work, everyone. Let's head out."
"We're not going back to base until everyone clears their quota." Laura declared, pushing a stray hair out of her face with her smile still there.
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Author's Note!
Hello Dear Readers, it is finally time to go premium. I hope you guys will continue to support the book as you've always done. Thank you all for sticking with it so far.
I love you guys!! XD!