"Somi! How many grenades do you have left?" Everstay shouted, pressing himself against the short fence for cover while reloading his gun—a sleek, an upgraded weapon that fired bullets trailing purple smoke. The smoke wasn't just for show; it weakened enemies upon contact.
"I've got three left!" Somi replied, quickly firing a shot at one of the alien-like monsters—the Hixars—that lunged at her.
"Pass me one!" Everstay requested, taking out two Hixars charging toward him and Somi from opposite directions. Without hesitation, Somi tossed a grenade to him. He caught it mid-air with practiced ease and slipped it into his pocket.
"Pass me one too," Grayworm called out from his side, brushing dirt off his amor after finishing off a Hixar with a swift slash of his blade.
"I think I'll just save it for later..." Somi teased with a smirk.
"Save it for who? Me?" Omega quipped. He was surrounded by snarling Hixars, their claws gleaming dangerously in the dim light of the forest. "I'm the one who needs it the most right now!" he yelled.
"Uh… I'm coming!" Somi yelled, dashing to his side while firing precise shots with her little daggers.
"You could just toss him the grenade, Somi!" Sparrow said from the treetops, drawing his bow. His arrow whizzed through the air, pinning a Hixar about to pounce on Somi.
"It's just a Level 2 monster; we can't waste grenades on that!" Somi defended herself.
"Says the girl who handed one over to Everstay without a second thought," Grayworm muttered as he joined Everstay, slashing at the oncoming creatures.
"Well… he's the boss," Somi replied, rolling her eyes.
The moment she said it, the three guys chorused, "He's the boss," mimicking her in perfect unison. It was a running joke within the team—Everstay was always her excuse for any preferential treatment.
After a few more tense minutes, the last of the Hixars fell to the ground.
"Whoo! That was a lot of Hixars," Sparrow said, hopping down from his perch.
"They're coming from that tunnel," Everstay observed, pointing toward a dark, eerie passageway ahead. Without hesitation, he approached the entrance.
As he drew closer, a Hixar leapt out, but Everstay's reflexes were quicker. He fired, the purple smoke trailing behind the bullet as it pierced the creature's chest. He then tossed a grenade into the tunnel. A deafening explosion followed, accompanied by the agonized screeches of the Hixars within.
"See? That's a good use of a grenade," Somi said smugly, glancing at Grayworm.
The group spent a few minutes gathering loot from the fallen creatures—gold coins, rare resources, and even a shiny chest containing a new weapon. Once they were done, Everstay gathered the team together.
"Alright, team," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "We've been tasked to collect Skyshards from this forest. They're rare, glowing crystals that only appear in monster lairs, and the guild needs them for weapon upgrades. Be ready; the deeper we go, the harder it'll get."
The Dragons nodded in unison, their weapons ready and senses sharp.
They ventured deeper into the forest, the dense foliage casting shifting shadows under the soft light. The sound of rustling leaves and distant bird calls filled the air. Just as things seemed calm, a thunderous roar shattered the peace.
"What is that?" Somi whispered, her grip tightening on her daggers.
A massive figure lumbered into view, standing nearly fifteen feet tall. Its green, wart-covered skin glistened with slime, and patches of moss clung to its hulking frame. Its eyes burned a fiery red, and sharp tusks jutted from its grotesque mouth. In its hands was a crude but deadly spiked club, large enough to crush a boulder in one swing.
"It's a Level 7 troll!" Omega exclaimed, his voice a mix of fear and excitement. "This is going to be tough!"
The Dragons sprang into action.
Somi darted between the troll's legs with unmatched speed, her daggers slicing at its knees and ankles in an attempt to slow it down.
Grayworm strummed his lute from a safe distance, the magical melody filling the air and boosting the team's strength and resilience.
From above, Sparrow launched arrows at the troll's face, aiming for its glowing red eyes. One arrow struck true, causing the troll to bellow in pain as it swiped wildly at the air.
Everstay and Omega took the front lines. Everstay's sword clashed against the troll's club, sparks flying as he parried its devastating blows. Omega used the openings to strike at the troll's exposed chest, his sword leaving deep gashes in its flesh.
As the battle raged, a live stream of the fight appeared on screens across China. Viewers were glued to their devices, cheering and gasping at every turn.
"We're live, folks!" the commentator announced, his voice crackling with excitement. "The Dragons are taking on a Level 7 troll deep in the Forest of Epic Quest! This isn't just any fight—this is a battle of strategy, skill, and sheer guts! Can they survive this brutal encounter, or will the troll crush their hopes of gathering Skyshards?"
The chat exploded with activity:
"OMG, Somi's moves are insane!"
"Everstay is such a boss. Look at that parry!"
"Sparrow better not miss—one shot could mean life or death!"
The commentator continued, his voice rising in intensity. "The troll's health is dropping, but don't be fooled! One swing from that club could send them straight to respawn. Look at Everstay—he's holding the line like a pro! And Sparrow, up in the trees, providing cover fire! This is why the Dragons are a top-tier team!"
As the troll's health bar dwindled, the Dragons launched a coordinated attack. Sparrow's arrow sank deep into the troll's remaining eye, blinding it completely. Somi slashed at its legs, causing it to stumble. Grayworm's melody reached a crescendo, fueling Omega's final charge.
"Now!" Everstay shouted. His glowing sword arced through the air, cutting clean through the troll's neck. The massive creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing to the ground with a thud that shook the forest.
The team cheered, raising their weapons triumphantly. The live stream audience erupted with applause, the chat flooded with praise for the Dragons' flawless teamwork.
As they looted the troll's massive corpse, Everstay held up a glowing Skyshard, its ethereal light illuminating the forest floor.
"This is what we came for," he said, a rare smile on his face. "Let's move. There's more out there waiting for us."
The Dragons nodded, ready for the next challenge in the vast world of Avatar Epic Quest.