Neri and his teammate walked side by side. Soon, they arrived at the clearing, instantly gathering attention.
As both parties sized each other up, Neri spoke.
"Looks like other teams made a temporary base here… it should be safe," Neri said to Rita.
However, as both of them were about to retreat to a corner of the clearing, Toffle spoke up.
"This space is already occupied. Leave!" he said coldly.
Neri's eyes darkened.
Rita, noticing the change in the air, was about to speak when suddenly…
Roar!
Hundreds of footsteps rapidly approached, closing in at an alarming speed.
Just then, Davi received a system notification.
[Ding!]
[Mission Alert!]
[Host should slay 10 class 2 beasts in the coming rampage!]
[Rewards: +20 Asura Points, +5 Soul Points]
[Penalty: 20% increase of all items in the Asura Catalogue]
"Damn this system!" Davi cursed.
I can barely afford the current items, and you want to increase them by over twenty percent? he thought.
He immediately got into a battle-ready position, with Gravilis by his side.
He rapidly activated the Hell of Torment, devouring the surrounding nen energy and infusing it directly into his body.
Currently at the third level of body refinement, he could directly temper his bones… and he did just that.
He augmented his ear bones, as well as his arms and legs.
Neri's eyes widened in horror as he immediately began sprinting in the opposite direction of the roar in an attempt to escape.
Of course, Rita followed closely behind him, and soon both of them disappeared just as quickly as they had appeared.
"Hmph! Such a spineless idiot!" Toffle cursed.
Immediately, he began condensing the nen energy in the air into the palm of his hand.
Boom!
The nen energy exploded outward as he cast a spell.
"Iron Spears!"
Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!
Condensed forms of nen shot out as silver spears.
Bang!
Roar!
A creature let out a hideous roar as it rapidly collapsed.
It was only then that everyone got a clear look at the attacking beasts.
"Is that…?" Alyssia stared in horror.
"A black-horned buffalo!" Daniel screamed.
Gerald's eyes darkened.
"There should be over forty of them, and all are at least class 1 level 9 beasts… it's even led by a class 2 level 5 beast!" Loken said as he stared at the approaching herd.
"Class 1 or class 2 beast… what does it matter? They will all die!" Toffle roared.
"Kill!" Nimue followed, immediately releasing a barrage of attacks.
"Dark Arrow!"
The surrounding nen energy rapidly transformed into a terrifying darkness, shooting arrows in all directions.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
ROAR!!!
The beasts let out indignant roars as two more collapsed.
Seeing this, the morale of the alliance increased…Daniel was the only exception, as he was the weakest in the group.
"Bob… let's go!" Loken commanded as both he and his B-rank Mist Scorpion charged into the battlefield.
Although the scorpion was young, due to its B-rank, it possessed strength equivalent to a class 2 level 1 beast.
With its potent stinger, it delivered severe toxins into three buffalos.
Seeing this opportunity, Loken didn't waste a second.
"Lightning Strike!"
He condensed a yellow lightning spell and unleashed a terrifying attack.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
BOOM!
The three beasts instantly collapsed.
Dead.
"Haha… let's see what I'm capable of," Russell said.
With a glance, Russell and Pricillia decided to team up.
I've always wondered what her elemental affinity is… looks like I'll find out soon enough, Russell thought as they charged toward a buffalo slightly isolated from the pack.
"Ice Thorns!"
Boom!
The temperature dropped several degrees as ice thorns shot upward from the ground, severely injuring the buffalo.
Seeing this, Russell's intent surged—but not wanting to be outdone…
"Water Slash!"
The nen energy in the air transformed into a raging wave that slashed forward.
The attack wasn't as strong as Pricillia's, but because it struck the already weakened areas, it delivered a fatal blow.
Dang! Dang! Dang!
ROAR!
The buffalo let out an indignant roar before collapsing.
Seeing this, the two immediately targeted another nearby beast.
ROAR!
A buffalo, realizing it was losing, tried to escape… but spotting Davi, it charged toward him wildly, thinking him easy prey.
It was gravely mistaken.
Bang!
Davi delivered a powerful blow.
Roar!
The beast was pushed back several meters.
With even more ferocity, it charged again.
"Gravilis, go!" Davi called.
Activating the terrain modifier combat role, a hole appeared in its path.
Though small, the buffalo's speed caused it to stumble.
Seizing the moment, Davi unleashed a barrage of attacks coated with Asura Qi.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gravilis struck with her tail, injecting necrotic venom into the buffalo.
ROAR!
The beast let out one final roar before collapsing.
[Ding!]
[Host has slain a Black-Tooth Buffalo!]
[EXP +3]
Hearing the notification, Davi was ecstatic and immediately lunged toward another target… he still had nine more to kill.
Seeing this, the alliance's morale rose sharply.
Daniel, Gerald, and Alyssia, along with the wolf Bluely, launched attacks on other beasts.
Slowly, the alliance began to gain the upper hand.
Toffle, Nimue, Loken, and Davi were the true powerhouses.
Their combat strength surpassed that of the beasts.
Of course, the ones they had faced so far were only class 2 level 1 or level 2.
However, seeing the deaths of its subordinates, the leader of the herd roared in fury.
Immediately, several class 2 level 3 beasts charged forward, doubling the pressure.
***
Mage Observation Platform…
So far, several mages and knights were hooked, observing different teams and their battles.
Some had died, while others still struggled to survive… most of the mages didn't seem to care.
However, for certain teams, it was a different situation entirely.
At this moment, all attention was on the alliance.
Archon Alzareth's eyes darkened.
"Seems like we may have to step in. We can't allow these kids to handle this alone," he said.
Fearing for his daughter, the king immediately agreed.
"You must indeed," he responded.
His concern was evident.
"Naturally, we will. However, this is necessary for them, it's good combat experience. The world of mages isn't an easy one," Grand Commander Dufus said.
"Besides, Alzy… if they can't handle this much, what do you think will happen when they step into that place?" Archon Draith said with a soft laugh.
Her voice subtly enchanting those around her.
"Hmph!" Alzareth snorted.
They turned their attention back to the screen, having already dispatched a Magic Master to intervene if necessary.
"Remember, don't act unless it's absolutely necessary," Dufus warned.
The mage nodded before disappearing into the Ashwood Forest.
Now… will you create another miracle? Lady Stacy thought as she watched eagerly.