The dense trees of the 4th Floor rustled with a breeze that carried no scent, but Han's instincts screamed otherwise.
They were being watched.
The group stood in a defensive circle, backs to one another, weapons drawn.
Han shifted his stance, raising his new sword. Sleek, sharp, and balanced perfectly for dual wielding—it was a gift from Saena, crafted to complement his style. He gave it a small flourish, letting the blade hum in the air.
"Get ready, girls," Han said calmly, even as tension coiled in his gut. His Feral Senses surged with urgency.
They were coming.
Suddenly, the foliage trembled—and five figures stepped into view.
They looked human at first glance: tall, lithe, with alluring silhouettes that made Jenna blink in confusion. But their movement was too smooth, too weightless. Feathers drifted from their forms like smoke from a fire.
"Humans?" Jenna asked hesitantly.
"No," Han replied, narrowing his eyes. "Harpies."
The lead harpy emerged from the treeline, towering above the others. Her talons crunched twigs underfoot, her golden eyes gleaming with cruel intelligence. Her voice rang with mocking amusement.
"Five little intruders… and one of you smells deliciously dangerous," she purred.
Raphtalia stepped forward, spear lowered. "Harpies?" she echoed in disbelief.
"Yes," Han repeated, gaze locked on the alpha. "Harpies."
Behind the leader, the four lesser harpies spread their wings, forming a loose semicircle. Each bore sharpened claws, gold-tinted feathers, and battle-hardened expressions. But it was clear—they deferred to the one in front.
Han's lips curled into a grin.
"The plan envisioned fighting grounded enemies, girls..." he said, crouching slightly.
Then he burst forward like a launched arrow, blades gleaming.
"Screw the plan. I'll take the big one—you take the rest!"
"I like this new plan!" Shay shouted with glee, dashing toward one of the lesser harpies, her sword already crackling with intent.
The others followed instantly.
Jenna loosed an arrow with deadly precision, aimed straight for her harpie's eye. The creature deflected it mid-air with a screech—but that was the bait. Jenna was already beneath it, twin daggers gleaming as she slashed upward, aiming for the wings.
Tess's eyes glowed red as she activated her skill. The Warrior's Mark pulsed to life, spreading tribal markings across her arms and cheeks. She tightened her grip on her spear, feet light, stance solid.
"For the tribe," she whispered, and then lunged.
Raphtalia raised her sword—Moon Fang—its edge glowing with pale energy.
"Moonveil Art: Lunar Channeling!" she declared. The white aura flared brighter, coating her blade with moonlight. With grace and speed, she sprinted toward her target.
On the other side of the battlefield, Shay met her foe mid-air.
"Solemn Blade..." she roared, sword lifted high. "Rending Cleave!"
The impact of her strike sent feathers and shockwaves spiraling out.
Han watched the Harpy Queen's eyes narrow—and then grinned wider.
He brought both swords up, crossing them at his sides.
"Twin Fang..." he muttered, energy building in his core. Then, he began to spin—twisting like a cyclone, the twin blades extending his reach and momentum.
"...Tearing Spiral!"
The wind roared around him as he launched forward, a living storm of blades and fury. This was his own creation—Twin Fang style, honed in the long hours inside the lobby.
Now, it was time to see its full potential.
Han collided with the Harpy Queen mid-spin, his Tearing Spiral meeting her descending talons in a screech of metal against bone. Sparks flew as his blades scraped violently along her claws—grinding, pressing, but never cutting through.
Too hard… even for these blades.
He clenched his jaw, twisting mid-air to land cleanly as the Queen recoiled, eyes gleaming with delight at the challenge.
Elsewhere, Shay's Rending Cleave crashed into her target's torso—but the harpy twisted at the last second, feathers fluttering unnaturally. The blade bit into the skin beneath her leathers, drawing blood, but only barely.
"Tch… tricky bird," Shay muttered, pivoting back into stance.
Tess fought like a beast, her spear clashing over and over with sharpened claws. The red tribal marks across her body burned brighter with every exchange, raw power pulsing from her limbs.
Just meters away, Raphtalia clashed in a dance of sword and wing. Her strikes were precise, each swing of Moon Fang glowing with silver light—but her movements were textbook, predictable. She had strength, yes—but not the instincts. Not yet.
The harpy was faster, smarter.
And worse, she wasn't the one in trouble.
Jenna…
At first, she held her own—quick slashes with her daggers, feints, quick arrows with her bow and speed buying her time. But the difference between her and the others had become glaring. While they had grown… she was falling behind despite her being one of the most talented.
A claw raked across her shoulder. Then her thigh. Blood sprayed, and she cried out, staggering.
Another blow came—and she didn't block it in time.
Then, all at once, the harpies leapt skyward.
The flapping of wings echoed across the trees as the five creatures soared high above the battlefield. Han, Shay, Raphtalia, and Tess regrouped quickly, back to back, weapons raised, scanning the sky.
"How do we beat them from down here?" Tess asked, sweat trickling down her brow.
"I have an idea—" Han began.
"Where's Jenna?" Shay shouted, eyes wide with panic.
They all looked up.
One of the harpies hovered just above the tree line—holding an unconscious Jenna in her claws, her limp body swinging slightly in the air.
Blood dripped from her wounds.
A system message flashed into Han's view.
[Jenna (☆) has fallen into a state of bleeding!]
[Jenna (☆) has fallen into a state of unconsciousness!]
"Jenna!" they all screamed in unison.
Han's heart dropped.
There was no more time to plan.
Only time to act.
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Liked it?
Poor, my little Jenna. I've been neglecting you, sorry... I'll remadiate, I promise you. Can you forgive me, Jenna?
Jokes aside, does someone have any idea of the next heroes I have to summon? I'll accept any suggestions.