The three assumed defensive positions. The metallic scent of tension hung in the air.
Melina — Activate: Predator's Call!
In the next instant, the enormous Baron Cockroach let out a guttural scream, a sound that seemed to tear through the atmosphere, and flew furiously toward Melina, its sharp legs gleaming like obsidian blades.
Melina (thinking) — Damn… I'll have to use some permanent skills…
Melina — Steady Push, Vibrant Vision, Reflex Flexion, Grip Pressure, and Organic Resistance — activating in passive mode!
An invisible yet almost tangible aura took shape around her. It was as if the air distorted around her. Gohoah and Atrix felt a chill run down their spines. Melina's combat level had risen to a brutal tier.
Melina (firmly) — I'll fight it. I need your support! Gohoah — stay on Atrix's defense line, you're her shield. Atrix, your attacks will create the openings I need.
The Baron Cockroach reached Melina in the blink of an eye and unleashed a devastating kick. Melina crossed her arms, blocking the strike with both hands. The impact echoed through the forest, and Melina was hurled away, sliding across the ground and kicking up dust.
Gohoah (shouting) — Melina! Are you okay?!
Atrix (shocked) — That hit… if it were me, I'd be dead…
Melina stood up, wiped the blood from her mouth, and smiled, eyes gleaming with adrenaline.
Melina — If this were two weeks ago… I'd still be on the ground…
She drew her daggers — now two sharp, gleaming blades. Her expression hardened. Muscles tense, breathing controlled. She was in full combat mode.
The Baron Cockroach ignored the other two and charged at her again, as if she were the only one that mattered.
Gohoah (in disbelief) — It doesn't care about us at all…
Atrix (thinking aloud) — Just like when she faced the phoenix…
Gohoah — Then let's take advantage!
With the monster focused entirely on Melina, Gohoah and Atrix felt their courage reignite and charged into battle.
The Baron Cockroach attacked furiously, using its legs like blades, trying to slice Melina apart, who dodged with supernatural reflexes. In a swift move, Melina landed a kick to the creature's head, forcing it back, enraged.
Atrix — Cutting Storm!
A fierce windstorm slammed down on the cockroach, wind blades slicing through the air violently, trying to pin it down.
Atrix (growling) — Damn… not even that works…
Gohoah (determined) — That's enough!
He charged in, blade gleaming, and performed the Hundred Blade Slash — movements so fast they looked like flashes of light. The creature's body was marked by dozens of cuts… but they were superficial.
The Baron Cockroach roared, expanding its monstrous aura and shattering Atrix's spell like paper.
Atrix (desperate) — Shit!
In the blink of an eye, the monster appeared behind her, ready to crush her with a brutal blow. But Melina appeared like lightning, blocking the attack with her body and being thrown away along with Atrix.
Melina (gasping) — It's stronger than all of us combined…
Melina (thinking) — Even so… I don't feel fear. Is it because the level gap isn't that wide? If luck helps… we might kill this bastard… hahaha… this makes me feel… alive… excited…
Atrix (scared) — Melina… your stomach!
Melina looked. A massive wound was staining her body, blood pouring in red rivers.
Melina (unfazed) — Don't worry… the Scarlet's Adaptive Regeneration is working…
She grabbed a pill and swallowed it.
Atrix — What is that?!
Melina — Concentrated algae… there's a kilo of it here. A friend from the research center made it for me.
The Baron Cockroach attacked again. Melina dodged with difficulty, blood weighing down her movements.
Atrix — Cutting Storm! — This time aiming just at the creature's legs.
Gohoah took advantage of the opening and landed a precise strike on the right leg — the sound of tearing flesh echoed through the forest. A deep cut.
Melina (shouting) — Nice!
She unleashed her flames, but the monster remained unaffected.
In a brutal move, the Baron grabbed Gohoah's head and hurled him like a ragdoll into the forest, disappearing among the trees.
Baron Cockroach (furious) — I'll devour you all!
Melina ran and bit into the creature's eye. The bitter, viscous taste exploded in her mouth.
The Baron went into a frenzy, screaming. In response, it pierced its claws through Melina's body. At the same time, she drove her daggers into the monster's skull. The Baron dropped Melina, staggering.
Taking advantage of the opening, Melina, drenched in blood, slashed the creature's torso with a vicious blow, spilling its entrails onto the ground.
Atrix (desperate) — Melina!!!
Melina fell. Atrix ran, kneeling down, cradling her bloodied head in her lap.
Atrix (crying, hands trembling) — Oh my God… Melina… so much blood… what do I do?
Melina (struggling) — Ap… apply pressure… with your powers… the rest… my body will handle…
Panting, Atrix used her wind abilities to compress the wounds, stopping the bleeding. The hours crawled by like centuries until the wounds began to close.
Gohoah limped into view, face scratched, body covered in bruises. Seeing Melina in Atrix's lap, panic took over.
Gohoah (shouting) — She… is she dead?!
Atrix (exhausted, smiling through tears) — No… just sleeping… lost too much blood… fell into rest… can you believe… even like this… she looks cute sleeping?
Gohoah (in disbelief) — Cute?! That girl is a monster! Have you ever seen an Advanced Appraiser kill an Apex Elite?!
Atrix (dryly) — That doesn't matter. Activate the emergency exit already.
Gohoah — Let's go! We need to take her to a hospital.
Atrix — She said a hospital won't help… her ability neutralizes toxins… let's go home.
Gohoah — Alright.
Carefully, Gohoah picked up Melina in his arms, and the three of them headed out of the open-field simulation, the smell of blood and echoes of battle still lingering in the air.