Team battle
We moved through the Whispering Woods, the familiar rustle of leaves a backdrop to Lumine and Amber's quiet chatter. Amber pointed out local flora and points of interest, her patrol instincts sharp. Lumine, meanwhile, seemed to possess a natural calmness, her movements fluid and efficient. Paimon, of course, mostly complained about how long the walk was, despite being able to fly.
Eventually, Amber held up a hand, signaling us to stop. "Alright, just up ahead," she whispered, pointing towards a clearing. "Looks like a small Hilichurl camp. Two archers on those makeshift platforms, and about three or four regular Hilichurls patrolling below."
My eyes narrowed, automatically scanning the layout. This was familiar territory. The archers, always the priority. I instinctively reached for my bow, sliding it from my inventory with a practiced motion. Amber and Lumine exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise in their eyes as they saw my weapon of choice.
"Allow me," I murmured, stepping forward slightly, finding a good vantage point behind a cluster of bushes. "I can handle the ranged ones."
Before they could respond, I notched an arrow, the smooth wood feeling like an extension of my arm. My Archer Combat Mastery at Lv 20+ meant I didn't need to aim so much as will the arrow to its target. I focused on the head of the closest archer, activating Precise Shot. The world seemed to sharpen, the Hilichurl's crude mask highlighted in my vision.
Thwip!
The arrow flew with a whisper of wind, finding its mark with unerring accuracy. The archer dropped instantly, tumbling from its platform with a dull thud.
You have killed a Hilichurl Archer! EXP +10
The sudden noise caused a stir in the camp. The second archer looked around wildly, trying to pinpoint the source. I didn't give it the chance. This time, I pulled back on the string, feeling the familiar hum of energy as I charged the shot. My aim shifted to the archer's chest.
WHUMP!
The Charged Shot hit with devastating force, blowing the archer clean off its perch and sending it flying into a nearby tree.
You have killed a Hilichurl Archer! EXP +10
Down below, the remaining Hilichurls were now fully alerted, bellowing and grabbing their clubs. Before they could even properly advance, I drew my bow again, this time activating Multi-Shot. Three arrows materialized on the string, aimed at the closest ground-based Hilichurls.
Thwip-thwip-thwip!
The volley of arrows sliced through the air. One Hilichurl grunted as two arrows embedded themselves in its chest, causing it to collapse. Another stumbled, an arrow piercing its thigh.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
In a matter of seconds, the two archers were neutralized, and two of the ground forces were down. Only a single, limping Hilichurl and perhaps one more uninjured one remained, roaring in confused fury.
I lowered my bow, putting it back into my inventory with a satisfying click. Lumine and Amber were staring, mouths agape, Paimon wide-eyed beside them.
"Woah!" Paimon finally shrieked. "Lance is super strong with a bow!"
Amber, recovering, gave a slow whistle. "Well... that was certainly efficient, Lance! I didn't even have time to nock an arrow!" She looked genuinely impressed, and a little stunned. "Looks like we just need to clean up the rest."
I gave a small shrug, already reaching for my spear. "They're all yours."
I grinned, pulling my spear from my inventory with a practiced flourish. "Alright," I said, a battle-ready glint in my eye. "Let's finish this."
Lumine gave a nod, her expression now serious, and Amber, shaking off her surprise, immediately drew her own bow. Paimon, of course, floated excitedly, urging us on.
"Knights of Favonius, move out!" Amber declared, and we rushed into the camp.
The remaining Hilichurls, perhaps two or three at most, were still reeling from my aerial assault. One was limping heavily from my arrow, while the others were simply bellowing in confused rage. This was a straightforward mop-up operation.
I engaged the closest uninjured Hilichurl, immediately closing the distance with a dash. My spear became a blur, activating Multi-Thrust as I aimed for its chest. The creature roared in pain, its crude club barely even raising before my successive strikes tore through its defenses. It crumpled to the ground, dissolving into motes of light.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
Beside me, Lumine moved with an elegant efficiency, her elemental powers weaving. A surge of Anemo energy from her palm swept across the remaining Hilichurls, staggering them and creating an opening. Amber, seizing the opportunity, quickly notched an arrow and sent it flying, taking down the limping Hilichurl with a well-aimed shot.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
The last Hilichurl, isolated and surrounded, let out a desperate, guttural cry. I dashed forward, my spear already poised. With a single, powerful thrust, I ended its brief resistance.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
The camp fell silent once more, but this time, it was a collective silence, filled with the satisfaction of a job well done. My breathing was even, barely a bead of sweat on my brow. My mastery in both spear and bow, combined with my improved stats, made even these group encounters feel almost effortless now.
"That was amazing, Lance!" Paimon exclaimed, zipping between us.
Amber walked over, scanning the now empty camp, a wide smile on her face. "Seriously, Lance, you're incredible! I've never seen anyone switch between bow and spear with such skill, let alone take down so many so quickly! Where did you learn to fight like that?" Her genuine awe was clear.
I just shrugged, picking up a few stray dropped materials. "Just... practice, I guess. A lot of practice." The truth was far more complex, of course, but I wasn't ready to delve into my system-granted abilities just yet. For now, the camaraderie felt good.
Just as Amber finished speaking, and I was about to pocket the last of the loot, the ground vibrated with a deep, resonant thud. It wasn't the usual, chaotic bellow of a regular Hilichurl. This was heavier, more deliberate.
From the tree line directly opposite us, where the camp had previously seemed to end, a truly enormous figure stepped into the clearing. It was unmistakable: a Brute Hilichurl, even larger and more menacing than the one I'd barely survived months ago. Its crude, oversized club looked like it could shatter stone, and its masked face exuded an aura of raw, unbridled power.
"Oh no, not again!" Paimon shrieked, instantly zipping higher into the air.
Amber's eyes widened, and her hand instinctively went to her bow, her friendly demeanor replaced by a sharp, focused alertness. "A Brute Hilichurl!" she breathed, her voice low. "I didn't expect one this far out! They're usually only found deeper in the wilds."
Lumine's expression tightened, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Even with her own developing powers, the sight of such a massive foe clearly demanded caution.
The Brute let out a deafening roar, a challenge that vibrated through the very air, and began to lumber towards us, its club dragging momentarily on the ground before it raised it in a menacing arc.
The Brute Hilichurl let out another earth-shaking roar and charged, its massive club raising a cloud of dust with each thunderous step. This wasn't a foe any one of us could handle easily alone, but together, we had a chance.
"Alright, stay nimble!" Amber yelled, already nocking an arrow. "Aim for its legs, try to trip it!"
"Right!" Lumine replied, summoning a gust of Anemo energy to her palm, ready to strike.
I didn't hesitate. My strategy against the last Brute had been successful, and with allies, it would be even more effective. "I'll draw its attention!" I called out, then immediately initiated a Dash Burst, a rapid surge of speed that put me directly in front of the charging monster.
The Brute swung its club in a wide, devastating arc. I ducked low, letting the massive weapon whistle over my head, then launched myself forward with a Multi-Thrust directed at its left knee. My spear hammered repeatedly against its tough hide. The Brute grunted, its charge faltering slightly, but it barely flinched.
As I dashed away, creating distance, Lumine moved in. With a swift, elegant motion, she summoned a focused blast of Anemo, sending a swirling vortex of wind against the Brute's legs. The mighty creature staggered, momentarily off balance, a furious bellow escaping its mask.
This was Amber's cue. "Now!" she shouted, unleashing a rapid volley of arrows. She wasn't aiming to kill, but to harass, to distract. Her arrows peppered the Brute's arms and shoulders, drawing its attention away from Lumine's elemental assault.
The Brute, annoyed by the combined attacks, swiveled slowly, its massive club swinging haphazardly. I used its slow turning speed to my advantage, darting in with another Dash, aiming a strong Thrust at the shimmering weak spot on its back – the same one I'd discovered last time. The impact registered, causing a deeper grunt of pain.
The fight became a brutal, coordinated dance. I was the primary aggressor, drawing its heavy attacks, using my high Dexterity and Dash skill to weave in and out, constantly aiming for the exposed weakness on its back or trying to hinder its legs. Each time I drew its attention, Amber would provide suppressive fire, peppering it with arrows. Lumine would seize every opening to unleash her Anemo attacks, creating gusts of wind to slow it or disorient it, buying us precious seconds.
There were close calls. Once, a wide swing from the Brute's club sent me scrambling, the wind of the blow rustling my hair. Another time, Lumine had to quickly summon a small gust to deflect a rock it hurled at her. Amber nearly got caught by a backhand swing while trying to reload, but managed to dive out of the way. My own side, still carrying a faint bruise from the last encounter, twinged with sympathetic pain.
My stamina began to wane, but the Brute was also showing signs of wear. The gash on its back, aggravated by my repeated spear strikes, was growing larger. Its roars were less confident, tinged with frustration.
"It's tiring out!" Amber called, noticing the slight drag in its movements.
"Focus fire!" Lumine added, launching another powerful Anemo attack that caused the Brute to stumble badly.
This was our chance. I pushed every last ounce of my strength into my final assault. I performed a feint, drawing its attention with a rapid dash, then immediately shifted, performing a rapid sequence of Dash and Multi-Thrusts directly into the deepening wound on its back. Simultaneously, Amber loosed a Charged Shot that slammed into its head, while Lumine channeled a final, powerful Anemo blast that sent another tremor through its massive frame.
The Brute Hilichurl roared one last, guttural cry, a sound of defeat. It swayed violently, its gargantuan club falling from its grasp with a final, heavy clang. Then, with a thunderous crash that shook the entire clearing, it toppled forward, sending dirt and debris flying.
You have killed a Brute Hilichurl! EXP +75
We stood panting, the three of us, in the suddenly silent clearing. My muscles screamed, but a surge of triumph, far greater than any solitary victory, coursed through me. We had done it. Together.
Amber lowered her bow, a wide, relieved smile on her face. "Phew! That was a tough one! Great teamwork, everyone!"
Lumine gave a tired but grateful nod, her eyes shining. "Indeed. Lance, your fighting style... it's incredibly effective. You handle yourself remarkably well against such foes."
Paimon, now floating safely beside us, zipped down. "That was super exciting! Paimon knew you guys could do it!"
Note: just wanted to get these chapter out before i have to focus on other projects.