Advika spun around and rushed towards her sister, stopping right in front of her.
"Vicki, battle mode!"
The cat leaped off her shoulder and grew in size, landing gracefully in front of her.
The two Komodo dragons slowly stalked towards their kill, seemingly unconcerned about the humans and their beasts.
"Those are two Perfect stage Beasts, with a Lv3 Combat strength. Either of them could easily kill you two and your beasts," Christopher said, his hands still raised.
The two girls glared at him.
"What's with the look? I'm just stating facts. You have two options: One, you run away, sacrificing your kill as a distraction. Two, the three of us face them together and share the spoils... namely, the cores. You can have the meat and any other parts." He smiled.
Advika turned to her sister, who slowly nodded. She sighed and turned back to Christopher.
"Fine! How do we take them down?"
Christopher lowered his hands and walked forward, positioning himself in front of the two sisters.
"Watch how a Tamer uses their Beasts."
He flashed them a smile. Advika rolled her eyes, while Sylvia chuckled.
Christopher rubbed his ring, and three trails of blue light shot out, materializing into three Perfect stage Beasts before them.
Sylvia gasped, awestruck by the three Perfect stage Beasts, each with a Combat strength above Lv1.
"Like my Beasts?" He grinned.
"You talk too much," Advika retorted, stepping forward to stand beside him.
"Your Beast has a Lv1 Combat strength. You do realize it only has one skill, right?"
"Vicki isn't an 'it'! Show some respect!" Advika glared.
"Okay, okay, I'm just saying... I mean... he won't survive in close combat."
"How do you know that?!"
Before they could argue further, Sylvia interjected, "You two, they're at the kill!"
Christopher and Advika turned to see the two Komodo dragons preparing to feast on their free meal.
"Not on my watch! Night Cat! [Red Plasma Beam]!" Christopher yelled.
The cat's eyes glowed purple. It braced its claws on the ground, and a powerful plasma beam erupted from the diamond on its forehead, striking one Komodo dragon and sending it crashing to the ground.
The second Komodo growled angrily and, ignoring the dead dog, rushed towards its fallen companion.
The three watched as the injured Komodo struggled to its feet and slowly turned towards the humans.
The three were stunned as sharp earth spikes shot up from the ground, hurtling towards them.
"They can use skills?!" Sylvia exclaimed in horror.
"Vicki! [Helm of Protection]!!"
A green, transparent barrier materialized in front of them.
Christopher studied the barrier for a moment, then shook his head: "Rhino! [Earth Defense Wall]!"
A massive wall of earth rose from the ground behind the green barrier.
The spikes slammed into the barrier, shattering it instantly, and then collided with the earthen wall.
"Your Beast has a Lv1 Combat strength. Don't make the mistake of trying to block attacks from anything stronger! The dog was only Lv1, so you could deflect its attack, but these guys are on a different level."
Advika gritted her teeth, knowing he was right.
The wall crumbled, revealing the two Komodo dragons, now charging towards them.
"Give me your sword."
"Huh?!" Advika frowned.
"Give it to me if you want to live!"
She sighed in exasperation and handed him her sword. Christopher took it and surged forward.
His three Beasts followed close behind.
"Sister," Sylvia said, worried.
"Don't worry, Sylvia... We can only assist from a distance. Vicki! [Helm of Protection]"
A green barrier enveloped Christopher, while plant roots snaked up from the ground, temporarily restraining the two lizards.
'This won't hold them for long, but it'll buy some time!' Christopher thought.
He accelerated. "Rhino! [Earth Smash]!"
The Rhino skidded to a halt and slammed its front legs into the ground, triggering a mini-earthquake.
The lizards froze momentarily.
"With their strength, I have maybe five seconds," he muttered.
He stopped in front of one lizard, raised the sword, and plunged it down into its skull, cleaving it open.
The beast let out a pained roar and collapsed, dead.
Just then, the second lizard freed itself and turned to Christopher. Seeing its companion fall, its eyes blazed red.
The lizard ripped free from the roots and lunged at him, jaws agape, intent on killing.
The Centipede and the Cat intercepted it, knocking the Komodo back several meters, then positioned themselves protectively in front of Christopher.
"Thanks, guys. Time for the finishing blow."
Christopher smiled, staring at the Komodo as it struggled to its feet.
"Rhino! [Earth Smash], Night Cat! [Plasma Beam], Centipede! [Retribution Strike]!!"
The Rhino slammed its legs into the ground. The Cat fired a red plasma beam from the diamond on its head. The Centipede opened its mandibles and unleashed an electric laser.
The three attacks converged on the Komodo, blasting it backward.
"Our attacks aren't strong enough! How is this possible? This thing might be Lv4 Combat strength!!"
Advika exchanged a small smile with her sister. Seeing her sister's smile, Sylvia shook her head, anticipating what was about to happen.
She was stunned as Advika and her Beast sprinted towards Christopher.
Christopher glanced over his shoulder, nodded, and extended his hand to the side, the sword pointing downwards.
While still running, Advika grabbed her sword. Her Beast transformed into a streak of light and merged with it.
'Huh? I thought there was a cooldown period after using that skill?' Christopher wondered, scratching his head in confusion.
The three Beasts ceased their attacks to avoid hitting the reckless pink-haired girl.
With the attacks halted, the Komodo dragon shook its head, regaining its bearings, and looked up.
Advika leaped into the air and landed on the Komodo's back, perching on it.
Christopher and Sylvia were dumbfounded. Without hesitation, she raised her sword and plunged it down into the Komodo's skull.
She twisted the sword, driving it deeper.
With one final roar, the Komodo collapsed, dead.
'Impressive.' Christopher thought.