Leo stepped into the clearing, his presence like a challenge written in fire and steel. The harpies reacted instantly, shifting into a coordinated formation, their hollow, skull-like faces twisting in twisted delight. They understood the silent declaration—he was daring them to attack.
And they accepted.
Several darted toward him with alarming speed, their wings carving through the air like sharpened blades.
Leo didn’t flinch. He waited, fire mana pulsing through his sword as the glow intensified. When the timing was right—WHOOSH!—he swung in a wide arc, flames bursting outward.
Two harpies screeched, feathers burning as they reeled back, smoke trailing from their singed bodies. But one was slower to react. Leo twisted sharply, sidestepping its reckless charge. With precise footwork, he stepped in closer, his blade cut through the harpy’s wing.
The harpy crashed onto the ground, its twisted face screaming in agony as it writhed violently. Its screams echoed through the clearing, a sound that grated against Leo’s ears. He sneered at the noise. Annoying.
Without hesitation, he drove his sword into its chest, silencing it instantly.
But more were coming.
Several harpies broke formation, shifting their focus toward the students.
Olyraa took a steady breath, gripping her staff tightly. She planted it into the earth with force.
"Gale Wall!"
A fierce gust burst outward, forming a wind barrier that collided with the diving harpies, sending them tumbling backward.
One bounced off the recoil, its flight disrupted. Rowan seized the moment. He lunged, piercing his sword stabbing clean through the harpy’s back. Without giving it time to react, he twisted his blade free and swung again, severing its head cleanly.
Without giving him rest, another monster swooped from the sky, claws extended, grabbing Rowan and lifting him into the air. Its grip tightened, talons digging deep into his shoulders which Rowan screams.
Then.
A dagger spinning through the air hits into the harpy’s wing. The monster screeched, faltering mid-flight. Rowan took advantage of its stagger. He clenched his teeth, pushing his palm against its leg.
"Son of a bitch!" he roared.
Flames ignited from his hand,
BOOM!
A fireball blasting straight into the creature’s limb. The explosion seared through muscle and bone, forcing the monster to release its grip.
Rowan falls from seventeen feet high. His body tensed, bracing for the ground. Shit. This is gonna hurt—
But before he hit, water rippled beneath him, forming a large bubble. He landed, his fall cushioned as the bubble burst, splashing water everywhere before he finally rolled onto the dirt.
Rowan groaned, pushing himself up. Olyraa rushed toward him, her staff trembling in her grip. "Are you okay?" she asked quickly.
He placed a hand over his bleeding shoulder, nodding. "Yeah... I’ll live."
Olyraa’s immediately starts channelling her healing into his wound.
But then—they both heard it.
The damaged harpy. It wasn’t dead. It limped toward them, bloodied, enraged, one wing dragging behind it.
Their breaths hitched.
The harpy lunged towards them.
Varkas stepped between them without hesitation. His short sword flashed, cutting through the monster in a single motion.
The harpy’s body was crumpled to the ground and lifeless.
Varkas glanced back at them with a small smirk. "You guys good?" he asked casually.
Nearby, Kareth crouched beside the harpy’s corpse, pulling his dagger free and flicking off the blood. He twirled the weapon absentmindedly before slipping it back into his belt.
Leo stood in the clearing, his sword piercing the last harpy as it let out a final screech. He pulled the blade free.
It glows as he sends it back into his item space. His shirt was torn, blood streaked across his skin from cuts and grazes. His breathing was heavy, exhaustion.
Elynn’s notification flickered into his vision.
[Kill confirmed]
[Well done, Leo!]
[Alert!]
[Stats updated!]
- STRENGTH: 52 → 54
- ENDURANCE: 43 → 46
- DEFENSE: 42 → 44
- SPEED: 51 → 53
- STAMINA: 45 → 49
- MANA CAPACITY: 30 → 33
- INTELLIGENCE: 70
- BATTLE INTELLIGENCE: 83
- SOUL RESONANCE WEAPON: None
[Alert!]
[Mana level critical!]
[Stamina level critical!]
[Advised to take rest!]
Leo sighed, he staggered slightly, his knees threatening to buckle.
The group approached cautiously, their expressions a mix of awe and concern. "Are you okay?" All of them asked.
Leo chuckled weakly, his energy drained. "Yeah, I’m good," he said, his tone light despite the exhaustion.
Kareth hesitated, guilt flickering across his face. "I’m sorry... I’m the reason they came after us," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Leo stepped closer, his movements slow. He placed a hand on Kareth’s shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "Forget it," he said simply.
He turned to the group, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "Take a rest here," he instructed, lowering himself to the ground with a heavy sigh. His back pressed against a tree as he closed his eyes briefly, trying to regain his strength.
___
Elsewhere in the forest.
Lucian stood amidst the carnage, his face twisted with fury. His soul resonance weapon—a glowing red arming sword—dripped with blood as he swung it with precision.
The massive Minotaurus before him roared, but Lucian’s blade cut through its body with ease a slash, splitting the beast cleanly in half.
Lucian turned sharply, looking at the two students crouched nearby, their backs pressed against a tree. Their faces were pale, their bodies trembling with fear.
Lucian’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and demanding. "Velmira’s group, right? Where is she?" His tone carried both rage and concern.
One of the girls trembled, her voice shaky as she replied, "She’s... she’s missing. After the harpies attacked us, we got separated."
Lucian’s jaw tightened.
Before he could respond, another Minotaurus charged at him from the behind. Lucian didn’t hesitate, his blade flashed, severing the beast’s head in a single strike. The massive head hit the ground with a heavy THUD, blood pooling beneath it.
Lucian stood still, his sword dripping as he stared at the fallen creature. His breaths were heavy, his rage barely contained.
"Goddammit," he muttered under his breath.
His voice grew louder, his frustration boiling over. "Goddammit, motherfuckers!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the forest.