Mela's voice cut through the air, "The others have encountered another common-rank Yaijuu."
Meanwhile, Richard's group continued their battle. "The size and reaction speed are similar," Richard observed.
Peter chimed in, "We just need to be fast enough to kill it."
Pelia raised an eyebrow. "First time you've said something useful, Peter." Peter's eyes twitched, but Richard intervened, "Enough talk."
Richard charged at the Yaijuu, creating another wind blade. He leapt into the air, spinning his body before slashing down. The Yaijuu dodged, unleashing a stream of green substance that Richard barely avoided. The substance hit a nearby tree, melting it and widening everyone's eyes.
"Imagine that hit your face, Pelia," Peter said with a grin, earning a furrowed brow from her. The Yaijuu stood still, its mouth dripping with the corrosive substance. Suddenly, it opened its mouth wide, firing multiple green bullets.
Marcel swiftly conjured a barrier, protecting his team. Richard nodded, "Time to add speed to our attack." He dashed towards the Yaijuu, moving too fast for it to react. With a swift slash, Richard cut the Yaijuu in half, ending the battle.
Mela's voice echoed, "Richard Stiles' group has killed a common-rank Yaijuu." Mark's response was laced with expectation: "As expected."
Three common-rank Yaijuus approached Richard's group, and a wide grin spread across his face. He charged forward, swiftly slicing the necks of two Yaijuus before they could react. The third Yaijuu received a kick in mid-air, followed by a fatal slash as Richard jumped up to meet it. Pelia and Peter exchanged an exasperated glance, rolling their eyes in unison.
As they caught their breath, Peter observed, "This place does look like a forest." Marcel nodded in agreement. Hannah's thoughts wandered to a specific person, "I wonder how the others are doing."
Meanwhile, Sera's group encountered a common-rank Yaijuu. "This is a Yaijuu?" Sera asked, her punch landing with precision, sending the creature flying into trees before it collapsed, lifeless. "If Richard were here, he'd be using his evolved type by now," Sera said.
Fredrick's gaze swept the surroundings, "True, he doesn't hold back for the sake of impressing others." Rhea noted, "This place seems to have a low number of Yaijuus." Sera's response was laced with amusement, "Or they're scared of him," her eyes flicking to Fredrick.
As they ventured deeper into the Yaijuu forest, Fredrick remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings for potential threats. Suddenly, Aiden and Rhea froze, their senses alert.
"We're surrounded," they said in unison, Rhea's eyes widening in surprise that Aiden had picked up on the same cue.
Cedric looked around, confused. "What? I don't see them."
"I think they have a way of hiding their presence," Aiden explained.
Ten green-skinned Yaijuus emerged from the shadows, their mouths open wide, ready to unleash their corrosive substance. Sera swiftly conjured a defensive barrier, protecting her group.
The green bullets struck the barrier but were repelled, and Alexa's face lit up with a smile. "Good job, Sera," Fredrick praised, as he crafted an ice spear.
With a swift spin, he hurled the spear, striking three Yaijuus with precision. Aiden's eyes widened in admiration. Fredrick formed another spear and took out three more Yaijuus.
"Four more remaining. I'll leave the rest to you guys," Fredrick said calmly. Aiden stepped forward, ready to join the fight, but Alexa stopped him.
"No, you stay here. Rhea will handle the rest." Aiden's eyes twitched slightly at her words.
Rhea drew her daggers, throwing one with precision to end a Yaijuu's life. Three more daggers followed, each finding its mark, killing the remaining Yaijuus instantly.
"Nice aim," Fredrick said, a light smile on his face. Rhea nodded in response.
As the group approached, Alexa dissolved her defensive barrier, and they converged on Fredrick. However, Aiden lagged behind, his gaze fixed on one of the Yaijuus.
He noticed a glowing, rainbow-like object within the creature's chest. Curiosity got the better of him, and he reached out, extracting the object. Suddenly, a red aura enveloped his hands, absorbing the object.
"Aiden!" Cedric called out, noticing his friend's absence. Aiden rushed back to the group, his mind reeling with confusion.
"Did I just absorb that without even trying?" Aiden thought, still trying to process what had happened.
Fredrick's gaze lingered on Aiden, who seemed lost in thought. "He sensed the Yaijuus before I could react. He has good sensory skills, but why is he at the bottom of the unranked warrior's list?" Fredrick wondered, scratching his head in puzzlement. He decided to focus on the hunt instead.
"How many have we killed so far?" Fredrick asked, crafting an ice dagger and spinning it before throwing it at a nearby Yaijuu. "Ten," Alexa replied. The dagger struck true, and Alexa updated the count, "That makes it eleven."
Fredrick's expression turned thoughtful. "The amount of kills is so small. Let's hurry and find more." He gestured for the group to move faster.
Aiden's eyes were drawn to the fallen Yaijuu, and he noticed the same rainbow-like object at its center. "What is this?" he wondered. Cedric's touch on his shoulder broke his concentration. "Hey, are you okay?" Aiden snapped back to reality, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Nice one," Rhea said, her voice filled with admiration for Fredrick's precise throw.
Fredrick's lips curled into a light smile, which caught Alexa's attention. Her eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance, and she thought to herself, "I'm done protecting burdens. The next Yaijuu that comes is mine for the taking."
Aiden suddenly stopped in his tracks and his fist clenched immediately, his eyebrows furrowed deeply. That reaction was noticed by Cedric who felt surprised by it.
"They are here." Aiden said his eyebrows still furrowed.
"Who?" Fredrick and Sera asked
"The beings that killed my family."
"What? Where are they?" Alexa asked, her voice laced with concern. "And please stop trying to act like you have good sensory skills," she added, her tone skeptical.
However, Rhea's gaze lingered on Aiden, and she knew he wasn't joking. His eyes were fixed on a point, his face twisted in pain as memories flooded his mind. The image of his family being slaughtered by shadow Yaijuus replayed, and the helplessness he felt at the time still lingered.
A purple portal materialized, and a young boy with black hair and armor radiating purple energy emerged. The group sprang into action, immediately Fredrick formed an ice spear, Rhea grasped her daggers, and Sera clenched her fists.
Aiden's eyes transformed, turning blue with glowing lines at the corners. The boy's gaze swept the group, finally resting on Aiden. "Qinsura," he said, his voice low and cold.