A month had passed. Since Spark and his women landed on the Ancient Island of Glory.
The initial failures had taught them great lessons. And the brutal ambush of the Venomous Tyrannosaur had proven their great adaptability.
The island had pushed them to their limits. And in doing so, it amplified their strengths.
After the Tyrannosaur's hunt, they had moved with calculated aggression. Hunting down several of the island's deadliest creatures. Each deadly encounter had been a lesson. Each victory had been a stepping stone. They had grown, immensely.
Today marked their final act on the island. The ultimate prize. The island's sole treasure chest. Nestled deep at its geological heart.
They had scouted it days ago. But they hadn't tried to get it yet. It wasn't the chest itself that presented the challenge. But its guardian... an Evil Trent.
This was no ordinary tree creature. It was a Tier-7 monster. A colossal abomination woven from ancient wood and malevolent spirit. Its trunk was as wide as a fortress tower. Its thick and gnarled limbs were as ancient as Stone Age.
Again... it was Tier-7. The Tyrannosaur was just Tier-5. The other monsters they hunted afterward were at most also just the peak of Tier-5. It was two tiers above. And Spark himself technically was still Tier-3.
Direct confrontation was out of the question. Spark had seen it hunted from afar. The Trent was ridiculously durable. It would shrug off fire attacks like nothing. And it regenerated at an alarming rate.
Its movement was indeed very slow. But its vine-like tendrils struck with startling speed and crushing force. Fighting it would be a prolonged, resources-draining nightmare. With almost no chance of winning.
Spark wasn't interested in that kind of glory. He was interested in the treasure.
Their strategy was simple. Pragmatic. And entirely consistent with Spark's ruthless efficiency. They would steal the treasures in the chest.
Ivy's recent breakthroughs in alchemy were the backbone of this plan. First, she had created the [Stealth Potion]. A sparkling, shimmering black liquid.
Once consumed, it would warp the light and sound around the drinker. Significantly cloaking their presence for a crucial thirty minutes. Invisibility in all but name.
Then there was the [Herbicide Poison]. This was a thick, dark green concoction. It should be potent enough to significantly damage and restrain plant-based monsters.
It wouldn't kill the Trent. Not directly. But it would hurt it. Slow it. And most importantly, infuriate it.
"The plan is straightforward." Spark explained. His dark eyes scanning the Labyrinth Chart. The tablet like runic map. Laid out on their foldable table in the hidden base camp.
The dense canopy above filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns. But the air was humid and still.
"Lilith! You and I initiate the distraction. Here." He pointed a point in the map. "We coat rounds with Ivy's Herbicide Poison. We hit the Trent, hard. Make it angry, make it chase."
Spark looked at Lilith seriously. "We don't engage it directly. Keep the safe distance. Lure it away. To this direction." He pointed another part in the chart. "Until it is far enough from the chest. And then we escape."
Lilith nodded. Her expression was serious. "Understood. Focus on drawing its attention, then disengage cleanly."
"Exactly." Spark confirmed. "Once the Trent is sufficiently distracted... Scarlett! You move in. You drink the Stealth Potion. Approach the chest. Use my Appraisal Goggles. If it's not trapped, use your Archthief Key. And secure everything. Don't linger. Get the goods. Get out. Get back here."
Scarlett grinned. A hint of her perverted masochistic glee flashed in her eyes. Even in this serious moment. "Sounds fun, Master. I'll do it perfectly."
Spark's gaze then settled on Ivy, Melody, and Serenade. "You three remain here. This isn't a direct engagement. The Trent is Tier-7. We don't need unnecessary risks. Your support is vital. But not in a direct confrontation with that thing. Hold down the fort."
Ivy adjusted her spectacles. A slight frown was on her pretty face. "Are you certain, Master? My grenades could..."
"Not this time, Ivy." Spark cut her off. His tone left no room for argument. "This requires speed and precision. Your talents are best reserved for preparation and defensive measures. We extract, not exterminate, this time. A wasted fight is a stupid fight."
He didn't elaborate. But they understood. Resource conservation was very important for any adventure.
The dawn broke. Humid and heavy.
Spark and Lilith were already armed with their respective firearms. They moved like shadows. Through the dense jungle. Towards the island's center.
The air grew heavier. The vegetation was thicker and more ancient. As they came nearer to the Trent's domain. Finally, they saw it.
A monstrous, moss-laden titan. Its rooted legs were gripping the earth like a thousand grasping claws. At its base. Nestled amidst its vast root system, was a single, ornate chest. Glowing faintly in the morning light.
"Ready?" Spark whispered.
Lilith merely raised her arcane handgun. The barrel was gleaming. Her movements were fluid and precise.
Spark loaded a clip of custom, herbicide-coated rifle rounds. Into his Power Rifle. "On three. One. Two… three!"
BANG! Bang!
They fired almost simultaneously. The power rifle's shots ripped through the air. Impacting the Trent's bark with concussive force.
Lilith's arcane iron bullets were imbued with corrosive magic. And the thick [Herbicide Poison]. She followed. Her bullets burrowed deep into the ancient wood.
The Trent shuddered. A low, trembling groan. Like the grinding of tectonic plates. It vibrated through the ground.
Its massive form stirred. Slow but unstoppable. Sap, thick and dark, oozed from its wounds. Smoking faintly where the herbicide bit deep.
Tendrils, thick as pythons, thrashed wildly. Tearing through the surrounding trees with shocking speed.
"It's angry." Lilith stated. Already aiming. Repositioning slightly for another barrage.
"Good!" Spark grinned. A predatory flash were in his dark eyes. He fired again. Aiming for the same weak points. "Keep it coming!"
They poured their bullets into the Trent. Precise and relentless. The monster was enraged by the stinging poison and the impudent attacks. It slowly began to turn its attention.
It lifted its leg and stepped forward. Its walking movements were slow and sluggish. But its vine attacks were so fast that it looked like a blur. Whipping through the air. Carving deep trenches in the earth where they struck.
Spark and Lilith danced around its attacks. Their movements a blur of calculated evasion and rapid-fire. They kept peppering it with the herbicide rounds. Ensuring its focus remained on them.
Then, Spark barked an order. "Now! Fall back! Maintain fire! Draw it out!"
The two began their retreat. Leading the enraged Trent away from the treasure chest. The Trent plodded after them with a terrifying, unyielding determination.
It was slow. But it was relentless. Spark and Lilith kept just out of its range. Occasionally turning to fire another volley. Ensuring its attention never wavered.
They kept lured it away. Weaving through the dense foliage. Using the terrain to their advantage.
Spark estimated that Scarlett should have opened and acquired the treasures within the chest. He and Lilith needed to escape now. They sped up their movements.
Eventually, they disengaged. Using a series of speed enhancing techniques. Like Lilith's [Lightning Speed] or Spark's werelion speed.
They finally ditch the Lumbering titan. It was still moving in the direction they had led it. Its groans were echoing through the jungle. But it was far. Far away from the center. Far away from the treasure.
The two made their way back to the base camp. Moving swiftly but cautiously. The air was thick with humidity. The sounds of the jungle a constant, low insect sound.
"Clear!" Spark confirmed as they approached their hidden clearing. The camp was just as they had left it. The protective array was shimmering faintly. a silent guardian.
Scarlett emerged from the dense undergrowth moments later. A faint shimmer of light dissipating around her as she deactivated her Stealth Potion.
A satisfied smirk played on Scarlett lips. "Mission accomplished, Master. The chest is empty. Everything kept inside that chest is now in my Spatial Pocket." She patted her technomind spatial bag.
The three of them entered the protection array. Ivy, Melody, and Serenade rushed toward them. Relief could be seen over their faces.
"You're back!" Melody exclaimed happily.
"And unharmed." Serenade added. Her calm demeanor was a comforting presence. "Well done."
"Alright. Let's see what we've gained then." Spark said. A wide grin could be seen in his voice. "Alright, Scarlett! Let's see what riches this island held."
Scarlett chuckled. Already reaching for the object within his Spatial Bag. "Alright, Master. Let's see the first object..."
Her fingers were about to touch the first object... But then, a tremor ran through the ground.
It was not a distant rumble. It was a deep, resonant thump. One that shook the very air. The protective array around their camp flickered violently.
Spark's head snapped up. His dark-grey eyes narrowed. His enhanced senses were screaming danger. Another thump. Closer this time.
The ground vibrated. Sending ripples through the leaves.
"What was that?" Ivy gasped. Her hands were already grabbing her grenade launcher.