The beasts surged from every direction, eyes like burning fungus, claws dragging furrows in the forest floor. The corrupted air hummed with their growls, each sound a promise of torn flesh.
"Circle!" Elyra commanded, voice sharp. The group tightened formation, backs together, weapons out.
The System's timer burned bright in Lior's mind:
> [Adaptive Combat Protocol: 94 seconds remaining]
He shifted his grip, every heartbeat syncing to the rhythm of the approaching attacks. The first beast leapt — he met it mid-air, blade slicing through its gullet. It hit the ground twitching.
Kael unleashed another pouch, this one exploding in a burst of blinding white powder. The creatures recoiled, but the light revealed how many there truly were — dozens, their bodies writhing in the mist, waiting for a gap in the group's defense.
Elyra's bowstring sang, each arrow finding a target's eye. Ryn's spear spun like a wheel of steel, jabbing, sweeping, hooking creatures off their feet. But the wolves were learning — the next rush came low, crawling through the undergrowth to avoid Kael's powders.
> [Combat Pattern Recognition: 42% Complete]
Projected Outcome: 57% survival rate if formation breaks]
Lior grit his teeth. "Not happening," he muttered.
A beast lunged from below, its claws catching Ryn's calf. Ryn stumbled with a curse, the line almost breaking — but Lior was already moving, speed boosted by the System. His sword came down in a brutal arc, severing the beast's head before it could drag Ryn into the dark.
"Thanks!" Ryn barked, slamming his spear into another throat.
The timer ticked past 50 seconds remaining.
Another message flashed:
> [System Sync Surge – Optional Trigger]
Effect: Overload physical capabilities for 30 seconds. Risk: severe backlash.
Lior's chest burned with the choice — unleash it now and potentially cripple himself, or hold it for the unknown horrors lurking deeper in the forest.
The circle shuddered under the assault. Kael was nearly dragged away, Elyra was down to her last six arrows, and the forest seemed alive with the sound of snapping twigs.
If they didn't end this now, there wouldn't be anyone left to make the choice later.
Lior clenched his jaw. "System… trigger the surge."