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Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Duel at the Oasis

The serpent woman rose from the water like a living statue, her jade armor glinting. Her lower half was a coiled snake tail of shimmering sand and scales. Heat rolled off her in waves.

Her golden eyes locked on Lin. "You come unbidden, carrying the stench of the Temple. Speak your purpose or burn."

Lin raised his hands. "Uh… sightseeing?"

Crystal hissed in his ear. "Smooth."

Elara nocked an arrow. "I don't think she's here to talk."

Nyra bowed slightly. "Guardian of Veyra, we seek only passage."

The serpent woman's lips curled. "Then earn it."

Her jaws opened — a jet of white-hot flame roared out, scorching the sand. Lin dove sideways, screaming. "SHE BREATHES FIRE?!"

Crystal: "Wait for it."

The guardian inhaled sharply. A moment later a blast of compressed air exploded from her mouth, knocking Lin off his feet and hurling him across the sand. He slammed into a palm tree, coughing.

HP -18.

"Double breath?!" Lin wheezed. "Who designs these bosses?!"

---

First Counter

Elara loosed an arrow. It struck the serpent's armor and ricocheted harmlessly. Nyra muttered a spell, a glowing barrier forming just in time to deflect another burst of fire.

Lin staggered up. Puzzle Sense flickered in his mind — the serpent's scales shimmered oddly when she inhaled, especially around her tail.

"Crystal… weak spot?"

"Tail joints. Break her anchor and she loses control of her breath," Crystal purred.

"Perfect. Except she's, you know, trying to barbeque me."

---

Improvised Plan

Lin spotted the ancient stone pillars circling the oasis. Some bore faint blue runes. He grinned. "Traps. Always traps."

He sprinted toward one, dodging another shockwave of air that sent sand spraying. "Elara! Shoot the rune stones! Now!"

Elara's arrows struck the runes. One by one, the pillars glowed and chains of glowing energy burst from the ground, wrapping around the serpent's tail, pinning it.

She hissed in fury, thrashing, but the chains held just long enough.

"Nyra!" Lin shouted. "Cover me!"

The priestess raised her staff, forming a shimmering shield of light as another gout of fire slammed into it.

---

Final Strike

Lin leapt onto the chained tail, racing up the coils as heat scorched his boots. The serpent guardian hissed, swinging at him with clawed hands. He dodged, heart hammering.

Crystal's voice purred: "Hit the weak joint now!"

He raised his club and slammed it into the glowing joint where tail met sand. The impact sent a crack of blue light across the chains.

The serpent shrieked, her flames sputtering out. She collapsed onto the sand, stunned.

System Notification:

> DING!

Trial Event Complete: Defeat or Subdue the Oasis Guardian

Reward: Skill – Sand Runner (Lv.1)

Move faster on shifting sand. Reduce vibration to avoid worms.

Lin panted. "I… I actually won?"

Crystal: "Technically you cheated with ancient traps. But sure. Victory."

---

Aftermath

The serpent woman's form shimmered. Her armor dissolved into flowing sand, revealing a beautiful, humanoid upper body with faint serpent patterns along her skin. She propped herself up on one arm, eyes no longer burning but curious.

"You… are different," she hissed softly. "No one has ever broken my chains."

Lin blinked. "So… we're good now? No more flamethrower mouth?"

She chuckled — a surprisingly melodic sound. "You have passed. The Oasis is yours. And perhaps…" Her gaze lingered on him. "…so am I, if you prove worthy."

Elara muttered, "Oh no. Not another one."

Nyra raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

The guardian lowered her head. "Follow me. I will show you the path to the Inner Desert. But beware… the worms are hungry tonight."

Lin groaned. "Great. From lava fish to fire snakes to sand worms. This world really hates me."

Crystal giggled. "Or maybe it just likes watching you die."

To be continued…

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