The pasture's peaceful breeze turned into a howling wind. Dozens of Aero-Lepus bunnies floated off the ground, spinning faster and faster. A whirlwind formed around Lin and the girls, grass and flowers ripping out of the soil.
Elara drew an arrow, but the wind ripped it from her bow. "I can't get a shot!"
Nyra tried to cast a barrier. The air compressed and shattered it like glass.
Lin clung to a rock. "This isn't a biome, it's a blender!"
Crystal's voice: "Stay mobile. Avoid suffocation zones."
Lin yelled back, "There ARE no safe zones!"
---
First Death – "Air Bullet"
One bunny launched a sphere of compressed air like a cannonball. It hit Lin square in the chest and launched him into a tree.
[Respawn]
He appeared coughing at the pasture's edge. "I swear this is personal!"
---
Second Death – "Mini Tornado"
This time he tried to run in a zigzag. The bunnies spun faster, creating a mini tornado that sucked him straight up into the air, flipped him three times, and slammed him into the ground.
[Respawn]
He sat up, dazed. "Okay. Okay. This is just cardio with extra steps."
Crystal's tone was dry. "Respawn number thirty-two logged."
---
The Butterflies Arrive
A flicker of color drifted down from the sky. Lin blinked. "What now?"
Butterflies — huge, shimmering, with wings patterned in glowing blue runes — began descending. They were beautiful… until they opened their proboscises, which glowed like little vacuums of air.
Elara's eyes widened. "Those aren't normal butterflies…"
Nyra whispered, "Wind Wraiths. They drain oxygen and cut with their wings."
Lin's jaw dropped. "I WAS KIDDING ABOUT THE BUTTERFLIES!"
One butterfly beat its wings once. A razor-thin blade of wind sliced a tree trunk in half.
"OH COME ON!" Lin screamed.
---
Funny Death – "Butterfly Blade"
He tried to dodge. Another butterfly fluttered its wings. A gust caught him mid-jump, spun him like a ragdoll, and flung him into a bush.
[Respawn]
He reappeared, hair standing on end. "I hate everything in this world."
Crystal's voice was oddly cheerful. "Good news: your repeated exposure to Air Biome attacks is creating a resonance."
Lin blinked. "Resonance?"
> [SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hidden Skill Path Unlocked – AIR DISCIPLE]
Because you've been killed repeatedly in an Air Biome, your body attunes to wind currents.
Skill Gained: WIND STEP (Lv.1)
Momentarily ride air currents to dash, dodge, or jump in any direction.
Lin's grin came back. "Finally. Superpowers with a refund policy."
---
First Use – "Wind Step"
A bunny launched another air bullet. Lin felt the current shift and dashed sideways, riding the wind itself. The sphere passed harmlessly by.
Another butterfly sliced the air with its wings. Lin stepped on a current and vaulted over it, flipping midair. "Ohhhh yeah! Parkour unlocked!"
Elara stared. "How are you doing that?!"
Lin landed beside her, grinning. "Respawn perks, baby."
The bunnies and butterflies began to circle tighter, their winds combining into a giant funnel cloud rising into the sky. Lightning crackled inside the swirling mass.
Nyra's voice trembled. "They're merging…"
Elara nocked another arrow. "This isn't a normal swarm. It's—"
Crystal's tone turned grim. "Warning: Air Guardian forming. Hazard level: Severe."
The funnel cloud twisted downward like a living tornado, glowing eyes forming in its center.
Lin's smile faded. "Oh great. Now the sky wants to Fuc..ing kill me."
The tornado roared, pulling them off their feet.
To be continued…