The Toll

Erik and Liam exchanged glances, their eyes wide with shock and concern as they saw Mia collapse. Erik whos immediately kneeled beside her feeling his heart pounding.

"Mia! What's wrong?!"

Mia's voice was faint and mumbled. "I'm fine... I just feel like I ran out of energy."

Erik's mind raced trying to understand what she meant. Then it hit him. "She's out of MP," he said aloud, realization dawning on him.

Liam nodded in understanding. "MP... maybe it's the thing called Aether in our ability descriptions. She's drained."

Their knowledge from countless hours in MMORPGs clicked into place. They knew that without MP, Mia couldn't cast any more spells or runes.

[You have gained 50 EXP.]

The notification appeared again after they killed the wolve in front of them.

Liam let out a frustrated sigh. "Damn, we get EXP but no drop items."

"It's no use complaining. Rmember that we have to keep fighting, and now we have to do it without Mia," Erik said and shook his head, focusing on the situation at hand.

Mia, still on the ground, looked up at them with eyes that still filled with fire. "I just need a few minutes to recover. I'll be back in the fight soon."

Liam nodded, though his expression remained tense. "You better hurry. We need all the help we can get."

Erik and Liam stood up, positioning themselves for the next wave. The remaining four wolves paced at the entrance of the corridor, their eyes burning with fury and hunger.

"Ready?" Erik asked, gripping his metal rod tightly.

Liam hefted his axe, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the approaching threat. "Ready."

"Don't push to much. Don't use your ability too much," Erik said.

Liam nodded his head. However, he can't help but feel the fear had started to grip his heart. Fighting in this situation is very dangerous.

"Just think like this is in a game!"

He will use anything that can help him calm right now. Even though its mean that he should imagine himself inside a game while in reality he is fighting a real danger that could take his life.

The wolves, sensing the weakened state of their prey, charged forward. The narrow corridor would once again be their battlefield. Erik and Liam braced themselves, their minds and bodies prepared for the grueling fight.

Liam took the lead, his berserker strength flaring as he swung his axe at the first wolf that lunged at them. The creature snarled, its powerful jaws snapping inches from Liam. He quickly brought his axe down with a forceful blow, striking the wolf's side and driving it back.

Their minds racing with the realization of how dangerous it was to deplete their Aether. They couldn't afford to collapse like Mia had. They needed to fight strategically and conserve their energy for when they absolutely needed it.

The wolf, sensing their hesitation, growled menacingly and charged forward again. Liam stepped up, meeting the beast head-on. He swung his axe with all his might aiming for the wolf's shoulder again. The blade bit into its flesh and the creature howled in pain, staggering back but not deterred.

Erik moved quickly to support Liam, striking the wolf's legs with his rod. The beast snapped at him but Erik danced out of reach, using his agility to stay one step ahead.

They fought in perfect synchronization, their attacks complementing each other. Liam's raw power and Erik's speed and precision created a deadly combination. The wolf struggled to keep up with their coordinated strikes but its size and ferocity made it a formidable opponent.

Erik ducked and swung his metal rod with precision, striking the wolf's flank. Liam seized the opportunity and brought his axe down with a powerful strike, aiming for the beast's head. The wolf dodged slightly, and the axe grazed its ear, causing it to howl in fury.

The creature retaliated with a fierce bite, latching onto Liam's right arm. Liam grunted in pain and his grip on the axe faltering momentarily. Erik, seeing his friend in danger, moved swiftly. He jabbed the wolf's side with his rod, hitting it repeatedly until it released its hold on Liam.

Liam ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm. He then roared and swung his axe again. This time, he struck the wolf's neck, the blade sinking deep into its flesh. The wolf let out a gurgling whimper and collapsed, its lifeblood pooling around it.

[You have gained 50 EXP.]

"Are you okay?" Erik asked while looking at Liam.

Liam grimaced but nodded. "It's just a bite. I'll manage."

Before they could catch their breath another wolf lunged at them, driven by rage and hunger. Erik and Liam quickly regained their footing, preparing for the next assault.

The third wolf was just as ferocious as the one before it. It charged at them with eyes blazing. Liam swung his axe, aiming for the wolf's legs to cripple it. The blade struck true, cutting into the beast's limb and causing it to stumble.

Erik moved in, his rod striking the wolf's head with a forceful blow. The creature snarled and snapped at him, but Erik was too quick, darting out of reach.

The wolf disoriented and in pain. It tried to retreat but Liam pressed the attack. He swung his axe with all his might striking the wolf's spine. The beast collapsed, twitching and whimpering as its life ebbed away.

[You have gained 50 EXP.]

Breathing heavily, Erik and Liam stood over the fallen wolf, their bodies aching and bloodied. Liam's arm throbbed with pain and Erik could feel the sting of several minor cuts and bruises. They had managed to defeat another wolf, but the toll was starting to show.

"There are only two left," Erik said, his voice determined. "We can do this."

Liam nodded, though his face was etched with pain and exhaustion. "Yeah, we just need to hold on a little longer."

The two remaining wolves circled warily, their eyes flickering between their fallen comrades and the two humans who had bested them. They growled and snarled, their muscles tensed for the next attack.

At that moment, Mia standing up. "I'm ready to roll again."

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