Team Fight

Erik, Liam, and Mia moved cautiously out of the storage room with measured step as they adapted to their new reality. Their breaths came out in visible puffs in the cold air.

Despite the swirling confusion about their surroundings and abilities, they had come to a solid understanding of how to utilize their newfound power. The knowledge they had from countless hours spent in MMORPGs was now more useful than ever. It was a surreal and strangely comforting.

In the dim light of the corridor of the ruined campus they scanned their surroundings for anything they could use. The eerie silence was occasionally broken by distant howls and the crunch of snow beneath heavy paws.

Liam's sharp eyes quickly spotted an old axe mounted on the wall, usually meant for emergencies like fires. He yanked it free, its weight and balance immediately feeling right in his hands. "This should do nicely," he said with a nod.

Mia rummaged through a nearby utility closet and emerged with a crowbar. She tested its weight and grip, a satisfied smile crossing her face.

"This will work for close combat, and prying open things, of course," she said. "Not as elegant as a sword, but it'll do." She got a glimpes of herself using a sword in her dream and it feels so cool. But now the crowbar will suffice.

"This will have to be enough for now. Let's keep moving," Erik said while kept his metal rod firmly in hand, its sturdy length a reassuring presence.

As they continued down the corridor the muffled growls and heavy footsteps of the predators grew louder. The trio's heightened senses, sharpened by their new power, picked up the vibrations through the floor and the subtle shifts in the air.

Finally, they reached a corner and peered cautiously around it. Erik's heart skipped a beat as he saw the source of their unease—a massive wolf, its fur a patchwork of whites and grays, prowling the area. Its eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger, and its size was imposing, dwarfing even Liam's muscular frame.

Erik turned to his friends, their faces reflecting a mix of fear but also resolve. They have to fight those wolves.

"We have to be careful. That thing could tear us apart if we don't work together," Erik said.

Liam tightened his grip on the axe, his face a giving expression of fierce determination. "Let me take the lead. I can draw its attention and keep it occupied."

Mia nodded, her face set in a determined expression. "I'll stay back and use my 'Strategic Defense' to protect us and 'Rune Casting' to hinder the wolf."

Erik took a deep breath, focusing on his own abilities. "I'll back up Liam."

They readied themselves with their roles clear in their minds. Liam advanced cautiously, making deliberate noises to attract the wolf's attention. The massive creature's head snapped in their direction, its growl vibrating through the corridor.

The wolf didn't waste anytime when it found possible prey. It lunged towards Liam, Mia stepped forward, her hands tracing intricate patterns in the air. Blue runes materialized around Liam, shimmering with protective energy.

Mia's runes glowed brighter, wrapping Liam in a shimmering barrier of protection. He felt an immediate surge of energy as the barrier enveloped him, like an invisible armor that strengthened him.

"Here goes nothing," Liam muttered under his breath. With a roar, he activated his own ability, 'Berserker Rage,' feeling his muscles bulge and his senses sharpen.

His body became sturdier, his grip on the axe firm as if it were an extension of his own arm.

"HYAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

With a wild and primal scream Liam charged forward, axe raised high above his head. The sound echoed through the surrounding. Liam's scream and aggression made even the massive wolf hesitate for a split second.

Erik watched in awe as Liam barreled towards the wolf, his movements looks faster and more powerful than he had ever seen.

"He's mad." Erik thought when seeing Liam charging to the giant wolf while screaming. A grin appered in his face. "That's exactly what we need in this situation."

He gripped his metal rod tightly, ready to support his friend.

Mia stood back, her eyes focused and her hands weaving more Runes in the air. She muttered incantations under her breath, preparing to cast defensive and hindrance runes as needed.

The incantation feels natural to her even though its something that she had never read or even know. Until now.

Liam reached the wolf first, his axe swinging down with tremendous force. The wolf snarled attempting to dodge, but the speed and ferocity of Liam's attack caught it off guard. The axe struck its shoulder, and the creature howled in pain and fury.

Blood sprayed from the wolf's shoulder, showering Liam's face. It made him look like a madman consumed by bloodlust.

Liam followed up with another powerful swing, his berserker strength driving the wolf back. The wolf also launching its own attack but the protective runes shimmered each time the wolf's claws struck, absorbing the impact and giving Liam the advantage he needed.

Erik saw his opening and moved in quickly. He darted around Liam, using his agility to strike the wolf from the side with his metal rod.

The combined assault from both sides confused and disoriented the beast, making it difficult for it to focus on either of them.

Mia's runes glowed brightly as she cast more magic, placing hindrance runes around the wolf's feet.

The magical symbols glowed briefly before sinking into the ground, making the ground beneath the wolf's paws sticky and unstable. The wolf stumbled, its movements becoming sluggish.

Liam took full advantage of the wolf's momentary loss of balance. He brought his axe down in a powerful overhead strike, aiming for the creature's neck.

The wolf tried to twist away but the axe found its mark, cutting deep into its flesh.

The beast let out a blood-curdling howl, its eyes filled with rage and pain. Sensing the moment, Erik seized his chance.

With a burst of speed Erik launched himself from the side. He aimed for the wolf's heart, driving the rod with all his might. The sharp end of the rod pierced through the creature's ribcage, finding its mark with a sickening crunch.

The wolf's howl turned into a gurgling whimper, its body convulsing violently as the life drained from its eyes.

Erik twisted the rod for good measure while letting out a grunt. The beast's massive frame shuddered once more before collapsing to the ground.

Breathing heavily, Erik pulled the rod free, the metal slick with the wolf's blood. He looked over at Liam who still stood with his axe embedded in the wolf's neck, and nodded.

"Phew, It's over," Erik said, his voice strained but relieved.

[You have gained 50 EXP!] 

The Rune appeared in both of their vision.

"Yeah, just like in game," Liam replied with a grin in his bloodied face.

But then, they heard crunching sound of snow under heavy feets. They turned their head and seeing five giant wolves walking toward them.

"Uh oh," said Liam. "That's a lot of them."

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