Ambush

''Wow, he's doing this again. '' Gary remarked as he handed the skin to Leas.

''He already killed another mob while we were hunting our third lizard. Don't you think it's very good? '' Leas took the skin and started examining it. She appeared unsurprised and had just casually commented on the system message.

'Tch. He's just lucky. ' Through gritted teeth, Falco murmured. He was watching Seraher's reaction with an ugly expression on his face.

By this time, Raydon's solo points were equal to those of their four-man team, but he was still unwilling to acknowledge Raydon.

''The other team's progress seems to have stalled. Our scores are currently very close to being the same, giving us a chance to win.'' Seraher, in addition to her usual cold demeanor, appeared relieved. Seemingly by this point, she had also acknowledged Raydon's strength.

Even Falco felt that Raydon was a necessary member for the team to win, although he didn't show it at the moment.

All of them were now used to receiving system messages that did not pertain to them.

But this time they were in for another surprise.

*Ding*

[Your team gained 1 point.]

[Since you made no contributions to the battle, you won't gain any shared experience.]

''A-again ? T-this fast? '' Leas' mouth dropped open as she started to doubt the legitimacy of this system message.

The team was beginning to doubt the veracity of the system when they were startled by the sound of another message.

*Ding*

[Your team gained 1 point.]

[Since you made no contributions to the battle, you won't gain any shared experience.]

And another one.

*Ding*

[Your team gained 1 point.]

And another…

*Ding*

After hearing the sound for the 8th time, there was silence from the system for a while.

''I-ıs t-this finally o-over? '' Leas stammered, staring at the system message as if she had seen a ghost.

Everyone had only one thought.

Who was this monster that they didn't want to have on their team previously because he looked weak?

''I guess he gone crazy and wreaking havoc somewh… '' The long silence was finally broken by Gary, but he was cut off by another system message.

[Your team gained 9 points.]

[Since you made no contributions to the battle, you won't gain any shared experience.]

Gary gulped and spoke in a trembling voice. ''D-don't tell me, he finally lost his temper and killed the region boss? ''

'' Region boss?! '' Falco cried out.

''No, he didn't kill the region boss but… '' As she was speaking, she noticed a ball of fire quickly approaching her.

*BOOM*

She rolled to the side in time to avoid the fireball, thanks to her quick reflexes.

''Watch out!!!''

Gary yelled, and with his large shield in hand, he blocked the sword strike aimed at Leas, who was standing next to him.

When the enemy saw that his attack had been blocked, he immediately flapped his large gray wings and rose into the sky.

''Oh, you guys are not bad. ''

This person looked like the winged man Raydon had just encountered, but unlike him, this one had a large sword in his hand and heavy armor that looked like it was made of iron.

''The enemy team found us. '' Seraher slowly stood up from the ground, but as soon as she did, the pain in her leg caused her to stumble. She did not appear to be able to completely avoid the fireball and was injured in her leg.

''Let me heal you. '' In a panic, Leas dashed to Seraher, but after a few steps, she noticed another enemy attacking her.

''Rapid Shoots.''

The winged woman was shooting arrows at Leas while holding a crossbow and flapping her dark brown wings in midair.

''Snow Wall.''

A snow wall suddenly materialized in front of Leas after Seraher said with a raised hand, and arrows pointed at her pierced the wall.

Leas, who had narrowly escaped death, rushed to Seraher's side and pointed the wooden staff at her burned leg.

''Healing Vines. ''

Lights from Leas' staff gathered on Seraher's burnt spots, transforming into a vine and quickly bandaging her wounds.

''Your pain must have subsided now. '' Leas said with a sigh.

''Yes, thank you. '' Seraher said with a smile to Leas, who was staring at her with sad eyes.

This was Seraher's first and only smile since the match began, but it was cut short by the enemy.

''Why are you guys so slow? '' Everyone present was chilled by the voice, which was low but authoritative.

He set one of the two swords on the hilt at his waist and began wiping the blood from the other with a cloth he had pulled from his pocket. He looked like a war angel with his white wings and silver armor that sparkled.

Seraher and her companions were startled by the sight of the new enemy, but not by the enemy's image; rather, it was the body on the ground covered in blood that caused their blood to freeze.

''Falco!?'' Gary screamed and tried to rush, but a hand reached out and grabbed him.

''He is already dead. '' Seraher said in a low voice. She scowled as she looked Falco's lifeless body with his throat slashed.

'Falco had good tracking abilities and a hunter's senses, so he wasn't weak. How could he have died so quickly and quietly?'

The more Seraher thought, the more she realized how powerful the enemy was.

''Be careful, he is very strong. Do not do anything you will come to regret.''

Gary nodded to Seraher while gritting his teeth and glancing at the white-winged man. He also understood how strong the enemy was. After a few seconds, Falco's body on the ground transformed into a pile of light and vanished, leaving only a few items behind.

''I'll go and see where the region boss is. Don't get too carried away. '' He spread his wings and flew deep into the dry land.

Shortly after, another winged man with brown wings and a brown robe appeared from behind a rock, wielding an iron staff and spitting on the ground as he said. ''He's bossing us around just because he's a little strong. ''

''A little? '' The winged man wielding the great sword chuckled and went on. ''Anyway, let's finish the job here and join him. He wants to kill the region boss. ''