“Are you alright, Kuya Otto?” Lae rushed to the bulky man’s side, concern filling her voice. Noticing the blood dripping out of the shoulder wounds, she immediately chanted her Words to grant healing magic.
Everyone else assumed their battle stances, their eyes darting in every direction, trying to pinpoint where the attack had come from.
“There!” Triggs exclaimed, pointing toward a shadowy figure lurking deep within the trees.
“Wha… What is that creature? A human-dog?” Calla described.
Stepping out of the shadows was a humanoid figure, just as Calla had described — a half-dog being. Its head had all the canine features: a long snout, pointy ears, and sharp, menacing teeth.
The being's body, however, was strikingly anthropomorphic. It stood upright like a human, with muscular arms and hands that had opposable thumbs, gripping a longbow. But its legs remained distinctly dog-like, lean and pawed, built for agility.
Its fur-covered body was clad in an archer’s robe, signifying both its sentience and its skill. The being was roughly the same height as Zaine and Triggs.
The Archer Dog swiftly pulled another arrow from its quiver, nocked it in its bow, and aimed directly at Otto once again, eyes narrowing as it prepared to launch the next strike.
Without wasting a second, Zaine dashed towards the Archer Dog, aiming to incapacitate it with a swift swipe of his karambit. But before his blade could reach its target—CLANK!—a massive metallic shield blocked his strike.
CLANK!!!!
A massive metallic shield blocked his strike.
A new figure had appeared: another dog being, but this one was far bulkier than the Archer. Towering and beefy, its physique rivaled Otto's. Unlike the Archer, this dog was heavily armored, wearing a full plate, with only its mutt-like face exposed, clearly assuming the role of a Defensive Tank.
“Oh wow!!! That’s one big doggy!” Calla’s reaction.
“Zaine, look out!” Lae exclaimed.
Abruptly, a small fireball shot toward Zaine. With cat-like reflexes, he dodged it with ease, the searing heat grazing past him as it fizzled against a nearby tree, leaving a scorched mark in its wake.
A few feet away from the Archer Dog stood another creature, sharing its height and build but dressed in a loose-fitting mage robe. This particular dog had floppy ears and a much gentler expression, resembling that of an innocent Labrador Retriever.
Witnessing the fireball attack, Triggs exclaimed in confusion, “Wait, it can use magic!? But how!?”
“Look closely,” Lae replied, urging him to pay attention.
Following her suggestion, Triggs sharpened his gaze at the Mage Dog. It was then that he noticed the creature gripping a peculiar mystical tool.
“Is that a wand?” he asked, intrigued.
“It seems like an artifact,” Lae answered. “I believe the fireball didn’t originate from the Dog itself—it came from that wand.”
Indeed, the Mage Dog was clutching a wand with a foot-long shaft, topped with a fiery orb that appeared to be the source of the flame magic.
“Ahh… I see… But wait, we've talked about artifacts a ton already. So what exactly are they? How do they —”
“GRAAAA!!!! GRUFF-GRUFF!!!”
Before they could continue their conversation, a berserk Dog burst onto the scene, barking and growling, charging toward the team like a rabid bull. This Dog matched the size of the Tank, but its body was more ripped, and it wore no protective armor at all.
Brandishing a two-handed battleaxe, the Berserker Dog rushed forward like a speeding bulldozer, intent on breaking the team’s formation. It swung its weapon, preparing to deliver a powerful blow.
CHACKKK!!!!
Fortunately, the team managed to dodge out of the way just in time. Instead, the battleaxe struck a nearby tree, embedding itself deep in the trunk.
“GRAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” the Berserker Dog roared, unleashing a wild, ferocious cry.
Seeing the Berserk Dog struggling to free its weapon from the tree, Calla seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack. She aimed her hands, preparing to chant her Words.
CLANK!!!
The sound of blades clashing erupted beside her, completely disrupting her attempt. Turning her head to find the source of the noise, she saw Triggs parrying an attack from another Dog. It appeared he had saved her from a potentially deadly slash.
“Pay attention, Calla,” Triggs urged, his voice shaky as he strained against the blade of the attacking Dog.
This particular Dog was much smaller than the other 4 — almost the size of Monty. It had the head of a hound, perfectly embodying its hunter demeanor. Wearing leather armor reminiscent of a rogue's attire, it wielded a kriss, which was still lodged against Triggs' blade.
CRAAACKK!!!
The Berserker Dog finally managed to free its battleaxe from the tree, fixing its fierce gaze on Calla with a menacing growl. Surprisingly, instead of charging, it retreated to join the Mage Dog’s formation.
The Tank and the Archer flanked the Berserker, and the Rogue Dog did the same. They aligned themselves in a formation, with the Tank in the front center and the Rogue and Berserker on either side, covering the long-range Archer and Mage behind them.
After recuperating and realizing the entire scope of the crisis, Triggs' team gathered and took up fighting positions, preparing for a fierce battle.
“A ‘5 v 6’. What could possibly go wrong?” Otto stated.
Tension hung in the air as they waited for someone to make the first move.
Abruptly, the Archer made the first attack, sidestepping to clear his view. In one swift motion, it loaded its bow, aimed at Otto, and…
CHROOK!!!
PLACK!!!
Otto deflected the arrow with his crystal sword and charged at the Archer like a madman. "GRAAAAA!!!"
The Mage, trying to stop his advance, hurled a barrage of fireballs at him.
FWOOM!!! FWOOM!!! FWOOM!!!
“PARTUM AQUA!!! AQUA VERBERARE!!!”
Calla quickly chanted her Words, summoning water balls to counter the fireballs. As the two forces collided midair, a thick steam cloud formed between the teams.
Otto, now in the middle of the steamy veil, veered alertly, ready for any incoming attack.
SLAAASH!!!!
Suddenly, Otto felt a sharp wind graze his neck. He was certain a blade had just narrowly missed him. Luckily, it missed.
As the mist dissipated, he finally saw his attacker — the Rogue, poised for a fight.
“Oh, you want to fight me!? Then let’s do this!”
With that, they engaged in a 1-on-1 duel.
Meanwhile, Triggs zeroed in on his target: the Mage who had stepped out of formation to throw those fireballs earlier. With his trusty sword ready, Triggs charged forward, fully intending to take the Mage down.
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CLUMP!!!
Before he could get close, a massive shield slammed down in front of him, cutting him off like an unexpected roadblock.
“Damn, this Dog is unexpectedly quicker than he looks,” Triggs uttered, genuinely surprised.
Triggs heard a menacing growl to his left. As he turned, his eyes widened at the sight of a towering battleaxe, poised to crush him.
“Oh, shit!!!”
He dove into a roll…
BLAAAM!!!
The Berserker's brutal attack smashed into the ground where Triggs had stood a second earlier.
“Shit, that was close!” he muttered, breathless with relief.
The Berserker Dog, furious at its miss, glared at Triggs with crazed eyes and bared teeth. Gripping its weapon tightly, it swung it sideways, gearing up for a devastating strike.
“REVELO!” — SLAAASH!!!
Zaine appeared out of thin air and slashed the Berserker's left leg, causing it to groan and drop to one knee.
BLAGAM!!!!
Monty followed up with a forceful rock throw, striking the Berserker's shoulder and forcing its right hand to the ground.
But true to its nature, the Berserker quickly recovered, even more enraged. Its fury burned hotter as it swung its massive arm, ready to swat away any enemies nearby.
“VELUM!”
SWOOM-BLAAM!!!
“Gah!!!”
Zaine turned invisible, dodging the attack just in time. Triggs, however, wasn't as lucky.
The force of the blow sent him flying a few feet away, tumbling across the grassy floor like a ragdoll.
“TRIGGS!!!” Lae shouted, sprinting to his aid.
CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!!
3 arrows whizzed past, landing directly in front of her, forcing her to halt. Turning her head slightly to the right, she spotted the Archer, bow drawn and aimed right at her, the arrow mere moments away from release.
Unready, Lae knew she couldn’t react in time once the arrow left the bow.
“I got you, Lae!!! AQUAM INFERE!!!”
A rapid barrage of water jets and flying water balls rained down toward the Archer.
Caught off guard, the Archer flinched, abandoning its attack to brace for impact. But then…
SPA-PA-PA-PA-PA-PA-PLAAAAAASH!!!!
In a flash, the Tank had moved in to protect the Archer; The water attacks splashed harmlessly against a metallic shield.
“What the heck!? That doggy is super fast” Calla exclaimed in disbelief.
Even though Calla’s attack missed its mark, it provided Lae the perfect opening to reach Triggs and offer aid.
“Calla!!! Get away!!!” Despite being locked in his duel with the Rogue, Otto couldn’t ignore the Mage who seemed to be preparing a powerful magic attack.
Leaves swirled around the Mage as flames danced and coiled around the orb of its wand, slowly forming into a Fireball aimed directly at Calla.
Determined to save the lady, Otto pushed the Rogue aside and charged toward the Mage, lowering his shoulder as he aimed to tackle his target.
“TAAAKE THIIIS, YOU PIECE OOOF —”
BLAGAM!!!! CRAAACK!
Otto stumbled to the ground as the Berserker Dog counter-tackled him, halting his charge, and completely destroying his sword.
“GRAAAAG!!! GRUFF – GRUFF!!” The Berserker Dog growled and barked, flexing its muscles as if to taunt Otto, saying, “I am the craziest beast in here!!!”
"What the fuck did you just say!?" Otto snapped, acting as if he actually understood the Dog’s growl.
"OPULENTUS MAGNA GLADIO!" With his pride wounded, he chanted his Word, summoning a massive crystal claymore. Eyes blazing with vengeance, he locked onto the Berserker as he rose to his feet.
"GAAAH!!!" Fueled by rage, he charged at the Dog, going berserk himself, and completely forgetting about the Mage.
A fierce battle erupted between him and the Berserker. Their wild movements shook the battlefield, uprooting plants in their path.
SHING!!! SHING!!! SHING!!! SHIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!!!!!
Star Flowers agitated by their battle glowed brightly.
BRACK!!! BLAM!!! BRACK!!!
Shockwaves rang out with each clash of their massive weapons, the metallic sound reverberating through the air.
“GRAAAAG!!! GRUFF – GRUFF!!”
“GRAAAAAA!!! FUCK – YOU!!”
They exchanged growls and war cries, each louder than the last, determined not to be outdone by the other.
As their battle raged on, the Mage completed its preparations. The Fireball it conjured had grown to nearly half the Mage’s height.
“REVELO!!!”
Zaine appeared beside the Mage, aiming to end its spell with a swift, lethal slash.
CLANK!!!
But then again, the Tank miraculously came to aid to shield the attack.
With a small gesture from the Mage’s wand, the Fireball was unleashed.
FWOOOMMSSHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The massive orb of fire barreled forward, scorching everything in its path.
Luckily, due to its sheer size, the Fireball moved slowly enough for Calla to dodge with ease. It continued blazing through the forest, leaving a charred trail in its wake.
KKK–ZZZ!!! KKK–ZZZ!!! KKK–ZZZ!!!
Trees and plants sizzled as they were reduced to embers.
Seeing the destruction, Calla couldn’t help but say, "Woah! That would’ve definitely killed me."
CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!!
Arrows whizzed by, narrowly missing Calla, but enough to catch her attention.
“Leave that shit to me,” Monty shouted, swirling his sling above his head, aiming to throw a rock at the Archer.
SWOOOOOOMMM!!!!
The rock soared through the air like a cannonball, but the Archer, swift and agile, dodged it. In response, the Archer fired back with three arrows.
CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!!
All three arrows missed Monty as well.
“HA!!! Are you blind or something!?” Monty jeered, completely unaware that the Rogue had snuck up behind him.
SLAAAAASSSHHH!!!
Blood sprayed as the Rogue’s blade sliced deep into Monty's back. In a surge of panic and adrenaline, Monty swung his arm wildly, trying to hit the Rogue, but the nimble assassin easily hopped back to safety.
“MONTYYYY!!!!”
Monty collapsed to his knees, blood pouring from the wound as his strength faded.
Lae, having just finished with Triggs, saw him fall and rushed to help. "Hold on, Monty! I'm coming —"
FWOOOOMMM!!!
A wall of fire exploded in front of her, forcing her to stop. The Mage had blocked her path.
Helpless, Lae could only watch through the fiery barrier as a dark figure — the Rogue — crept closer to the fallen Monty. He was too weak to defend himself.
Even as Monty knelt, weakened and helpless, the Rogue showed no mercy.
SLASH!!! SLASH!!! SLASH!!! SLAAAAASSSHHH!!!
Seeing Monty in trouble, Zaine quickly redirected his attention and sprinted towards the Rogue harassing his ally.
Meanwhile, intending to remove the firewall barricading Lae, Triggs aimed to disrupt the Mage’s Channeling Magic. However, to his dismay, the Tank was still obscuring his way.
Finally reaching the Rogue, Zaine interceded just in time, putting an end to the trouble that had plagued Monty.
“PARTUM AQUA!!! AQUA IMPETUM!!!”
Calla summoned Water Balls and hurled them at the fiery barrier. The effort drained nearly all her energy, and she stumbled to the ground, muttering, “Uhh… I’m getting sleepy again.”
TSSS!! TSSS!!! TSSS!!
With Calla’s Water Balls extinguishing the flames, the firewall finally collapsed, allowing Lae to rush in and help the injured Monty.
But as Lae approached, Monty stubbornly insisted, “I’m fine, I’m fine…”
Lae was deeply concerned and completely ignored Monty’s stubborn insistence. She headed straight to help him. However, as she got closer and took a better look, she was surprised by what she saw: Monty’s clothes were bloodied and torn, but there were no visible wounds on him.
Confused, she said, “I swear I saw you get hit multiple times…”
“I told you — I’m fine,” Monty insisted.
Lae’s expression turned to bewilderment as she watched Monty bounce back to his feet as if nothing had happened.
“Ugh… fuck!!! Now I only have one of these hoodies left!!” Monty complained, noticing that his clothing was shredded, with only the hood remaining intact on his head.
CHROOK! CHROOK!
“Kyaaah!!!”
Calla, weak and struggling to move, was suddenly struck by arrows while Lae and Monty were still conversing.
Lae looked at Calla with a grim expression, feeling exasperated at the sight of her allies getting injured one after another. “Ugh… Not again…”
“Go help her!” Monty urged, twirling his sling again, ready to attack the Archer.
Without further ado, Lae rushed towards Calla’s direction. But yet again…
FWOOOOMMM!!!
Another firewall sprang up, this time encircling Calla and trapping her inside.
“Ugh, this Mage!!” Lae muttered, losing her usual composed demeanor.
“Uhm, heeelp, plis!? It’s getting hot in here!!! My water is just evaporating!” Calla whined from inside the fiery barricade.
“Just hold in there Calla!” Lae shouted, trying to reassure her friend, though in reality, she couldn’t think of a way to free her.
Meanwhile, Triggs was deep in thought, one knee on the floor, body slouched, and eyes fixed on the Tank. He was thinking of a way to get past to disrupt the Mage. “It’s not even attacking. It’s just there to shield his allies,” he analyzed, observing the Tank anchoring in front of him.
Shortly after, he stood up and called out, “Can someone hold this Dog for me!?”
“I’m on it!” Otto replied. “I’ll get back to you, you piece of shit,” he muttered to the Berserker, slipping away and charging straight at the Tank.
“GRAAAAG!!! GRUFF – GRUFF!!” the Berserker growled and barked, as if to say, “Where are you going, you coward!?” It crouched and planted its foot backward, ready to chase Otto.
SWOOOM–BLAAAM!!!
Suddenly, a rock came flying and exploded against the Berserker’s shoulder, causing it to stagger sideways.
“Nah-uh-uh! You’re not going anywhere,” Monty teased, distracting the Berserker.
Just like that, the Berserker shifted his frustration to Monty.
Meanwhile,
“GRAAAAA!!!!!” Otto barreled toward the Tank, eyes locked. His claymore whistled through the air, each step fueling his momentum. Nearing the anchored shield, he roared and swung the blade with the force of a wrecking ball.
BLAAA–CRAAACK!!!!
The blow crashed into the shield with such force that the claymore shattered. The Tank staggered, losing its grip on the shield, and collapsed to the ground.
Otto didn’t stop — he dove and wrestled with the Tank.
Though muscular in appearance, the Tank seemed oddly docile, putting little effort into resisting Otto.
Using his massive arms, Otto locked the Tank in a hold.
“Go now, Triggs!!!” the beefy man signaled.
Triggs didn’t waste time. With the adversary already pinned down, he bolted toward the Mage.
CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!! CHROOK!!!
Arrows screamed past, but Triggs weaved through them like a falcon dodging death. His eyes locked on the target, he crouched, muscles coiled, blade ready for the kill.
The Mage, startled, abandoned its incantation and leaped back just as Triggs’ sword sliced the air.
FWAAAASH!!!!
The blade missed by inches, but Triggs was already in motion, relentless. He chased the Mage with a flurry of strikes. Though the Mage dodged each one, Triggs’ offensive kept the Mage occupied for a while.
With the firewall gone, Lae finally reached Calla. “Are you alright?”
“My legs!!!” Calla screamed, pointing the arrows stuck in them.
“Just breathe deeply okay?”
“Huh? Wait, what!? No — KYAAAAAAHHH!!!”
Lae pulled the arrows out before Calla was ready.
“That hurts, Lae!!! Bad girl… Bad girl!!!” Calla whined in pain.
After that, Lae began using her Words to heal the wounds.
Meanwhile, Triggs kept up his relentless assault on the Mage, sensing its growing exhaustion. The struggle fueled his determination.
But then, in an odd twist, the Berserker — who had been locked onto Monty — suddenly shifted its focus. As if called out by an unseen force, it turned its gaze toward the struggling Mage.
With a furious growl, the Berserker abandoned Monty entirely, its eyes narrowing on Triggs. Without hesitation, it charged, tunnel-visioned, barreling through the battlefield in a desperate attempt to save its ally.
“GRAAAAAGG!!!” it bellowed, unleashing a primal roar. Totally fixated on harming Triggs, the Berserker swung its battleaxe overhead, the weapon glinting ominously in the faint light of the Star Flowers.
“REVELO!!!”
Zaine suddenly appeared behind the distracted Berserker, blades poised to strike at the Dog’s nape.
“Go get him, Zaine!!!” Otto cheered.
SLAAAAA — CLABAAAM!!!
But as Zaine swiped his Karambit, the Berserker surprisingly turned around, as if there were an eye behind its head to anticipate the ambush. Swiftly counter-attacking with a fierce swing of its axe, it deflected Zaine’s blade, the impact sending him tumbling to the ground.
“No way!? It sensed Zaine!?” Otto uttered in surprise.