The air was thick with tension as Jin-Seong and his group stared down the approaching guards. Their previous excitement had transformed into a grim realization—this wasn't a game. Each heartbeat pounded in Jin-Seong's ears as he gripped his sword, bracing for the inevitable clash.

"So-Ra, cover our flanks!" Jin-Seong called out, his eyes never leaving the advancing guards. He could see the cold determination in their expressions—these were seasoned fighters, not like the frightened villagers they had once been.

So-Ra responded swiftly, her hands moving gracefully as she called upon the wind. A gust swirled around them, lifting leaves and dust into a whirling barrier that obscured their position. The guards hesitated for a moment, squinting through the haze.

"Now's our chance!" Joon barked, seizing the opportunity. He lunged forward, his spear poised, striking at one of the distracted guards. The blow wasn't fatal, but it was enough to send the guard sprawling to the ground.

Jin-Seong followed suit, charging with his sword raised. The sound of metal clashing filled the air as he parried the blow of a guard, his muscles straining under the force. His training in the Azure Peak Sect guided his movements, each strike calculated and precise.

"We've got this!" Lily shouted from behind, her wooden sword cracking against a guard's arm with surprising force. Despite her smaller stature, her determination was fierce, and she moved with the agility of someone far more experienced.

But the guards were not so easily overwhelmed.

Jin-Seong's eyes widened as one of the larger guards broke through the dust barrier, his massive axe raised high. With a grunt, the guard swung down, aiming for Joon's unprotected side. Time seemed to slow as Jin-Seong moved on instinct, throwing himself between the axe and Joon.

The clang of metal rang out as Jin-Seong blocked the strike with his sword. The force of the blow sent a shockwave up his arm, but he stood his ground. "Stick to the plan!" he yelled, teeth gritted from the effort.

Joon quickly recovered, thrusting his spear into the guard's leg. With a howl of pain, the guard stumbled, allowing Jin-Seong to land a solid blow on his shoulder, incapacitating him.

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The group was holding their own, but the guards kept coming. More and more poured in from the surrounding forest, their shouts growing louder as they realized their comrades were falling back.

"This isn't going to end well if we stay!" So-Ra shouted over the noise. She glanced back at Jin-Seong, her brow furrowed with concern. "We need to retreat before we're overwhelmed!"

Jin-Seong knew she was right. They had succeeded in creating a disturbance, but now it was time to get out while they still could. "Everyone fall back! To the forest!"

They moved as one, breaking away from the fight and sprinting toward the tree line. The guards, disoriented by the dust and their fallen comrades, were slow to react, giving the group the precious seconds they needed.

Jin-Seong's heart raced as they ran, the forest closing in around them. Branches whipped against his face, but he barely noticed. His mind was focused solely on escaping, on surviving.

As they reached a small clearing, the group finally stopped, panting heavily. So-Ra collapsed against a tree, her hand on her chest. "That... was too close," she muttered, her eyes wide with lingering fear.

Jin-Seong sheathed his sword, leaning forward to catch his breath. "We did what we set out to do," he said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. "The Hero Council will know we're not afraid."

Lily, still clutching her wooden sword, smiled weakly. "And we managed to get some supplies too," she added, gesturing to the pack slung over Joon's shoulder.

Joon nodded, his face grim. "But we need to be smarter next time. They'll be ready for us now."

Jin-Seong stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You're right. This was just the first step, but we can't afford to be reckless. The council will retaliate, and when they do, we need to be prepared."

The group fell silent, the weight of Jin-Seong's words sinking in. The reality of their rebellion was starting to set in—they had declared war on a force much stronger than themselves. And yet, despite the danger, a flicker of hope remained. They had taken the first step, and for now, that was enough.

Jin-Seong looked around at his companions, each of them worn but determined. "We've got a long road ahead of us, but I believe in what we're doing. The Hero Council has ruled through fear for too long. It's time to fight back."

So-Ra met his gaze, her expression softening. "We're with you, Jin-Seong. All the way."

The others nodded in agreement, their resolve solidifying. The battle against the Hero Council had only just begun, and though the path ahead was fraught with danger, they were no longer alone.

As the group began to make their way deeper into the forest, the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving them in the embrace of darkness. But even in the shadows, a new light had been kindled—a light that would guide them through the battles to come