When we headed outside our base, Anastasia had retreated. My metal detector sensed her, not back on her side of the arena, but rather in our jungle, the area between the bottom and middle lanes.

In the jungle there were two caves, each with zombies that could be slain for XP and gold. After taking our mid tower, it seemed that she was en route to poach them. From what I detected, she was walking towards the cave closer to the middle lane, as would be expedient for her.

image [https://imgur.com/af1NXhA.png]

It worked out in our favor. Mr. Atlas and I would close in from the middle lane. Reens, as instructed by Atlas, would approach from the bottom lane in a pincer attack. Skilled as Anastasia was with her weapons, she shouldn't be able to win against us one-on-three.

The issue was the cat. I didn't know where it was. But even if it was with her, we'd still have the numerical advantage.

Mr. Atlas and I snuck through the shades and shrubs until we arrived at the mouth of the cave. The labored roars of zombies came from inside; they were fighting. I scanned the perimeter around the cave and was relieved to find Reens approaching as well.

Out of us three, she was the only one with a Death Ward left.

We quietly gathered beside the mouth of the cave. Reens was not injured at all. As expected of a healer. I conjured a Cold Grenade in the barrel of my gun, and I held up 3 fingers for us, as a countdown.

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Three, two, one…

I darted around the corner of the cave entrance. As soon as I glimpsed Anastasia inside, I fired the grenade. It hit the ground in their midst and exploded, freezing her solid. Her halberd was stretched out away from us, at an injured zombie now frozen beside her.

This was our chance.

I fired a Frost Missile, nailing the immobilized warrior, and then bouncing the shot to finish off the zombie. Mr. Atlas rushed in and unleashed a whirlwind of slashes from his axe at Anastasia. Reens stretched out her silver staff. A pure, white light shined at its tip.

"Linked horizons," she chanted. "Dedication of heart, arrow of the lotus. Shine forth, Arcana Scorch!"

The light blasted into Anastasia right as she broke free from the ice. It slammed into her chest, scattering into iridescent flames and knocking her back. That was Reens' one offensive spell, which not only damaged the body, but also drained the enemy's mana to refuel her own.

We managed to draw blood. Pressing the attack, I took aim with my gun.

A sudden breeze from behind pricked my ear. Instinctively, I conjured a Vortex Shield and spun around.

The golden point of a rapier pierced through the wall of water and scratched me.

As expected, Lore was here. He was Reens' opponent in bottom lane, and her departure must've invited his attention.

I countered by firing the Vortex Shield at him. With an arcing swing of his blade, he bifurcated the surging tides. The two halves of my attack disintegrated as they rushed past him.

It was only then that I had the mind to notice the status message flashing across my psyche, right before it disappeared.

[Condition - 4/4 Time. After being hit by the golden rapier 4 times, with exactly 1 second between each strike, you will die.]