The anticipation of real combat was too much to resist. With Thunderfire now in her arsenal, she sought out the nearest quest hub. Her HUD guided her to an open quest—“Defend the Village from Bandit Raids.” It sounded perfect for testing her new power.

When she arrived at the village, it was already under attack. NPCs screamed and ran as the bandits—players, she realized—charged through the streets. Lyra felt the familiar rush of adrenaline surge through her veins as she sprinted into the fray.

“Thunderfire!” she shouted, releasing the spell toward a group of attacking bandits. The resulting explosion knocked them back, leaving a few stunned and the rest on fire. Lyra smiled wickedly.

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She continued weaving Thunderfire with basic spells, alternating between Fireball and Lightning Bolt for single-target destruction. The combat was fast, visceral, and chaotic. Players around her fought with mixed results, some cheering her on as Thunderfire decimated the enemy ranks.

After the skirmish, the village elder NPC approached her, gratitude in his pixelated eyes. “You’ve saved us. Please, take this as a token of our thanks.”

A notification flashed: Quest Complete. Rewards: 200 gold, Minor Health Potion, Reputation Increase.

But the real reward was her discovery. Thunderfire was a game-changer, and she knew it.