The group landed on the battlefield. The soft forest ground gave way beneath their feet, and dry leaves scattered in the wind that blew through the trees. Each member could smell the damp earth, mingled with the metallic scent of ancient weapons abandoned by the goblins. The tension was palpable.
— Get ready! — shouted Jack, raising his axe and sword. His firm voice seemed to cut through the air, demanding everyone's attention. — Gunja, stay in our rear. Use your holy magic to support us. Celia, do the same — stay protected and heal when necessary.
Gunja adjusted her gleaming shield, ready to intercept any attack that got past the front-line warriors. Celia held her staff firmly, golden and blue runes pulsating along its surface.
— Understood! — replied Romeo, the archer. He positioned himself near Gunja and Celia, eyes alert, the bowstring already drawn, ready to intercept any sneaky enemies.
— The rest of the group, let's take down these goblins! — Jack added, advancing with firm steps, alternating between sword and axe, both ready for any surprise.
Haru was the first to move. Like a deadly shadow, he slipped through the bushes, blending with the terrain. His daggers sliced through the air with surgical precision, piercing unsuspecting goblins before they even realized where the attacks were coming from. Each strike was swift, elegant, lethal — a true dance of blades. When a goblin tried to turn, Haru had already vanished, reappearing behind another enemy, plunging his daggers with a determined smile.
— Let's go before he takes them all out alone! — shouted Jack, running to the center of the field, adrenaline coursing through his body.
He swung his sword in wide arcs, sending sparks flying at the approaching goblins. Each alternating strike with the axe scattered wood and dirt, knocking down enemies and creating a trail of controlled destruction. A goblin raised its spear to attack Celia, but Jack delivered a horizontal slash, splitting the weapon in half and taking the enemy down. Another charged at Gunja; Jack leapt, spinning the sword over his head, striking the goblin down with a precise hit. Each impact carried a sense of absolute power as the battlefield transformed into controlled chaos.
Selina, floating above, channeled her magical energy with impeccable precision. Her staff glowed with dark-blue energy, launching bursts that exploded on contact, knocking goblins down in waves. Each attack seemed to trace lines of light in the air, and the sounds of impact mixed with the shouts and clashing of weapons. Her face was lit by the thrill of battle, a determined smile on her lips as she watched enemies swept from her path.
Sensi, the manipulator, focused on the surrounding field. With subtle gestures, she lifted stones and abandoned goblin weapons, hurling them with telekinesis. An axe flying through the air struck two goblins simultaneously, while a thrown spear hit another group. Sensi laughed softly, delighted with the precision of her attacks, watching every enemy fall to their own arsenal.
Romeo, the archer, remained steady behind Gunja and Celia. Each arrow he fired was a work of precision. When three goblins tried to approach the healers, he shot three arrows simultaneously, each hitting its target, while Gunja performed an acrobatic move and released three spiritual arrows, piercing each goblin's forehead instantly.
Sonia, the sorceress, raised her staff and glared at the advancing goblins. A sinister smile lit up her face. — I've always wanted to experience this! — she shouted. An arcane explosion erupted before her, sending ten goblins flying in a deafening roar. The battlefield shook with the impact, catching the attention of the king, queen, princess, and the floating mage above. Sonia felt adrenaline surging through her veins, each explosion fueling her excitement.
Dimitri, the Elemental class, watched Sonia's power and grinned. — Think you're the only one who can cause explosions? — He raised his hands and unleashed small fire bursts, incinerating nearby goblins. Using a propulsion spell under his feet, he soared into the sky, hovering above the field. — You're in big trouble! — he shouted, casting the Ultra Mega Fireball, annihilating thirteen goblins at once. The fiery sphere burned the air around, creating a circle of destruction that made the ground tremble. Dimitri landed again with a satisfied smile, feeling the heat of magic coursing through him.
Kuto, the adaptable one, attacked with stealthy movements, using the goblins' weapons against them. Each strike was fast and precise, every step calculated. He asked Jack to throw him a sword; with it, he delivered devastating blows, cutting multiple enemies simultaneously. Spotting ten goblins ahead, he asked Romeo for his bow. Ten spiritual arrows appeared, each embedding in a goblin with deadly precision. Kuto smiled, satisfied with the efficiency of their attacks.
After the battle, the group regrouped. Celia and Gunja channeled their divine magic, restoring everyone's HP and MP, and the system HUD appeared, showing updated stats:
Jack: Level 10 / Class: Warrior / HP: 100/100 / MP: 80/80
Dimitri: Level 10 / Class: Elemental / HP: 100/100 / MP: 150/150
Romeo: Level 10 / Class: Archer / HP: 100/100 / MP: 100/100
Haru: Level 10 / Class: Rogue / HP: 100/100 / MP: 80/80
Sensi: Level 10 / Class: Manipulator / HP: 100/100 / MP: 180/180
Sonia: Level 10 / Class: Sorceress / HP: 100/100 / MP: 200/200
Kuto: Level 12 / Class: Adaptable / HP: 100/100 / MP: 220/220
Selina: Level 10 / Class: Mage / HP: 100/100 / MP: 210/210
Gunja: Level 8 / Class: Paladin / HP: 100/100 / MP: 200/200
Celia: Level 8 / Class: Cleric / HP: 100/100 / MP: 200/200
— I'm exhausted… I don't know if I can fight again, — Dimitri muttered.
— Then let's go to the system shop! — said Jack, accessing the HUD. — Stamina potions cost 10 velpoits.
Everyone regained strength instantly, the glow of their healing magic illuminating the field. The group rose, full of adrenaline and determination.
— Your Majesty, we've finished here! — Jack shouted to King Zordis IV. — Can we proceed to the sky?
— Excellent. But remember, this was only the beginning. The real challenge is yet to come, — the king said proudly.
Suddenly, the ground shook. Everyone looked toward the plain where the goblins had fallen. A colossal presence emerged.
A four-meter-tall bear advanced, its fur black as coal. Every inch of its body was embedded with weapons — swords, spears, axes, and shields from warriors who had tried to face it before. Some still bled, showing the brutality of past battles. Its red eyes, dripping blood, glowed with fury, and its heavy breathing made the ground tremble.
The group felt a mix of fear, excitement, and pure adrenaline. Kuto narrowed his eyes, assessing the enemy. Jack gripped his axe tightly, muscles tense, ready for any movement. Silence fell, broken only by the creature's heavy steps, announcing that the true trial was about to begin.