The howls were no longer distant.

They erupted from the treeline like a storm, twelve kobolds moving fast—half with short bows already drawn, the other half charging with daggers glinting in the filtered forest light. Some wore scraps of armour, others crude leather vests, but all of them moved with a terrifying, animalistic coordination.

Zane stepped in front of the barricade, machete raised. His voice was calm, steady.

"Form up. They're coming in waves."

Bell had already nocked an arrow, her stance fluid. "Range squad—back left."

Lily pressed a hand to Kai's shoulder. "Stay near me. Watch for wounds."

Kia gave her a quick nod and stepped slightly forward, machete ready, his eyes already glowing faintly with mana.

Tarni vanished into the underbrush with only the faintest rustle. Shadows swallowed him.

The first volley of kobold arrows hissed through the trees.

"Down!" Bell yelled.

Zane stepped forward instead.

[Skill Activated: Defensive Stance]

His machete caught two of the arrows with flat deflections. The third struck his side, but the blow was dulled, skidding off his reinforced jacket with a thud.

Behind him, the others crouched low.

"Return fire!" Bell shouted.

She loosed her first shot. It sang through the air, glowing faintly.

[Skill Activated: Basic Powered Shot]

The arrow struck a kobold in the chest and detonated in a puff of red mist and shrapnel. Two more kobolds staggered from the edge of the explosion, bleeding and dazed.

Lily followed with a clean shot, tagging another kobold in the thigh and sending it tumbling behind a rock.

A second wave closed the distance—four dagger-wielding kobolds darting between trees.

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Tarni struck first.

He slid out from the shadows behind one, driving his +2 short sword deep into the base of its spine.

[Skill Triggered: Back Stab – Critical Hit!]

The kobold spasmed and dropped instantly. Tarni rolled to cover behind a fallen log before the others noticed.

Zane stepped up, intercepting the three that remained.

One slashed at him with a jagged blade—Zane parried and countered, his machete cleaving deep into its shoulder. Another went low, but Zane pivoted, kicked it back, and finished it with a clean arc of steel.

He grunted as the last kobold stabbed at his ribs—he was fast, but not perfect. Blood welled at the cut.

"Kai!" he barked.

Kai was already moving, hand glowing.

[Skill Activated: Basic Healing Touch]

He pressed his palm to Zane's side, and the bleeding stopped almost instantly.

"Thanks," Zane muttered, just as another arrow whizzed overhead.

Kai flinched. "We've got more on the flanks!"

Lily raised her hand.

[Skill Activated: Group Snare]

Mana pulsed around her in a soft shockwave. Four kobolds that had been circling the barricade suddenly staggered, limbs locking.

Bell had been charging her next shot, she didn't hesitate.

She fired again—this time with her speargun.

[Skill Activated: Basic Powered Shot]

It hit center mass. The explosion vaporized one kobold and sent the other three flying backward in a tangle of limbs and gear.

The final group charged—all with daggers, and all pissed.

"Front!" Zane shouted. "Kai, get ready!"

Kai switched to his secondary skill.

[Skill Activated: Group Heal]

A wave of warm light flowed outward, patching scrapes, bruises, and arrow grazes across the party.

Zane held the line with Lily at his side. Her machete flashed pink with each swing, and together they took down three more kobolds with calculated strikes.

But one got through.

It lunged for Kai—but a short sword stabbed through its ribs from the side.

Tarni emerged from the foliage, blood splattered across his jacket.

[Skill Triggered: Back Stab – Critical Hit!]

"You're welcome."

"Yeah, thanks," Kai panted.

Two kobolds remained. Both were retreating, bowstrings drawn.

Zane raised his homemade crossbow.

"One shot. Make it count."

He exhaled, then pulled the trigger.

The bolt slammed into the nearest kobold's skull, snapping it backward with a sharp crack.

The last kobold turned to run—but a final arrow from Bell caught it square in the back.

It fell forward, limbs twitching, then stilled.

Silence returned to the forest.

Twelve bodies began to dissolve into mist, leaving behind a pile of loot: arrows, daggers, and a few glimmering leather pieces. A soft chime echoed in the distance.

Ding!

Dungeon Progress: 14/?? Monsters Defeated

Zane dropped to one knee, catching his breath.

"Well," he said, "that was fun."

Tarni chuckled as he wiped blood off his blade. "You say that now. Just wait until they send bigger ones."

Kai was already moving to heal Lily's bruised arm, muttering something about needing more AoE range. Bell kept her eyes on the treeline, still tense.

"I did a Rapid Appraisal and they were all level four to five, and this was just the start," she said quietly. "They were organised."

Lily looked at her. "So are we."

They regrouped. The forest was quiet again—but it wouldn't stay that way for long.

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