Shyra's figure appeared behind the smaller one, her body flickering as [Stealth] faded. Her claws glowed white—the air shimmered around them as [Critical Strike] activated. She slashed down, claws ripping clean through one of its middle segments.

Crack!

A gurgling screech followed, but before she could strike again, the larger worm's tail swung. Wham! The impact sent Shyra flying back into a tree, splinters bursting out. She landed on her feet, but her breathing was heavy.

Leo's heart hammered. "Shyra!"

She shook her head and growled lowly—she was fine, but that one hit had rattled her. The rank gap was painfully visible.

The two worms circled now, one above ground, the other half-burrowed. Their movements were coordinated, one distracting, the other flanking. Leo clicked his tongue.

"Damn it, they're smarter than I thought."

Niri's vines lashed out again, but the smaller worm anticipated it this time, burrowing under.

The vines struck empty soil, curling back defensively.

Leo inhaled sharply, forcing calm. He could feel the drain on his mana already; using both Niri's and Shyra's powers simultaneously was straining. The warmth from the previous vitality feedback was fading.

The larger worm lunged again. This time Leo didn't retreat—he charged forward. His dagger gleamed as he ducked beneath the gaping maw, feeling the foul wind of its breath wash over him. He slashed upward with precision, cutting deep into the soft flesh under its jaw.

Hot blood sprayed, coating his arm and cheek. The worm screamed, body arching.

He didn't stop—"Niri!"

At his call, several vines burst upward, wrapping around the worm's wound, digging in. The vitality drain began instantly, the air thick with a mixture of sweet and metallic scent.

But then—

BOOM!

The ground beside him exploded. The smaller worm emerged, bursting out of the earth and knocking Leo off balance. His feet slid, his shoulder slammed against a rock, pain flaring through his arm.

"Gah—damn it!"

The dagger flew from his grip, embedding into the ground a few meters away. The smaller worm twisted its head toward him, maw opening wide. The darkness inside its mouth reeked of acid and decay.

"Shyra!"

A blur of white fur dashed past him. Shyra leapt high, claws glowing once more, its eyes were bloodshot from the previous concussion. She slashed across the worm's upper mouth, severing several teeth, but she couldn't stop its momentum entirely. The force still hit Leo like a wave, throwing him back again.

He rolled and coughed, tasting blood. His body screamed, but regeneration kicked in—the torn skin sealing slowly, the ache in his chest fading. Still, fatigue piled up.

He staggered up, retrieving his dagger. "Two... I can't handle both head-on." His voice was ragged.

The ground vibrated again, both worms circling now, one trying to dig under him, the other above, blocking retreat.

Niri's vines were still latched on one, but the drain couldn't hold both at once.

Leo's breathing turned rough. His mana dropped rapidly—he could feel it thinning.

"Damn it… already at the limit."

He tightened his jaw, spinning the dagger once in his grip.

"Fine... come, then."

The larger worm hissed again, rushing first, the smaller following right behind like a twin shadow. The sound of tearing soil and rushing wind filled his ears.

He lunged to the side, vines bursting from the ground to block—but the sheer mass of the Peak 2-star shattered through them. One vine whipped Leo's arm as it snapped, the sting biting deep.

The next second, a massive tail swept across his vision. He crossed his arms, bracing— Wham! —and the blow sent him flying. He crashed into the mud, vision spinning.

He tried to rise, but the tremors didn't stop. Both worms were converging, soil exploding in chunks. He forced himself upright, chest heaving, dagger trembling in his grip.

If this keeps up... I'll be buried alive before I can even strike again.

His breath came out in shallow bursts. The ground split once more, the shadow of the two worms looming over him as they roared in fury, the air thick with the stench of blood and damp earth.

Leo's expression hardened, sweat dripping down his chin. "Not... yet."

He checked his mana: 850 / 6021.

With one swift motion, he pulled out the previous Soilworm's Mana Crystal and gulped it down.

A burst of cool energy spread through his body, surging like liquid fire in his veins. His mana began to recover rapidly, flooding back into his core until he could feel the familiar hum of strength returning. At least now, he didn't have to worry about running dry mid-fight.

But one problem still remained.

Even with his recovery, Leo couldn't afford to use multiple skills one after another. His mana regeneration was slower than the consumption rate—if he overused, he'd be a sitting duck.

For now, his most effective attack seemed to be [Spike Pores]. It dealt internal damage, and judging from the sluggish movements of the already wounded worm, it worked frighteningly well.

Leo glanced toward Shyra and Niri. The smaller Soilworm was keeping them pinned down—its speed was relentless, and Shyra's breathing was starting to grow ragged. He clenched his jaw.

He needed to help her—fast.

Activating his [Stealth], Leo blurred and vanished into the haze of dust and soil. His steps left only faint impressions on the ground as he darted toward Shyra. She was locked in combat, her claws clashing against the peripheral teeth of the circular maw.

The moment Leo reached her, he placed his hand over her flank.

"[Nature's Heal]."

A soft green glow pulsed from his palm, spreading like warm sunlight. Shyra's fur rippled, her wounds knitting, her breathing easing as vitality surged through her veins. The dullness in her eyes cleared instantly, replaced by the cold, fierce glint of a predator reborn.

"Good," Leo muttered under his breath, ready to pour in more mana—but the ground trembled.

Rrrrmm...

His head shot up.

The Peak 2-star Soilworm erupted from the ground again. The earth split open like a wound, and its massive, circular maw lunged straight for them.

"Move!" Leo barked.

Both he and Shyra leapt in opposite directions as the ground beneath them exploded, soil and shattered roots scattering through the air.

A wild idea clicked in Leo's mind. He didn't hesitate.

He thrust out his palm, gathering mana—dense, concentrated, and furious. The air rippled as he poured everything into a single command.

"[Vine Estranglement]—Compress!"

A massive vine erupted from the ground—a monstrous creation, half as thick as the worm itself, its surface pulsing with green light and bristling with thorn-like ridges. It whipped forward like a striking serpent, heading straight toward the ascending worm.

Puchi!

The sound was sharp, wet, and sickening. The vine pierced clean through the Soilworm's midsection, emerging from its back like a wooden stake impaling a beast.

The worm screamed, a shrill, ear-rending Screeeech! that echoed through the clearing. Its segments writhed violently, ichor spurting from both ends. The smell of rot and blood filled the air, thick and suffocating.

The smaller worm froze mid-charge, startled by its kin's agony. For a brief moment, it stopped attacking Shyra and turned toward the cry.

"Now!" Leo shouted.

Niri's eyes glowed a deep green as she imitated the technique she had just witnessed. Her magic flared—the ground quaked—and another vine, brownish-green and just as thick, burst forth from the opposite side.

The smaller worm noticed too late. The vine slammed through its body with a resounding thud, piercing its upper half and anchoring it to the ground. The beast convulsed, screeching and writhing as it tried to tear itself free.

The larger worm saw this and went berserk. Its massive form thrashed wildly, tearing at the vine embedded through its midsection. The entire ground shook beneath Leo's feet, waves of dirt rippling outward.

"Hold... damn you, hold!" Leo gritted his teeth and focused every ounce of will into the vine. He reinforced it with more mana, trying to thicken its girth, to make it unbreakable. But something resisted—the spell had a limit, a restriction he couldn't surpass.

Cracks formed along the vine as the worm twisted harder, its strength monstrous even in pain.

Then—

Rrrrip!

The vine snapped halfway, and with one violent jerk, the worm tore itself free—but not without cost. The segment it ripped from was left half-torn, shredded and hanging loosely. Its movements faltered immediately, its lower body dragging as blood poured from the mangled wound.

Leo's eyes flashed. "Now, Shyra!"

Shyra didn't hesitate. She leapt forward, her claws shimmering with whitish energy as [Critical Strike] activated. Her speed blurred, a single streak of white and gold crossing the space.

Shing!

Her claws cleaved straight through the worm's wounded midsection, slicing through the remaining flesh like butter.

A heavy thud followed.

Nine segments of the Soilworm's body fell to the ground with a wet, echoing thump, blood splattering in thick arcs as they hit the mud. The Peak 2-star's remaining three segments convulsed, twitching violently as a distorted cry tore from its maw.

Screeeee—

The sound was filled with rage and agony before it faded into a broken gurgle.

The creature still lived—but barely. Its massive head writhing weakly.

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