The tension between Adrian and Jason Syris crackled like static electricity. Jason's sword hovered inches from Adrian's face, its gleaming edge catching the dim light of the torches outside the cave. His green eyes burned with fury, his jaw clenched tight as he glared at Adrian.
"You've got some nerve mocking me," Jason growled, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the chatter of nearby players. "Let's see how cocky you are when I put you in your place."
Adrian didn't flinch. He met Jason's gaze evenly, his expression unreadable but calm. Behind him, Sarah stood protectively in front of Alice, her hand resting on the hilt of her longsword. Alice herself looked utterly unfazed, arms crossed and posture relaxed, as though she'd already dismissed the entire encounter.
Before anyone could escalate further, a new figure stepped into view—a lean player with messy brown hair, wearing only a chest plate and carrying a bow slung over one shoulder. His casual demeanor contrasted sharply with the simmering hostility around him.
"Hey, Jase," the newcomer said, raising both hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry to interrupt, but the others are ready. It's our turn."
Jason hesitated, his grip tightening slightly on his sword before lowering it begrudgingly. He shot Adrian one last venomous glare. "This isn't over," he spat. "You'll regret humiliating me like this."
Adrian raised an eyebrow coolly, watching as Jason turned and stalked back toward the group of armored players waiting near the cave entrance. The archer gave Adrian a quick nod, then followed after Jason, murmuring something about avoiding drama.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Sarah let out a breath she'd been holding. "Well, that was dramatic," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Adrian shrugged, turning to face the sisters. "Let's find a spot to rest while we wait for our turn. No point standing here wasting energy."
They moved away from the crowd, finding a quiet corner where they could sit without drawing attention. Sarah plopped down onto a nearby rock, stretching her legs lazily. Alice leaned against a tree trunk, idly spinning her Iron Rank Axe in one hand.
"So…" Sarah began casually, tilting her head to look at Adrian. "What was all that about calling me your little sister earlier?"
Adrian blinked, momentarily confused." What? Is there something with that?"
"I'm 21," Sarah continued, pointing at herself dramatically. "I'm older than you by a year. Don't go making me sound younger than I am."
Alice snorted softly, clearly amused. "Oh, come on. You're not exactly towering over us, sis."
Sarah glared at her playfully. "Shut up, Alice. That's not the point."
Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, Sarah. You look the same age as me. Maybe you just need a growth spurt or something, and you might maybe get it after you reach 24 like your sister."
Alice laughed outright at that, earning herself a mock punch from Sarah. For a few minutes, they joked around, passing the time until their turn arrived. They watched as groups emerged from the cave—some triumphant, others battered and missing members. A few players came out alone, their faces pale and sad from the encounter in the cave. It was clear that not everyone survived the boss fight, and they will probably have to regroup and fight the boss again.
After nearly twenty minutes, their patience paid off. The group ahead exited the cave, leaving the entrance unguarded. Adrian stood up, brushing dirt off his tunic. "Alright, it's our turn. Let's move."
"Finally, I'm tired of seeing these guys coming out of that damn cave" Sarah dusted herself as she stands up along with them.
The moment they stepped inside the cave, the air grew colder, heavy with an oppressive silence. The walls glistened with moisture, and faint claw marks scarred the stone floor. As they ventured deeper, an Unexpected Warning, a system notification flashed before their eyes:
Warning:
You are approaching a Level 10 Boss. Proceed with caution.
But then another message appeared, far more ominous:
Special Alert:
The Forest Guardian has detected the scent of its fallen child upon you. Strength increased by 30%.
Reward Bonus: Chance of Gold Rank Weapon Drop (+30%).
Adrian froze mid-step, his heart sinking. "Oh no…"
"What does that mean?" Sarah asked, her tone laced with dread.
"It's that simple, it means the bear knows we killed its cub—the Alpha Cave Bear," Adrian explained grimly. "And now it's angry and its anger is making it stronger because of it."
Alice frowned, gripping her axe tightly. "Great. Just great. So not only is it Level 6 above us, but it's also got a power boost? This is gonna be annoying as hell."
Sarah groaned, running a hand through her hair. "What are you talking about, can't you see the prize? There's a chance for a Gold Rank weapon drop. That's worth risking everything for, right?"
Adrian exchanged a glance with Alice, who shrugged noncommittally. "If we survive," he muttered under his breath.
They pressed forward cautiously, following the sound of deep, rumbling growls echoing through the cavern. When they finally reached the chamber, the sight before them was awe-inspiring—and terrifying. The Forest Guardian loomed larger than any creature they'd faced before, its massive frame filling the space. Its fur bristled with frost, and its glowing amber eyes locked onto them instantly.
Without hesitation, Sarah charged forward, shouting, "Get its attention! We can't let it roam free!"
Adrian cursed under his breath but followed, darting towards the beast to strike at its exposed flank. Alice hung back initially, scanning for openings, but the sheer size and speed of the bear made direct confrontation risky.
The bear roared, a deafening sound that sent tremors through the ground. A debuff notification appeared:
Status Effect Applied:
Speed reduced by 5% (Temporary).
And everyone saw a red shock wave rippling towards them and immediately felt the slight change in their stride, and Adrian, who felt the difference way more due to him running and using his speed a lot in his combat.
Its first charge sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing them to scatter. Alice barely avoided being trampled, diving to the side just in time. She scrambled to her feet, breathing hard.
"This thing obviously hits harder than the last bear!" she shouted, adjusting her stance.
Adrian nodded grimly. "We can't rush it. Stick to hit-and-run tactics."
When Sarah's stamina dipped too low, Adrian called for Alice to take over tanking duties briefly. Though reluctant, Alice stepped up, using her Iron Vanguard abilities to absorb the bear's crushing blows. Meanwhile, Sarah circled wide, peppering the beast with precise strikes to weaken it further.
True to her Dragon Knight class, Sarah led the charge, drawing the bear's ire with calculated provocations. She taunted it, swinging her longsword in wide arcs to keep its attention focused solely on her. Each swing dealt moderate damage, but the bear's thick hide absorbed most of the impact. Still, her relentless aggression kept it occupied, allowing Adrian and Alice to maneuver freely.
Adrian darted around the edges of the battlefield, striking whenever the bear's guard dropped. His short sword wasn't designed for raw power, but his agility allowed him to exploit weak points—underneath the forelegs, along the ribs, even the soft tissue behind the ears. Each hit earned him Physique EXP, strengthening his connection to the movements.
At one point, Alice found herself cornered as the bear swung its massive paw toward her. Instead of dodging, she planted her feet firmly and swung her axe upward, deflecting the blow with surprising precision. A chime rang out as a new skill was unlocked:
Skill Acquired:
Counter Strike – Deals reduced damage based on the accuracy of deflection.
Encouraged, Alice repeated the maneuver, parrying another swipe and retaliating with a devastating counterattack. However, the effort took its toll. Her health plummeted dangerously low, forcing Sarah to intervene.
"Drink a potion!" Sarah yelled, tossing a healing item to Alice, who caught it clumsily and downed it in one gulp.
After drinking the potion and entering battle again, Alice spent much of the early stages observing the bear's patterns. After unlocking her Counter Strike skill, she experimented cautiously, attempting to time her deflections perfectly.
At first, she failed repeatedly, taking brutal hits that forced her to retreat for healing potions. But persistence paid off. By the fifth successful deflection, her attacks became devastating, dealing critical damage and staggering the bear momentarily.
As the bear's health dwindled below 20%, it entered a berserk state, moving faster and hitting harder. This was where their teamwork truly shone.
Sarah baited it into a predictable pattern, allowing Adrian to land a series of rapid strikes. Alice, despite her fatigue, executed one final Counter Strike that left the bear reeling. With a coordinated effort, they unleashed a barrage of attacks.
The battle wasn't just about landing hits—it was a dance of survival. Every movement mattered, and every decision carries consequences.
The trio began to wear the bear down as the battle dragged on. During a particularly chaotic exchange, Sarah rushed in to distract the bear from Alice, who was struggling to recover stamina. The plan worked for a only a bit.
The bear swiped wildly, catching Sarah across the torso and sending her flying backward. She flew hard towards the spikes lining the cave wall,
"No!" Adrian shouted.