Having slain twenty red goblins and two berserk orcs, the familiar mechanical chime echoed in their minds as the system registered the kill.
> +40 Points (20 Red Goblins)
+10 Points (2 Berserk Orcs)
Current Total: 611 Points
They now sat over fifty points ahead of their nearest competitors, still firmly in first place. Under any other circumstance, Nero might have cracked a cocky grin. Khione might have acknowledged their lead with a cold nod. But now, neither smiled.
Instead, their expressions were grim.
The quiet forest. The unnatural aggression.
Everything pointed to one conclusion:
They were being watched. Manipulated. Hunted.
Nero exhaled slowly, his fingers gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. Khione stood beside him, gaze scanning the treeline, her expression calm—but the edge in her eyes was sharp. They exchanged a glance—silent understanding passing between them—and then continued forward.
