The first ray of sunlight pierced through the treetops, gently illuminating the mist-covered forest. Dew still dripped from the leaves when Team Meli froze in astonishment. Under the golden light of dawn, a flood of skeletons marched through the woods, in deadly silence, broken only by the dry sound of bones grinding against each other.
— Climb! — Melina ordered in an urgent whisper.
In the blink of an eye, everyone scaled the nearest trunks, hiding among the high branches. The wind lightly rustled the leaves, and the tension was palpable. No one dared to breathe loudly.
Saicha, eyes wide and sweating cold, broke the silence:
— Melina... how many are there?
Melina closed her eyes and activated her skill. A soft glow spread across her pupils as the Area Assessment magic expanded like an invisible wave.
— I've already detected over two hundred... all Uncommon class, — she replied quietly but firmly.
Motchi gripped the sword hilt, uneasy.
— If they're only Uncommons, then let's wipe them out! What are Uncommons compared to a Superior?
Maki raised his hand, signaling for silence. His eyes were fixed on the horizon.
— It's one thing to fight five against a Superior... it's another to face hundreds of Uncommons. They have constant mana. We don't. We'll lose to time. And if your aura runs out... how will you keep fighting?
Gaeri, trembling, clung to a branch.
— What do we do, boss?
Melina watched in silence. Her eyes analyzed the enemy's movement as if mapping them in her mind. Then a vibration echoed from her bag. The communication stone was glowing.
She picked it up and pressed it to her ear.
— Sergeant Melina, Team Meli, Cobra army. Reporting in.
A firm voice came from the other side:
— Sergeant, the anomaly in the expedition has begun.
— We noticed... it emerged exactly where we are, — Melina replied, her tone tense.
— Your team is the only one on this side of the forest. Team Fit is to the right and will intercept part of the monsters. The others are on the far side. You will have to delay the enemy's advance.
Melina looked at her teammates. Silence fell. The fear in their eyes said what no one dared to speak.
— Do you know how many monsters there are? — she asked.
— Over seventy-two thousand spawn points have been recorded.
Gaeri fell to his knees on the branch, nearly slipping. Motchi grabbed him quickly.
— Careful! Don't fall down there, idiot! — he whispered in panic.
Melina took a deep breath. Her expression hardened.
— Orders are orders. We'll complete the mission.
She hung up. The decision was made.
Saicha stepped closer.
— Are you sure? This is suicide! We can't last a whole day fighting. Reinforcements probably won't arrive until night!
Melina crouched on the branch, one hand resting, her eyes fixed on the bone army below.
— Anyone who wants to desert can flee to the village's defense line. But if these monsters aren't reduced now, the camp will fall. There are civilians there, Saicha. Ordinary people. I won't allow the humans to lose. I'm here to climb the floors, — she said, her voice full of conviction — and I'm not running.
Saicha lowered her head.
— Melina...
She stood up, drawing her daggers. Sunlight reflected off the polished metal with a threatening gleam.
— You don't believe in me because I'm just an Appraiser...
— Don't talk nonsense, — Maki interrupted. — I analyze auras... within Cobra, you're the fourth strongest.
— Seriously?! — Motchi exclaimed. — Who are the others?
— Kai, then the Lieutenant, then Ren... and then, Melina and Dryo. Those are the five strongest in the camp. The Lieutenant and Kai are already at the Master level. Ren is the strongest among the Advanced. Melina and Dryo are at the top of the Advanced level.
Melina turned to the group with a plan in her eyes.
— I've got an idea. Instead of waiting here, I'll use the attraction stone. I'll run east, draw as many as I can, then lead them west... where Team Fit will be. We'll merge the two teams. That way, instead of five, we'll be ten hunters.
— Good idea... — said Motchi, frowning — But you're planning to gather seventy thousand monsters?! You're insane!
— I'm sure. I will win.
Saicha smiled.
— Then let's do it.
Melina looked to the sky and activated the system.
— System, what's the survival probability?
— Success rate: 8%.
Melina frowned.
— Damn... so low. Any options?
— Sacrifice 12 common skills to evolve the uncommon skill Developer into the rare Skillsmith.
— What does this skill do?
— It is the skill used to evolve and modify other skills. As it levels up, new evolution paths will be unlocked. At its current level, you can create Uncommon skills. When evolved, you will be able to create Rare skills.
Melina's eyes sparkled.
— This is... this is insane! Evolve!
— Twelve common skills have been sacrificed. The rare skill Skillsmith is now active. Congratulations. You've unlocked an SSS-rank skill. It's recommended to activate it to begin new evolutions.
Melina's eyes widened.
— SSS?! That's... totally OP! Activate Skillsmith!
— Skill activated. You have 174 common skills stored. Another 14 are blocked. Shall we begin auto-evolution? If confirmed, the 174 will be consumed and can no longer be used.
Melina took a deep, confident breath.
— Yes. Begin.
The system began reciting:
— Congratulations. The following skills have been acquired:
Rare Skill: Wisdom (SSS Rank)
Rare Skill: Master Devourer (SS Rank)
Rare Skill: Power Manipulation (S Rank)
Rare Skill: High Mana (A+ Rank)
Rare Skill: Critical (A+ Rank)
Rare Skill: Assassin's Codex (A Rank)
Uncommon Skill: Monster (S Rank)
Uncommon Skill: Auto Heal (SS Rank)
Uncommon Skill: Berserker (A Rank)
Common Skill: Magic (A+ Rank)
— Loading...
— Loading complete. Evolution ready.
— Your survival rate increased from 8% to 56%.
— Activate evolutions.
A bright light enveloped Melina. Her aura exploded like a blazing blue flame, intense and vibrant. The surrounding leaves shook. The others recoiled from the magical pressure that filled the air.
— No way! — Maki shouted, sweating. — That aura... it's on the same level as Ren!
— How did she... evolve like that, out of nowhere?! — Motchi was in shock.
Saicha laughed loudly.
— Kakakaka! You really are amazing, Melina!