The surrounding monsters had already been cleared out.
Any creature above level one had no right to remain.
However, numerous first-level monsters still lurked nearby.
Smith, Yan Yue, and their three teammates quickly located a target: a Violent Demon Bear, a mid-tier first-level monster with a fire attribute.
The beast was massive, towering over two meters when standing upright. Its burly arms looked strong enough to smash a person into pulp with a single swing.
"That's a first-level intermediate Violent Demon Bear… Can we even defeat that thing?" Zhao Mei asked with concern, anxiety flickering in her eyes.
It wasn't that she lacked confidence—just that the Violent Demon Bear was infamous for its brute strength and uncontrollable aggression. It was a force to be reckoned with.
And their squad? A team entirely made up of support-type abilities.
Could support players really take down such a ferocious beast?
"Smith, what's the plan?" Yan Yue turned toward him, her expression serious as she watched the massive creature pace ahead of them.
Smith tilted his head slightly and grinned. "Plan? No need for one. It's just a dumb bear. Let's hit it hard and fast."
So reckless—yet somehow confident.
He drew a short dagger from behind his back, eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'll charge in first. You guys cover me from behind."
He was eager to test his power. This was the perfect opportunity.
"Brother Smith, don't worry! We've got your back!" Wei Lin shouted emotionally, pumping his fist.
Smith gave him a deadpan look. "The way you said that… sounds like you're sending me off to my doom."
With a sigh, he gripped the dagger tighter and bolted forward.
---
"ROAR!!"
The Violent Demon Bear immediately noticed him. It thumped its chest with both fists, then charged toward Smith on all fours, the ground trembling beneath its weight.
"Chain of Holy Water!"
Yan Yue and Zhao Mei acted simultaneously. Two thick water chains shot out and wrapped tightly around the bear's arms just as it lifted them to strike.
"Now!"
Seeing the opening, Smith lunged forward and stabbed with his dagger.
"Puff!"
The blade pierced the bear's thick hide—but barely. It sunk only a few centimeters in. The creature's coarse fur was too tough.
"ROAR!!"
Infuriated by the pain, the Violent Demon Bear exploded with strength. It broke free of the water chains and smashed both fists downward.
Smith's eyes narrowed.
"Sharingan!"
The three-tomoe Sharingan spun into existence, and time seemed to slow. His vision sharpened with powerful insight. In a flash, he withdrew his blade, stomped hard, and launched himself backward.
BOOM!
The bear's fists slammed into the earth, creating a deep crater.
"ROARRR!!"
Enraged at missing its mark, it charged again.
"Entangle!"
Wei Lin, another support member, activated his wood-based ability. Thick vines erupted from the earth, twining around the bear's legs and yanking it to the ground.
"Chain of Holy Water!"
Yan Yue and Zhao Mei summoned four more water chains that latched onto the bear's wrists, pinning it further.
This time, both its hands and feet were restrained. The massive beast collapsed with a heavy thud.
Smith narrowed his eyes. "I refuse to believe I can't pierce through that hide!"
Clenching his dagger in both hands, he leapt and plunged the blade into the bear's side with all his strength.
"Puff!"
This time, it penetrated nearly ten centimeters.
The bear let out a thunderous, pain-filled roar—more rage than power, more insult than injury.
"Keep it pinned! Don't let it move!" Yan Yue commanded, her tone urgent.
The support team increased their energy output, trying to lock the creature to the ground.
But the Violent Demon Bear had had enough humiliation.
"ROAR!!"
Suddenly, flames erupted across its entire body, incinerating the chains and vines in a burst of heat.
Yan Yue's face turned pale. "That's its Burning Body ability! Smith, fall back!"
But it was too late.
"ROARRR!!"
Freed and furious, the Violent Demon Bear didn't go after Smith. Instead, it targeted the three support members—the real cause of its setbacks.
It opened its jaws and hurled three blazing fireballs in rapid succession.
"They're coming at us!"
"Water Shield!"
"Wooden Shield!"
Yan Yue and Zhao Mei summoned two water shields, while Wei Lin raised a wall of wooden planks.
BOOM!
The fireballs exploded against the barriers. Zhao Mei's and Wei Lin's shields shattered instantly. Only Yan Yue's held firm.
But before they could react—
THUD!
The bear's massive body loomed before them, fists raised high.
Zhao Mei and Wei Lin's expressions twisted in panic—they didn't have time to react.
"Explosive Water Flow!"
At the last moment, Yan Yue summoned a raging stream of water from above that crashed down on the Violent Demon Bear.
The beast's attack missed, but the shockwave still flung Zhao Mei and Wei Lin away.
Now, the bear turned to Yan Yue, recognizing her as the biggest threat.
She had already used a massive amount of spiritual power. Her body trembled, fatigue clearly setting in.
As the fiery beast lunged, Yan Yue gritted her teeth. She couldn't dodge in time.
Just then—
"Mokuton: Tree Wall!"
Smith finally reappeared. A wall of thick vines and wooden branches surged from the ground, blocking the beast's path just in time.
BANG!
The shield withstood the charge. Unlike Wei Lin's earlier attempt, Smith's Wood Release was far more durable.
"You're just going to ignore me while I'm standing right here? That's rude!"
Smith stepped forward, clearly annoyed.
"Wood Style: Wooden Spear!"
He clapped his hands together, and several thick wooden spears shot out from nearby trees, stabbing the bear repeatedly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Chunks of wood exploded and the bear howled as fresh wounds appeared across its massive frame.
The monster let out another furious roar and turned toward Smith, launching three fireballs at him.
Smith's eyes narrowed.
"Wood Style: Wooden Barrier!"
Curved walls of wood rose in a protective arc, encasing him inside.
BOOM!
One, two, three fireballs struck the barrier.
Cracks formed.
Crack!
On the last impact, a hole was blown in the wall—but Smith was unharmed within.
"Is that all you've got? No more tricks?"
Smith grinned coldly, hands forming new seals.
"Wood Release: Explosive Gun Tree!"