The victory against the Abyssal Leviathan spread fast. Back at Aqua-Veil, Haruka's party had barely rested when the first challenge came.
"Level 6 already? Not bad for newbies."
A voice rang out across the docks. A squad of five players stood blocking the boardwalk, their gear gleaming with sinister red runes. Their leader, a tall woman with bone-white hair and a spear tipped with serrated hooks, smirked.
"Name's Kryssa Blackhook," she said. "We run the Marrow Raiders. You're holding something we want."
Soren's fingers drifted to the hilt of his rune-dagger. "If it's the Leviathan Trophy, too bad. We earned it."
Kryssa's smirk widened. "Funny thing about Nereid's Arcadia, rogue. The system doesn't stop PvP in neutral zones. We could take you down right here… or you could hand over the trophy and walk away with your skins."
The HUD flashed a warning:
DANGER: Hostile Players Detected.
Initiating Survival Protocols.
Haruka's pulse spiked. "They can attack us here?"
"Welcome to the nightmare," Soren muttered.
Mirelle raised her rod-tool. "Let them try."
The Marrow Raiders lunged. Kryssa's spear lashed out, and the dock's wood splintered. Haruka stumbled back as a blade scraped her shoulder. The pain was real—not just a number on the HUD.
"Haruka, bait them off the docks!" Soren shouted.
She fumbled for her Marine Gust, firing a burst of water at Kryssa's feet. The enemy leader slipped, and Mirelle slammed a stun-snare on two raiders.
Soren grabbed Haruka's arm. "Run!"
The two sprinted down the pier, the sound of boots thundering behind them.
"You can't hide forever, Aqua-Arcanist!" Kryssa roared.