The night had settled heavy after their first clash, yet Arden's group didn't relax much.

The envoy leader told them plainly,

"We'll reach the forward base by tomorrow's stop. Your trial will begin officially then. Until that time, you're tasked with keeping this camp secure."

Arden only gave a nod. "Fair enough. A warm up before the real thing."

They rotated through the night watch.

The land around them stirred with distant movements, faint rumbles and animal cries, but nothing dared to approach the circle of pressure the envoys naturally exuded.

Arden still felt them though, tugs on the edge of his life sense, like ripples brushing too close to a shore. He told the others quietly when it happened, just to keep them alert.

By dawn, they were back on the move. The terrain grew harsher, the air heavier, and soon enough the first ambush came.

A roar split through the forest, and the ground itself shook.

Arden's eyes flicked open as the system flared across his vision.

[Detected Threat: Ironmane Ravager

Rank: A (Territorial Apex)

Affinity: Earth

Condition: Berserk

Traits:

Stonebound Muscles – Every movement carries crushing weight.

Ironmane Hide – Layered protection, resistant to blades and flames.

Predatory Tenacity – The beast grows more relentless the longer it battles.

Abilities:

Quake Rend – Claws shatter terrain, fissures lashing outward.

Earthen Maul – Forelimbs harden into stone, striking with ruinous force.

Tremor Leap – Leaps explosively, terrain collapsing beneath its landing].

Arden's lips pressed into a thin line. "Ironmane Ravager. Heavy on defense, slower on speed, gets nastier the longer it lasts."

Nyra twirled her staff once, a calm glint in her eyes. "Then we don't let it last."

Rael slammed a fist against his gauntlet, frost sparking faintly. "Sounds about right."

Zephyra's growl came deep and low, flames licking faintly from her maw.

"Good," Arden muttered. "I'll take point. Try out something new."

The beast broke through the trees with a thunderous leap, stone cracking under its weight. Its hide glistened like forged iron, its mane bristling like jagged spikes. The shock of its landing sent dust spraying into the air.

Arden darted forward first, blades flashing. His first slash scraped sparks from its iron hide, barely cutting, but he wanted that.

His system pulsed again, with the life signature he gained in their last fight.. he hadn't check it out, could as well do it now.

[Life Signature Gained: Earthen Pulse Core

Effect:

Earthen Resilience – Hardens body under stress, briefly reducing physical damage taken.

Pulse Reinforcement – Channels earth-aspected life energy into strikes, amplifying blunt force impact.

Fangbreaker Strike – Infuses limbs or weapons with crushing density, greatly increasing penetration against armor or hides.

Grounded Vitality – Increases stamina recovery when standing on natural terrain.

Additional Trait: Unyielding Roar – A surge of life energy bolsters resolve, briefly resists suppression or fear-inducing effects.]

"Perfect," Arden muttered, feeling the new rhythm flood his arms. His next strike hit with weight, his blade ringing as it cut through stone-like fur. The beast staggered back with a furious roar.

"Push it!" he barked.

Rael rushed in beside him, frost climbing his arms. His gauntlet smashed into the beast's shoulder, the impact cracking like ice breaking a wall. Nyra followed, her staff sweeping in arcs that left wind sharpening her shards of ice. She spun once, then slammed the staff down, ice spires jutting from the ground and locking the Ravager's leg.

Zephyra lunged from the side, claws glowing with fire, her strike carving through the creature's flank.

The flames alone weren't enough to pierce its hide, but she twisted, a gust of wind bursting from her wings to drive the fire deeper. The smell of scorched hide filled the clearing.

The beast roared and swung its stone-encrusted paw, the blow strong enough to crater the ground. Arden met it head-on, activating Fangbreaker. His blades cut with dense force, the clash sending a shuddering crack through the clearing.

The beast reeled. Arden's pulse stretched outward again, syncing his team.

The rhythm tightened their movements, their timing sharper. Rael's punch and Nyra's strike landed in the same breath, releasing a burst that staggered the monster. Zephyra slashed at its exposed neck, flame and wind howling.

"Down it!" Arden commanded.

Together, they struck. His blade pierced the Ravager's chest, Rael's gauntlet shattered its ribs, Nyra's wind spun frost deep into its wounds, and Zephyra's flames burst from within.

With a final strangled howl, the Ironmane collapsed, shaking the earth beneath it.

Silence followed, then Rael exhaled loudly. "That… was fun."

Arden chuckled lightly, sheathing his blades. "Don't get too excited. That was one beast."

"Still," Nyra added, brushing her staff against the ground, "we handled it better than last time."

Zephyra gave a low, rumbling sound that was almost a laugh.

The envoys, who had stood watching from a distance, exchanged glances. Their leader spoke first. "They're holding back."

The battle mage nodded. "Yes. They could have ended it faster."

"Confidence," the assassin said quietly. "They fight with confidence, not arrogance. That makes all the difference."

One envoy smirked. "The Crimson Fangs might not enjoy this competition."

The journey pressed on, and more beasts appeared. Arden's life sense always caught them first. He would raise a hand, murmuring, "Three ahead… one circling right," and within minutes the fight would already be over.

Sometimes they fought together, sometimes Arden let Rael or Nyra take the front while he supported, and Zephyra often struck like a storm, tearing apart lone stragglers with burning claws.

The envoys grew quieter as the days passed, but their eyes sharpened. They had heard the rumours, but now they saw them firsthand, the strange boy with uncanny senses, and the way his companions trusted his word without hesitation.

That trust turned every fight into rhythm, and every rhythm into victory.

When at last the path opened and the scent of smoke drifted faintly on the wind, the leader called out, "We're close. The base is just ahead. Ready yourselves."

Arden stretched his shoulders and gave a half-smile. "About time."

Nyra glanced at him, staff resting across her lap. "Nervous?"

"Always," Arden said, voice calm. "That's how you know you're alive."

Rael grinned, shaking frost from his gauntlets. "Then we're very alive right now."

The party tightened their gear, straightened their weapons, as they continued with the envoys down the last stretch of road toward the base.

A/N:

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