Twenty seconds...

  First Strike

  The first attack came from the least expected place, despite Vesper's cleverness in backing against the oak trunk. Six Lynxes, prevented from diving straight from above, instead lunged horizontally across low oak branches then leaped, using the oak trunk as an auxiliary springboard.

  Four shadows first crashed into the Hard Defense Layer—not attacking, but testing. They rammed straight into shields, creating ear-splitting collision sounds, immediately shaking the defensive line. Boris and Torvin, standing at the front of the line, shouted, urging guards to hold formation. Green oil lamps were deployed, shining straight into predator eyes. This strange light made the Lynxes squint, but they didn't retreat at all.

  Escalating Chaos

  After the first unsuccessful attack wave, they transformed formation extremely fast with the addition of four other Lynxes hiding in giant mushroom bushes. The purpose was very clear: the first four would pin down the two giant warriors with speed, the latter four would attack the thinner ‘scales’—the remaining guards. These beasts' judgment and coordination capability was extremely powerful, raising the total number of directly attacking Lynxes to eight.

  Extremely agile, they dispersed and attacked like a storm, but there was something sharper still. A long spear thrust out, powerful, fatal. However, instinct and speed helped them; the Lynx needed less than half a second to dodge the vital strike, making Ronan's spear graze past its foreleg. It immediately jumped back but didn't flee or show fear, baring teeth threateningly.

  It immediately retreated from the enemy's sight that had wounded it. It knew at this moment it couldn't fight the opponent before it, so it shifted its focus to weaker prey nearby. But that didn’t mean it lacked the ability to stop Ronan.

  A soft bloody growl rang out atop the giant mushroom cluster—another Lynx, completely whole, larger than the rest, Another Lynx joined it—one in front, one behind—boxing Ronan in.

  Not wavering at all, Ronan calmly lowered his center of gravity, directing his spear toward the new opponent, both assessing the dangerous creature before him while deploying movement stance. It had been a long time since he’d faced a worthy opponent. His heartbeat confirmed it, his spear tip flashing blue lightning as if expressing the warrior's feelings. He murmured softly: "Not bad at all."

  In an instant, the two opponents lunged at each other with terrifying speed, blue lightning seemingly spreading through the surrounding space with bloodthirsty growls.

  The remaining three Lynxes didn't hesitate at all. They charged into the guards' defensive line with the final spearhead—Liam. With fervent eyes full of flames, the Zaravand maul slightly tilted up. Though extremely eager seeing Ronan's strength, Liam wanted to reaffirm his training results, and nothing was better than a powerful opponent, a battle between life and death. It would be the true test—the culmination of their grueling training.

  But he was very clear about his own strength; if he charged out now, he'd face directly two powerful Lynxes plus one wounded—that would be suicide. Liam needed an opportunity, and it would come quickly. The three monster beasts were accustomed to the green fire from Stone Mushroom Oil; they feared nothing, charging at the eight guards with overwhelming speed, their massive bodies like an unstoppable whirlwind.

  His pupils narrowed, leaving only a deep fire in his gaze. Liam's instinct advised: "Go now, it's the opportunity!"

  Blood-Burn Strength activated, Phantom Wind Footwork combined with Spiral Thrust forming Liam's recent training fruit—Gale Strike. His entire body shot like an arrow from a bow, targeting the wounded Lynx as it leapt at a guard. With hunter experience and his own instinct, Liam clearly understood: when hunting prey, the beast would focus attention completely on the target. This was the perfect opportunity for the Zaravand maul to stab straight into the cunning monster beast's heart—not to mention with its wounded foreleg, even if discovered, it would be very difficult to change attack direction.

  Thud!

  There was no second strike. With his first full-power strike, the first life lost in this battle—Liam had submitted a perfect test with only one strike.

  At that moment, a very light sound rang out to his left—an arrow embedded in the ground with feathers still trembling and a shadow frozen from dodging the arrow. Another large Lynx had silently approached Liam; on its hind leg was an embedded arrow but it seemed not to affect it greatly. A quick glance, and he immediately knew Ryel was supporting him. Liam calmly retreated while quickly observing the surrounding battlefield. The remaining two Lynxes were attacking guards but were temporarily blocked by green fire from Stone Mushroom Oil the guards splashed. The battle of three Night Hawk members and their opponents was still proceeding fiercely.

  Liam focused on the beast before him. It was the strongest opponent he had ever faced. Fortunately there was Ryel's assistance. Liam relaxed his body, activating Shadow Steps. He began gathering force, waiting for the next explosive moment.

  Liam was very clear—the next task was to use Shadow Steps and the movement and spear defense skills Ronan taught to delay this powerful monster beast, waiting for teammate reinforcement. A fierce battle. The corner of his mouth slightly curved:

  "Somewhat powerful!"

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  Killing Intent Under Tree Roots

  When chaos erupted at the center, the underground assassin group acted. Four Lynxes had crawled along the massive oak roots, hiding perfectly using innate magical talent and the shadow the oak trunk created.

  With primitive hunting instinct, they understood that if they wanted a successful hunt, purposeless attacks only wasted strength. All actions aimed at one purpose: biting into the enemy's softest weak center. In their vision, the entire caravan was like the incarnation of a large Fungus Beast: Shield-wielding warriors were like thick armor skin protecting the delicious fatty meat layer—the remaining caravan people, and the most central were the trio Vesper, Rowan, and Theo—which they instinctively judged to be the brain—and the final target.

  This simple but effective hunting tactic had been tested through thousands of times, forging a wordless coordination within the pack.

  Theo watched his close friend's combat situation—though worried inside, he was suppressed by reason. After scanning the battlefield once, Theo analyzed the Lynxes' hunting tactics with G's data appearing in his eyes: Four Lynxes using speed advantage and stealth ability pinned down Boris and Torvin. Ronan was entangled with the alpha Lynx, keeping it within his attack range, and with support from the remaining Lynx, the battle was also at a stalemate. Liam was locked down by the second alpha Lynx because its magic was so powerful that its appearances and disappearances were nearly impossible to track, like complete optical invisibility. And two other Lynxes were attacking the guards under the weakening green fire.

  G’s mechanical voice echoed in his mind: "Probability of another assault group: 78%."

  Theo's eyes flashed slightly. Though fog affected his skills greatly, if there was an opportunity, perhaps there would be capability...

  Beside him, Vesper calmly ordered: "Hold the line! Rowan, now!"

  Rowan, strictly protected by Sable, gritted her teeth. Mushroom spores and moisture made it difficult for her to breathe, but she had to act. She channeled mana into the red gemstone ring on her right hand. Immediately, surrounding tree roots and mold mushrooms glowed intensely red then burst into a large crimson fire ring—a wide-area control spell to illuminate the battlefield and daze, driving away the encircling Lynxes.

  The opportunity had come! The Lynxes were dazed by the sudden light and temperature. Theo's eyes flashed a brilliant gleam, analysis panels about wind direction and other factors appeared in his eyes. G didn't need Theo's order to perform its duty. Skipping paralytic essence, magical arrow onto the Sylvanius bow, 57 kg draw weight full force, bow drawn taut. The entire process occurred in less than 1 second—a 3D arrow path image appeared proceeding straight to target: the Lynx fighting Ronan.

  Whoosh!

  An extremely light wind-cutting sound shot straight at the fierce beast's body. No time to react, the arrow from a blind spot angle—the Lynx was shot right in the lungs.

  Right then, Al also didn't delay. From flying above Theo's head, it dove swooping toward Liam. A chirp rang out, long and echoing—this was Theo's change in training Growl for Al from recently learned Trainer knowledge, aiming to optimize the sound waves Al emitted, reducing stamina and time, while further optimizing G's Sound Sensor capability. A large 3D Lynx shadow appeared under Theo's eyes.

  It was hiding beside a giant mushroom in the corner. Looking at the cunning creature's direction, the shooting angle was obstructed—Theo didn't hesitate. Blood-Burn Speed activated, Phantom Wind Footwork full throttle, running to the appropriate position. Only two seconds to both move and load the last magical arrow. Again a soft whistle as the arrow flew out that only Theo heard, targeting the second alpha Lynx.

  The first giant Lynx being attacked made the remaining one wary, but also confident in its hiding ability, it was still somewhat complacent. It only managed to reflexively dodge the torso center position but couldn't completely avoid the arrow embedding right in the monster beast's foreleg. However, with powerful muscle layers, the wound still didn't affect it greatly. G displayed a glowing red countdown in Theo's vision: [Full Body Paralysis: 30... 19... 18...]

  Theo lowered the bow, corner of his mouth curving into a mocking smile: "Thirty seconds. Enjoy what's left."

  But no need to wait too long. Three arrows fired from a dark corner aimed right at the Lynx, locking all its retreat paths. Being shot made the monster beast's mind concentrate fully with reflexes far exceeding humanity; it had dodged all arrows from Ryel. Thud! An arrow appeared suddenly in the beast's torso center, piercing heart—Ryel's magical arrow: invisibility arrow.

  Theo's two arrows were precisely the counterattack drum for the entire Night Hawk group.

  Ronan seized the moment as the Lynx staggered from the lung shot. Just one simple step with pivot foot, he glided across the ground with spear flashing blue lightning threads—Flash Thrust footwork with Thunder Edge—stabbing through the remaining Lynx, still surprised by Rowan's magic and Theo's arrow.

  Liam was the second to react. Still as before, Gale Strike—he charged straight toward the Lynx attacking guards. They'd regained their senses; the Lynx dodged Liam lightly with its speed but that also wasn't beyond his prediction. Taking advantage while passing the monster beast, hip relaxed, body turned. With body centrifugal force, a horizontal sweep with the hammer blade on the Zaravand maul slashed out full power causing damage on the fierce beast's back. Its reflexes also weren't weak; exploiting Liam's force, it also retreated and turned to flee.

  Whoosh!!! A gray figure appeared—Sable with bloodthirsty smile and two swords in hand. The monster beast froze then its head slowly fell. Her speed still that fast.