“Right behind you!”

  Number 4 sensed the Crystal Soldier approaching silently from behind. At the last moment, he spun around, swinging his dagger to meet the attack with a harsh parry. The force of the impact sent a spiderweb of cracks through the soldier's crystalline sword.

  Seizing the opening, Number 4 vanished. Reappearing behind the soldier as if he had teleported, he plunged his dagger deep into the creature's throat without hesitation. The Crystal Soldier trembled from the impact before shattering into a million pieces, crumbling into a pile of salt.

  “These shiny pawns never end!” Number 4 shouted, grinning through the melee. “Hey, 7! Are your flames still useless?”

  “You think I haven't tried?” Number 7 yelled back, her voice taut with tension. “It's like I'm facing an army of walls!”

  “Maybe you should turn up the heat a little!”

  Number 25, who had warned Number 4 just moments ago, scowled. The duo’s bickering sounded like they were at a tea party, not a battlefield.

  With furrowed brows, she turned to a soldier approaching from her right. She raised her bow, drawing the empty string back fully. A glow manifested at the nock, condensing into a white arrow of pure energy. She held her breath and loosed the bright shaft straight at the Crystal Soldier's chest.

  The arrow flew with a high-pitched whistle, striking the soldier's chest plate—but it only managed to create a fracture.

  Number 25 gripped her bow tighter. Without pausing, she sprinted toward the soldier. Using the momentum, she drove the sharp tip of her bow into the crack with all her might. Under the impact, the soldier shuddered and broke apart, collapsing into salt.

  Sinking to her right knee, Number 25 stabbed the tip of her bow into the pile of remains to support herself. Her face was flushed, short dark-brown hair plastered to her skin with sweat. Her ragged breathing betrayed her hopelessness; it felt as though they would never escape this situation.

  Scanning her surroundings, she couldn't help but feel the oppressive cold of the pale blue tunnels. The porcelain-like clicking echoing through the corridors played in her mind like a broken record. The constant sound, coupled with the fear of an enemy appearing at any moment, was driving her toward paranoia.

  She took another deep breath, rubbing her eyes with her index fingers, trying to regain her composure. They had to get out of these treacherous tunnels alive.

  She didn't have much hope for the two beside her. Granted, she trusted Number 4's combat skills; the man was a complete menace, but he was deadly. On the other hand, Number 7's flames had been almost useless against the crystal soldiers, which only caused her to whine incessantly like a fussy child.

  But that wasn't the real problem. The true concern was the whereabouts of Number 1 and the Elf Princess. It had been several hours since the pair had split from the group "to find the path," and there was still no trace of them.

  “I'm really sick and tired of this place! Hey 4, do you think the Captain and the Princess are coming back?”

  “What do you mean 'where's the Captain,' gorgeous? I'm standing right here.”

  Number 7 let out a laugh at Number 4's sleazy retort. It echoed through the tunnels, so high-pitched it nearly made Number 25 sick.

  Feeling eyes on her, Number 7 cut her laughter short. She turned, sizing up Number 25. She pouted, idly twisting her red hair around her finger, her expression practically screaming, I hate Number 25.

  “What exactly are you staring at? Why don't you mind your own business instead of focusing on us?”

  As Number 7 shouted in her shrill voice, Number 25 slowly pushed herself to her feet. She wore an unsettling smile.

  “But of course, Madam Mage,” Number 25 replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I must try to be at least as useful as you, mustn't I?”

  “You little...”

  “Alright, alright, ladies, calm down. Being stuck in this shithole hasn't been good for our nerves.”

  Number 4’s intervention drew the gaze of both women. Number 7 grumbled with a huff, then, as if nothing had happened, she turned back to Number 4, smiled, and went right back to teasing him.

  Number 25 loosened the death grip on her bow. She turned her back on them, trying her best to ignore Number 7's grating voice. She sank to the ground, kneeling, and closed her eyes. She just wanted to clear her mind for a moment and focus on survival.

  Just as she regained a fraction of her calm, she sensed a change in the porcelain-like clicking. Beneath the familiar noise, a new, heavier sound echoed.

  She opened her eyes, looking at Number 4 and Number 7. Number 4 had heard it too; his hand was already resting on the hilt of his dagger.

  Number 25 stood up, flexing her fingers to warm them. She shifted her bow to her left hand and stared intently into the darkness. Each click felt closer than the last.

  She wiped sweat from her forehead, keeping one eye on her teammates. As the sound grew distinct, a massive silhouette emerged from the shadows—a Crystal Commander.

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  The creature stood nearly three meters tall, clad in thick crystal armor that seemed fused with its body. In its hands, it wielded a massive crystal axe. It approached with heavy steps, making them feel the weight of its every movement.

  “Alright, big boy, let’s see how you dance!” Number 4 yelled. “25!”

  Number 25, immediately grasping the signal, aimed her bow. As she drew the string, a bright arrow materialized. Focusing intently, she poured more power into it until it shone brilliantly, then released.

  The arrow flew like a bullet, striking the Crystal Commander’s chest. But it ricocheted off at an angle and vanished. Nothing remained on the commander’s armor except a tiny scratch.

  Seeing her attack was useless, Number 25’s frustration mounted. Immediately following the failed shot, Number 4 dashed toward the giant.

  The Commander raised its crystal axe and brought it down with immense force. In that exact instant, Number 4 vanished, reappearing right behind the Commander's head. He thrust his dagger at the creature's neck, but... it didn't seem to have any effect.

  The massive creature slowly turned its head toward Number 4, swatting at him as if he were a buzzing fly.

  “Crap!”

  Panic flashing in his eyes, Number 4 vanished again, reappearing beside 25. He was completely out of breath, staring at the dagger in his hand.

  “This thing has to have a weak spot, right?”

  Annoyed by the attacks, the Commander raised its axe in anger and quickened its pace.

  Seeing the monster closing in, Number 7 began to panic. She unleashed erratic, uncontrolled flames from her hands.

  “Hey, cut it out with those useless flames!” Number 25 shouted. “You're blinding us with smoke!”

  Suddenly, through the haze, the massive crystal axe swung down, aiming right for Number 25.

  She dodged at the last second, leaping sideways and barely managing to land on the axe's handle. As the smoke cleared, she found herself face-to-face with the giant's pale blue, glowing eyes.

  Seizing the opportunity, Number 4 dashed behind the Commander. Gripping his dagger tightly, he struck hard at the giant's leg.

  The dagger sank into the Commander's knee joint, cracking the crystal.

  Roaring in pain, the Commander dropped the axe. Number 25 used the moment to leap backward off the handle, gaining distance.

  Emboldened, Number 4 pressed the attack, but the Commander grabbed him by the throat with a massive hand and lifted him into the air.

  Choked and struggling, Number 4 flailed uselessly. Number 25 quickly drew her bow, firing a rapid stream of energy arrows at the Commander's arm.

  Annoyed, the Commander shifted focus to Number 25 and threw Number 4 aside like a piece of trash.

  Number 4 slammed his head against the wall and collapsed, losing consciousness. Blood began to pool around his split skull.

  Losing control completely at the sight, Number 7 screamed and continued her erratic attacks. The flames, shooting wildly in every direction, were no longer just obscuring Number 25's vision; they were making it difficult to breathe.

  Having lost all hope, Number 25 stepped back desperately from the advancing Crystal Commander, putting up a futile resistance.

  In that exact instant, a high-pitched shriek tore through the air.

  A silver blur impaled the Crystal Commander from behind, tearing a massive hole in its abdomen. It continued its path at full speed, grazing Number 25's cheek and cutting a few strands of her hair before striking the wall and ricocheting.

  The silver spear, now bouncing in the air... was incredibly familiar.

  As the spear curved through the air and returned to its owner, the Crystal Commander's massive bulk collapsed in front of Number 25, shattering into pieces.

  Number 25 let out a breath, relieved to have turned back from the brink of death, but she couldn't shake the stress she had just endured.

  Walking toward her were Number 1 and Princess Flora, the two who had separated from them hours ago.

  “That was the third one, wasn’t it, Princess?” Number 1 said, catching his silver spear effortlessly.

  “The last one, I believe,” the Princess added.

  Number 25 stared at the pair who had just saved them. Number 1 wore ornate, silver armor that matched his spear. He was tall, with a broad build; his slightly salt-and-pepper hair blended into a scruffy beard. His eyes were a color between yellow and orange, burning like the sun. He was incredibly charismatic.

  Princess Flora looked quite fitting next to him. Her long, pale-blonde hair, spilling from between her pointed ears, highlighted her vibrant green eyes. She wore a warrior's outfit that honored her culture.

  Flora gently approached Number 25. With delicate hands, she brushed the hair from 25's eyes. “Are you alright, 25?”

  Her voice was delicate, just like her appearance.

  But to Number 25, the situation didn't feel delicate at all. She nodded warily and pointed toward where Number 4 and Number 7 were.

  “Oh my goodness, what happened to our dear Number 4?”

  Princess Flora moved with silent steps to where Number 7 stood over Number 4. She placed a hand on 7's shoulder.

  “You can leave the rest to me. Thank you for your efforts.”

  Number 7, unable to speak, simply stepped aside.

  The Princess brought her hands close to Number 4's bleeding head. Warm green motes of light appeared, slowly closing the wound until it vanished without a trace.

  “It doesn't look like a major problem. He should wake up soon,” Flora said, turning to Number 1.

  “Excellent! We'll rest a bit and then continue. It'll do them all good after what they've been through, right?” Number 1 grinned from ear to ear.

  Number 7 collapsed to the ground, head tucked between her knees, silent.

  Number 25 felt a tremor in her hand as she watched Number 1's easy smile, but she suppressed it.

  “I can't thank you enough. I'm indebted to you, Princess Flora.”

  “Ahaha, don't mention it, 4.”

  Number 4 was completely mesmerized by Flora's sweet voice, but when he felt the jealous sting of Number 7's glare—on whom he was leaning for support—he quickly wiped the dopey expression off his face.

  “Looking like you're back to your old self, my friend,” said Number 1. He walked beside Princess Flora, with Number 4 and Number 7 following right behind. Number 25 trailed at the very back, alone.

  “I've been better. We wouldn't have known what to do without your help,” Number 4 said with a strained laugh. “So tell me, when are we getting out of these tunnels? They stink.”

  “We're almost at our destination, aren't we, Princess?”

  Flora gave a gentle nod in response to Number 1's question.

  After walking a bit further, the group emerged in front of a massive gateway. Number 1 held up his hand, signaling them to stop, and turned to face the group.

  “The real fun starts now,” he said. His resolute tone matched the confident smile on his face. While Number 4 and 7 looked on with curious gazes, Number 25 remained silent. She observed Number 1's movements carefully, then looked past him toward the entrance.

  The pitch-black darkness beyond the ornate gateway looked like a black hole. It must be massive inside, she thought.

  “Is there a problem, 25?” Number 1 asked.

  “No. I just wanted to get a look inside.”

  “Well then, let's go in and see, shall we?”

  The group began to walk slowly through the entrance. They couldn't see anything in the pitch-black darkness, but as Number 25 took her final step inside, the gateway began to seal shut with a pale blue barrier.

  Then, one by one, blue lights flickered on, revealing the massive arena around them... and the giant, sleeping monster right before their very eyes

  I AM BACK!

  so much for your patience during that 12-day silence.

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