The Boss Blightbun loomed at the edge of the mist, twice the size of its corrupted kin, its body pulsing with sickly red light. Its warped squeal echoed off the trees, setting the smaller Blightbuns into a frenzy.
Erynne swallowed hard, tightening her grip on her staff.
Of course there was a boss. Of course it was a giant murder rabbit. She should have known the universe wouldn't let her get through the tutorial battle without consequences.
"Hold the line!" Tovik barked, planting his axe into the earth. The wolf-beastfolk's massive frame was a wall of muscle and iron will.
The others responded instantly, moving with the kind of coordination that only came from experience.
Luma, slim and fox-like with her vibrant orange hair and too many knives to count, flanked Tovik, darting like a live flame.
Fauna, her green hair woven with tiny blossoms and her antlers glinting faintly, stepped behind them, giving sharp, precise orders that the others obeyed without hesitation.
Erynne blinked, stunned for half a breath. They knew what they were doing. Even in chaos, they trusted one another—and they were trusting her and Alrik to fight beside them. A tiny flicker of pride warmed her chest.
Tovik planted his feet as the Boss lunged, meeting it with a roar and a bone-jarring clash of axe against corrupted flesh.
"Clear the flanks!" Fauna called out, pointing to Alrik.
Alrik flipped his daggers in a showy spin and gave a mock salute. "On it!"
"And me?" Erynne asked, trying not to squeak.
"Support the line. Pick off the small ones."
Right. Easy. No pressure.
The Blightbuns swarmed forward—at first glance still deceptively fluffy, until you caught the red gleam in their eyes and the teeth meant for ripping, not nibbling.
Erynne gritted her teeth and lifted her staff. "Radiant Lance!"
A beam of golden light shot out, catching a Blightbun mid-leap and vaporizing it into a puff of mist.
Alrik slipped past her, moving fast, dual-wielding knives like a pro. His sneakers were already caked with mud, and a rip streaked across one pajama pant leg.
Tovik traded heavy blows with the boss, while Luma danced in with quick, slicing attacks, her knives glinting like stars. Fauna kept the group moving, coordinating attacks with hand signals, her calm presence anchoring the chaos.
Still, there were just too many smaller Blightbuns. They slipped through gaps. They clawed at ankles. They swarmed in waves.
"They're overwhelming us!" someone shouted.
"Fall back closer to the fire!" Fauna called, her voice like a steady drumbeat.
They were pulling back—but Erynne could see it. They wouldn't make it in time.
Her eyes darted to her status screen—and she saw it.
[SUMMON]
Anything’s better than getting eaten, she thought wildly.
She slammed her hand down on the Summon icon.
Three soft pops cracked the air—and Trouble, Mischief, and Storm materialized, each shimmering faintly with summoned magic.
The battlefield froze for a beat.
Even the Blightbuns hesitated.
Then Trouble let out a battle yowl and launched herself at the nearest rabbit, claws flashing. Mischief zipped through enemy lines like a striped streak of chaos. Storm summoned a thin mist that blurred incoming attackers, making them stumble and veer off-course.
Erynne blinked.
Oh my God. My cats are superheroes.
Alrik watched this for about two seconds, then jabbed his screen. "Fine. Choom, get in here!"
A loud pop—and Choom appeared mid-pounce, yowling dramatically and body-slamming a Blightbun to the ground.
The beastfolk only hesitated for a heartbeat before rolling with it, rallying with new momentum.
With the swarm distracted and scattering, the battlefield shifted.
The Boss Blightbun reared up again, furious and glowing.
Erynne steadied her staff, raising it to aim. Her hands trembled—but she locked onto the target anyway.
Alrik lunged, dagger already flying from his hand.
"Radiant Lance!" she cried.
The beam of light hit the dagger midair. The blade caught the magic, supercharging it, flaring so bright that even Tovik had to shield his eyes.
The glowing dagger struck the Boss Blightbun dead-center, cracking the corrupted creature wide open.
The boss shrieked once, twice—and exploded into a dazzling burst of red-gold ash.
For half a heartbeat, Erynne just stood there, stunned, her staff humming faintly in her hands.
The battlefield fell into silence.
The mist curled low around scorched grass and splintered wood. The heavy smell of ozone and burnt fur clung to the air.
The world felt bruised. Tired. But still standing.
Erynne leaned against her staff, her arms shaking with exhaustion.
Nearby, Choom sat atop a fallen Blightbun, tail swishing proudly. Trouble preened. Mischief chased bits of swirling ash. Storm was already napping, utterly unimpressed.
Alrik turned to her, wide-eyed. His hoodie—miraculously—still spotless.
"Did we just combo attack?" he asked.
Erynne blinked slowly, dazed. "I think... we're so good, we don't even need to plan it."
A soft chime echoed in her ears, making her jump.
A translucent blue window popped open in front of her:
[Victory! You have gained 720 EXP.]
[New Level: 2]
Another message blinked into existence:
[Trouble, Mischief, and Storm have gained 500 EXP.]
Across the clearing, Alrik whooped and did a little spin.
"Level up!" he crowed. "And Choom leveled too! That's my boy!"
Erynne stared at her status window, the numbers ticking upward.
She leveled up.
The cats leveled up.
She wasn’t just surviving—she was actually growing stronger.
A grin tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Tovik strode toward them, axe slung over one shoulder, his gray hair tousled, wolf-like ears twitching slightly as he surveyed the field.
"You fight like wild ones," he said, voice rough but approving.
Luma crossed her arms, her orange fox tail flicking. "Or lucky ones."
Fauna simply gave a soft, serene smile, her blossoms somehow still fresh even after the chaos.
Tovik’s voice lowered, more serious now. "This village needs fighters. Builders. People who can stand their ground. If you're willing… we could use you."
Erynne looked at Alrik.
Alrik looked at Erynne.
Their cats sat smugly behind them, tails curling like question marks.
Alrik grinned. "Do we get XP?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
