The teams gradually entered the room, and the door closed as usual. After three consecutive battles, everyone was exhausted but gritted their teeth to persevere. "I hope this opponent isn't too tough," Judo said with a bitter smile. "It won't be that easy," Kaia replied, her mood complex. Suddenly, accompanied by a series of screams, warriors began falling one after another, injured. "Who's there?!" Kaia drew her sword, scanning the room, but there were no enemies in sight—just the team. With no one to fight, they watched helplessly as teammates collapsed. Unable to sit idly by, Emily used her life-detection magic and discovered a figure moving at incredible speed, weaving through the crowd, leaving blood in its wake. In moments, dozens of comrades had fallen. "We can't let this continue! Emily, try to pinpoint its location, and I'll catch it," Kaia shouted. "Got it," Emily replied, continuously casting search magic. "There!" she pointed. Kaia and Judo swiftly dashed toward the direction. Judo took a stab to the abdomen as he closed in, while Kaia, using Judo's cover, grabbed the culprit—a beast resembling a dark fairy. It scratched Kaia's hand and slipped away. "Tch," Kaia clutched her wound, watching it escape again. "Let me handle this," Emily said, casting a binding net spell. A web of light filled the room, and the beast, touching the net, was stuck and immobilized. Judo rushed over and pierced it with a spear, finally defeating the enemy. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Great job, Judo!" Kaia praised.At that moment, the slain beast emitted a purple glow, splitting into two and reviving. The instant they resurrected, they resumed attacking the team. "What?!" Kaia, sword in hand, rushed to help. "Why is this happening? These things not only won't die, but they also multiply!" Judo said in shock. The two beasts, still lightning-fast, darted through the crowd. The warriors paid a heavy price to kill them again, only for the two to become four. Each time they were killed, they doubled. The team was at a loss, and casualties continued to mount."How do we kill them for good?" Kaia felt powerless against the scene. "We can't keep killing them—it'll never end. We need another plan," Emily said. Judo nodded. "Let me try the Dinar Seal." He began preparing the spell. "Buy me some time; I'm starting the incantation." With no other options, Kaia and the others followed Judo's lead. Feigo and his group fought desperately to fend off the beasts' attacks. "Watch out!" Feigo dove behind Norva, blocking an attack meant for him. "Argh!" Feigo screamed as he fell. "Feigo!" Norva shouted. "I'll make you pay!" Norva charged at the beasts, with Na'an joining the fight. Together, they managed to injure one, immobilizing it. Kaia and Emily each took down another, and the remaining one was defeated by the combined efforts of the other fighters. At that moment, Judo's spell was ready. Seizing the chance while the beasts were immobile, he cast the sealing magic. Under beams of light, the beasts were sucked into a bottle one by one. Judo quickly sealed it shut. "Amazing—you did it, Judo!" Kaia said, walking over. The warriors, seeing the beasts sealed and the battle over, collapsed in exhaustion. "Feigo, hang in there! I'll heal you," Norva said, supporting him and beginning to cast healing magic. Emily and other teammates skilled in healing magic tended to the other wounded. This battle had claimed thirty-five lives, and grief and helplessness spread through the team. The path ahead opened again. After treating the injured and bidding farewell to their fallen comrades, the team gathered their resolve and pressed forward.
