Sera and Rodin exhaled in unison.
Relief swept over them—but their bodies had reached their limits. Both collapsed to their knees, gasping. Blood trickled from Sera's lips, and Rodin clutched his side, wincing.
Their mana reserves were nearly gone.
More importantly… their bodies were battered beyond belief.
Sera's ribs were cracked. Rodin's right arm hung limp—likely broken. Neither of them could continue fighting.
Arthur approached with narrowed eyes, his red blade dimming.
"Why was a golem here?" he asked sharply.
Sera shook her head, grimacing. "We… we don't know. It just appeared out of nowhere. From the pressure it gave off—it was a Rank 1. A strong one."
Arthur's expression darkened. "If a golem made it here, that means the strike team… is in danger."
Rodin looked up, voice hoarse. "But… what about here? What if more show up?"
"That's the problem," Arthur muttered.
Suddenly, the forest stirred.
Leaves rustled. Branches cracked.
The group turned toward the sound—bodies tense—until Arthur activated Appraisal, his eyes narrowing.
A moment later, he spoke. "It's them. They're ours."
Rodin and Sera finally let down their guard.
Through the trees, several members of Team Twelve emerged—faces pale, breaths ragged. Their expressions were painted with urgency and anxiety.
"Tess," Arthur called.
The healer spotted him and sprinted forward. "Arthur—there's a big problem!"
"I know," Arthur replied flatly. "The golem."
She blinked. "Wait… how did you—?"
Her eyes swept the battlefield, and her voice trailed off as she saw the destroyed golem remains. The others, too, fell silent.
Arthur turned to the group. "Where's Julian?"
Leona, still catching her breath, responded with difficulty. "He… he stayed behind. He said, 'Go tell Arthur. I'll hold them off.'"
Arthur's eyes sharpened. "Hold off what?"
Leona looked up, dread in her eyes. "Three golems. Three Peak Rank 1 golems."
Arthur froze.
His jaw clenched. "…What?"
Without wasting another second, he turned to the team.
"Everyone—listen carefully. Go protect the Kingdom Core. Tess, heal Rodin and Sera immediately."
"But Arthur—" Tess began.
Arthur raised his voice, calm but commanding. "Don't argue. Julian is buying us time. I'll destroy their cores as fast as possible."
He paused for one breath, eyes briefly softening.
"Don't die."
Tess hesitated, then nodded. "Understood. But… where's Bryce?"
Rodin lowered his gaze. "…He was eliminated."
A heavy silence fell over them.
The group looked down, sorrow in their eyes—but there was no time to grieve.
Resolve replaced grief.
They turned to the core, preparing defenses once more. Sera and Rodin were carefully moved to safety as Tess began healing them.
Arthur gave them one last look… then vanished into the jungle.
His red cloak fluttered behind him—
—and the hunt began anew.