"Captain, don't go!"

The scar-faced man was the first to stop Brewer as she moved to leave.

"They're all second-tier Aspirant Heroes. Forget third-tier monsters—even a second-tier beast would be pushing it for us!"

"Yeah, Captain. Let's wait for fresh backup."

Brewer paused briefly, then lifted his foot despite their protests.

"Follow him."

"Captain!"

The scar-faced man shouted, but Brewer didn't hesitate. With a resentful glance at Celia's retreating back, he reluctantly followed.

Every rustle in the forest set their nerves on edge. Birds darting through the trees startled them like lurking monsters; even the grass beneath their feet seemed venomous.

Strangely, Celia's team's presence only deepened their fear.

After half a day's tense march, Brewer suddenly whirled around—a primal chill raising the hairs on his neck.

"Look out!"

Through the gloom, a pair of eerie serpent eyes locked onto them.

Moments later, a twenty-meter-long monstrosity slithered from the undergrowth, looming over the group. Its head dwarfed an adult human's. Scaled membranes veiled its pupils, and a crimson forked tongue flicked hungrily, baring raw predatory intent.

"Third-tier! A Scale-Eyed Serpent!"

The scar-faced man raised his blade, sweat beading on his brow. Even at full strength, his team would struggle to defeat it. Now? Survival itself was uncertain.

"Battle stances!"

Brewer rubbed his useless right arm, turning to Celia. "When we engage it, your team slips past. I've requested backup again—they'll arrive soon."

His two teammates tightened their grips on their weapons, shooting Celia's squad bitter looks.

"No need."

To Brewer's shock, Celia drew her slender longsword and strode past him toward the serpent.

"Miss Celia, don't be reckless!"

"Captain, let her go! She'll beg for our help soon enough." The scar-faced man blocked Brewer's path. *Second-tier Aspirants challenging a third-tier monster? Let's see what this Celia's really made of.*

The serpent watched the golden-haired girl approach calmly. Its slit pupils flickered with almost human confusion—until it sensed her power. Then came derision.

It hissed, coiling down from its tree perch. Jaws wide enough to swallow her whole snapped toward Celia—

"Don't ignore me!"

A cheerful voice rang from above. A pink blur crashed onto the serpent's skull like a falling boulder, slamming its head into the dirt.

Isa disengaged instantly, darting back as the enraged beast whipped around. Its focus shifted entirely to her. That strike stung less than the insult. Cheeks puffing, it unleashed a torrent of virulent green venom straight at her.

Celia was ready.

Wind magic crackled along her silver blade. A single slash summoned a gale that swept the poison harmlessly past Isa—and straight back at the serpent.

Enraged, it turned on Celia—only for another cry to pierce the air:

"Over here!"

*Again?* Fury burned in its icy eyes. It reared up, jaws gaping to devour the pink-haired pest—

"Now, Aurora!" Celia commanded.

Brewer's team whirled around. The overlooked girl stood with bow fully drawn, golden eyes unnervingly calm. Magic swirled around her arrow, casting a radiant halo. Wind lifted her skirt and hair, transforming her into a goddess from legend—regal, untouchable.

Her fingers loosened slightly.

*Whoosh—*

The golden arrow became a streak of light. It struck true—piercing the serpent's heart at its weakest point. A shriek tore from the beast as its body convulsed violently, crashing back to earth. Blood seeped into the soil, thick and coppery. The arrow had shattered its defensive magic, torn through flesh, and buried itself deep in its heart.

Sensing death, the serpent thrashed to flee—but Isa stomped down hard on its head.

*Thud!*

Its skull cracked against the ground. Blood gushed from the wound, staining the earth crimson.

"...Is it... over?"

Brewer rubbed his eyes, staring at the dead serpent. His teammates stood frozen, disbelief etched on their faces.

*A third-tier monster... slain so easily?*

Had three minutes even passed?

Even at full strength, his team would've paid a price to kill it. Three minutes? Unthinkable.

*Are they really just Aspirant Heroes?!*

Celia sheathed her sword, brushing past Brewer without a word. "Move. The blood will draw more monsters."

"R-right." He nodded numbly, relief finally washing over him. *With this strength, escaping the forest should be simple—as long as no fourth-tier beasts appear.*

*But... they've only trained for two months?*

A wave of exhaustion hit Brewer. For a fleeting second, thoughts of retirement crept in.

Behind him, the scar-faced man shrank behind his teammates, face burning with shame.

With Celia's trio clearing the path, every monster they encountered fell swiftly. Brewer's team watched, their expressions shifting from shock... to indifference... to numb acceptance.