After about two hours of marching, Brewer and his group finally couldn't go on. Celia's team had to stop and rest right there.

At this pace, Brewer figured they'd exit the forest in another hour.

This speed stunned him. Even veteran Hero teams from the guild would take roughly the same time to clear the Silent Forest's outskirts as Celia's squad.

"With strength like yours, you should've become Heroes ages ago. Why even need a coach?" he asked, approaching Celia resting against a tree, puzzled.

"Our coach taught us everything," Celia glanced at him. "Besides, becoming a Hero isn't guaranteed."

"Why? I recall the Hero trial monsters are only third-tier. Even near-fourth-tier ones shouldn't trouble you, right?"

Brewer hadn't forgotten how efficiently her team slaughtered third-tier beasts. After the Scale-Eyed Snake, every other third-tier monster fell within minutes.

With such power, how could the Hero trial challenge them? Let alone with three months left—he couldn't imagine how much stronger they'd grow.

Could they even tackle fourth-tier monsters?

The thought felt absurd the moment it surfaced.

"We're challenging a fourth-tier monster," Isa replied, sitting on the ground.

"What?!"

Brewer nearly doubted his ears. "Impossible! The gap between fourth and third tier is massive. Even our veteran squad wouldn't dare fight a fourth-tier monster lightly."

Fourth-tier monsters were unbeatable for his team. Only a handful of guild squads could kill them.

Like that fourth-tier Scorpion that suddenly appeared in the city—they were utterly powerless, not even worthy to fight beside Roland.

Yet this second-tier Hero squad's trial was to kill a fourth-tier beast?

Was he mad, or was the world mad?

Could the gap between Heroes be that vast?

Celia ignored his shock, turning to Aurora on guard. Seeing her grave expression, Celia asked softly, "Aurora?"

"A dangerous presence is approaching."

Aurora spun toward the forest behind them. Her gaze pierced the dense trees, spotting a terrifying monster slowly emerging.

"Its strength... should be fourth-tier."

A silvery-white magic longbow materialized in her hands. Instantly, she was battle-ready.

Celia and Isa mirrored her stance. Only Brewer's group stood frozen, thinking they'd misheard.

But cold sweat dripped from their foreheads the next second.

Crimson eyes glowed from the dark jungle. A massive white tiger stepped out slowly, its sharp fangs dripping fresh blood—clearly just fed.

Vivid red stripes covered its body, amplifying its ferocity.

Brewer recognized those stripes—the mark of a fourth-tier Flame-Striped White Tiger.

"How?! How can a fourth-tier monster appear on the Silent Forest's outskirts?!"

His mind reeled, reason crumbling.

Normally, even second-tier monsters were rare here. Lately, third-tier ones kept appearing. Now a fourth-tier!

Something unknown must have happened, likely threatening Vedona's safety.

But right now, he cared only about himself.

A fourth-tier Flame-Striped White Tiger—he'd die here today.

The blonde girl with a single ponytail bypassed him, standing before the beast again. She gripped her longsword, its blade gleaming coldly.

He frowned. "Celia, are you insane? A second-tier challenging fourth-tier means certain death!"

"So you'd rather wait here and die obediently?"

Celia's words silenced him.

Even without fighting, death was inevitable. A fourth-tier monster showed no mercy.

Suppressing his fear, he moved to help—but Celia charged the tiger, sword raised.

Isa drew her Ring Blade on the other side, following close behind.

"Let's see how big the gap is between us and a fourth-tier monster," she muttered.

Brimming with fighting spirit, Celia coated her longsword in scorching flames.

She swung—the flames surged unstoppable. But the thick-furred tiger didn't dodge. It stomped its foot, and a gale halted the fire.

Isa lunged from the shadows. Her Ring Blade glowed unnaturally bright, almost eager. Ignoring it, she slashed straight at the tiger's neck.

Clang—

Like striking iron, a crisp ring echoed. Isa's face paled. Just as she leaped back, the tiger's claws flashed before her!

"Isa!"

Celia shouted anxiously. Aurora instantly cast a magic shield before Isa.

But the claws shattered it effortlessly, hurling Isa into the trees.

Celia's sword hand trembled slightly. Gritting her teeth, she raised her blade and charged.

Flames wrapped the sword, forming fiery walls mid-air. Each of the tiger's lunges met her blade.

Growing impatient, it pinned her sword down with sheer force. It opened its maw toward Celia's head—crimson flames flickered deep inside.

Flame breath!

Trapped and desperate, Celia channeled magic to shield herself, bracing for the blast.

Whoosh—

A golden arrow whizzed past her ear, shooting straight into the tiger's mouth!

"Roar—!"

The tiger howled, releasing the sword and stumbling back.

It shook its head, blood oozing from its jaws. Then it glared murderously toward Aurora.

Even Brewer beside her felt suffocating dread. Aurora, facing it directly, stood frozen.

The tiger crouched low. Crimson lightning flashed in its eyes. It spat—a terrifying crimson energy ball flew at Aurora!

Aurora hastily raised a magic shield. Her calm expression finally cracked with panic.

Brewer and his teammates joined in, raising shields to help her.

But they underestimated the ball's power.

Crackle—

The collision exploded violently. Birds and beasts scattered through the forest. Aurora collapsed, coughing blood before her breathing steadied.

Brewer's group fared no better. Already injured, they all crumpled—completely combat-ineffective.