According to the Mercenary Guild’s survey map, the Lionbite Shark’s territory formed an oval spanning over four kilometers in diameter. The surrounding area had long since turned into swamp—nature’s own defensive wall.
The few non-swamp paths were also occupied by monsters, leaving only three viable routes.
“Relax, Xue Die, just relax~ And seriously, stop playing games while casting wind magic! Watch your step!”
Agnes held Xue Die’s hand firmly.
“No worries. Lighten makes us light as leaves on the swamp. Just don’t yank me down into the muck, and we’re golden.”
Wind Nine, Lighten.
A wind-element support spell available to wind mages.
In truth, though Sasha was merely a mage apprentice—the lowest rank—and seemed unskilled, her magical knowledge likely rivaled these Elemental Envoys.
After all, she lived with that old hunk of junk that did nothing but chant spells all day.
Even unwillingly, she’d memorized everything.
As previously noted, nearly all elemental professions had been consolidated under “mage.”
All spells followed a simplified naming convention: [Element] + [Overall Rank] + [Spell Name].
Take Wind Nine, Lighten: wind-element support spell, Rank 9.
Here, support and offensive spells shared one category—mages understood the nuance.
“Overall Rank” indicated expected potency when cast by a mage of matching tier.
Higher number, greater strength.
...
“Little Sasha, nervous? You can hold me tighter, you know.”
Tina’s words pulled Sasha from her thoughts.
“I’m fine. Absolutely fine.”
Thanks to Lighten, walking on the swamp felt like stepping on sponge—light, buoyant.
“Hm?”
Sasha sensed it. So did Xue Die. She tucked her handheld console into storage space.
“Something’s coming.”
“!?”
The moment Agnes raised her brows, a gaping maw erupted from the swamp, aiming to swallow them whole.
Xue Die reacted instantly, yanking Agnes aside.
The monster missed. Its true form emerged: a massive green-skinned crocodile.
Holes riddled its body, spraying muddy sludge with an ear-splitting hiss.
“Rank B.”
Sasha assessed coldly.
Its ferocious aura rivaled the Ironwater Lizard’s.
Worse—they stood trapped in the swamp. Escape was impossible.
They had to end it here.
“It’s a magic crocodile, but…” Agnes checked her phone. “Data says no Rank C+ monsters should roam freely in the Lionbite Shark’s swamp territory.”
That was their gamble.
...
Relying solely on data wouldn’t keep a mercenary alive. Sasha knew plans shattered against chaotic monsters.
“It’s coming!”
Sasha’s sharp cry coincided with the crocodile lunging at her and Tina.
Tina shoved Sasha aside at the last second and counterattacked.
High-speed chanting.
“Ice Ten, Frost Spike!”
A two-meter ice spike materialized above her head and slammed down.
Impact was devastating: the crocodile’s head cracked, ice shards pierced its hide, blood sprayed.
Truly an Elemental Envoy’s power—no exaggeration.
Unlike Sasha, who’d struggle to conjure a fist-sized spike.
The beast roared in pain, fury intensifying, aura thickening.
It plunged back into the swamp. Silence fell.
“Watch out! It’s the BOSS type that dives in to heal, then pops back full health next turn for its ultimate!”
Xue Die’s gaming analogy was weirdly clear. Vivid, even.
But… where would it strike from? Behind? Left? Right?
Sasha’s pupils contracted. Eyes snapped downward. She shoved Tina away.
*Whoosh!*
The crocodile burst upward beneath her feet, maw gaping like a breaching whale.
“SASHA!!”
Tina steadied herself—only to see Sasha bracing the snapping jaws with bare hands, jammed inside its mouth.
Damn… This Rank B’s bite force was monstrous.
A grimace twisted Sasha’s face.
But—
Vertical pupils flashed in her eyes for a split second.
Hidden inside the mouth, using a sliver of Elf strength was safe.
“How long since you brushed your teeth, big croc?!”
With a growl, she forced the jaws wide open with Elf-touched strength and slipped free.
SLAM!!
The maw snapped shut—missing her completely.
The other three exhaled in relief. But the fight had just begun. Crush it. Here. Now.
...
2
“Notice anything? Monsters along the path feel… thinner.”
Thuke scanned the surroundings quietly.
“All taking a nap?”
“Most monsters don’t nap… Still, weird.”
Roland noticed too.
“Like they vanished suddenly…”
He halted, crouched, studying chaotic claw marks.
“They were here moments ago. Now gone in a rush.”
“Could it be—”
Autumnwater’s uneasy thought was cut off as Roland shook his head.
“This direction isn’t where Miss Sasha and Tina are.”
Roland pulled out his phone.
“The Mercenary Guild’s map shows only three entrances/exits. We came from southeast. Sasha texted yesterday they approached from southwest. These monsters are heading north—toward the third exit.”
“Something big happening over there?”
“Either way, good news. We can hunt mission targets cleanly… and avoid the Lionbite Shark entirely.”
