It wasn't even that big—the biggest one was no bigger than a storey—but it was very much like being stared at by a giant.

This one was creepy and disgusting though. It was like a giant worm but with scales instead of flesh.

BANG! BANG!

[-1 Defense Point]

Tsk. A few hits from the beast and another point was deducted.

Well, this was not the time to stare in terror. He told himself he had graduated by just freezing in terror, and it was annoying that he was still doing it.

[Used! Heated Arc]

He gritted his teeth and stabbed at the damned thing, only for his blade to barely even create a scratch! It bled, sure, but it was like a papercut if he were to find a comparison.

Still, he was not discouraged. Rather, he thought this was his chance to learn how to handle toughened-level monsters. He might not have encountered one outside, but if he were to explore a wider area, especially nearer Level 2, then he'd see a lot of them sooner or later.

BANG!

BANG!

[-1 Defense Point!]

He used [Ingredient Sense] and [Assessment] to determine its weakness. Sadly, it seemed to be well balanced.

His eyes twitched, but he continued to stab and swipe, targeting specific areas for efficiency. Even if it wasn't the weak spot, weakening an area bit by bit was an option.

BANG!

Swipe, Stab

ROAAAR!

He wiped his sweat and looked at his status, which showed that this fight had taken a bite from his stamina. He wondered if he'd have enough stamina by the time the monster was taken down. Otherwise, he'd just have to wake up the others.

Fortunately, he didn't have to worry too much. Not long after that, he felt energy coming from behind him, and soon, sharp projectiles cut through the air, going straight at the monster.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Each arrow was embedded in the monster. They not only burrowed into its hard, scaled skin, but there seemed to be an added force that, when the arrow disappeared, it had a tiny explosion that expanded the wound the arrowhead made.

The monster let out a creepy, characteristic cry, and its attacks against the barrier became more manic.

BANG! BANG!

[-1 Defense Point]

BANG! BANG!

[-1 Defense Point]

Finn turned to look at Leiah, who was approaching with her bow and arrow. "Why didn't you call any of us?" she asked.

"Well, I figured you could use your rest. You can hunt for cores after sleeping pretty," he said. "...now that you're here though…it's all yours."

Finn smiled shamelessly, as if giving a chance to others.

Leiah sighed and jumped over the nearby tree. Because the toughened monster was fast and had different positions, she didn't always have a clear shot at its weak spots.

Using the trees and plants to gain a vantage point, the half-elf shot away. Depending on the angle she needed, she could jump from tree to tree. If it was a bit far, she'd use her wind spells to help her out.

It was quite graceful. Even when the tree she jumped on was outside the barrier, she could shoot away without worrying about the monsters getting to her before she switched branches.

Leiah was a tier 1 Resonant mage, which was the magical equivalent of a tier 1 Toughened rank physical fighter, so although it wasn't easy to kill a toughened monster, she was able to fight against it on her own.

She shot arrow after arrow, with the projectiles disappearing as they embedded itself on its skin, creating small holes everywhere. The monster was not to lose so easily either. Generally speaking, monsters were stronger than humanoids of the same level.

BANG!

The beast slammed into the tree Leiah had been, and it fell down easily. Fortunately, Leiah had already jumped over another tree and shot away.

Finn watched closely. This monster didn't have eyes and only had a mouth that seemed to be guarded by rounded teeth. There was also a thick lining inside its mouth, so it wasn't necessarily a weakness either.

Leiah shot arrow after arrow, and he realized she was creating a circular

She jumped and kicked it, creating a gaping hole in its skin, but she also let the wind carry her in another direction, allowing her to avoid its blood, letting it carry her to the barrier, where Finn was waiting.

She memorized where the barrier was and would often jump on a tree within the barrier, and by then the monster would be helpless. It was able to avoid her shots sometimes, but otherwise, it could only receive Leiah's shots.

"That's amazing! You're really strong, Leiah." Finn said, eyes sparkling with admiration. The woman blinked and slightly turned away, feeling shy.

It was an admiration of her skills, not her beauty, like what most men would see, and she found it to be quite refreshing.

"Why were you awake by the way?" he asked, curious.

"I meditate and absorb cores early in the morning," she told him. Then she heard some fighting and went out, seeing a certain man had been battling a monster way above his level.

She wasn't planning on just watching him either, but she ended up doing so, her eyes fixed on his every movement.

His technique wasn't that special, nor was he even that strong compared to what she was used to, but there was a certain grace and purpose in his movements that made her want to watch.

Then, at some point, it looked like he needed help, so she helped him out without thinking.

"Sigh, it's so nice to have magic," he said, envious of her skills, especially with how the wind was carrying her.

Anyone from Earth had once dreamed of using magic, and he was no different! Especially with a barrier like his. Wouldn't it just be fun to throw projectiles while hiding behind the barrier?

He might not be a mage, but he wondered when he'd get more long-distance skills…

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