Hidden Hollows was once a treasure of the land, a vibrant place pulsing with energy. Now, it had turned into a grisly battlefield, where the clang of steel and cries of the wounded filled the air. Many Elixir Herbs and Elixir Fruits were stained with blood and trampled into the dirt by the chaotic throngs of Magi-Monsters. The surging energy filled the space, causing the mountains to tremble and an unending cascade of boulders to fall, adding to the pandemonium.
The Cobalt Strike Protégés, bands of mercenaries, and hordes of Magi-Monsters clashed fiercely, all driven mad in their quest for magical treasure. Even members of the Cobalt Strike Protégés fought each other over the spoils. The situation was out of control, and everyone was blinded by the lust for treasure.
Cedrick and Myke, having spotted their prizes, charged into the fray.
Alavin, too, found something in a secluded corner of the battlefield, buried under dust and rubble, emitting only the faintest of glows, unnoticed in the chaos. He dodged everyone and the Magi-Monsters, moving through the shadows, and upon shifting the heavy stones, found it was a clump of Elixir Herbs.
A large patch of Elixir Herb, grew wild among the rocks, and in the center of the cluster was an irregular stone, looking like an overturned pot lid, embedded with magical ores—sixteen at a glance, with even more inside.
"Beautiful!" Alavin exclaimed, spreading out his beast-skin satchel and harvesting all the Elixir Herbs. He then used his ancient sword to cleave the stone from its roots and tucked it into his satchel.
A great Ironback Bear suddenly appeared beside Alavin, imposing and fierce, its bearish fury almost palpable. With a swipe of its massive claws, it attacked.
Alavin tumbled backward, performing a 360-degree evasion to appear directly beneath the bear's belly, from where he launched a powerful upward strike.
Goliath Force, second phrase, Colossus Power.
Boom! The tremendous blow surged into the bear's belly. Its mighty strength threw the creature into the air by five meters, causing it to howl and crash onto the ground, stirring up a wild gust of wind.
Two mercenaries, eyes filled with greed, rushed over, hoping to take advantage of the situation, but were so startled by the sight that they gasped in shock.
Alavin shook his hands and hoisted his satchel. "Problem?"
The mercenaries turned on their heels. "Just passing by," they said, and swiftly departed.
With a "crack," Trevas finally severed the boulder and unearthed it, laughing triumphantly as he lifted the stone high. "Ha, it's mine!"
"Let's go. Let's get out of here," the Protégés said, equally ecstatic at the sight of so many magical ores, enough for all to share.
"Cover me," Trevas urged, wiping his mouth and preparing to make a break for it. But just then, a dark figure burst through the chaotic melee, flipping dramatically to land behind them. As the figure landed, it rose up with a sword crackling with energy, aiming straight for Trevas.
The Protégés were shocked. Who was this person who had slipped past their defenses?
"Scram!" Trevas, though stocky, dodged with surprising agility, narrowly avoiding the sword's strike. But the dark figure pressed the attack relentlessly, his blade weaving a dense web that forced Trevas to stumble back and fall. The stone embedded with magical ores flew from his grasp.
The dark figure was Alavin. He intercepted the stone, spun around, and hurled it back into the fray.
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