Yuna stood firm at the back of the battlefield, her black crop top shifting as she raised one hand toward the Dark Seraph soaring above. The school's broken walls loomed around them, scarred and crumbling. Her fingers moved like she was weaving a net, her sharp eyes locked on the Gemini's massive black wings. She spoke her spell, her voice clear and strong, carrying over the clash of swords and growls of the fight.
"Sparks surround, a fiery net,
Wings will burn if you don't set.
Land below, or flames will grow,
Fire Domain: Caged Crow."
A web of red-hot flames burst into the air, forming a blazing cage around the Dark Seraph. The fiery strands crackled, tightening like ropes, their heat scorching the air. The Gemini's wings faltered, singed at the edges, forcing it downward to avoid being burned to ash.
[System Notice]
Yuna Lee has activated the skill [Fire Domain: Caged Crow].
MP (Mana Points) Used: 5,000
MP (Mana Points) Remaining: 50,000
Effect: Creates a fiery net in a 20-meter radius, forcing flying enemies to land or take burn damage for 2 minutes.
Kai grinned, his twin swords gleaming as he wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, the dragon tattoo on his chest showing through his half-zipped jacket. "That's how you catch a bird, Yuna! Nice work!" he called, stepping forward, his boots crunching on the gravel-strewn pavement.
The Dark Seraph, with no choice, dove down at full speed, its blue hair streaming, wings tucked for a fierce attack. If it had to fall, it would strike hard. "It's coming! Get ready!" Kai shouted, gripping his swords tighter, his eyes fixed on the diving Gemini.
Kenshi was already set, his katana raised, the skull tattoo on his temple sharp against his pale skin. As the Dark Seraph lunged at him, its claws slashing, Kenshi sidestepped just in time, his coat flapping as he moved like a shadow. The Gemini spun for another strike, but Kai was there, his twin swords slicing through its red-furred body. The blades carved a medium-sized gash, blood oozing briefly before the wound sealed almost instantly, the skin knitting together.
Geminis were tough. A Savage Beast Gemini matched an Alpha-ranked Awakener but healed shallow cuts fast. An Elite like the Dark Seraph was like a Primordial, with even stronger regeneration. Higher ranks—Fiend, Nightmare, and Demon—were nearly impossible to kill. Two Primordials against one Elite seemed fair. But humans tired faster than Geminis, their stamina draining like water from a cracked bucket.
Now, with Kai's next swing in motion, the Dark Seraph leaped back, dodging, only to face Kenshi's katana slashing toward its neck. It raised its massive wings, blocking the blade with a dull clang, the impact sending sparks flying. It flapped hard, retreating to gain space, its blue hair swaying as it stayed a good distance away.
A voice slithered into their minds, cold and sharp, stopping the fight dead. "I have an interesting idea," the Whisperkin hissed telepathically, its form swaying on the pavement, claws scraping the ground. Everyone turned, eyes narrowing at the eyeless Gemini.
The Rocksborne growled from the rooftop, its stone-like body shifting, sending pebbles clattering. "Are we done waiting? Is it time to finish this?" it rumbled, clearly fed up with the Whisperkin's tricks.
The Titnice, perched above, stayed silent, its snow-white skin glinting, black eyes fixed on the Whisperkin. It couldn't figure the creature out. The Titnice, an SS+ Elite, took five seconds to break Valmer's [Divine Command (Submission)], but the Whisperkin, a mere F-rank Elite, escaped in two. The Titnice had planned to kill it during the chaos, but the Whisperkin avoided direct combat, as if sensing the threat. Too many unknowns. The Titnice decided to wait, its small, childlike body still, watching like a predator.
The Whisperkin tilted its head, its voice oily and smug. "Let's even the odds." Kai's face twisted in disgust. "What's that devil cooking now?" he muttered, stepping closer to Kenshi, his swords ready.
"There are four of you against two of us, with one supporting from behind," the Whisperkin continued, its claws tapping the pavement. "Let's make it four on four. We'll leave the woman as a bonus for you. Mistibeast, Ragumon, care to join?"
The Mistibeast growled, its misty form swirling on the rooftop. "Fine, let's end this," it said, dissolving into a cloud of mist. It reappeared in front of Valmer, its claws forming from the haze, glinting like knives. The Ragumon blurred into view before Kenshi, its speed so fast it seemed to teleport, its lean body twitching with restless energy.
Kenshi's eyes widened, his katana shifting in his grip. 'So fast. I didn't even see it move,' he thought, planting his feet wider, his coat brushing the ground as he braced for the attack.
Valmer stepped protectively in front of Ariel, his rosary beads clinking as he adjusted them around his neck. "Stay close, Ariel," he said, his sable-rose eyes scanning the Mistibeast. Ariel nodded, her golden hair swaying, her fists clenched as she took a small step behind him, her boots scuffing the pavement.
Yuna lowered her hands, the fiery net still crackling above, her fingers ready for another spell.
The Whisperkin swayed, its smirk widening, as the battlefield tensed, ready to explode.
The battlefield grew dim as Yuna's [Light Domain] faded, the setting sun casting long, weak shadows across the cracked pavement. The school's broken walls stood like silent witnesses, scarred with claw marks, the air heavy with the stench of ash and blood under a sky bruised with storm clouds. The Yoka materialized from Ariel's shadow, its lean, dark body blending with the fading light, its blue markings faintly glowing. Its head tilted, as if mocking her. "You'll be playing with me," it rasped, before leaping back, creating a wide gap between them, its claws flexing as it landed lightly on the debris-strewn ground.
"Ariel!" Valmer called, his voice sharp with worry as he glanced back, his rosary beads clinking around his neck. His eyes flicked to the Yoka, his hand tightening into a fist.
"Don't worry about me," Ariel said, stepping forward, her golden hair catching the sun's dying light. Her blue eyes were steady, her hands clenched at her sides. "I've got this." She brushed a strand of hair from her face, her boots scuffing the pavement as she squared her shoulders, ready to face the S-ranked Yoka.
The battlefield split into deadly duels: Ariel against the S-ranked Yoka, Valmer facing the S+ Mistibeast, Kenshi battling the S+ Ragumon, and Kai locked with the S-ranked Dark Seraph. The Titnice watched from the rooftop, its snow-white body still, black eyes glinting with interest, while the Whisperkin lingered below, its lean, dark form swaying slightly, its faceless head fixed on Ariel.
Valmer's focus snapped back to the Mistibeast as it loomed before him, its misty form swirling, claws sharpening into a massive axe-like weapon. Then he turned his attention to the Yoka as if to warn it. "Listen, you bald old Gemini," Valmer growled, stepping forward with his head turned towards the Yoka, his coat flapping as he pointed at the creature, "if you touch a hair on her head, I'll drag you through a world of pain, a roller coaster of agony and—" His words cut off as a system notice flashed in his vision.
[System Notice]
Mistibeast has used the skill [Mist Alchemy].
Effect: Forms one mist weapon at a time, discarding prior weapon (Cooldown: 5 seconds).
The axe swung down with a whoosh, slicing the air toward Valmer's chest. He dove to the side, rolling across the pavement, gravel biting into his palms as he sprang back to his feet. He lunged, throwing a punch, but his fist passed through the Mistibeast's form, now a swirling cloud. It rematerialized, its axe reforming, and swung again, forcing Valmer to leap back, his boots skidding on the ground.
[System Notice]
Mistibeast skill [Mist Body] is always in effect with 15-second intervals.
Effect: Turns to mist, dodging attacks for 5 seconds (Cooldown: 15 seconds).
So I can only hit it when it solidifies to attack? And I have to do it within fifteen seconds? Tricky.' Valmer thought, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, his rosary beads swaying as he steadied his stance, eyes locked on the Mistibeast's shifting form.
Meanwhile, Ariel faced the Yoka, its lean, dark body relaxed, blue markings flickering as it stood with its guard wide open, underestimating her. Ariel's skills weren't strong against foes of equal or higher rank, but her sharp mind and keen observation made her a tough opponent in a one-on-one fight. She could endure, buying time for her allies. Earlier, her weak kick—barely a third of her strength—had been a trick, playing on her young face and timid demeanor to make the Yoka drop its guard. It worked. The Yoka stood carelessly, as if daring her to strike, remembering her feeble attack and sensing no threat. Ariel's lips curled into a faint smirk, her fingers tightening into fists.
[System Notice]
Ariel Walker has activated the skill [Protector].
Effect: Boosts ally defense by 150%, reduces enemy defense by 300%.
(Cooldown: 5 minutes)
"What?" the Yoka growled, its voice sharp with surprise as it staggered slightly, its blue markings dimming, its body suddenly vulnerable.
[System Notice]
Ariel Walker has activated the skill [Submission].
Effect: Immobilizes enemies for 3 seconds.
(Cooldown: 5 minutes)
The Yoka froze, its limbs locking as if bound by invisible chains, its faceless head tilting in confusion. Ariel stepped forward, her boots crunching on the gravel, her eyes blazing with determination. She didn't have the raw power to finish it, but she could hold it, keep it pinned until Valmer or the others could help.
Author Note: Thank you for reading "Error 001: Mercy not Found"! I'd love your feedback—do you think the chapters are improving? Is there anything you'd like me to add (e.g., more character backstory, world details) or remove (e.g., overly complex fights)? Your input helps shape the story!