After Nightfang's retreat, the Hunters drew deep breaths, bodies battered and dust-covered. Seonwoo looked at Hae-Min, who calmly lowered his bow, his silver hair glinting, a reminder of the power he wielded. "You execute Eclipse Arrow with precision," Seonwoo said, slightly out of breath.
Hae-Min nodded. "Every skill has timing. If misused, the target escapes or retaliates stronger." He emphasized the importance of team skill coordination. "The combination of your attacks—Rina's Radiant Crescent, Hyunsoo's Phantom Piercer, and my Eclipse Arrow—must be perfectly timed. Fail, and you leave openings for the monster."
Seonwoo felt the pressure. Though his Job was low, his ability to observe monster patterns was a vital asset. He began devising new strategies, marking Nightfang's weak points for the next engagement, mapping movement paths to align skill timing.
Suddenly, shadows shifted at the edge of the ruins—a new monster, Graveclaw, appeared. Its body larger than Nightfang, dark scales with phosphorescent blue lines that glowed with every movement. Its massive claws could pierce concrete, and its unique skill, Soul Rend, could drain vital energy from its target, weakening Hunters hit. The second skill, Void Tremor, struck the ground with a powerful shockwave, shattering debris and forcing opponents to leap or be hit.
The Hunters stared at Graveclaw, breaths caught. This was a trial of their team's capabilities—coordination and strategy would be crucial. Seonwoo stuck to the shadows, observing. Rina struck from the side with Luminous Slash, Hyunsoo launched Void Arrow Barrage, and Hae-Min fired Eclipse Arrow, this time targeting a weak spot on Graveclaw's shoulder revealed by its movements.
The battle raged. Every monster attack forced the Hunters to adjust positions, combine skills, and utilize the environment to their advantage. Seonwoo felt the tension like a life lesson: combat wasn't just physical strength but pattern reading, timing, and teamwork. He memorized every move of Graveclaw, noting openings and preparing responses for potential attacks.
As dusk fell, Graveclaw retreated into the ruins, its body glowing faintly blue before vanishing into the Void. The Hunters stared at the ruins, weary but eyes burning—new experience had broadened their understanding. Seonwoo bowed his head, realizing the long journey to survive had just begun.