Moonbounce made a low, almost offended grunt, his head tilting toward Sophia.

Aria chuckled. "Looks like even he's insulted by the comparison."

Sophia smirked. "Fine, fine. Let's just hope it's not as bad as last time."

Caria gave a half-laugh, sliding another cartridge into her crossbow. "Last time, half the team nearly passed out from the fumes before the fight even started. We had to retreat just to breathe."

Aria's tone turned steady, commanding again. "Then let's be smarter about it. We'll approach from the west bank—the wind should be in our favor there. Sophia, you handle air and water regulation; keep the toxins down. Caria, prep anti-heat bolts. Moonbounce and Rhys will form the main line."

Rhys nodded, adjusting the strap on his gauntlet. "Understood."

The marshland ahead was changing as they moved—mud giving way to slick, dark stone veins that reflected the faint violet fog. The air grew heavier with each step, and the faint hissing of steam rose from cracks in the ground. Pools of molten tar bubbled lazily, their fumes distorting the air above them.

By the time they reached the obsidian pools, the temperature had climbed noticeably. Sophia cast a thin layer of blue energy that shimmered like mist around the group. "This should keep the air clean—at least for a few minutes."

Aria nodded approvingly. "Perfect. Eyes sharp. It should be near—"

The ground trembled.

A massive, rumbling splash shattered the silence. From beneath one of the obsidian pools, a gigantic shape surged upward—a reptilian body armored with blackened scales, its back lined with veins of molten red light. Its jaw opened wide, releasing a blast of searing vapor that warped the air in a burning wave.

"Contact!" Aria barked. "Ashjaw Crocodile—defensive formation!"

Moonbounce reacted instantly, his golden runes flaring to life as a radiant barrier expanded in front of the group. The burning steam struck it with a hiss, splitting harmlessly to the sides.

Sophia shouted, "The air's thick with combustion mana—it's converting heat directly into magic!"

"Then let's drain it!" Rhys's sword flared with intertwining streams of blue and black. "Water Blade!"

He swung, sending a razor-sharp arc of condensed water slashing across the creature's snout. The strike cut deep, and steam burst from the wound, spraying outward in a scalding cloud.

Caria rolled aside, loading a new cartridge. "Targeting the eyes—let's see how it likes this." Three bolts flew in rapid succession, each trailing faint azure fire. They struck home, detonating in bursts of frostfire that momentarily froze parts of the crocodile's head.

"Good hit!" Aria shouted, summoning a twin-bladed spear from the surrounding moisture. "Keep the pressure on!"

The crocodile roared, slamming its massive tail into the pool. A wall of molten water surged toward them.

"Moonbounce—Shell Burst!" Rhys commanded.

The mechanical turtle's body glowed with golden lines, then erupted in a wave of pure light. The explosion of energy collided with the incoming molten surge, vaporizing it midair and sending fragments of glowing rock scattering like embers.

Sophia followed up immediately. "Tidal Crash!" A huge column of water spiraled from her staff, slamming directly into the creature's jaw and forcing it to the ground with a heavy crack.

Caria didn't miss the opening. "Ignition rounds—go!"

The bolts struck the creature's open mouth, and for a moment, the light inside it turned blinding white. Then—

BOOM!

The explosion echoed across the marsh, a shockwave rippling through the molten pools. When the smoke cleared, the Ashjaw Crocodile lay half-submerged, its scales cracked and its inner glow fading to dull red.

Rhys exhaled slowly, lowering his sword. "That's four."

"Not bad for something that breathes lava," Sophia said, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Aria smiled faintly. "Nine left."

Caria groaned. "Do we get a medal for surviving the smell, at least?"

Rhys's lips twitched into a small smile. "Survival is the medal."

Aria smirked, rolling her shoulders as the faint green fog returned to the edges of the pool. "Next two are up north—Frostfang Leech in the hollow, and Amber Vulture over the ridge. Elemental opposites, so get ready to change formations."

Sophia nodded. "Cold and aerial types? Great. My mana's going to hate me."

Aria's eyes gleamed with challenge. "You can rest when we hit double digits."

The group shared tired smiles but didn't argue. The mist was already shifting colors again, pale blue now, as if the swamp itself was whispering in anticipation.

Rhys glanced ahead, sensing the faint rhythm in the air once more. The same pulse. Watching. Following.

He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. "Let's move before it gets ahead of us."

The marsh grew quieter as they advanced, the air thick with the hum of unseen energy. The violet tint bled out of the fog, replaced by a ghostly blue that clung to their armor like frost. Every breath came out in a faint mist now.

"The temperature drop confirms it," Sophia murmured, tightening her cloak. "We're close to the Frostfang Hollow."

Caria peered ahead through the haze. "And no sign of birds yet—so the vulture's further up. We'll handle the leech first."

Aria nodded, her tone crisp. "Good. Remember—Frostfang's physical body is soft but its core is highly mobile. It detaches to evade attacks, so don't lose focus once it splits."

Rhys absorbed the details silently. He'd read about this one—the Frostfang Leech was notorious among early explorers for draining both mana and stamina simultaneously, leaving victims paralyzed and frostbitten. It didn't strike from ambush. It waited.

And it was waiting now.

Moonbounce's steps slowed, the faint silver light from his shell dimming as if swallowed by the cold. The shallow water beneath them froze over in patches, the frost spreading outward like living veins.

"Mana suppression field," Sophia whispered, raising her staff. "It's cloaking itself through temperature inversion. Stay sharp."

Rhys closed his eyes briefly, focusing. The ambient mana pulsed again—steady, faint, and predatory. "Three o'clock," he said quietly. "It's circling."

"Confirmed," Aria said, spear ready. "Sophia—mist veil. Caria—trap bolts."

"On it."

Sophia traced a sigil in the air, and vapor thickened into a glimmering curtain around them. Caria's crossbow whirred as she launched bolts into the icy water—each detonating with a soft thump that sent ripples of light spreading out in all directions.

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