During the third level, they found the Power emblem, floating softly in the tunnel. Its ethereal glow cast dancing shadows on the walls, another beacon of hope in the darkness.
"This one's yours too," Aria said, passing it to Zara. "Your magical damage is also higher, it'll be crucial when physical attacks aren't enough."
They advanced until they reached the first enemy.
The air grew thick with anticipation.
Zara adjusted her stance, weighing the daggers in her hands. Every muscle in her body was taut, ready for action. Her enhanced senses, honed by her high level, took in every detail of her surroundings.
"Eighteen hits," she murmured, calculating the distance with practiced precision. "I'll need to be faster."
When the first Locus emerged from its frozen state, its movements were notably more fluid, faster than any they had faced in previous levels. The creature moved with an unnatural grace that sent chills down their spines.
Her first throws were precise, each dagger finding its mark with a dull thud that drew growls from the monster. The impacts left visible wounds on the creature's carapace, but around the fourteenth hit, the Locus managed to cover the distance with its increased speed.
"Watch out!" Micah shouted, but Zara was already moving.
"It's mine!" The word came accompanied by a flash as Zara's spear buried itself in the Locus's head.
She didn't want to waste her mana or have the others use theirs in panic.
The monster, receiving the enormous impact with level 7 strength, slowed enough for the last three daggers to find their target.
Taron began retrieving the weapons while the next Locus emerged from the shadows. "I understand your initiative Zara, but... We won't be able to maintain this rhythm without magical support," he observed, his voice tense. "We need a new plan."
The group quickly streamlined their rotational strategy.
Only 1 monster every 2 or 3 received a magical hit from Zara or 2 from the others to facilitate recovery and reset time for collecting thrown weapons.
While Zara maintained her rain of daggers and spears, the others took turns launching magical attacks when the monster got too close. It was a system that consumed mana, but allowed them to maintain control of the situation.
Gradually they became more efficient, launching magic every 4 and 5 monsters by the end.
Upon finishing this challenge, Zara used only about 10 mana points and the others nearly 20 between them all.
"Let's use mana from the start, one or two points per encounter. It's better than wasting more trying to complete all dagger sequences within the time limit."
The new strategy worked, though the mana cost was much higher than they would have liked. Each encounter became a deadly dance of precision and timing, where every movement had to be calculated to the millimeter.
♢♢♢♢
Zara checked her book: Only 10 mana points remaining.
She had lost count of the eliminated Locus long ago, the battle's intensity and complex choreography of attacks making it impossible to maintain an accurate count.
However, her instinct told her there couldn't be many more left.
So...
The next Locus emerged from the shadows, its horrifying form advancing with that unnatural speed that characterized the monsters of this level.
When the monster was already too close and Zara knew she could only launch the final round.
She felt the familiar tension in her muscles, preparing for another attack sequence, when a reckless idea crossed her mind.
"Stop the magic!" she suddenly shouted, surprising her companions. "Use the spears!"
Without waiting for confirmation, Zara stepped forward, her own spear firmly gripped. But instead of attacking, she did something that froze her companions' blood:
She raised her arms, deliberately allowing the Locus to grab her by the torso.
"Zara!" Micah's horrified cry resonated through the tunnel.
The monster's claws closed around her body, but Zara felt no pain. Her armor, with a defense of 28, was more than enough to resist the Locus's strength of 15. However, her exposed neck, with only 14 defense, was vulnerable.
A fact that didn't go unnoticed by her companions, who began frantically attacking with their spears.
"Aim for the vital points!" Zara ordered, her voice surprisingly firm considering her position.
Her seven points of strength were insufficient to free herself from the monster's grip, but that had never been her plan.