Shadow Being System

The moment they stepped into the oasis, the sand beneath their feet shifted unnaturally, small ripples forming across the ground. The air was dry, yet the scent of damp earth from the nearby water mixed with the heat radiating from the red desert. William felt the tension in his fingertips as he reached for an arrow, his gaze scanning the terrain, his senses heightened. His heartbeat was steady, controlled, but there was an undeniable thrill in the air, an anticipation that made his muscles tighten.

Gavin, holding the map in one hand, squinted. "Looks like they're here already." Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Before anyone could respond, the first sign of movement appeared. A bulge in the sand started rushing toward them, cutting through the terrain like a shark beneath the surface. Then, without warning, a Teethworm burst out of the sand, its circular mouth stretching open, revealing rows upon rows of needle-like teeth. It let out a chilling screech, saliva dripping from its grotesque maw as it lunged toward them.

William's instincts kicked in. He pulled back his bowstring, loosing an arrow before the creature had fully emerged. The arrow lodged itself deep into its slimy, pale body, but the beast didn't die instantly. It twisted violently, screeching with a disturbing, high-pitched noise. Another arrow. Then a third. The Teethworm fell back into the sand, its death confirmed by the system notification flashing in his mind:

[You have killed a Tier 1 Teethworm. +200 EXP.]

There was no time to celebrate. More lumps formed around them, the ground shifting ominously as a dozen more burst forth, their screeches filling the air. The sand trembled as if alive, reacting to the growing swarm of creatures. They slithered with unnerving speed, their gaping mouths snapping hungrily, seeking flesh.

"Here they come," Eleanor warned, her voice calm yet prepared. She flicked her wrist, and her ice whip snapped through the air. The sharp crack echoed as she lashed out at an incoming Teethworm. The whip coiled around its slimy flesh, freezing it instantly. With a sharp pull, she shattered the frozen portion, sending chunks of its body flying. The creature writhed in agony before collapsing back into the sand, motionless.

Liam roared as he swung his large sword downward, cleaving a Teethworm in half. However, as more creatures emerged, he found his sword cumbersome. "Screw this," he muttered, tossing it aside. Flames erupted from his hands, and the moment another Teethworm surfaced, he blasted it with fire. The creature screeched, thrashing as its body burned. Liam grinned, sending another wave of fire at the next beast, turning the fight into a blazing spectacle. The heat rippled through the air, the scent of charred flesh thickening around them.

Sofia remained in the center of their formation, her light ability glowing faintly around her. While she wasn't engaging in direct combat, her presence ensured that any injuries were quickly healed. William could feel a subtle warmth around him, making his movements feel lighter, sharper. It was a constant, soothing presence, allowing them to fight without hesitation.

Gavin, on the other hand, struggled. His short dual daggers were excellent for close combat, but against creatures that popped out of the sand unpredictably, he had to constantly dodge and reposition. "Damn it," he grunted as a Teethworm nearly took a chunk out of his leg. He managed to roll away just in time, but his attack had no reach. He needed an opening, something that would allow him to strike before the beasts got too close. His movements became increasingly frantic, the sand working against him, slipping beneath his feet.

William, however, was thriving. His bow never stopped moving. Arrow after arrow, each shot precise and clean. Even though it took two or three arrows to bring a Teethworm down, his efficiency was unmatched. Every time he landed a kill, his system rewarded him:

[+200 EXP.]

[+200 EXP.]

[+200 EXP.]

He lost count of how many he had slain, but the notifications kept piling up. Yet, he didn't use his shadow or lightning abilities. Essence was valuable, and this fight didn't warrant wasting it. His ordinary arrows were enough for now. The sound of bowstrings snapping, fire roaring, and ice cracking filled the air as the team continued their assault. Teethworms flailed and screeched, their bodies torn apart by a relentless onslaught of arrows, flames, and ice.

Liam's fire turned the battlefield into a pit of scorched sand and burning flesh. The acrid scent of charred meat mixed with the earthy tones of the oasis. Eleanor's whip danced through the air, striking with icy precision, each lash claiming another victim. Gavin, despite his struggle, managed to land a few precise strikes when the creatures got too close. His speed allowed him to dance around their lunges, though his lack of reach remained a problem.

The battle raged on, the sound of the creatures' death cries blending with the crackle of flames and the sharp twang of William's bow. He felt his fingers beginning to numb from the repeated shots, but he didn't let up. Sweat dripped down his temple, his breaths measured but heavy. Each kill added to his growing experience, pushing him further, sharpening his instincts.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last Teethworm collapsed, its body twitching before going still. Silence returned, save for their heavy breathing and the occasional crackling of residual flames from Liam's attacks. The sand was littered with the remains of the beasts, some still smoldering, others frozen solid. The air was thick with the scent of death, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the burning flesh.

"Alright," William exhaled, lowering his bow. "Time to carve out the beast crystals."

This was where Gavin shined. With his speed ability and dual daggers, he moved like a blur, slicing open the corpses and extracting the crystals buried deep within their flesh. The sound of his blade cutting through muscle was wet and sharp, the crystals glowing faintly as they were pulled free.

Liam wiped sweat from his forehead. "You're surprisingly good at that."

Gavin smirked. "Gotta be useful somehow."

One by one, they gathered the beast crystals. Twenty seven in total. They glowed faintly, each one a source of power and potential currency. The light from the crystals cast an eerie glow over their faces, illuminating their exhaustion, their satisfaction.

William stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Let's rest," he suggested, nodding toward a cluster of pine trees nearby. "We'll regroup and plan our next move."

No one objected. They had earned the break. As they moved toward the trees, the red desert stretched endlessly before them, the oasis a brief refuge in a world teeming with danger. But William knew this was just the beginning. The real challenge was yet to come.