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"I know I said I should look for them... But where do I start..?

" Muttered Ariel as she walked around with a saddened expression on her face.

nShe was in an unfamiliar environment which she didn't recogniserecognize, with no way to communicate with her friends.

n'Did we all get teleported to the same area..? Maybe they were teleported elsewhere... Maybe I won't be able to find them... No, I can't think that. I have to stay positive.' She thought as she continued walking.

nThe forest was vast; the trees were giant and little light managed to get through the gaps of the branches, giving it asome sort of an exotic look.

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"John... Serena...

" She muttered.

nAfter a few minutes of walking, she felt a chill go down her spine,. It was as if something was watching her. She looked around in haste and didn't notice anything off.

nWithout paying much attention to it, she continued walking. The more she walked, the worse the feeling got, until eventually.

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"Grr...

"

nSheAriel heard a growl and at the same time, the sound of branches being broken and something heavy approaching increasedsounded.

nAriel began to feel afraid as she was truly alone and there was no one to support her in the chance that she got attacked...

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"John...

" She muttered with a scared look on her face as she closed her eyes.

nThe sound got closer and closer until it eventually reached her. From one of the tree branches hung a gorilla, which gave off an intimidating glare.

nAriel continued to stare at the ground beneath her as the gorilla approached her.

nThe gorilla had orange fur which covered its entire body and also had blue skin. It wore a cloth around its hips.

nOnce it stood right in front of her, it pounded its chest in anger as it let out a loud roar whichthat resonated throughout the forest. Ariel, who stood in front of it, began to slowly tremble after she heard it, but she remained still without saying anything.

nIt then hastily swung its giant arms at Ariel. The arms which were swung with the intention to hit Ariel missed. Right before the hand was about to hit her, Ariel ducked and jumped back. It was Aa move she had learntlearned from watching John.

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"Ventus tormentum

" She muttered while in mid-air.

nAir gathered in front of her hands in haste and burst out like a bubble. The Gorilla, who had underestimated its target, was surprised by her sudden action and wasn't able to react in time. It was then sent flying straight through a tree thanks to the air pressure.

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"Fast... I've never been able to cast it that fast before...

" SheAriel muttered as she had a realization.

n'I don't have time to waste being depressed... I need to find John and Serena... S…' heAriel thought to herself with a determined look in her eyes.

nHer determined expression then changed into a surprised one, as the gorilla got up, seemingly unphased by her attack. It pounded its chest in rage as it charged straight at her.

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"Ventus!

" She shouted and took a few leaps back.

n4 Wind blades were propelled at the gorilla and barely scratched it. It continued its charge without stopping, and Ariel tried getting away.

nOnce it reached her, it swung both of its giant arms at her. The moment she jumped back, her leg hit one of the vines on the ground, which caused her to lose both her balance and momentum.

nAs the Gorilla's fist got closer to her, she thought she was going to die. It was Not like the time when she was doing it for John, this time she was going to die alone without seeing him again. As she thought of such things, she was hit by the Gorilla and propelled straight at the tree.

nShe hit the tree and leaned on it with her back without falling down.

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"Scutum Ventus...

" She muttered.

nThe reason why she was still standing was becausethat the moment the gorilla swung at her, she gathered air pressure in the spot in front of her and blocked most of the impact. Right before she hit the tree she also gathered air on her back to weaken the impact.

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"I won't lose... He never stopped trying, so I won't either.

" SheAriel muttered with determination.

nDespite saying that, she didn't know what to do. Weak level spells won'tdidn't work on it, and she probably wouldn't have enough time to cast a more powerful one.

nThe gorilla pounded its chest again and charged at her once again full of frustration.

nAs Ariel thought deeply about what to do, a familiar voice called out to her.

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"Ariel!

" Shouted Serena.

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"Serena!

" Shouted Ariel with a joyful expression.

nSerena held back her tears of happiness and joy at meeting Ariel and decided to leave it for later once she saw her getting attacked.

nShe cast 10 wind arrows and propelled them straight at the gorilla. Once it hit its skin, there was no effect, but thanks to that it changed its aggro from Ariel to Serena.

nIt let out another roar as it charged straight at Serena.

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"Forest spirits... Lend me your support... Ariel! I'll hold him off, start charging up your spell!

" Shouted Serena.

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"Yes!

" Replied Ariel.

nThe gorilla swung its arms at Serena and tried biting on to her, but she easily avoided them, even when she wasn't looking, it was as if there was something telling her what its next move would be.

nFrom Ariel's perspective, the way Serena avoided its attacks was amazing. Not only was she perfectly controlling her movements, but she predicted its attacks. It was something she hadn't seen from Serena in the dungeon.

nAriel cast a wind spear and propelled it straight at the gorilla while it was distracted by Serena. It was hit directly and let out a roar of pain. Serena took that chance and grouped up with Ariel.

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"Was that enough?

" Ariel asked.

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"No... That's considered the king of the jungle... An A-Rank monster called the Gobrigas, its magic resistance is very high, but it has low intelligence... More importantly, i'mI'm glad you're safe!

" Said Serena as she gave Ariel a tight hug.

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"Serena... Not now...

" Muttered Ariel, who hugged her back.

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"Alright, that attack should hold it back, let's-

"

nSerena was interrupted by Ariel, who jumped with her to the sides. Thanks to Ariel's quick reaction, they both barely avoided getting hit head on by the gorilla.

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"It's still fighting? That should have given us enough time... W-Wait... It went berserk...

" Said Serena.

nThe gorilla's eyes were bright red, it started rampaging around and swinging at everything beingwithin ints sight. It consecutively swung its arms at Serena and Ariel, who were having difficulty dodge it.

nBerserk, an ability some monsters have which temporarily increases their power and speed at the cost of their consciousness.

nOnce again, SerenaAriel who wasn't used to fighting in the forest, got caught up by one of the vines on the ground when she jumped, and again, she was about to cast Scutum Ventus as the gorillasgorilla's arms approached her, but only this time, it was much faster and she wouldn't be able to make it in time.

nA loud thud resonated as there was impact. However, what was hit wasn't Ariel but a wall of Ice.

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"Murum Glacies,

" John said Translation: Ice wall.

nSerena and Ariel both looked up to find the source of the voice and found him floating slightly above their heads.

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"Looks like I made it, just in time.

"

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