The air on the field froze in an instant.
The core Spellcaster of the squad leaving the field with serious injuries was like the final straw that broke the camel's back.
From Xia Nan's perspective, he could see it clearly.
When the Owlbear had charged straight at Mint, Kash had been holding his Stone Spear high in both hands, seemingly about to unleash a Combat Skill to attack the enemy and relieve the pressure on his teammate.
But in the very next second after the girl was sent flying, his face, taut and flushed from the high-pressure battle, first went blank, then took on an inexplicable look.
His hands quietly loosened around the Stone Spear, and he had already dropped out of the charged state just before attacking.
Veris's reaction was even more obvious.
Failing to break through its defenses twice in a row had instead left this Wanderer from the Underdark somewhat rattled.
Her dusky, tall figure had nearly taken the chance to slip around to the Owlbear's rear flank.
With just two more steps forward, she would have been able to drive the Short Dagger in her hand into the vital point behind its thigh, where its defense was slightly weaker.
But after seeing Mint spit blood and fly backward, she slammed on the brakes.
Her pointed leather boots carved two deep skid marks into the soft soil.
Then she exerted herself again, turning advance into retreat, dragging afterimages behind her as she abruptly withdrew to the rear.
Although she had not harmed the enemy, she no longer needed to bear the danger that came after attacking either, reducing the possibility of enraging the Owlbear and making the situation even worse.
By this point, only a few dozen seconds had passed since the Owlbear had suddenly appeared and