The scorching sun hung high in the sky. Although the dense forest below was not directly exposed to sunlight, the canopies of the skyward trees formed lids that covered everything overhead. Together with the broad-leaved plants covering the ground, they made the forest somewhat stifling. Fortunately, the rainy season was approaching, so the heat was still bearable.
Several figures moved through the shrubs, leaving no trace behind. Clearly, they were all skilled at hunting down enemies while concealing their tracks along the way.
One figure stopped, and everyone behind her concealed themselves, waiting for her next command. They all understood that they could either not cooperate at all or, having chosen to cooperate, temporarily obey the decision-maker's orders. The decision-maker of this squad was Ashiva.
"Bugman, you're at position nineteen. You don't need to fight. Frost Duke, you'll be the vanguard once the battle starts, so be careful. You might have your shield broken by a few slashes. Don't show off your level-12 Holy Spirit shield. The enemy is at least a Swordsmanship Grandmaster.
"Little White, cover Frost Duke's retreat at all times. Don't sneak near the enemy—you'll die. Jumping Tiger, don't suddenly jump out of an alternate dimension and get yourself killed. And Cocoa Bean, you'll be relatively safe after the battle starts. You're the enemy's second kill target."
Ashiva arranged the battle formation through the squad channel, clearly experienced in dealing with powerful technique-based enemies.
"I'm the second kill target? Who's the first? I'll cast Life Shelter on them."
Cocoa Bean spoke through the squad channel. As a healer, she had usually been the enemy's first kill target.
"The first kill target is Frost Duke."
"Pfft~ The enemy's an idiot? They want to kill the Tank with the strongest survivability first?"
"The enemy isn't, and neither am I.