Bang!
A fist wreathed in dark red flames slammed heavily into the Hound of Doom leader's head. Its narrow skull groaned and warped beneath the Iron Fist before being driven into the soft black soil. After struggling for a moment, it burst apart with a thunderous crash.
Bright red blood mixed with the forest's distinctive scent of dawn and spread in all directions.
Whoosh, whoosh whoosh.
Several figures descended into the clearing alongside the spraying blood.
The fist slowly pulled free from the pit of mixed flesh, bone, and mud. The dark red flames around it gradually withdrew with the movement, vanishing into the powerful, glossy muscles.
Zhang Boren tore off his somewhat tattered cloak and tossed it at his feet, covering the puddle of mangled flesh. At the same time, he swept his surroundings with a fierce glare. The prying gazes lurking in the woods promptly retreated beneath the male wizard's intimidating stare.
"Those sneaky bastards!"
The captain of the Kunpeng Hunting Team spat disdainfully on the ground and barked orders to his teammates. "Witch, check the time! Swordsman, confirm our position! Shorty and Doll, stay where you are and don't run around!"
The witch in wide robes and flowing skirts nodded slightly. Sitting cross-legged in midair, she held a Pocket Watch in her hands and opened its case. After hesitating for a moment, the hour and minute hands began spinning wildly across the dial like a broken compass.
Another young man, dressed in a short black sokutai robe and carrying a Japanese sword, tapped the ground with his toes and vanished into the deep forest shade like a wisp of smoke. Several figures could vaguely be seen splitting off from that wisp and shooting in every direction.
The dwarf holding a gatling gun and the other Little Witch