Footsteps came from deep within the forest, drawing closer and growing clearer.
All six members of Fang Lin's team turned in unison to look toward the sound.
The bald man instinctively shifted his shield forward, the ponytailed woman tightened her grip on her short staff, and the brother of the sibling pair instinctively turned sideways to shield his sister behind him.
Everyone waited for whoever those footsteps belonged to to emerge from the shadows of the trees.
Moments later, several figures pushed aside the last patch of shrubs and stepped out of the forest.
The bald man's hand jerked, and he nearly dropped his shield.
The ponytailed woman's mouth fell open, and the Weird Crystal on her short staff flickered uncontrollably several times.
The younger sister reached out, pointing across at them with trembling fingertips.
The archer still had her bow drawn, but her arrowhead had gone askew. Her hands shook too badly to keep her aim steady.
Fang Lin stood rooted to the spot, her mind buzzing as though something had exploded inside her skull.
The team opposite them was identical to theirs.
At the front walked a burly bald man carrying a shield half a person's height on his back.
Beside him was a young woman with a ponytail, holding a short staff.
Behind them were a brother and sister who looked alike. Two short blades hung at the brother's waist, while the sister's hands were empty and her eyes were wide.
At the rear of the team, two women walked side by side. The one on the left wore a loose robe, while the one on the right carried a longbow on her back.
Their six-person lineup, their equipment, their positions-everything was identical.
The bald man stared at the bald man opposite him, and that bald man