The arena turned into a swamp fog, that was thick enough to taste. Every breath felt like drinking lukewarm pond water, and the stench of rotting reeds clung to my lungs.
Still, the moment the first ripple of mana trembled under our feet, my exhaustion burned away.
That familiar system hum started vibrating in the back of my skull like it was tapping a fork on glass.
Then the notification dropped.
Wave 1 initiated. Monster difficulty: Goblin Swarm. Experience: micro tier.
"Micro tier," I muttered, rolling my shoulders as I lifted my longsword. "Cute. Let's see how long this stays adorable."
The first goblins burst out of the murk, their beady eyes reflecting green off Luna's staff light. They squealed as they came, way too excited for little gremlins who were about to get blendered.
Kael darted forward first, twin daggers flashing like slivers of silver lightning. He sliced through the first goblin's throat, spun, and kicked another straight into my range.
