CHAPTER 62: WHITE PHOENIX RISING

Celia slashed downward, severing the bony right hand gripping the sword. The rotten weapon clattered to the ground. Without hesitation, she followed through with a second strike, clean and precise, slicing the skull from the creature’s shoulders.

The head rolled across the stone floor, its jaw snapping open and shut as though trying to gnash her ankles. Celia exhaled in relief—until the body staggered.

She froze.

The headless undead bent low, groped blindly across the ground with its remaining arm, found the severed head, and lifted it. Slowly, grotesquely, it pressed the skull back onto its neck.

Celia stumbled back, her chest heaving. "How is that possible? I thought I defeated it," she muttered, eyes wide as Nolan observed the undead lifting its skull and slotting it back onto its neck.

Very smart for something dead, Nolan thought.

"Celia, get a grip of yourself. Don’t overthink it—you can do this. Linda’s holding them off as best she can," Nolan encouraged.

Celia glanced at Linda, who was keeping the other undead at bay with her arrows. Taking a deep breath in and out, Celia gripped her sword tightly and charged forward at the reassembled undead. She slashed at its last arm, then drove her blade into its chest where the skull rested. The creature finally collapsed with a hollow thud.

Not wasting a moment, she turned to the remaining undead, striking relentlessly. Linda stepped back, covering her with arrows, taking down any who tried to approach.

One last undead remained. Celia lunged, slashing with precision, shattering the core embedded in its chest.

"Ah, master! How did I do?" Celia panted, running up to Nolan.

"You did great," Nolan said with a smile.

"And me, master?" Linda asked, lowering her bow.

"You did well too," Nolan reassured her.

They pressed on, deeper into the dungeon. Soon, Nolan noticed a familiar sound—a rustling, a faint chatter that brought back memories.

Goblins... it takes me back to the day I was first summoned here, he thought.

Three goblins appeared, small but cunning, their eyes glinting with mischief.

"Hey! Stay sharp. These are smart," Nolan warned. "Linda, don’t go too close. Keep your distance and cover Celia. Let her take the lead."

"Understood, master," Linda replied.

Celia charged, leaping forward. Her sword clashed against the goblin leader’s blade. She pulled back, searching for an opening, and aimed for its neck. But the goblin dodged with unnerving agility.

Just as I expected. They’re clever, Nolan noted, watching her battle the leader.

A goblin lunged from behind at Celia, but Linda was ready. She shot an arrow, piercing its arm. The goblin shrieked, stumbling back, then advanced toward Linda. With a swift motion, she channeled her wind affinity, launching another arrow that pierced the goblin’s head. It fell to the ground with a thud.

"Use your full strength, Celia. Don’t hold back. Slash it instantly. Be ready, because you guys are going to partake in the tournament with me," Nolan commanded.

Celia’s eyes narrowed. With a surge of power, she overpowered the goblin, leaping into the air and slicing it cleanly in two.

The last goblin froze, witnessing the demise of its comrade. It stumbled back and then began to flee.

"Not so fast! Don’t let it escape!" Linda shouted. She drew an arrow, infused it with her wind affinity, and shot the fleeing goblin in the head. It collapsed to the ground.

"That was excellent. Take the cores from the goblins," Nolan instructed.

Celia bent down and carefully extracted the cores from the fallen goblins, dispelling the blood with a wave of her hand. She straightened up and said, "Done."

Nolan stopped for a moment, observing them. "Do you want to rest, or do you want to keep going? Remember, this is your first time."

"No, let’s keep going. We’re strong enough," Linda replied confidently.

"Yeah, I can do this all day," Celia added with determination.

Nolan nodded, satisfied. They continued deeper into the dungeon.

Suddenly, the ground shook. Two orcs appeared ahead, with a large bat gleaming.

Not like the goblins or undead we just faced. These are much larger and stronger. Could Two both of them handle it? Nolan thought.

"Celia, Linda, get ready to charge," Nolan ordered, his eyes fixed on the approaching orcs.

"Yes, master, we’re ready!" Celia and Linda both said.

"Celia, attack the orc on the right. Linda, attack the orc on the left. Move carefully, but don’t hold back," Nolan instructed.

Both of them charged forward. Nolan observed them closely. At least these orcs aren’t as large as the one I fought before, the King Orc. That one was massive, five times bigger than this. I hope they don’t get injured, but if something serious happens, the crest will activate and a protective shield will cover them. They have to get stronger.

Celia sprinted toward her target, sword in hand. Nolan noticed her improvement. She’s getting faster, her speed is increasing with every move.

The orc swung its bat toward her. She dodged, rolled between its legs, and struck the right leg with her full strength. The orc roared in pain but swung back toward her. She raised her sword to block, but the attack was too strong, sending her stumbling backward. She fell to the ground, quickly rose, and took her fighting stance.

"Time to use my skill, White Phoenix Flame!" Celia shouted.

A white crest in the form of a phoenix appeared around arm. Her hair glowed with the same light, and her sword was enveloped in burning white flames, radiating power.

"What? Since when was Celia able to use a skill? I didn’t even know. Was she keeping this a secret? Wow, this is amazing," no one thought as they watched.

Celia sprinted toward the orc and struck its leg with a single slash. She struck again, and its leg split into two. The orc fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Then Celia jumped up and slashed at its neck, removing its head.

Meanwhile, Linda was fighting the orcs with her arrows. She paused to look at Celia and was just as shocked as Nolan.