I Can Extract Game Items

The spear crackled with energy as it exploded in a burst of lightning, forcing the mercenaries to dive for cover.

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System Notification:

[ Thunder Spear (Tier 2) used. Damage dealt: 8,000 to multiple targets. ]

---

"Keep moving!" August barked while grabbing Cavriel's arm and pulling him forward.

Even though August was incredibly fast, he couldn't share his speed with Cavriel. He could only take Cavriel on the same pace when he was using Phantom Blitz but with regular movement, he had to slow down because Cavriel pace was much slower.

One mercenary soon managed to catch up.

He swung a heavy sword at August the moment he was within sight.

August raised his dagger to block the hit causing sparks fly due to the intense collision.

"Stay back!" August growled before teleporting behind the mercenary and driving his second dagger into the mercenary's side.

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System Notification:

[ Dual Wielding (Tier 2) used. Damage dealt: 9,500. ]

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Before the mercenary could follow up with a counterattack, August used Nightfang Execution to finish the job.

His dagger turned into a dark streak as he slashed at the mercenary's neck, instantly decapitating him and causing a shower of blood to jet upwards.

[ Nightfang Execution Successfully Activated ]

[ -14,000 HP ]

[ +2000 Energy Points Stolen ]

[ Target defeated ]

Cavriel stumbled but kept pace as his eyes widened in shock. "You're... not an ordinary rescuer, are you?"

August smirked. "Let's just say I'm thorough."

---

Back in the main chamber, the tide was finally turning. With only six mercenaries to face, Boris and Lilo had managed to thin their numbers further down to three.

Lilo fired a Piercing Shot, hitting two targets in a line.

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System Notification:

[ Piercing Shot used. Damage dealt: 2,400 to multiple targets. Targets HP: 2,800/22,000, 4,300/18,000. ]

---

Ezran mana was starting to run low so he cast a weaker Firebolt, striking one of the mercenaries in the chest.

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System Notification:

[ Firebolt used. Damage dealt: 1,000. Target defeated. ]

---

Gregarious, emboldened by the dwindling odds, lunged at the assassin.

"FOR GLORY!" Gregarious shouted.

The assassin deflected the blow with ease, countering with a quick slash that knocked Gregarious back.

---

System Notification:

[ Shadow Strike used. Gregarious HP: -2,400. Remaining HP: 3,600/6,600. ]

---

"You idiot!" Boris shouted whe stepping in to shield him. He swung his axe with a roar, forcing the assassin to retreat.

At this point only two of the six mercenaries were left.

"Let's finish this," Lilo voiced confidently.

"You think Aleman's okay?" Gregarious questioned while glancing toward the tunnel.

"He's fine," Ezran replied. "He said he has Lord Cavriel... We just have to get out of here and regroup with him."

Apparently August had already sent a message on the party chat.

The group focused on dealing with the enemies in front of them and soon got rid of another mecenary.

Lilo, Boris, Ezran, and Gregarious stood around the last mecenary which was the assassin from earlier.

He was battered, bleeding, and on his last legs, with his health bar hovering at a dangerous 3,000 HP.

"Alright, alright!" the assassin rasped while holding his daggers up in a gesture of surrender. "No need to finish me off. I can give you information. Valuable stuff. Just let me walk out of here."

"Spare you?" Boris scoffed while his axe rested on his shoulder. "You've been trying to kill us for the past hour. Not a chance."

"Let's get rid of him," Lilo notched an arrow. "This guy's caused enough trouble."

Ezran nodded. "We end this now."

"Wait, wait, wait!" the assassin backed up slightly. "Think about it. You kill me, you lose any chance of finding out who hired us. I've got connections—useful ones. I can help."

"You're not in a position to negotiate," Boris growled before stepping closer.

Gregarious, who had been standing with his sword out, finally spoke up. "You know, I was going to write you a touching eulogy. Something like, 'Here lies the most annoying assassin we've ever met.' But you're not even worth the words."

The assassin's smirk faded and soon was replaced with desperation. "Fine, have it your way."

Before the group could make their move, the sound of boots echoed through the tunnels. From the shadows emerged a fresh group of mercenaries, all armed.

At their center stood a 7 feet figure clad in spiked armor. A massive battleaxe rested in one of his hands and his health bar revealed his formidable status: Level 50 Berserker.

"Well, well," the leader voiced with a deep and menacing tone. "Looks like you've been busy with my men. I hope you've still got some fight left in you."

"Crap," Lilo muttered as her eyes darted to the newcomers. "This just got worse."

The assassin's lips curled into a smug smile. "Looks like my backup's here. Now, who's surrounded?"

Boris tightened his grip on his axe as he spotted the level 50 Berserker. He was only level 38 so he knew he stood no chance against him.

"We're not fighting this. Not with him leading them."

Ezran glanced at the others. "Then we run?"

"Run!" Lilo confirmed. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

The group didn't hesitate. They turned and bolted down the nearest tunnel whe the mercenaries roared behind them and gave chase.

Spells and arrows flew, lighting up the cavern as the chase turned chaotic.

---

System Notification:

[ Party Chat: Aleman ]

Aleman: I've got the royal. Where are you?

Ezran: Fleeing. Big boss on our tail. ETA: A few minutes.

August: I'll be waiting.

---

Meanwhile, outside the cavern, August stood with Lord Cavriel.

The royal looked pale but otherwise unharmed. The sound of battle echoed faintly from the cavern's entrance.

"Looks like your rescue team is running late," Cavriel said while trying to catch his breath.

"They'll make it," August stated calmly.

From the shadows of the cavern, the faint sound of yelling grew louder. Moments later, blasts of magic and the clanging of weapons echoed out, growing more distinct.

"They're here," August stepped forward.

The first to emerge was Gregarious, who stumbled out of the cavern with his sword flailing. "MUMMY! THEY'RE RIGHT BEHIND ME!"

Next came Ezran and Lilo, both panting as they cast spells and loosed arrows to slow their pursuers. Finally, Boris burst out with his axe raised as he charged forward hurriedly.

Behind them, the mercenaries, including their berserker leader, were closing in fast.

"RUN!" Lilo shouted as they sprinted toward August.

August didn't wait.

He surged forward while raising his hand. Mana swirled as he channeled his most destructive spell.

His Thunder Spear began to form as arcs of lightning swum around him and the energy coalesced into a massive, glowing weapon.

"Get clear of the entrance!" August barked as he tightened his fist around the thunder spear.

The group barely managed to scramble past him as he hurled the spear at the cavern's ceiling.

---

System Notification:

[ Thunder Spear (Tier 2) used. Damage dealt: 12,500. ]

---

The spear struck the rock with a deafening explosion causing the impact to shake the ground as shockwaves got sent through the area.

The ceiling of the cavern collapsed with massive chunks of stone crashing down and sealing the entrance just as the mercenaries reached it.

The leader of the mercenaries shouted in frustration. "You won't get away with this!" His voice was muffled by the collapsing rocks.

Dust and rubble filled the air as the cavern entrance got completely blocked. Silence fell, broken only by the group's heavy breathing.

---

System Notification:

[ Quest Objective Complete: Royal Rescued. Escape Successful. ]

[ EXP Gained: 120,000. Party EXP Distributed. ]

[ Rare Loot Acquired: Thunder Core Shard. ]

---

Gregory collapsed onto the ground, gasping. "Sweet… merciful… mummy. I'm alive!"

Ezran leaned against his staff with a dazed expression. "That was… way too close."

Boris, still gripping his axe, gave August a weary grin. "Good timing as always."

Lilo smiled while brushing dirt off her armor. "I have to admit, that was pretty epic."

August turned to the group. "Let's get out of here before they dig their way out."

...

...

The sprawling estate of Lord Cavriel was a sight to behold. Surrounded by lush gardens and towering marble walls, the estate shimmered under the golden glow of the evening sun.

Intricate fountains adorned the beautiful pathways leading to the grand entrance, where royal guards stood at attention.

August and his group stood inside, still covered in dirt and grime from their harrowing adventure. Lord Cavriel, now dressed in pristine robes with the emblem of his lineage, greeted them with a relieved smile as they approached.

"Heroes," Cavriel said warmly while spreading his arms. "Words cannot express my gratitude. I owe you my life."

"It's all in a day's work," August replied calmly.

Gregorious puffed out his chest. "Indeed, my lord! Your rescue was conducted by none other than the legendary Lord Aleman and his gallant companions! Truly, a tale for the ages."

Boris smirked. "Gallant? You screamed for your mummy half the time."

"Strategic screaming," Gregarious shot back while wagging a finger. "It's a time-honored warrior tactic."

Lilo rolled her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that."

Ezran, as usual, stayed quiet while scanning the elaborate architecture of the estate.

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