SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will

Althea kept everything steady.

Her buffs never dropped, her timing never slipped.

She watched the field constantly, adjusting as needed.

When Selene needed more power, she gave it.

When Torren took a heavier hit, she reinforced him.

No panic.

Just control.

Arthur watched them finish.

His arms stayed loose, his breathing steady.

He didn’t step in again.

He didn’t need to.

They had it.

And they proved it.

One by one, the remaining wolves fell.

Thud.

Thump.

Crack.

Until only one remained.

The last wolf was wounded.

As It staggered as it backed away, low growls slipping out, weaker now, uncertain.

Cornered.

Selene drew her bow..

Then paused.

For a moment, her eyes shifted to Torren.

He smirked.

"Go on."

She gave a small nod, steadying her breath as she drew again.

Then she released.

TWANG!

The arrow cut clean through the air and pierced straight into the wolf’s eye.

As It dropped instantly.

Silence followed.

This time, it felt heavier...but different.

There was no fear left in it.

Just the aftermath.

Torren lowered his shield and let out a long breath.

"...That was a lot."

Selene eased her stance.

"Yeah."

Nox bent forward slightly, catching her breath, while Althea finally let her hands drop.

Ryn looked around once, scanning the field before nodding.

"All down."

Arthur stepped forward, his eyes moving across the bodies scattered around them.

Then he smiled slightly.

"...Not bad."

Torren scoffed.

"Not bad?"

Arthur shrugged.

"We didn’t die."

Selene shook her head.

"That’s your standard now?"

Arthur grinned.

"Pretty much."

But even as he joked, his mind wasn’t fully there.

That familiar feeling returned.. quiet, certain.

He could see the interface.

The gain.

The increase.

Intent Points.

More than before.

More than enough.

His grip tightened slightly.

Good.

Ryn’s voice pulled him back.

"We move."

There was no delay, no celebration.

Arthur nodded once.

"...Yeah."

Because deep down, they all understood.

If that many wolves were already moving like that..

Then something ahead was driving them.

Something bigger.

And next time..

Arthur doubted it would be this easy.

They didn’t avoid every fight after that.

It wasn’t possible anymore.

The deeper they went, the more wolves appeared.. sometimes in pairs, sometimes in small groups.

But this time, it didn’t slow them down like before.

They moved better now.

Cleaner.

Faster.

Ryn didn’t waste time dragging fights out.

"End it quick."

And they did.

Arthur stepped in when needed, cutting numbers down before things could stretch too long. He didn’t rely on explosions this time.. just quiet, efficient kills. Wind sliced through cleanly, precise and controlled, leaving the wolves little time to react.

Torren held the front even better now.

At one point, three wolves crashed into him at once, and he didn’t look close to breaking.

"Come on!" he shouted, laughing as they struck his shield.

"You guys hit softer than the last ones!"

Selene didn’t miss the opening.

TWANG!

One arrow flew straight through a wolf’s neck.

"Don’t get careless," she said calmly.

Torren grinned.

"Never."

Ryn had improved too.

Arthur noticed it in the way he moved.. less waiting, and more control. He handled multiple wolves without letting pressure show, holding them in place until the right moment came, then finishing them cleanly.

Arthur gave a small nod.

He’s getting sharper.

Even Selene was more consistent now.

She didn’t hesitate when she saw an opening and didn’t second guess herself. If the angle was right, she took the shot.. and it killed.

With Althea’s buffs behind her, her arrows carried more force, more certainty. Most of the time, one shot was enough.

After one clean kill, she exhaled softly.

"...That felt right."

Althea smiled slightly.

"You’re getting used to it."

Selene shook her head.

"Still thinking too much."

Arthur cut in.

"Thinking’s fine. Just don’t freeze."

She glanced at him.

"I won’t."

Nox had grown too.

She wasn’t just scouting anymore.. she moved in fights, quick and light, stepping in to distract wolves when needed and pulling them just far enough to create openings.

At one point, she slipped past a lunging wolf and muttered,

"...Too slow."

Arthur caught that and laughed.

"Look at you."

She didn’t answer, but there was a faint curve at the corner of her lips.

The mood shifted.

Slowly, but clearly.

They weren’t just surviving anymore.

They were adapting.

Growing.

After another fight, Torren wiped sweat from his forehead and exhaled.

"...Alright, I’ll say it."

Selene sighed.

"Don’t."

"We’re getting good."

Arthur smirked.

"Took you long enough."

Althea shook her head, though she was smiling too.

"Don’t get overconfident."

Ryn didn’t look back as he spoke.

"Stay sharp."

That was enough to steady them again.

Because no matter how well they were doing—

They all knew.

This wasn’t over.

After another short fight, they paused briefly.

Not long.

Just enough to breathe.

Weapons were cleaned. Positions reset.

Nox moved back into place.

Arthur rolled his shoulders once..

Then stilled.

"...Wait."

Ryn looked at him.

"What is it?"

Arthur didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze shifted forward as his senses stretched outward.

That feeling again.

But stronger this time.

Worse.

The mana ahead wasn’t just thick..

It was disturbed.

Like something was gathering.

He frowned slightly.

"...Something’s ahead."

Althea felt it too, more clearly now.

"...Yeah."

Nox stepped forward.

"I’ll check."

Arthur shook his head slightly.

"No need."

She paused.

"...You’re sure?"

He nodded.

"There’s a group ahead."

Ryn’s gaze sharpened.

"How many?"

Arthur exhaled slowly.

"...A lot."

That alone shifted the mood.

Still, Nox moved forward to confirm, silent and careful, while the rest waited.

Torren leaned slightly toward Arthur.

"You’re doing her job now?"

Arthur shrugged.

"Just helping."

Selene crossed her arms lightly.

"...That’s not normal."

Arthur smirked.

"Neither is this place."

When Nox returned, her expression said everything.

Tense.

Focused.

"...He’s right."

There was no surprise, but hearing it from her made it real.

Althea looked between them.

"...You sensed all that?"

Arthur didn’t answer directly, just gave a small smile.

"Something like that."

Torren let out a breath.

"...You’re actually annoying."

Arthur laughed.

"I can’t help it."