“Sorry, but I have to beat you. The guys would never leave me alone if I was the only one to lose.” Robyn said. The team constantly mocked and poked fun at each other. Of course, it was all in good faith. What good friends wouldn’t laugh at one another from time to time? Robyn knew she’d have the short stick when it came to this sort of banter if she were to lose. Even Xander somehow managed to win despite being blasted by several mines. It was a good thing that his opponent was incredibly frail, but that meant Robyn had no excuse for losing. She was also driven by the fact that she’d lose a skill if the dwarf druid managed to beat her. Given the arena’s new forest environment, it was safe to say he had the advantage.

“I’m pretty much in the same boat. I have to win this one to make sure we don’t have straight losses across the board.” Brandon said. He let out a soft chuckle. It was the sort of laugh that showed how he thought the situation was ridiculous, but it wasn’t clear as to why. Did they expect to beat The Unnamed Team easily? Maybe he was against fighting from the start. Regardless, the two were in the arena. An official challenge was decreed, so it was too late to turn back.

The two smiled at each other. They were probably thinking the same thing. It must have been a small world for two separate sets of Genesis Program participants to run into each other. In-fighting should have also been less likely. It would have been much more beneficial to exchange information and tactics. They were all on the same mission after all… It was a shame that The Unnamed Team managed to do what their rivals couldn’t, and three times no less. Perhaps there was a better way for The Heroes of The Voice to handle their jealousy toward the sin-slaying team. The two combatants stared at each other thinking, “Oh well. When life gives you lemons…”

“[Nature’s Fury],” Brandon said. He opted not to use the axe that hung from his waist. A single finger pointed at Robyn, and his skill activated. The earth suddenly shook. The grass trembled before the soil slowly fractured. Large roots sprung from the ground. They acted like waves as they approached Robyn, diving into dirt before emerging once more. Their tips were incredibly sharp, and their thorns yearned for combat.

Robyn ran beside the wall. The roots crash behind her before spilling to the sides. The brave audience members who sat close to the action were forced to retreat as bramble encompassed their seats. Robyn continued her sprint as the wall of roots and vines perused her. She didn’t have time to think of a good plan. Some ideas might work, but others could get her seriously injured. It was then that she remembered her past experience. Something that only this team was aware of. If she could replicate it, she’d win without a doubt.

“[Enhance Animal],” Robyn said. She activated her skill and closed her eyes. Her sprint continued without fail. Thankfully, the druid neglected to put any sort of foot traps in her path. Robyn placed her hand against her chest and silently prayed. What she was doing was a gamble, and she had just put her faith in a system that consistently wronged her. Her life so far may have been difficult, but she and her team had performed harder feats than what she was trying. She just needed Genesis to comply. She just needed that one stroke of good luck.

Fortunately, the system was finally on her side for once.

“ERROR. INDIRECT UTILIZATION OF A LOCKED SKILL. AS A RESULT, THIS SKILL WILL BE UNLOCKED. [BEAST TAMER] HAS ACQUIRED THE SKILL [ENHANCE SELF].”

“Error? What is-'' Brandon tried to say. He was beyond bewildered. In all of his time in this new world, he had never heard Genesis utter such words. That should have been impossible. He and his team should have heard every possible message by now. What else could he have been ignorant about? A slew of questions flooded his mind, but he had no time to answer them.

Robyn had turned from running along the arena’s walls. She was now sprinting straight for him. Her bone sickle cut through the air as she ran. She knew she needed to act quickly. The shock of reality-breaking information would only hold Brandon for so long. Despite his frozen state, his skills remained active. The ground continually burst with new batches of roots and plant matter. Robyn needed to end this fight before the entire area’s floor became a trap.

Brandon tried to reconcile with all of this new information. Whatever errors were and their causes would have to wait. He had a fight to win. He called upon nature’s bountiful resources to shield him. Vines fell from the trees. Grass grew thicker and hid the snares within it. Brandon had formed a cage of vegetation that would shield him from any attack. He drew his axe and readied to counter, but his movements were soon halted.

“[Command Individual]: Expose your neck!” Robyn said. She brandished her bone sickle and prepared to strike. Her words echoed in Brandon’s mind. His resistance worked slightly, but his body continued to move against his will. He couldn’t defy the call to rest his cheek on his shoulder.

Robyn pushed through the bramble that sprung from the earth. She couldn’t waste this opportunity. It was the only chance she had to win. Her grip tightened around her weapon. Her legs pumped faster to propel her. Her eyes narrowed and foresaw the perfect angle of attack. She could tell from this single moment how much [Enhance Self] had helped her. It was like she was a whole new person. One that raced through difficult terrain with ease. Her sickle sliced through the remaining obstacles that offered a pitiful defense.

Then, it met its target.

“NOTICE. YOUR CHALLENGE AGAINST ANOTHER PARTICIPANT OF THE GENESIS PROGRAM HAS ENDED. THE VICTOR MAY NOW TAKE ONE OF THE LOSER’S SKILLS.”