Chapter 96: Battleground Inferno Xin’s response was quick. "Don’t worry. You won’t engage them until we’re at a disadvantage." Hilda’s lips curved into a playful grin. "Good. While I don’t mind a weak opponent, I’m not exactly aiming for a massacre here." Her words contradicted her expression, her grin revealing that she was imitating what Tristan said a while ago. Xin’s focus remained on the impending battle, his thoughts dominated by the rules laid down by the system. Until the engagement officially began, they were restricted from equipping weapons or accessing their abilities. True to the regulation, his inventory’s contents were temporarily off-limits, locked in obsidian hues that hinted at their unavailability. Xin couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the sight of Hilda standing ready for battle. As he had suspected, the rules permitted Free NPCs in the war, defying the typical restrictions. This was a significant discovery, a potentially game-changing bug that could tip the scales in their favor. Hilda’s inquiry about the strategy brought Xin back to the present. Her yawn punctuated her casual demeanor. Xin’s response was clear and concise, a plan he had repeated in his mind countless times. "We’ll maintain our position toward the back while I summon the Golems. Your primary objective is to ensure my safety." His instructions flowed seamlessly. "Simultaneously, the rest of the team will engage Doom Serenity, drawing their attention away from me as I create the Golems." The moment the timer initiated the battle, Xin released Pudding, setting their plan into motion. Hilda swung her giant hammer over her shoulder, the nonchalance in her actions belying her formidable strength. Her words held an air of confidence. "Sounds straightforward. You just focus on your golems, and I’ll make sure nothing gets to you. Honestly, it’d be simpler if I took care of them all." Xin’s response was tinged with a more serious tone. "I want to keep your capabilities hidden for now. You’re our secret weapon, our ace in the hole." A warm blush flooded Hilda’s cheeks, her confident exterior crumbling in the face of Xin’s praise. She stammered, her voice a mix of embarrassment and surprise. "A-Ace? Oh, um, I mean, if you say so . . . D-does that mean I’m really special?" As Hilda grappled with her newfound identity as the team’s "ace," Xin remained focused on the unfolding battle before them. They had strategically positioned themselves at a distance, taking cover within the rugged terrain created by the tumultuous lava flows. The challenging environment proved to be a hindrance for both sides, forcing them to navigate treacherous ground while contending with sporadic fire damage. However, Snow Angels had a distinct advantage. Thanks to Xin’s meticulous upgrades to their equipment, incorporating Ice Stones, they were effectively shielded from the scorching flames, rendering the environmental hazard almost inconsequential. As the skirmish raged on, Snow Angels exhibited remarkable resilience, deftly holding their ground against the opposing force of nine players. True to his words, Tristan remained stationary on the very back, just casually looking over at the battlefield with a smirk on his face. Yet, the numbers disadvantage was beginning to take its toll, and it was only a matter of time before Snow Angels would find themselves outmatched. The battlefield crackled with energy as the clash between Snow Angels and Doom Serenity unfolded. At the forefront of Snow Angels’ formation was Xiaxia. Her gleaming armor and radiant wings marked her as a symbol of hope. As she brandished her sword, [Sun Blade] it glowed with a celestial brilliance, imbued with divine fury. Beside her, Scarlet weaved intricate spells that danced through the air like deadly specters. Her eyes blazed with an inner fire as she cast bolts of arcane energy, each strike aimed with uncanny precision. She held the line with her potent magic, a force to be reckoned with in this battle of attrition. While Marry maintained a vigilant watch over her allies, her calming presence a balm amidst the chaos. Her gentle hands and soothing incantations mended wounds, providing invaluable support to her comrades. Across the molten battleground, Doom Serenity’s forces surged forward with calculated precision. Two skilled healers took up positions, their hands weaving spells to mend their allies’ injuries. Three mages unleashed devastating elemental attacks, among them was Tiffany, their power crackling like lightning in the fiery atmosphere. Four damage dealers moved with deadly intent, their blades slicing through the air with a chilling swiftness. Tiffany casted wicked spells with a malevolent grin. "Let’s see if your ’angel’ can withstand my darkness," she sneered, conjuring shadows that seemed to devour the very light around them. Xiaxia deftly deflected Tiffany’s assault with her shield. The [Spellguard Shield] she wielded rendered her impervious to all magical attacks, an impenetrable defense that proved to be a formidable asset. Tiffany’s frustration was palpable as she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "That Legend-grade equipment is a real headache. Let’s prioritize targeting those two instead!" Meanwhile, Tristan watched with a mixture of awe and annoyance as he beheld the incredible resilience of Xiaxia’s [Sunblade] and [Spellguard Shield]. The fact that they withstood the combined might of nine players underscored their exceptional quality, making him momentarily overlook Xiaxia’s combat prowess. Scarlet’s incantations grew more fervent as she summoned barriers to shield her allies from the enemy’s onslaught. "Hold steady! We can outlast them," she encouraged. Marry’s healing magic countered the ferocity of the battle, her light-based spells radiating warmth and tranquility amidst the chaos. "We’ve got this! Keep fighting!" she urged, her words bolstering the spirits of her companions. Though Xiaxia had to wonder who the two were talking to because it was only the three of them on the forefront. The mages of Doom Serenity hurled elemental spells at Snow Angels, their magic colliding with Xiaxia’s shields in bursts of brilliant colors. The damage dealers tried to close the gap between them but it was hard considering the terrain and the fact that Snow Angels were retreating whenever they came to close the distance and strike. Scarlet deftly countered with protective wards of her own, creating a swirling vortex of elemental magic that clashed with the damage dealers skills. Empowered by the protective prowess of the [Spellguard Shield], Xiaxia found herself significantly less vulnerable to physical damage, and the enemy’s magical attacks were futile against her. This assurance put Scarlet’s mind at ease regarding Xiaxia’s role as their meat shield. Yet, similar to their adversaries who struggled to navigate the challenging terrain, Xiaxia encountered her own difficulties in mounting effective offensive strikes. The uneven battleground hindered her movements and impeded her ability to close in on her opponents. As the moments ticked by, Xiaxia couldn’t shake the growing concern that their foes would eventually overcome the obstacles and draw nearer. And when that time came, she questioned her ability to safeguard both Scarlet and Marry against the onslaught of nine adversaries.