Jake stood still, staring at the destruction with wide eyes.

"...Wow."

The power behind that single strike far exceeded his expectations.

The synergy between his new Aura and Light Manifestation was truly formidable.

’Looks like I didn’t choose the wrong class,’ he thought.

Grace lowered her gun, golden eyes wide with awe as she gazed at the clean path of devastation.

"Jake... that was incredible. The light, it’s so much stronger than before..."

She stepped closer, admiring the fading glow on his blade.

Jake lowered his sword, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

"Yeah, the synergy is better than I expected. It seem [Aura Warrior] really complements [Light Manifestation] well."

He walked over and nudged the dead monster with his foot, confirming it was truly finished.

"Looks like we got our first monster kill as adventurers."

Grace smiled brightly beneath her hood and stepped closer.

"You’re getting stronger so fast... I’ll work hard too!" She clenched her fist cutely.

Jake chuckled and gently ruffled her hooded head.

"We’ll train together. For now, let’s finish gathering the herbs before—"

Before he could finish, several low growls echoed from the surrounding bushes.

Rustle

Rustle

Rustle

Three more Forest Rabbits emerged, slightly smaller than the first, but no less vicious.

Their blood-red eyes locked onto the pair as they slowly circled, baring razor-sharp teeth.

Jake’s grip tightened on his sword, body tensing for another fight.

But at that moment,

Grace suddenly stepped forward, raising her small gun with steady hands.

"Jake... wait. Let me try."

Jake blinked, momentarily surprised.

But after seeing the determination burning in her golden eyes, he gave a small nod.

’It seem she wants to handle this herself,’ he realized.

’This is a good opportunity for her to grow and even if anything goes wrong, I’m right here to protect her.’

Jake smiled faintly as he watched her determination.

He was also growing increasingly curious about her new class abilities.

"Alright," he said. "But if it gets dangerous, I’m stepping in."

Grace nodded, offering him a beautiful smile.

Then her expression turned serious as she faced the monsters.

She trembled slightly at their ferocious appearance at first, but bit her lower lip as the image of a bloodied Jake flashed through her mind.

’No... I must get stronger. I won’t let Jake suffer like that for me anymore.’

If she couldn’t even handle these small monsters, she had no right to stand by his side and protect him.

The thought of being useless again sent a sharp pang through her chest.

Then,

Her golden eyes sharpened with resolve.

She took a deep breath and channeled power from her new class... and her own [Light Manifestation]

Slowly, a faint glow lit up her eyes as she took careful aim.

The lead Forest Rabbit, sensing weakness, charged forward with terrifying speed, claws extended and jaws wide open in a screeching roar.

"SCREEECH—!!"

Seeing this, Grace didn’t flinch.

A brilliant light bullet slowly formed at the tip of her gun barrel, glowing with pure, concentrated golden energy.

The air around it shimmered as she poured more power into the shot—

"Light Bullet."

BANG!

The gunshot cracked like thunder.

A dazzling beam of golden light erupted from the barrel, streaking forward like a shooting star and leaving a glowing trail through the forest.

The Forest Rabbit tried to dodge at the last second, but the bullet was too fast.

BOOM!

It struck dead center in the chest, exploding in a brilliant burst of golden light.

The monster was hurled backward with a large, cauterized hole burned clean through its torso.

It slammed into a tree with a sickening thud, twitched once, and lay still.

Grace didn’t stop.

She glanced slightly to the side and turn smoothly, her glowing eyes locking onto the second rabbit lunging at her from the flank.

BANG!

Another precise Light Bullet struck it in the head mid-leap.

Its skull exploded in a flash of golden light as the lifeless body tumbled across the forest floor.

The final rabbit, witnessing its companions fall so quickly, turned and tried to flee into the bushes.

Grace’s expression remained calm and focused... until her brows furrowed slightly.

’...It’s too far.’

The monster was already darting deep into the undergrowth, nearly out of her effective range.

Yet somehow, she could feel exactly where it was.

Then, as if by pure instinct, her golden eyes glowed brighter.

She raised her gun, and shimmering light began to swirl around it.

The energy condensed and stretched, rapidly extending the barrel and transforming the small pistol into a longer, sleeker sniping rifle made of pure, glowing golden light.

Then, Grace dropped into a stable shooting stance, with one knee pressing against the ground.

She held her breath, glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing rabbit through the scope of her light-constructed rifle.

After locking onto her target, she murmured softly,

"Flash Shot."

BANG—!!

A even more powerful, concentrated beam of golden light erupted from the extended barrel, piercing through leaves and branches with pinpoint accuracy.

The last Forest Rabbit, sensing the incoming danger, turned its head mid-sprint.

Its blood-red eyes widened in terror as it stared directly at the brilliant golden light hurtling toward it.

For a brief moment, the monster froze.

Its instincts screamed in panic as the overwhelming radiance seemed to blind the entire area and its vision, momentarily stunning and confusing the beast.

Then—

SPURT!

Its skull exploded in a brilliant burst of golden light.

The rabbit didn’t even have time to scream as its body was thrown backward, tumbling lifelessly across the forest floor.

Soon,

The light rifle in Grace’s hands slowly dissipated, returning to its original small gun form.

Grace slowly lowered her weapon.

Her calm, focused expression slowly melted away, replaced by a bright, proud smile.

"Haa... Haa... I- I did it!" Grace exclaimed, breathing heavily.

Using those skills left her utterly exhausted, but the satisfaction of having killed the monsters herself filled her with joy.

Meanwhile...

Jake stood a short distance away.

His eyes and mouth were wide open as he stared at her, completely dumbfounded.

"...Holy shit."