(CH19)GFH ENCOUNTER

The northern woods were eerily quiet. Luis, Rico, and the village Hosts had spent hours scouting, cutting down Rustfang Hares and the occasional Shade Stalker—but the promised Silver-class was nowhere to be seen.

"This is bullshit," grumbled Rudo the Berserker, kicking a pebble. "We've been walking in circles!"

"Maybe it got scared of us," smirked Jun the Trickster, twirling a dagger.

Rico rolled his eyes. "Or maybe it's smarter than we thought."

Then Del the Druid froze. "Look."

A golden pillar, covered in intricate runes, stood half-buried in the undergrowth.

"Pillar of Challenge," muttered Lani the Stormcaller. "Golden-tier. That's a death wish."

"Yeah, no thanks," Rico said, backing away. "We're not suicidal."

Just as they turned to leave—gunfire echoed in the distance.

Crouched on a ridge, the group watched the battle unfold below.

Five GFH Hosts—including Aya the Samurai and Mira the Medic—fought alongside 20 soldiers against a monstrous 8-foot-tall Rampaging Agmorant (Level 12).

The beast resembled a tortoise fused with a battering ram, its shell bristling with jagged spikes. Every stomp shook the earth, and its tail swiped through trees like matchsticks.

Mira was on her knees, hands glowing weakly as she tried to heal a soldier with a crushed leg. "I'm—I'm running out of energy!"

Aya's katana flashed, slicing deep into the Agmorant's leg—but it barely flinched. "Fall back!" she ordered.

Rico's grip tightened on his spear. "We should go. If they see us—"

Luis stepped forward. "They're going to die."

Rico's jaw clenched. "And if GFH finds our village? What then?"

A beat of silence.

Then—Taro the Guardian hefted his shield. "We don't leave people to die."

Rico exhaled sharply. "Fine. But we hit hard, then vanish. No names. No village."

The forest trembled as the Rampaging Agmorant loomed before them, its spiked shell glistening with fresh blood. The battle began with a deafening roar.

Taro the Guardian was first to move, slamming his shield into the ground. "Shield wall formation!" he bellowed as his Tidal Guard ability activated, creating a shimmering water barrier. The Agmorant's initial charge smashed against it, sending violent ripples through the magical defense but holding firm.

From the GFH ranks, a burly man with mechanical gauntlets - Sergeant Voss of the Shock Trooper class - flanked left. His fists crackled with electricity as he punched the beast's foreleg, the smell of ozone filling the air.

Lani the Stormcaller saw her opening. "Lightning barrage incoming!" she warned as she channeled Raijin's power. Three consecutive bolts struck the Agmorant's shell, leaving blackened scorch marks. The monster staggered, giving Del the Druid an opening to activate his Wildshape, transforming into a massive stag that gored the beast's underbelly.

From GFH's side, Corporal Mei - a petite woman with a sniper rifle - took careful aim from a nearby ridge. Her shot struck true, hitting the Agmorant's left eye and causing it to shriek in pain. "Nice shot!" called Private Dawson, the squad's Grenadier, as he lobbed an incendiary device that exploded against the monster's shell.

Rudo the Berserker saw his moment. With a wordless battle cry, he activated Bloodrush and charged, his axe carving deep into the Agmorant's front leg. Black ichor sprayed as he wrenched the weapon free, only to immediately dodge a retaliatory swipe.

Yuna the Bard began singing a haunting melody, her War Chant boosting the entire team's morale and strength. The GFH soldiers noticeably stood taller, their gunfire becoming more accurate under the influence of her magic.

"Flanking positions!" Rico commanded. Jun the Trickster created two perfect illusions of herself that darted in opposite directions, confusing the beast. Meanwhile, GFH's Sergeant Voss coordinated suppressing fire from his troops, keeping the Agmorant's attention divided.

Pim the Plague Doctor moved through the chaos, tossing his questionable healing potions to wounded GFH soldiers. "Drink up, it only burns for a minute!" he called as one soldier coughed violently after swallowing the concoction.

Luis saw his chance as the monster turned to face a new threat. He activated Misfortune's Touch - the Agmorant's next stomp landed awkwardly, its massive leg buckling under its own weight. "Now!" he shouted.

Aya the Samurai needed no further encouragement. She blurred into motion, her katana flashing as she delivered a series of rapid strikes along the beast's vulnerable neck. From the opposite side, Rico drove his spear deep into the Agmorant's remaining good eye.

The monster gave one final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing, its massive form dissolving into the now-familiar black mist.

The battlefield fell silent except for heavy breathing. GFH's Corporal Mei lowered her rifle slowly, while Private Dawson checked his remaining grenades. Sergeant Voss flexed his mechanical hands, the joints hissing with released pressure.

On Rico's team, Del transformed back from his stag form, brushing leaves from his clothes. Yuna's song faded into the wind as she caught her breath. Even Pim stopped his chaotic healing long enough to survey the results of their teamwork.

The moment the Agmorant fell, the forest went silent—until rifle bolts clicked and blades hissed from scabbards.

"Hold it right there," Aya snapped, her katana flashing as she leveled it at Rico's chest. Behind her, GFH soldiers raised their guns, red targeting lasers dancing across the villagers' torsos. "What guild are you with?"

Rico's team reacted instantly. Mara melted into the shadows, daggers appearing in her hands. Taro stepped forward, shield raised. Even Pim stopped grinning, his fingers twitching toward a suspiciously bubbling vial.

Luis moved before anyone could breathe.

He stepped between the blades and barrels, hands raised. "We're not with any guild," he said firmly, locking eyes with Aya. "You know me. Forest outskirts, few days ago. You let me go."

Aya's blade didn't waver—but her eyes flickered with recognition.

Zyx materialized beside Luis's ear, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear: "Ooooh, awkward. She remembers you! Quick, remind her you're the guy who didn't stab her in the back!"

A muscle twitched in Aya's jaw. "...You're the Engineer."

"And these are my people," Luis said, gesturing to Rico's team. "We're just protecting our homes."

Mira the Medic pushed forward, her hands still glowing faintly from exhaustion. "They helped us, Aya. That potion guy—annoying as hell—saved Private Ren's life."

The GFH sergeant (a hulking man with cybernetic eyes) growled. "Unregistered Hosts are a threat. Protocol says we—"

"Stand down, Sergeant," Aya interrupted, finally lowering her blade. "For now." She studied Rico. "You fight like you've done this before."

Rico didn't relax. "And you point swords at people who save your ass. Charming."

Zyx snorted. "Ohhh, someone's got a crush~"

Luis elbowed the air where Zyx's ribs would be.

Aya ignored the byplay, sheathing her katana. "We're tracking a Golden-class spotted north of here. If you're not with the guilds, stay out of our way."

"Golden-class?!" Lani blurted. "That's suicide!"

The GFH sergeant smirked. "Not for us."

Rico's eyes narrowed. Something about the man's tone—too eager, too cold—set his teeth on edge.

Mira offered Luis a tired smile. "Thanks for the assist. Even if your 'healer' is a menace."

Pim grinned. "You're welcome! Side effects include mild euphoria and questionable life choices!"

As the GFH team regrouped, Aya paused, glancing back at Luis. "That offer still stands. GFH could use someone who keeps cool under pressure."

Rico's hand clamped on Luis's shoulder before he could answer. "He's good," he said flatly.

Aya shrugged. "Your loss."

The GFH team melted into the trees—but Rico watched them go, his gut churning. That sergeant hadn't looked at them like allies. He'd looked at them like targets.

Zyx twirled a phantom coin. "Well, that could've gone worse! They only mostly wanted to murder us!"

Luis exhaled. "Let's get home. Before that Golden-class comes knocking."