We were at the top of another dirt hill, staring down at the wandering boulder monster we’d retreated from last time. I looked at the large golem and silently wondered if we were just going to end up squished under his feet.


    Peter waited at the front in a crouch, studying the landscape and debating strategy with Bethany. I should be involved, but instead I called up my status screen to reexamine my stats.


    [Temporary Class:]


    [Kinetic Mage, Level 3]


    [MP: 19/20]


    [XP: 39/100]


    [Attributes:]


    [Strength: 1]


    [Agility: 2]


    [Speed: 3]


    [Intelligence: 6]


    [Charisma: 2]


    [Luck: 1]


    [Attribute Points Available: 0]


    Most of my [MP] recovered, but I was disheartened to see how much [XP] I still needed to reach the next level up. I still had my same two [skills], [Push] at level 3 and [Pull] at level 2. I wasn’t sure either was strong enough to tear this guy apart, and without that, I wasn’t of any use on offense.


    Bethany’s shouting pulled me away from my screen. “I put my new [Skill Point] in [Shield], but [Rocky] broke through it so easily last time that I still don’t think it’ll be strong enough to withstand his hit. I’m telling you, Peter, we aren’t ready for this.”


    “We have to try again. We can’t just keep taking on weak monsters and playing it safe or else we’ll never level up fast enough to keep up with the other teams. There’s always going to be risk associated with things, but that doesn’t mean we should hide away,” my brother said.


    “Calculated risks are one thing, but it’s important to not undertake a suicide mission just to seem cool. There’s no one around to impress anyway. The way to survive this thing is to level up slowly and steadily, not to get crushed repeatedly by boulder-man.” Bethany crossed her arms.


    Peter threw his hands in the air. “See! That’s the problem. I’m not in this just to survive. I’m here to win!”


    “Everyone calm down,” I said before the argument could escalate further. “You both have good points. Beth’s right that we can’t take stupid risks, but Peter’s right that we need to challenge ourselves.”


    My brother and sister glared at each other as I spoke. Our chemistry from the last fight had already faded away, and I worried we might not be able to get it back.


    “Look, this guy is slow. I say we at least try to take him out because that extra [XP] would be nice. I don’t want to spend months or years locked up in here because we never take a chance on fighting something hard, but I also don’t want to die over and over again. If [Rocky] still proves too much of a challenge, we can run away, no harm done. He won’t be able to keep up with us,” I said.


    “Fine,” Bethany said, breaking her glaring contest with Peter. “But if we get smushed, I expect apologies and ‘I told you so’ from both of you.”


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    “You won’t need it. We can take this guy on easy. We’re two levels ahead of him now.” Peter stood up. “Beth, you stay back and [Shield] us when you can. Madi, your job is to [Push] his arms away when he gears up to hit. I’ll use my sword and cut him apart.”


    “Swords don’t typically cut through solid rock,” I pointed out.


    “Then I’ll chip him apart. Do you have a better idea? I don’t think this guy will pull apart as easily as the [Grass Clippings],” Peter said.


    “I can try at least. But you’re right, that probably won’t work. I guess if I can’t tear him apart, you can go in with your sword.” I glanced down at the monster, grimacing as I imagined the rocks exploding apart like the grass. That would create actual shrapnel which could hurt someone.


    “This is a stupid plan, but if you both think we should try, I’ll back you up. Let’s get this over with.” Bethany motioned down at the creature.


    I grabbed Peter’s arm before he could dash down the hill. “Let me try taking him out from up here so the flying rocks don’t hit anyone.”


    “But if that doesn’t work we lose the element of surprise,” he said.


    “I don’t think we were going to have it anyway.” I held my hands out to [Rocky], positioning them so one was pointed at the top of his head and the other at his feet. I really hoped this worked. “[Push]. [Pull].” The [Push] was directed at his feet while the [Pull] was at his head.


    The top of the monster stretched up while his legs remained firmly planted on the ground, but the [skills] ended after only a moment, leaving him in one piece and thoroughly pissed off.


    “Told you so,” Peter said. “[Swordsmanship].” His sword appeared in his hands, and he took off down the hill towards the enraged beast.


    I followed after him, going at a slower pace so I could keep concentration to use my [skills] if I needed to. Beth stayed back on the hill entirely so she could have a good view of the fight and see where her [Shield] might be needed.


    Just as Peter reached [Rocky], one of the massive arms was raised in preparation for a smashing move. I put my hand out.


    “[Push]!”


    The arm flung backwards, forcing the monster to take a step back as Peter reached him and stabbed his sword at [Rocky’s] chest.


    Just as I expected, the blade harmlessly clinked off the stone. Peter cursed and prepared for a strike at [Rocky’s] leg instead while I used [Push] to offset the next incoming strike.


    [Rocky] stumbled, which caused Peter’s next blow to miss completely.


    “Come on, Madison!” he yelled back at me.


    “I’m saving your life, idiot!”


    The monster regained his balance and already had another arm in the air.


    “[Push]!”


    That arm went back, but this creature had learned my trick and anticipated the action. His other arm came from the side and slammed into Peter, knocking his sword from his hands and sprawling him out on his back.


    “Peter!”


    A yellow [Shield] appeared before him, but [Rocky’s] fist demolished it without a problem.


    The stone golem held both hands up high, ready to deal the killing blow to Peter who remained in a dazed crumple. Before I could cast [Push], Bethany’s voice rang out.


    “[Calm]!”


    [Rocky] froze, his hands still together above his head, hovering there. I was prepared to [Push] them back, but I waited to make my move until I was sure Bethany’s [skill] had failed.


    She cast it again. “[Calm], you stupid thing.”


    Slowly [Rocky] lowered his arms to his side as Peter regained consciousness and unsteadily got to his feet.


    Bethany came to stand next to me. “[Calm].”


    Peter limped away from the creature, clutching his left arm close as the monster above him shuddered. Then, all at once the rocks which made it up collapsed into a pile, sending dust and bits of broken stone into the air.


    [Rocky Defeated]


    [10 XP Gained]


    We all coughed at the dirty air cleared, and then I grabbed Bethany in a hug.


    “Good job, sis! You did it!”


    Peter came up with dirt smeared on his face alongside the grass stains from our earlier fights. “I can’t believe that worked. Thanks for saving me, Beth.”


    She grinned. “I guess I might not be as useless as I thought.”


    We all laughed and joined up in a group hug despite Peter’s protest. Maybe we did have a real shot of making it through this thing after all.