Thunder finally got a clear look at the newcomer.
Clad in light armor, the man wielded a greatsword embedded with a massive gem. His face was rugged, framed by a thick beard that gave him an honest appearance—except for the pair of triangular, snake-like eyes that flickered with malice.
Was this the classic case of *"the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind"*?
The griffin was the unfortunate cicada, while Thunder's group had played the role of the mantis.
The "oriole" rested his greatsword on his shoulder, glancing between Thunder's party and the griffin carcass before bursting into laughter. "Ah, life is beautiful!"
Thunder halted warily, studying the man.
Anyone venturing into the Bretton Forest wasn't ordinary. Given the greatsword, Thunder guessed he was a warrior—though his strength was unknown. If he traveled alone, he had to be formidable. If he had companions, even if he was weak, Thunder's group was in trouble.
A man making such a flashy entrance surely wasn't here to chat.
Back in the cultivation world, killing for treasure was common. Thunder had trained on Dragon-Tiger Mountain and never encountered it. Yet now, on his first adventure in Atlantis, he was facing this very scenario.
*Ah, life!* Thunder sighed inwardly.
His worries materialized quickly. After the warrior's grand entrance, a petite woman with fiery red hair and tight leathers leaped gracefully from the trees, landing beside him. Her agility left Thunder awestruck—her speed might rival his *Celestial Master's Ethereal Steps*.
Her outfit barely covered half her body, revealing a toned stomach and alluring navel. Her smooth legs were fully exposed, seemingly unbothered by the forest's insects and thorns. Twin daggers hung at her waist, and her fox-like eyes gleamed with mischief as she smirked at Thunder's group before gasping at the griffin.
"Wow, the griffin's dead?"
The "oriole" chuckled darkly. "No idea. It was already like this when we got here."
"You kids have some skills," the woman purred, her gaze lingering on Thunder and Eric. The latter's breathing hitched.
Her allure far surpassed Sisi's. Unlike Sisi's occasional shyness, this woman oozed seasoned seduction. Eric, a pure-hearted novice, stood no chance.
"Just luck," Eric grinned goofily, scratching his head.
Thunder pinched Eric discreetly, forcing a polite smile. "Were you two tracking the griffin? Sorry, but we killed it first."
His words were deliberate—he needed to know their motives. The Bretton Forest was vast. Had they been drawn by the battle, or were they already hunting the griffin? The woman's attire marked her as a rogue.
By declaring their claim, Thunder invoked the mercenary code: the griffin was their rightful loot. Ethical adventurers would back off—but ethics weren't guaranteed.
The woman ignored Thunder, focusing on Eric with a sultry gaze. "Little brother, tell me the truth—did you really kill this griffin?"
Pinched back to sense, Eric puffed his chest. "Yes! We worked together to take it down."
Sisi and Maria arrived then, the latter still pale but steadier.
"Lying isn't cute," the woman pouted. "A bunch of junior mages killing an eighth-tier griffin? A *male* one, no less—the most aggressive kind?"
"It *was* us!" Eric bristled, nearly pointing at Thunder before catching himself.
*Trouble.* Thunder sighed. Just as they'd overcome the griffin, these two appeared. Their tone and expressions made their intentions clear—today was a lesson in shamelessness.
But the woman's initial surprise hinted they'd missed the fight. At least Thunder's group had *some* advantage.
"We're from the Faeil Magic Academy, here for our annual evaluation," Maria said, stepping forward. "I'm their instructor. If you have questions, address me."
Thunder noticed the warrior's eyes gleam as Sisi and Maria approached. The contrast between mature elegance and youthful charm was striking.
"An advanced mage?" The pair tensed briefly—until they noted Maria's weakened state.
Even an advanced mage, exhausted from battle, was no threat.
Rustling came from the woods as two more figures emerged. A robed mage grumbled, "You didn't wait! What if we ran into something deadly?"
The rogue woman smirked. "But we didn't."
The mage shut up.
A burly axeman scoffed. "With me here, what's there to fear?"
**Will Thunder's hard-won prize be stolen?**