Deneb was again showing her skill as a damage-dealer, dropping beasts left and right and quickly closing in on the boss. There was just one problem.

[i]What about me?[/i]

With the ninja going on the offensive, there was no one left to protect Viri. And in spite of all their efforts so far, there were still wolves closing in on the healer, albeit more cautiously than before.

[i]Ahh... This isn't good...[/i] As a back-line support she could fight effectively, but her character wasn't built for surviving on her own! Already Viri's strategic mindset was beginning to crack, the first signs of fear visible in her widening eyes. She could surround herself in barriers, but what then? They could only take so many impacts, and eventually the beasts would just break through. And so far as she could remember, she had no offensive options besides her basic attack...

[i]...but the wolves don't know that, do they?[/i]

Canines were fairly smart, and often capable of learning, as demonstrated by how the wolves were now advancing more slowly to avoid injuring themselves on her barriers. But she doubted they'd be intelligent enough to read stats and attributes, even if they had the ability. [i]And in a game world, a target that looks weak isn't necessarily so.[/i]

She quavered. She trembled. And then she gripped her staff and charged straight at the nearest wolf.

"YAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The beast paused, hesitating, then actually took a step back as Viri made a wild swing at its snout. Another beast tried to close in from her flank, only to be stopped short as a green barrier flashed into existence in front of it.

[i]Play aggressive. Make them think you're more dangerous than you really are.[/i] With a weapon meant for casting magic she had little chance of actually beating anything to death, but she could still use it to keep them cautious and out of formation, while blocking off their movements if they tried to flank or surround her. She turned, finding a third target and dashing towards it with a battle cry that she hoped was more intimidating than adorable.

A minute, maybe two. She could hold them off for that long, before her stamina and mana started to run out.

Hopefully the ninja wouldn't take too long...

[@PKMNB0Y]