The ground shook before the group could even identify the source of the sound. A deep, primal roar reverberated through the trees, each note echoing like a distant storm. Leaves danced violently through the air, slicing the golden light of the sunset into sharp fragments. Dust and small debris swirled in whirlwinds, creating halos of light that shimmered over the root-marked and rocky ground.
The air seemed denser, heavier, as if the very atmosphere bent under the weight of the approaching presence. Every breath became a struggle; every step carried almost tangible tension. They knew something monstrous was coming—something capable of destroying everything they knew in seconds.
Jack drove his sword into the ground, feeling the earth tremble beneath his feet. The blade reflected the sunset, shining with an almost supernatural intensity. Everyone's heart raced; a mix of fear, adrenaline, and the spark of excitement only warriors feel when facing a titanic threat.
Sónia gripped her staff tightly, feeling energy pulse through the wood. Selina adjusted the magical focus around her body, preparing to cast spells that could change the course of the battle. Célia whispered low prayers, tracing invisible runes in the air. Dimitri took a deep breath, fingers trembling over his grimoire as if each page contained not only spells but his very life. Romeu sharpened the tip of an arrow, eyes fixed on the horizon. Gunja raised her sacred shield, golden light radiating around her. Sensi maintained a cold gaze, analyzing every shadow, every movement. Haru disappeared silently into the shadows, invisible but present. Kuto clenched his fists, ready to strike, even without knowing if he would survive.
Then… the bear appeared.
It was no ordinary bear. It was a living mountain, a nightmare in animal form. Its coal-black skin was rough, scarred, and embedded with weapons—axes, spears, broken blades—all belonging to warriors who had tried to stop it and failed. Each weapon told its own story of blood and defeat. Its red, feverish eyes blazed with pure fury, a crimson liquid streaming from them like tears of hatred. The creature's breath sounded like the roar of a living furnace, and with each exhale, the air seemed to burn the skin of those present.
The group instinctively stepped back, hearts pounding louder than the wind, which now seemed only a fragile whisper against the force approaching.
Jack stepped forward, planting his foot firmly on the ground to avoid being thrown.
"Hold your ground," he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his chest. "We'll split roles. Selina, Sónia, and Sensi, take high positions and attack from a distance. Dimitri, flank from the right. Romeu, cover the left with your arrows. Gunja and Célia, support. Kuto… with me."
Célia nodded, trying to hide her fear.
"May the light guide us…"
Romeu spun his bow with a nervous laugh that broke the silence.
"And may my arrows hit something before I die."
The ground shook even more intensely, small cracks forming as the bear moved with deadly grace despite its colossal size.
The creature's roar exploded into the air, turning the wind into a cutting wave. Leaves and stones were thrown in all directions, as if the very terrain were being reshaped by the monster's weight.
Jack ran forward, leaping over obstacles in the field, sword raised, each step accompanied by tremors shaking the earth, toward the bear. Meanwhile, Kuto adapted his adaptable class into Assassin class, moving with impossible speed through the battlefield's shadows, disappearing and reappearing elsewhere, his agile body flowing like liquid fire until he reached the front of the bear. Then, the bear's paw came down with a force that cracked the ground.
BOOM!
The impact sent a cloud of dust and stones across the group and the nearby field. Jack raised his shield at the last second to block the bear's strike, but the blow's force threw him meters backward, rolling across the ground, groaning as his arm throbbed with numb pain.
Kuto, moving with fluid precision, slashed the creature's legs with a flaming blade, leaving glowing marks on its black skin. Spinning with accuracy, he unleashed a concentrated burst of fire. A flash lit up the field, momentarily blinding everyone. On the stone platforms, Royal Mage Zenk and the royal family watched in awe—was a warrior capable of manipulating magic?
Romeu snorted, irritated but impressed.
"You're not taking all the glory for yourself!"
He ran across the field, shooting arrows in rapid succession, each streaking through the air like meteors.
"Skill: Twenty Arrows of Hell!"
A flaming arrow shot into the sky, and for a moment everyone looked confused. Then, as if the universe itself responded to the command, twenty flaming arrows rained down on the bear like falling stars, hitting with deafening explosions. The creature roared in fury, trying to extinguish the fire burning its black skin.
Manipulation and Illusion
Sensi smirked, eyes gleaming with malice.
"Time to return the weapons of the dead."
She raised her hands, and with a mental snap, axes and spears embedded in the ground began to tremble. One by one, they flew through the air, spinning as if alive, and struck the monster with metallic impact, each blow echoing like thunder. Wounded, the bear staggered, and Sensi then projected small illusions—shadows of ancient warriors attacking in perfect synchronization.
Confused, the monster struck at the illusions, opening gaps for Kuto to continue his attack. But magic drained him quickly; sweat ran down his face, and his mana faltered. The bear, sensing the threat, roared with terrifying intensity, hurling Sensi, Romeu, and Kuto like ragdolls. They fell among trees and rocks, coughing blood, exhausted.
Gunja ran, shield raised, golden light shining with every step.
"Get back!"
Célia knelt beside the injured, tracing runes in the air.
"Restorative Light!"
A golden glow enveloped the three, restoring vitality and easing their pain momentarily.
The Beast's Intellect
The bear lifted its head, eyes fixed on the stone platforms. The king, queen, and Zenk watched in tense silence. The air seemed to solidify. A roar cut the sky, and a wave of energy surged toward the heights, threatening to obliterate everything in its path.
Zenk raised his hand, blue magical circles appearing around him.
"Explosive Reversal!"
The creature's attack was intercepted, redirected back, striking the monster's chest with enough force to shake the field again. The bear staggered but still breathed heavily, its red eyes glinting with intelligence and hatred.
Shadow and Fire
Haru reappeared from the shadows, cold and calculating gaze.
"Not them you should worry about… it's me."
He activated his skill—Stealth Shadows!—disappearing and reappearing in strategic points, striking the bear with extreme speed. Deep cuts opened in its black flesh, but time was short; the creature raised its paw with deadly precision, hitting Haru and throwing him unconscious among the trees.
Sónia's heart raced.
"Selina, Dimitri… prepare your strongest attacks!"
Selina hesitated, mana vibrating around her.
"Even if we use all our energy, he'll still resist!"
"Just trust me." Sónia replied, eyes shining with determination.
Selina raised her staff, chanting a newly acquired spell. A black-and-white arcane circle appeared at her feet, increasing attack power by 10%. Floating, she concentrated energy into the staff, forming a colossal fireball that lit up the sky.
Dimitri raised his arms, adding his own magic. Another massive fireball formed above the bear, creating a second blazing sun. The air vibrated with heat, and the ground trembled under the intensity of concentrated power.
"Now, Sónia?" shouted Dimitri.
Sónia smiled and lifted her staff, chanting an Arcane Curse: dark energy multiplying continuous damage fivefold. Purple runes appeared beneath the bear, burning into the ground like black fire.
"Attack!"
The two fireballs descended, colliding with the creature in a thunderous roar that echoed across the valley. The bear roared, its flesh burning under the curse, and slowly fell to its knees. Shimmering ashes rose and were carried by the wind, leaving only silence and exhaustion on the battlefield.
Silence After the Storm
The field fell into absolute silence. Dust and ashes slowly settled, revealing warriors tired, wounded, but victorious.
Jack, leaning on his sword, looked at his companions.
"Did we… succeed?"
Sónia dropped her staff, breathing deeply.
"Yes… and how good that feels."
The wind blew gently, carrying ashes, leaves, and the scent of a hard-won battle.
Zenk, observing from above, closed his eyes for a moment, his expression serious.
"They evolved too fast… far too fast for a single battle."
In that instant, everyone understood that this was only the beginning.
Warriors' Status After the Battle:
Jack: Level 20 / Class: Warrior / HP: 100/100 / MP: 180/180
Dimitri: Level 20 / Class: Elementalist / HP: 100/100 / MP: 250/250
Romeu: Level 20 / Class: Archer / HP: 100/100 / MP: 200/200
Haru: Level 20 / Class: Rogue / HP: 100/100 / MP: 180/180
Sensi: Level 20 / Class: Manipulator / HP: 100/100 / MP: 280/280
Sónia: Level 20 / Class: Sorceress / HP: 100/100 / MP: 300/300
Kuto: Level 22 / Class: Adaptable / HP: 100/100 / MP: 320/320
Selina: Level 20 / Class: Mage / HP: 100/100 / MP: 310/310
Gunja: Level 18 / Class: Paladin / HP: 100/100 / MP: 300/300
Célia: Level 18 / Class: Cleric / HP: 100/100 / MP: 300/300
Zenk watched from above, his expression serious.
–They evolved too fast… too fast in a simple battle.
The wind blew lightly, carrying the ashes of the vanquished colossus.
And in that instant, everyone understood that this was only the beginning.