Q
The corrupted forest groaned like a wounded beast.
Branches creaked, black veins crawling along bark, pulsing like diseased arteries.
Yuto stood at the center of the clearing, Elira beside him, Mimi, Zarek, and Seraphina forming a protective arc behind the rescued knights.
Wind stilled.
Even the corrupted insects went silent.
Mimi's fox ears twitched. "Sooo… does anyone else feel like the boss music's about to start?"
[Yes. The air tastes like final-boss trailer energy.]
Elira tightened her grip on her staff. "There's… something massive coming."
Zarek rolled his shoulders. "About time."
Seraphina breathed deeply, holy aura flickering. "Brace yourselves."
Yuto cracked his knuckles. "Bring it."
[Statistically speaking, provoking the universe is how protagonists die.]
"Then I'll just un-die."
[ …I hate how that's technically true.]
---
A rumbling shook the soil.
Then again.
And again.
Like footsteps ....but each one a thunderclap.
Trees trembled. Corruption vines slithered aside as if bowing.
A shadow emerged larger than any stag, wolf, or bear they had ever seen.
It stepped into view.
A towering wolf-like monstrosity, nearly four stories tall.
Bones jutted from its black flesh like jagged armor.
It's Eyes were pits of writhing crimson flame and it's Mouth was dripping with dark miasma like molten tar.
Corrupted Forest Guardian "Hollow Howl"
It stared down at Yuto…
…and smiled.
A low, rumbling voice vibrated through the air.
"Sss…pirit… child…"
Its breath alone wilted trees.
Elira shuddered. "It's intelligent…"
[ Level unknown. Danger rating: 'Why are you still here run run run–']
"Too late."
The monster roared.
RRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
Trees shattered. Dirt lifted. Echoes shook the sky.
The knights collapsed to their knees, covering ears.
Mimi screamed. "WHY DOES ITS ROAR FEEL LIKE IT'S EATING MY SOUL?!"
[Because it is... Strong ]
"Less fun."
Yuto surged forward with a blur, aura bursting open like a spirit sun.
Acceleration Burst= Spirit Drive!
He vanished ... then reappeared mid-air, fist cocked back, mana spiraling around it.
Mana Shaping = Impact Lance!
His punch shot forward like a cannon blast, a beam of spirit-charged force exploding against the beast's head.
BOOM!
The Guardian's skull jerked sideways , earth collapsing from impact force.
For a moment, silence..
Then the monster slowly turned back to face him.
Completely unfazed.
"...Huh."
[ Congratulations, you tickled it.]
The beast swiped its claw.
A mountain-sized wave of corrupted force blasted the forest apart.
Yuto crossed his arms, spirit barrier forming..
BOOOOM!
He shot back through three dead trees, crashed into the earth, and slid fifty meters.
[HP -112]
Dust cleared. Yuto stood, wiping blood off his lip.
"Okay. That hurt."
Elira rushed forward, face pale, hands glowing. "Yuto...!"
He lifted a hand. "I'm fine."
[Lie detected. Ribs broken. Spine complaining loudly.]
"Shhhh."
[Do not 'shhh' your internal diagnostics.]
---
Zarek charged first. "I'll take an eye!"
His blade glowed crimson ..Yuto's Spirit Resonance boosting his strength.
Mimi summoned wind blades and flung them hard.
Seraphina fired holy spears shooting towards the beast.
The attacks hit ... cutting, burning, cracking corruption…
But the monster merely shook itself, sending a shockwave that sent them skidding back.
Mimi coughed. "Okay! Idea! We run?"
Zarek grinned, wiping blood from his mouth. "Glorious death isn't bad."
Elira trembled but stepped forward ...staff humming with awakening mana.
"No. We stand with Yuto."
Yuto's chest tightened.
Warmth. Gratitude.
And something else, protective instinct igniting bright.
[ Congratulations, emotional development achieved. Next step: confessing like a normal human rather than nearly dying first.]
"Not happening."
[Exactly. You'll nearly die then confess.]
---
The Guardian inhaled ... reality warping as it formed a corrupted sphere of annihilation.
A spirit-eating void bomb.
Yuto's veins glowed pure silver.
"Everyone, behind me!"
"Right!"
Elira placed her hand on his back ... mana surging into him.
Warm. Clear. Trusting.
[Bond amplification detected. Emotional resonance increasing. Gross.]
"Shut up and boost me."
[Already doing it. You're welcome.]
Spirit Mode: Partial Activation!
Light burst from Yuto's body, wings of pure spirit energy forming faintly — ghostlike, shimmering.
His eyes turned full spirit-silver.
He raised his hand.
Spirit Purge : Divine Veil!
A radiant barrier formed as the corruption orb struck...
The explosion devoured the world in black and white flame.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
Silence.
Smoke.
Crater.
And Yuto still stood, panting, barrier cracked but intact.
HP -210
MP -340
Elira's knees trembled from mana drain. "You… did it…"
Yuto's aura roared anew. "Now my turn."
--
Yuto dashed , faster than before each step creating spirit afterimages.
The beast lunged : jaws wide.
Yuto leapt, gathering every ounce of mana he had left.
Mana Shaping : Heavenfall Cutter!
Spirit Art : Soul Sever!
Slash. Beam. Divine pulse.
Silver light cleaved the sky.
The Guardian's body froze.
Split cleanly in half.
For a moment, corrupted energy hissed..
Then burst into light.
The forest shook.
Rot retreated.
Air cleared.
The beast dissolved into spirit particles and black dust.
The battle… ended.
Yuto dropped to one knee, chest heaving.
Spirit form flickered, warning flashing...
HP ≤ 15% Spirit Reversion Triggered
His body blurred ... translucent spirit form appearing for a moment like shimmering water.
Elira grabbed his shoulder. "Yuto!"
He stabilized back to flesh, gasping.
"Still… alive."
[ Barely. Stop doing protagonist things.]
"No I wanna be just like Rimuru."
[…Of course not.]
---
Level: 21 → 24
HP: 560 → 640
MP: 820 → 980
Strength: 103 → 128
Agility: 120 → 145
Endurance: 85 → 96
Intelligence: 108 → 120
New Skill Unlocked:
✓ Spirit Domain (Lesser) — temporarily manifests spirit authority
Evolution Progress:...% → ...%?
[That was reckless and efficient. Continue suffering for faster results.]
---
Elira knelt beside him, leaning close. "You can't keep scaring me like this…"
Their faces inches apart.
Warm breath.
Quiet forest.
Heartbeats racing.
Mimi whispered to Seraphina, "Are they about to ki..."
Seraphina teleported Mimi ten meters away.
The two mages began arguing.
Zarek nodded sagely. "Let them cook."
[Warning. Fluster meter rising. Kiss probability: 72%. Intervention risky.]
Elira's hand trembled on his cheek.
Yuto softly:
"…Thanks for coming back."
Her eyes softened. "Always."
She leaned slightly closer...
"Cough!"
The surviving knight loudly cleared his throat.
" We shall all report this to the king and trust me spirit boy you Shall be well gifted!!"
Romantic moment: shattered like Yuto's ribs earlier.
Elira jerked away, face crimson.
Yuto sighed.
[ Emotionally tragic. Physically comedic. Perfect anime timing.]
" Wow Yuto, you must surely be the strongest in the whole of Eridale now!"
Mimi clapped.
" Yeah, you should probably build your own city"
Zarek joked.
---
" Guess I am "
He said gripping onto his arm.
[ Don't get to cocky and lets return back]
" Advisor!"
-----