The ground cracked open.
Stone shattered across the chamber.
A deep, thunderous roar echoed through the mine as something massive forced its way out from beneath the earth.
Kael felt the entire cavern shake beneath his feet.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
From the darkness of the broken ground, a gigantic creature slowly rose.
It looked like a twisted fusion of rock and flesh.
Its body was covered with thick stone-like armor, but black veins pulsed across its skin like burning lava.
Two massive claws scraped against the ground as it climbed out of the pit.
And its eyes…
They glowed with the same demonic red light.
Lyrielle whispered,
"…That thing is enormous."
Aurelia's flames flickered violently in her palm.
"Yeah… this is definitely the boss monster."
Standing above them on the broken pillar, the cloaked man watched with amusement.
His red eyes glowed faintly.
"This creature once lived peacefully beneath the mountain."
"But thanks to a little… enhancement…"
He smiled.
"…it has become something magnificent."
Lucien stepped forward.
His shadow magic spread across the ground like living darkness.
"You corrupted it."
The man shrugged.
"Progress requires sacrifice."
Seraphina raised her blade.
"We will stop you."
The man simply laughed.
"Then try."
The Battle Begins
The monster roared.
The sound alone shook dust from the cavern ceiling.
Then it attacked.
One enormous claw slammed toward the group.
"Move!"
Lucien shouted.
The ground exploded where the claw landed.
Kael rolled across the stone floor, barely avoiding being crushed.
Aurelia raised both hands.
"Solar burst!"
A wave of blazing fire erupted from her palms.
The flames crashed against the monster's chest.
But instead of burning—
They only scorched the surface of its stone armor.
Aurelia blinked.
"…Okay that's unfair."
Seraphina moved instantly.
Her silver blade flashed as she leaped toward the creature.
Her sword struck its arm.
CLANG
The impact rang like metal striking metal.
The monster barely reacted.
Seraphina landed lightly beside Lucien.
"…Its armor is too strong."
Lucien nodded.
"Then we break it."
Kael's Strategy
Kael watched the monster carefully.
Its movements were slow.
Heavy.
But incredibly powerful.
"…Wait."
Lyrielle looked at him.
"What?"
Kael pointed toward the creature's joints.
"The armor isn't solid everywhere."
Lucien understood instantly.
"The joints."
Seraphina nodded.
"That's the weak point."
Aurelia grinned.
"Finally something we can work with."
Team 18
The battle exploded again.
Lucien moved first.
His shadow magic wrapped around the monster's leg like chains.
"Now!"
Seraphina dashed forward.
Her blade flashed again and again toward the creature's knee joint.
The monster roared and swung its arm wildly.
Aurelia blasted another wave of fire toward its face.
The explosion blinded it momentarily.
Kael ran beneath the monster's massive body.
Lyrielle followed close behind.
Wind magic swirled around her hands.
"Don't die down there!"
Kael laughed.
"I'll try!"
He slid beneath the creature's leg and swung his sword toward the joint.
The blade struck deep into the stone armor.
For the first time—
The monster screamed in pain.
The Cultist's Interest
From above, the cloaked man leaned forward slightly.
"…Interesting."
His red eyes focused on Kael.
"A man without mana…"
"…yet he's the one hurting it the most."
A dark smile slowly spread across his face.
"Yes…"
"…you're exactly what I was hoping for."
The Counterattack
The monster suddenly slammed its tail across the cavern.
The impact sent everyone flying backward.
Kael crashed against a stone pillar.
Pain shot through his back.
Lyrielle rushed to him.
"Kael!"
"I'm fine…"
He tried to stand.
But the monster was already charging again.
Seraphina jumped in front of them instantly.
Her blade raised.
The creature's claw descended.
And then—
Silver light exploded across the cavern.
Silver Kingdom Technique
Seraphina's voice echoed clearly through the chamber.
"Silver Kingdom Sword Art…"
The air itself seemed to vibrate.
Her blade shone like moonlight.
"Moonfall Strike."
She swung her sword.
A crescent wave of silver energy shot forward.
The attack sliced across the monster's arm.
For the first time—
The stone armor shattered.
Fragments exploded across the chamber.
Aurelia stared in shock.
"…Okay that was badass."
Lucien smirked slightly.
"As expected of the princess of the Silver Kingdom."
The Monster Weakens
With its armor cracked, the monster began to lose balance.
Kael grabbed his sword again.
"This is our chance!"
Lyrielle nodded.
Wind magic gathered around her hands.
"Let's finish it!"
Lucien's shadow chains tightened.
Aurelia prepared one final fire blast.
Seraphina raised her blade again.
Team 18 attacked together.
Fire.
Wind.
Shadow.
Steel.
Their combined attack struck the monster's exposed core.
The cavern shook violently.
And finally—
The creature collapsed.
Its enormous body crashing to the ground.
Dead.
The Enemy Escapes
Silence filled the chamber.
Kael breathed heavily.
"…Please tell me that's the last one."
Aurelia dropped to the ground.
"I vote we go home."
Lucien looked toward the pillar above.
But the cloaked man was already gone.
Only his voice echoed faintly through the tunnels.
"Well done."
"But the game has only begun."
Something Awakens
As the team caught their breath, Kael suddenly felt the warmth inside his chest again.
Stronger than ever.
The altar in the center of the chamber began to glow faintly.
Golden light flickered across the ancient symbols.
Seraphina stared at it.
"…What is that?"
Lyrielle looked at Kael.
"…It's reacting to you."
Kael frowned.
"I didn't do anything."
But deep inside his mind…
A faint voice whispered again.
"The blood remembers."