The C-Rank Shadow Wolf loomed before them, its massive form nearly blending into the darkness of the forest. Its fur shimmered with a dark, almost ethereal energy, and its glowing crimson eyes held an intelligence far beyond a simple beast.
Alden stood back, arms crossed, watching the main cast prepare for battle.
Leonhardt stepped forward, his emerald eyes burning with determination. "Stick to formation! We take it together!"
The pack leader snarled, lowering its stance. Its sharp claws dug into the earth, ready to pounce.
This wasn't an ordinary monster. It was a C-Rank Beast, and the only one among them who had reached C- Rank was Leonhardt. The rest were still D to D+, meaning they had to work together perfectly to stand a chance.
Alicia gripped the hilt of her sword, flames flickering along the blade's edge.
Seraphina summoned ice, forming crystalline spikes in the air.
Reynard melted into the shadows, his daggers glinting ominously.
Luca cracked his knuckles, his beastkin instincts sharpening.
Sylvara's hands glowed green, nature magic thrumming through the air.
Elena stood back, her staff raised—ready to heal.
Alden exhaled softly.
This was their battle.
---
With a sharp howl, the Shadow Wolf lunged forward.
Leonhardt met it head-on, his sword flashing as he deflected the beast's fangs with a surge of water-infused mana.
CLANG!
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The impact sent him skidding back, but he held his ground. "NOW!"
Alicia darted in from the left, her sword igniting with fire. She slashed downward, aiming for the wolf's flank—
But the beast twisted mid-air, dodging with terrifying agility.
Seraphina's ice spears launched forward, sharp and deadly. The wolf leaped aside, but one spike scraped its hind leg, drawing a thin line of black blood.
Luca rushed in, his enhanced strength allowing him to slam his fist into the ground.
BOOM!
The earth erupted, forming a wall of jagged rocks to block the wolf's retreat.
Reynard struck from the shadows, his daggers coated in dark energy—but the wolf sensed him. It spun and lashed out with its claws, forcing him to backflip away.
Sylvara raised her hands, roots bursting from the ground, wrapping around the wolf's legs.
"Hold it—!" she gasped.
Leonhardt didn't hesitate. His sword glowed with blue lightning as he charged forward, aiming for the wolf's throat—
The beast let out a deafening howl, releasing a shockwave of dark mana that shattered the roots and knocked Sylvara back.
Leonhardt barely had time to react before the wolf's tail struck him like a whip, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Leon!" Elena gasped, already channeling healing magic.
Alden sighed internally.
Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.
---
A Desperate Struggle
The Shadow Wolf bared its fangs, now fully enraged.
Luca charged first, using his earth-enhanced agility to dodge its swipes before aiming a brutal kick at its ribs. The wolf absorbed the blow, countering with a vicious bite—only to be stopped by a flash of fire.
Alicia appeared, swinging her flaming sword in a wide arc. "You're not the only fast one here!"
The flames licked at the wolf's side, forcing it to retreat.
Leonhardt recovered, his aura flaring.
"Fine," he muttered, gripping his sword.
His mana surged—water swirling around his blade, mixing with the lightning arcing from his fingertips.
His stance shifted, his emerald eyes sharpening.
Alden narrowed his gaze.
It's happening.
In the original game, this was the moment Leonhardt awakened his first real power-up.
Leon vanished, moving faster than before.
Lightning crackled in the air, and water droplets froze mid-swing as he slashed forward.
The Shadow Wolf howled, stumbling back as blood sprayed into the air.
The attack landed.
But the beast wasn't done.
With one last, desperate move, it reared back and roared, dark energy exploding outward.
The group barely had time to react—
Until Elena stepped forward.
Her hands shone with golden light, forming a radiant barrier that absorbed the impact.
She winced but held her ground. "This ends now!"
Leonhardt gritted his teeth.
And then—with one final slash, he drove his sword deep into the wolf's chest.
CRACK!
The beast let out a final cry before collapsing, its massive form twitching before finally going still.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
The main cast stood, panting, their bodies covered in wounds, bruises, and sweat.
They had done it.
They had taken down a C-Rank beast.
Leonhardt pulled his sword free, his emerald eyes flickering with exhaustion—but also triumph.
Elena immediately began healing the group, golden light washing over their wounds.
Alicia wiped sweat from her brow, exhaling sharply. "That was… harder than expected."
Seraphina smirked. "At least we didn't die."
Reynard chuckled, flipping his dagger. "Could've been worse."
Sylvara glanced at Alden, who had remained on the sidelines the entire fight. "You just watched?"
Alden shrugged. "You had it covered."
Leonhardt gave him a knowing look. "You knew we'd win?"
Alden smirked slightly. "More or less."
In truth, he had been prepared to step in if things went south. But this was their fight.
And they had proven themselves.
Luca stretched, his tail flicking behind him. "So… where to next?"
Leonhardt looked up at the darkening sky. "We find a safe place to rest. We don't know what else is out here."
The others nodded, still riding the high of their victory.
Alden turned his gaze toward the treeline.
This was only the beginning.
There were far worse things lurking in these woods.
And sooner or later—they would come face to face with them.
To Be Continued…