Each second dragged on as if time itself was slowing, the weight of impending doom pressing down on Mav like a suffocating blanket. His legs trembled beneath him, fatigue burning through his muscles, but he had no choice. The moment his shield dropped, the creature’s fist would land, and it would all be over. He needed to move, to act, but his body felt like lead, sluggish under the crushing weight of his own exhaustion.

Just before the creature’s fist could connect with Mav’s stomach, it stopped, inches away. Slowly, the flames encasing the creature's body flickered out, disappearing one by one. Mav stared, confused and wary.

"Surprised?" the creature asked, a sinister smirk tugging at its lips.

"If my fist had landed, you'd be dead. Instantly. But I still have some questions for you."

It continued, pacing slowly around him. "Interesting... your shield reached its limit just as your previous skill did. They’re both powerful, but their duration is pathetic. You didn’t use that explosive ability again either, or try that little trick you pulled on Maimou. Out of mana, I assume? That healing skill of yours too—right after you cast it, you chugged another mana potion, as if it drained you dry. Am I wrong? A strong defense, a powerful offense, but too short-lived. And your explosive and healing abilities—they drain your mana like a sieve, don’t they?"

Mav’s mind raced as he processed the creature’s words. "It’s completely right… what the hell am I up against?" he thought.

"I’ll take that silence as confirmation," the creature said smugly.

Without warning, it lashed out, kicking Mav in the stomach. The blow sent him hurtling through the air, his breath knocked from his lungs. He crashed into the ground, rolling violently until a tree stopped his momentum with a brutal thud, the impact sending shockwaves of pain through his back. He coughed, gasping for air, struggling to get to his feet—but before he could even try, the creature was already standing over him.

"You're strong, human. Why are you wasting that strength here in this forest? Shouldn't you be fighting on the front lines?" it asked, its voice thick with mockery as it loomed above him.

Mav winced at the pain radiating from his stomach, barely managing to muster the strength to look up at it. "I could ask the same of you," he rasped. "Last I heard, your territory's being taken over. What are you doing out here instead of defending it?"

At that, the creature threw its head back and laughed, a booming, dark sound that echoed through the forest. Then, with terrifying speed, it kicked Mav again, this time in the ribs, sending him sprawling across the ground once more. A sharp pain exploded in his side as he yelped, his fingers digging into the dirt in a futile attempt to steady himself.

"I’m the one asking questions, not you," the creature growled. Still, I should thank you. Watching those weaklings get pulverized by Maimou was getting dull. I left my castle looking for some entertainment, and you, human, delivered. But now… now I’m done playing." It took a step forward, its intent clear.

"Die."

Mav's mind scrambled for any possible solution, any plan that might save him. Every strategy he had ever devised felt useless now, slipping through his fingers like water. But then a thought flickered in the back of his mind.

"Wait," he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper but sharp enough to cut through the creature’s advancing steps.

"You said you were bored, right? Let me show you something," he continued, trying to buy himself a moment more.

The creature paused, curious. "Go on," it said, crossing its arms.

Mav hesitated only for a second before he muttered, "Display status."

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The familiar box appeared in front of him, displaying his affinities and skills. The creature’s eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the information before it.

"Maximum affinity with… Dark Flame? What in the hell is Dark Flame?" the creature muttered.

"Well, it’s pretty useless, honestly," Mav replied.

The creature studied him closely, its suspicion palpable. "Is that so? Then cast it on me," it demanded.

"What? Don’t tell me it’s already figured out how it works!" Mav’s heart raced as panic seized him.

"Go on, cast it," the creature urged, a sinister grin creeping across its face.

Reluctantly, Mav knew he had no choice. His survival depended on this gamble. "Dark Ascension," he whispered, and the familiar dark flames enveloped the creature, flickering like shadows.

Suddenly, a notification box flashed before Mav’s eyes:

Dark Flame Contact with Daimoniki Confirmed

New Skill Unlocked: Dark Analysis

Using Dark Analysis...

Analysis Complete: Daimoniki Kastanos Saved to Database

"Kastanos," Mav blurted out unintentionally.

The creature’s head snapped towards him, eyes burning with fury. "Speak my name again without my permission, and I’ll remove your head before you even realize it," Kastanos snarled, his voice dripping with malice.

"Did he not see those boxes?" Mav thought.

"These flames really are useless," Kastanos muttered, looking at the dark energy swirling around him. "For a moment, I thought they’d reveal the secret behind your strong skills despite your pathetic affinities."

He turned back to Mav, his expression cold. "Now, what exactly did you hope to accomplish by showing me your skills? Did you really think I’d spare you?"

Mav's heart pounded in his chest, each thump echoing in his ears. His breath came in ragged gasps, but it wasn't just the pain that consumed him—it was the fear. Fear of dying here, alone in the forest, far from anyone who might help. Fear that this creature, with its mocking tone and calculated attacks, would end him before he ever reached his potential.

"You said you were bored, right?" Mav replied, his voice trembling but defiant.

"Didn’t you notice the low levels of my skills?"

"And?"

"What if… what if you waited until I maxed out my skills to fight me again? Wouldn’t that be more fun than killing me right now?"

The creature’s laughter rang out again, but there was a darker edge to it this time. "Are you seriously trying to bargain with me?"

"Or are you afraid of my full power?" Mav shot back, his heart thundering in his chest.

The laughter stopped abruptly. Kastanos went quiet, the air between them thick with tension.

"Crap, did I piss him off?" Mav thought.

Not willing to back down, Mav pressed on. "I’ll even come to your territory," he added, swallowing hard.

In an instant, Kastanos punched a tree beside him, sending the top half flying into the air. Then, to Mav’s surprise, he laughed again.

"You’ve got guts, human," he growled, his grin full of menace. "Alright. I accept your challenge."

With a swift gesture, Kastanos cast "Blue Heal," instantly mending Mav’s injuries. The sudden relief left Mav stunned.

"What? If I left you in that pathetic state, you wouldn’t last an hour out here. I’ll even give you a parting gift," Kastanos said, tossing a small bottle toward Mav. He caught it—recognizing it immediately as a mana potion—and slipped it into his item box.

"But don’t forget," Kastanos said, his grin fading. "You’ve pissed me off. You killed one of my men, and now you’ve threatened me."

Before Mav could react, Kastanos cast "Yellow Enhancement" and grabbed both of Mav’s legs. Spinning him violently through the air, Kastanos sneered. "You like this, right? Let’s see if you survive it again."

Then, with a brutal motion, he released Mav, sending him hurtling through the sky.