The rain continued to pour relentlessly. Thunder rumbled in the distance as Kairos stood face-to-face with the Ravager deep within the forest. The murderous aura radiating from the Rank S monster spread across the area, making even the ground tremble under the pressure.
"Killing it right away doesn't seem right... We were the ones who intruded on its territory. Besides, this Rank S monster is a rare species. I should try to drive it away instead."
Kairos stood firmly, eyes locked on the creature. He didn't want to kill it unnecessarily, so he stored away his weapon and chose to fight barehanded. Slowly closing the distance, he suddenly dashed in with a testing punch.
The Ravager dodged with fluid agility. Kairos followed up with a flurry of strikes, but none of them landed. Its speed was astonishing, matching its lithe frame. Its reflexes were no less impressive.
Kairos jumped and aimed a kick at its head—but missed. The Ravager immediately countered with a punch. Kairos twisted his body and narrowly evaded the blow, but the monster pressed on relentlessly.
In a swift move, it pushed off the ground and charged at him with overwhelming force. Kairos managed to dodge at the last second and retaliated with a sharp kick to its jaw, sending it stumbling into a tree.
He didn't waste time.
"Crimson Thunder Fist, First Technique—Lightning Strike!"
His fist connected cleanly with its gut, launching the Ravager dozens of meters away.
"Did it back off...?"
Before he could clearly spot its body through the haze, the Ravager burst through the smoke and delivered a brutal kick. Kairos raised his arms in time to block, but the power sent him flying across the ground.
The Ravager gave him no time to recover. It lunged forward again, and the two clashed with such intensity that the ground itself quaked under the force of their battle.
Meanwhile, Fiona had safely escorted the injured out of the danger zone and encountered the instructors who had arrived to assist.
She quickly reported everything. Just as the instructors were about to ask about Kaian's group and Kairos, Kaian's group emerged from the forest—without Kairos.
"Kaian! Where's Kairos?! Didn't he come out with you?!"
"Uh... he's still inside."
Before he could explain further, a thunderous explosion echoed from deep within the forest. A terrifying pressure swept through the air.
Fiona and the instructors immediately recognized it—only Rank S monsters or higher gave off such an aura.
Without hesitation, Fiona sprinted back into the forest.
Back at the battlefield, Kairos' attacks lacked lethality—he was too focused on chasing the monster off rather than finishing it. The Ravager endured. Kairos felt a sharp pain in his arm from an earlier block.
Suddenly, a giant fireball slammed into the Ravager from the side, knocking it back.
Kairos turned to see Fiona approaching, casting explosive spells embedded in steel spheres.
"Don't miss!"
The spheres detonated one after another, raining fire upon the Ravager. Her barrage was fueled by emotion—fear, worry, and anger all at once.
"Fiona! Back off! Don't come any closer!"
Startled by his warning, Fiona hesitated for a moment—just long enough for the Ravager to emerge from the smoke with blinding speed.
She had rushed in recklessly and wasn't prepared for this kind of counterattack. The monster slammed her into a tree.
"Ugh... ahh...!"
Dazed and in pain, she lowered her guard—too late to react.
The Ravager lunged again, aiming to finish her off, but Kairos stepped in to shield her. He blocked the attack entirely, enduring a storm of strikes. Though he defended with all his might, the monster's brute strength overwhelmed human limits.
Seeing no other option, he grabbed the monster's arm and slammed it into the ground. He mounted it and struck back repeatedly—but the Ravager eventually flung him off with raw force.
Just then, the instructors arrived. One of them immediately shielded Fiona and unleashed a lightning spell to stall the monster. Taking the chance, they pulled Fiona to safety.
"Wait—Kairos is still inside!" Fiona shouted as her senses returned.
"He'll be fine. He can handle it. But if you rush in again, you'll only get hurt."
Kairos stood back up, gathering his focus. He switched into full combat mode, shutting out every thought except for the enemy in front of him.
The Ravager charged again—but this time, Kairos dodged with ease. Every movement from the monster seemed slowed. He saw through its attacks completely, countering each with unmatched precision.
When it launched a final charge, Kairos released his Dragon Aura.
His crimson eyes blazed, and the sheer pressure of his presence made the Ravager hesitate. Its tail lowered, and it slowly backed away into the shadows of the forest.
Fiona, watching from afar, was awestruck—this was Kairos at full strength. The genius praised as a once-in-a-generation warrior.
Yet, even as admiration filled her heart, a darker feeling followed.
(He's so strong... And me? I couldn't do anything but get in the way. How can I possibly protect someone like him?)
As self-doubt gnawed at her, she noticed Kairos trembling. His breathing was heavy, labored. Moments later, he collapsed.
"Kairos!"
Fiona rushed to his side, her face filled with worry.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt badly?"
Kairos gave her a faint smile, still panting.
"No... I'm just exhausted. That level of focus takes a lot out of me. I had to push my body past its limits."
"Then rest. Please, don't push yourself anymore."
When everything finally settled, they returned to the checkpoint camp.
Fiona fetched water and treated his wounds. As she tended to his bruises and claw marks in silence, her expression became pained—as if she might cry.
"I'm sorry... I never should've made you get hurt like this. I... I was too reckless... again."
"It's okay, Fiona. Don't look like that. I'm just tired. But next time, please don't rush in without thinking. I don't want to see you get hurt."
The two sat beside each other in silence.
What was supposed to be an ordinary training day had turned into a memory neither of them would ever forget.