The ground trembled beneath the magma beast's colossal feet.It slammed its molten fists into the cracked earth — once, twice, thrice — each blow sending waves of heat rippling through the air.
Then, from the ground, it tore out a jagged black stone. Holding it in its massive claws, the beast let its magma seep over the surface until it glowed red-hot like a miniature sun.
With a grin that split its molten face, it devoured the stone whole.
The ground hissed. Flames flickered wildly. And then… all the wounds that covered its body began to heal — the cracks in its skin sealed shut, the steam fading into silence.
"You will never defeat me with your current power,"the beast thundered, molten saliva dripping from its fangs."You're just a three-star fire user, while I am a four-star magma beast! Hahahaha!"
The laughter echoed through the ruins — but then, a scream pierced through the flames.
A human scream.
It came from far away — Walter.
Nova's heart froze.
Through the thick smoke and fire, he could see Walter pinned beneath a towering orc's leg, blood splattering the ground as the creature pressed down harder. Walter's cry of agony echoed across the battlefield.
"Told you," the magma beast said, its voice dripping with cruel satisfaction."Even if you both try your hardest, you can't defeat our force."
Nova's hands trembled — not from fear, but from fury.He raised his eyes, blazing red beneath the mask, and said coldly:
"Even if I can't win… I'll show you what a real mage can do."
He slammed his hand forward.Level 3 — Fire Magic: Flame Thrower!
A torrent of blazing inferno erupted from his palms, engulfing the magma entity in a wall of fire. The flames roared like a dragon's breath, turning the air molten — but when the smoke cleared, the magma beast stood unfazed, grinning.
Exactly as Nova planned.
While the beast laughed in arrogance, Nova moved — lightning fast, his body cutting through the chaos. He sprinted across the battlefield, reached Walter's side, and unleashed Fire Wave, slicing through the leg of the orc that pinned his friend.
The orc howled in pain as its leg burned away.
Nova grabbed Walter, slinging him over his shoulder despite the blood and heat, and ran. The two stumbled through smoke and flame until they reached the central junction of the village — the heart of the battleground.
The massive fountain stood cracked but still flowing, surrounded by six routes that led deeper into the burning streets.
Nova laid Walter down beside the fountain and turned back.
His eyes widened.
From all six routes… came the beasts.Dozens, maybe hundreds — their red eyes glowing in the dark smoke. Orcs, hounds, serpents, and winged fiends filled the streets, roaring in hunger.
And in the center path, walking with molten arrogance, came the magma beast.
"This village…" it rumbled, looking around the ancient walls."For an isolated place, it's quite large… quite strange, isn't it?"
The air grew heavy — suffocating.Nova's heart pounded as he felt the weight of the countless enemies closing in.
He clenched his fists, the red glow in his eyes flaring to life once more.The fountain behind him hissed as drops of water met his searing heat.