The Thunderfang Beast emerged from the shadows with a low, rumbling growl—just enough to tighten the air around the four of them. Its massive frame radiated sharp sparks of electricity, each step leaving a faint scorch mark on the ground.
It didn't wait.
In a blink, the beast vanished between the trees, reappearing before them as a streak of blue lightning.
"Move!" Naera shouted.
The four split in different directions just in time, the creature's claws slicing through the space they had occupied, carving a burning line into the soil.
---
Leander drove his spear into the ground to steady himself before lifting it again, gathering crackling light around its tip. He hurled a beam of radiant energy toward the beast—but the Thunderfang shifted aside effortlessly, the attack grazing past.
"He's too fast…" Raine muttered through clenched teeth.
The beast lunged for Leander again. But Oriana raised her hand, forming a sudden barrier of swirling wind that slowed the charge just long enough for him to roll away.
Naera swept her hand across the ground, sending a sheet of ice spreading beneath the beast's paws. It slipped—just for a moment—before discharging a burst of electricity that shattered the ice instantly.
Even Naera took a step back.
"Not even ice can slow it for long…"
---
Raine thrust his palm forward, gathering a dense mass of fire before launching a blazing orb toward the beast. The Thunderfang leapt over it, only to be met by Leander mid-air. He spun with his spear, wrapped in compressed wind, striking the creature's side.
The electric armor absorbed much of the blow, but the beast still staggered.
Landing beside them, Leander dragged his spear along the dirt.
"We need to break that electric shield first…"
Oriana's eyes narrowed.
"Throwing off its senses should give us a chance!"
The Thunderfang vanished into the woods again.
Silence.
Raine swallowed.
"A second time…?"
But the sound came from above.
The beast dropped from the treetops, claws aimed directly at him.
"Raine!" Naera yelled.
Raine spun around, releasing a short-range explosion of fire that softened the impact, but the monster kept pushing through.
Leander intervened, hurling his spear with force. The weapon transformed into a compressed line of wind mid-flight, piercing the beast's shoulder and knocking it off its trajectory.
Raine stumbled back, breathing hard.
"I really almost became ashes…"
Naera laid another thick layer of reinforced ice across the ground. As the beast began to break through it, Oriana launched sharp bursts of wind, forcing sand and debris into its eyes.
At the same time, Leander unleashed a dual attack—
—A surge of water under the beast to disrupt its footing
—And a flash of radiant light over its eyes to blind it momentarily
The Thunderfang faltered.
"Now!" Raine roared.
He gathered flames around his arm—more intense than before—and unleashed a massive blast that detonated against the creature's torso, releasing a wave of heat and steam.
The three retreated to catch their breath while Leander remained standing, spear ready.
When the smoke cleared, the beast was still on its feet, but barely. The electricity around it flickered weakly, and its wounded shoulder dripped blood.
Oriana whispered, "It's… still standing?"
The Thunderfang growled again and tried to charge, but its steps were noticeably slower.
Leander raised his spear, channeling both fire and wind into the tip. A spiraling flame formed, blazing fiercely.
He rushed forward.
The beast attempted one final strike—but Naera froze the ground beneath its front paw, locking its limb for a split second.
That was all Leander needed.
He leapt above the creature's head and brought the spear crashing down. The blazing tip pierced through the weakened electric armor, driving straight into the beast's neck with tremendous force.
Time seemed to pause for a heartbeat.
Then the Thunderfang collapsed heavily, motionless.
---
No one spoke for several seconds.
Leander stepped down from the beast's body, wiping sweat from his brow.
Raine dropped to the ground with a long exhale.
"That thing… if it were any faster, we'd be dead."
Naera sat beside him.
"At least it's over…"
Oriana offered a tired smile.
"Lucky for us it was only one C-Rank beast."
Leander pulled his spear free and said quietly,
"Let's just hope we don't run into the other C-Rank monster."
The four looked toward the depths of the forest—toward challenges waiting ahead—before finally catching their breath and moving on.
________
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