The battlefield finally quieted, save for the sound of falling gravel and the ragged breaths of the survivors. The colossal beast's remains had already dissolved into motes of light, leaving behind only a blackened crater and the lingering scent of scorched stone.
For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then—
"W-we won…?"
"It's dead. The monster… it's really dead!"
Voices cracked the heavy stillness, hesitant at first, then growing into a wave.
"Alex!!" someone shouted.
"The Black Gun-Sword Hero!" another cried.
Cheers burst from the surviving adventurers, rising higher and louder, echoing through the broken mountain. They raised their weapons in salute, some clanging their swords together, others collapsing in relief.
"Alex! Alex! Alex!"
The chant spread, raw and unrestrained, until the mountain itself seemed to tremble with their voices.
