The next morning, Ula Town woke to the sound of wind sweeping through the empty streets. The sun rose quickly, spilling golden light across the sand and clay houses. Life in the desert began early, for people needed to use every moment of the cool morning before the sun grew too hot to bear.
The Rising Heroes had already prepared themselves. Today's duty was the same as yesterday, search for beasts near the town and stop them before they could threaten the people. But this time, they would not go alone. The Wind Chasers had promised to join them, making their group larger, stronger, and better prepared.
The two teams met near the workshop. Weapons were checked, water flasks were filled, and armor was tightened. There was no need for long speeches. Everyone already knew why they were here and what had to be done.
"Let's move," Rok said with his usual grin, swinging his crowbar casually as if this were just another adventure.
The desert stretched endlessly before them. Sand crunched under their boots as they walked, the wind carrying faint whispers across the dunes. It didn't take long before they noticed signs of movement. Tracks in the sand, claw marks on nearby rocks, and small patches of disturbed ground told them the beasts were close.
They slowed their steps, spreading out slightly as they moved forward. And then they saw them.
The creatures ahead looked strange, cactus-like, but alive and moving. Their bodies were tall and green, with spikes jutting out in every direction. Long limbs bent awkwardly, covered in sharp thorns. Their faces, if they could be called that, were twisted with holes that opened and closed, releasing a strange hissing sound. Every movement made their spikes rattle, a sound that scraped against the ears like dry bones.
Rosa's eyes narrowed. "Needlestrikes," she muttered. "That's what people call them here. Their spikes are as sharp as blades, and they can shoot them like arrows if they feel threatened."
"They don't look friendly," Doran grunted, gripping his hammer.
"Friendly or not," Lila said, drawing her sword, "we'll take them down."
The plan was quickly made. Everyone spread out, making sure the beasts couldn't surround them. Then, with weapons ready, they charged.
The first clash came fast. One of the Needlestrikes swung its arm, spikes slicing the air. Adrian stepped forward, his glowing sword catching the attack with a spark of light. He twisted his blade, striking through the creature's thorny arm. The beast hissed loudly, stumbling back.
At the same time, Rosa leapt into the fight. Her hook swords moved in perfect arcs, catching one of the Needlestrike's limbs and pulling it down. She spun, cutting through its side before stepping back with a calm breath. Her face, once soft and kind, was now sharp and fierce.
Drakar rose into the air, wings spread wide. With a heavy swing of his axe, flames burst forth, striking a group of Needlestrikes that had gathered together. Their thorny bodies lit up, smoke rising as the fire burned through their cactus-like skin.
Meanwhile, Doran used his brute strength. He charged forward, his hammer smashing into the ground with enough force to shake the sand. The shockwave knocked one of the Needlestrikes off balance. Before it could recover, Doran swung again, smashing its body to pieces.
Sera fought with focus. Roots burst from the sand at her command, wrapping around the legs of two Needlestrikes. They hissed and struggled, but the roots held firm. Elric raised his rod beside her, casting a spell that unleashed a wave of energy, striking the trapped beasts and finishing them off.
Roland stayed close, casting protective enchantments. His magic formed glowing barriers around his allies, deflecting spikes that shot through the air like arrows. When Rosa took a cut to her arm, Roland quickly healed it, his hand glowing softly as the wound closed.
Sometimes, they fought alone. Other times, they worked together.
Adrian and Lila moved in sync, their swords flashing side by side. Lila used her fire magic to burn through spikes, while Adrian's glowing blade cut deep into the softened flesh beneath.
Rok and Rosa fought as a pair, their styles completely different yet strangely matched. Rok's crowbar smashed through the beasts with raw strength, while Rosa's hook swords sliced with precision. Together, they cut down one Needlestrike after another.
Even Doran and Drakar, who usually fought in their own ways, found themselves side by side. Drakar scorched a beast from above, forcing it to stagger into Doran's range. With a grin, Doran slammed his hammer down, finishing it in a single strike.
The battle raged for several minutes, but the Needlestrikes were no match for the combined strength of two adventurer teams. Soon, the sand was littered with broken cactus-like bodies, their spikes scattered like fallen arrows.
The group caught their breath. It seemed the fight was over.
But then, the ground trembled. A deep rumble came from beneath, shaking the sand.
Slowly, a shadow rose from the desert. A massive cactus beast emerged, its body towering above the others. Its skin was darker, its spikes longer and sharper, glinting dangerously in the sun. A strange aura hung around it, heavy and unnatural. The air itself seemed to grow colder despite the desert heat.
The Rising Heroes froze. Something was wrong.
Sera's face turned pale. Her voice shook as she spoke. "You all… you feel the same as I do, right?"
Lila gripped her sword tighter. "I don't got a right feeling about this."
Adrian's eyes hardened. "There is no mistake."
Rok glanced at them, confused. "What happened? Why does this beast seem different from the others?"
Adrian's voice was steady, but grim. "We will explain later. For now, just know this… this is a Corrupted beast."
The Wind Chasers stiffened. Even they could feel the strange aura now, though they didn't fully understand what it meant. Questions filled their minds, but there was no time for answers. The giant Needlestrike raised its arms, spikes rattling as it prepared to attack.
"Get ready!" Rok shouted.
The battle began again.
The corrupted beast moved faster than its size suggested. It swung its thorny arms, spikes flying out like arrows. Barriers from Roland's magic shielded the group, but even then some spikes broke through, cutting against armor and skin.
Drakar roared, flying high before diving down with his axe in flames. The blow struck the beast's shoulder, tearing away part of its thorny hide. But the wound pulsed with dark energy, and black veins spread across its body, healing it unnaturally fast.
Doran charged from the side, his hammer glowing as he enhanced it with magic. His strike shook the ground, knocking the beast back a step, but not enough to bring it down.
Sera called upon the desert roots again, but the corrupted aura fought against her magic, weakening her hold. She gritted her teeth, focusing harder until the roots tightened around the beast's leg. "Now!" she shouted.
Adrian and Lila leapt together. Lila's sword burned with fire, cutting deep into the creature's side, while Adrian's glowing blade pierced into its chest. The beast shrieked, thrashing violently, its corrupted aura flaring with dark energy.
Still, they did not back down. Strike after strike, magic after magic, they pushed harder. Slowly, piece by piece, they tore through the corrupted beast's defenses. Finally, with one last coordinated attack, Drakar's flaming axe, Doran's crushing hammer, and Adrian and Lila's blades, the corrupted Needlestrike collapsed, shaking the desert floor as it fell.
Silence followed. The battle was won, but none of them felt joy.
The Rising Heroes stood grim-faced, the weight of what they had seen heavy in their hearts. They knew this was no ordinary victory.
Back at the town, they wasted no time. The guild was told everything. A message was to be sent to the Capital immediately. The news was dire, a corrupted beast had appeared, not inside a dungeon, but outside, in the desert near Ula Town.
The Wind Chasers listened closely as the Rising Heroes explained what corruption meant. They told them about corrupted cores, about how beasts that carried this aura were far more dangerous and unnatural than ordinary ones. It was something that should never appear freely in the wild.
When the explanation was done, Adrian spoke the final words. His eyes were dark, his voice heavy.
"The danger is growing."