DonutX and Shiromoto ascended the long, winding staircase, their steps echoing against the stone walls. The eerie glow from the chamber below faded as they climbed higher, leaving behind the oppressive air of the underground challenge. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the fourth floor.
The area was vast and open, resembling a grand hall with towering marble pillars and a ceiling high above, painted with intricate designs. A soft breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers, a stark contrast to the dark depths they had just escaped.
Before they could take another step, they heard voices.
"I told you, Cibri, we should have turned left!" a frustrated female voice said.
"And I told you, Summer, the map clearly pointed this way!" another voice, calm and composed, responded.
"Both of you, quiet. We have company," a third voice interrupted.
Before they could take in their surroundings, they spotted three figures standing near the center of the hall, seemingly in conversation. The trio turned at the sound of footsteps.
A young woman with long, violet hair stepped forward. She wore a flowing green cloak adorned with floral patterns, and a gentle yet mischievous smile played on her lips.
"Oh? New faces?" she said, her voice melodic. "I'm Summer, but people call me the Flower of Evil. I have the power to summon any flower—some heal, some kill."
A young man with silver hair stood beside her, crossing his arms. He had a calm demeanor, his blue eyes sharp and observant. "Cibri," he introduced himself. "Water and ice manipulation. I go by Watery Ice."
The third figure, a tall man with dark brown hair, adjusted the book in his hand. His gaze was distant, as if he was reading something beyond what was in front of him. "I'm Von. My ability allows me to rewrite and alter stories. People call me the Author."
DonutX and Shiromoto exchanged glances before stepping forward.
"I'm DonutX," he said casually. "And this is Shiromoto. We just cleared the floor below."
Shiromoto nodded. "Nice to meet you all."
Before the conversation could continue, a deep, guttural growl echoed through the hall. The ground trembled as a towering figure emerged from the shadows—a Chimera Monarch.
Its grotesque form was a twisted fusion of human and beast, with reptilian scales, elongated limbs, and a pair of mismatched wings. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent hunger.
DonutX froze for a moment as a sudden flashback hit him—an anime he had watched before his reincarnation. Chimeras that were once human. The memory sent a chill down his spine.
"No way..." he muttered. "I've seen something like this before."
The Chimera Monarch let out a roar, its claws stretching as it prepared to attack.
"Guess introductions are over," Summer said, summoning a field of crimson flowers around her.
Cibri conjured twin spears of ice, his stance firm. "Looks like we're working together on this one."
Von flipped through his book, the pages glowing. "Let's rewrite the ending of this fight, shall we?"
DonutX clenched his fists, shaking off the unease. "Alright then. Let's take this thing down."
Shiromoto's flames ignited around his hands. "No holding back."
The battle against the Chimera Monarch had begun.
Summer, Cibri, and Von introduced themselves to DonutX and Shiromoto, establishing a friendly rapport. However, their introductions were abruptly interrupted by the emergence of a Chimera Monarch, a monstrous being capable of turning humans into chimeras.
The five of them quickly took their battle stances, ready for the inevitable fight. The Chimera Monarch let out a deafening roar, its grotesque form shifting and twisting as it prepared to attack.
DonutX sprang into action first, summoning a torrent of energy to reinforce his fists. He dashed toward the beast, aiming a powerful strike at its core, but the Chimera Monarch reacted swiftly, its claws slashing through the air. DonutX barely dodged, skidding to the side.
Shiromoto ignited his fists with flames, launching a barrage of fiery punches to keep the creature distracted. Meanwhile, Summer summoned a field of deadly flowers, their toxic petals swirling around the battlefield, aiming to weaken the Chimera Monarch.
Cibri stepped forward, summoning massive spears of ice and launching them with precision. The ice shattered against the Monarch's hardened scales, slowing its movements slightly. Von, standing in the back, flipped through the pages of his book, rewriting elements of the battle. He altered the terrain beneath the Chimera Monarch, creating unstable footing to throw it off balance.
The Chimera Monarch roared in frustration, its body morphing rapidly. Multiple human-like faces emerged from its torso, their hollow eyes staring blankly. It swung its massive tail, catching Shiromoto off guard and sending him tumbling back.
Regrouping quickly, DonutX signaled to his allies. "We need to coordinate! Aim for its weak points!"
Summer created vines that wrapped around the Chimera Monarch's limbs, restricting its movements. Cibri followed up with a powerful wave of ice, freezing sections of the monster's body. Von then rewrote its reactions, causing hesitation in its attacks.
Seizing the opportunity, DonutX and Shiromoto unleashed a synchronized assault. DonutX charged in with an energy-infused punch while Shiromoto unleashed a concentrated burst of fire at the Chimera Monarch's exposed core.
The combined force of their attacks landed with immense impact. The Chimera Monarch let out a shriek as cracks formed across its body, its monstrous form destabilizing. With one final effort, Summer's deadly flowers released their toxins, weakening the beast further.
With a final cry, the Chimera Monarch disintegrated into ash, leaving only a dark, pulsating core behind.
Panting, DonutX turned to the group. "That was intense... but we did it."
Von adjusted his glasses, his book closing with a snap. "This is just the beginning. We need to keep moving."
The five warriors, now bonded by battle, prepared themselves for whatever lay ahead.