The giant mannequin took a lumbering step forward, its bladed arms scraping against the stone walls with an ear-piercing screech. The smaller mannequins stopped moving, standing eerily still as if awaiting orders.
"Okay, new plan," Ryu said, voice shaking. "We fight."
Shiromoto didn't wait—he hurled a fireball straight at the boss mannequin's face. The flames burst across its body, melting parts of its plastic surface, but it didn't slow down. Instead, it lunged, swinging a bladed arm at Shiromoto.
He barely ducked in time. "IT'S FIRE-RESISTANT?!"
Cibri cursed under his breath. "Guess it's my turn!" he thrust her hands forward, launching jagged icicles at the mannequin's legs. Ice crawled up its limbs, freezing them in place.
"Nice one!" Summer cheered—only for the giant mannequin to suddenly crack the ice apart with sheer force, its red eyes glowing brighter.
Von gritted his teeth. "This thing is just ignoring all logic, huh?" He flipped through his book at lightning speed. "There has to be something—aha!"
A powerful gust of wind erupted from his palm, slamming into the mannequin and knocking it back a few feet. The smaller mannequins twitched as if reacting to the disturbance, but they didn't attack.
Ryu took his chance. "If brute force isn't working, let's try teamwork!" He rushed forward, leaping onto the frozen remains of Cibri's ice attack, using it as a launching pad. "Shiromoto, boost me!"
Shiromoto immediately understood, igniting a small explosion beneath Ryu's feet—sending him soaring straight toward the mannequin's head.
With all his strength, Ryu twisted mid-air and drove his fist into its glowing eyes.
A loud crack rang out. The mannequin staggered back, sparks flying from its damaged head.
"NOW!" Von shouted. "Everyone hit it at once!"
Cibri unleashed a freezing blast at its legs.
Summer sent vines bursting from the cracks in the floor, wrapping around its arms.
Shiromoto hurled another massive fireball at its already melting chest.
And Von slammed his book shut, releasing a shockwave of wind strong enough to send the mannequin crashing backward.
With a final, groaning screech, the boss mannequin collapsed into a heap of shattered plastic.
Silence filled the air.
Then, the dungeon rumbled once more.
The iron gate at the far end creaked open, revealing the path to the next floor.
Ryu let out a shaky laugh, collapsing onto the floor. "Oh man, that was terrifying. But also kinda cool?"
Shiromoto wiped sweat from his forehead. "If I ever see another mannequin again, I'm burning it first and asking questions later."
Cibri let out a deep sigh of relief. "Agreed."
Von shut his book. "Well, at least we conquered fear."
Summer gave him a look. "Yeah, but I think fear almost conquered us first."
The five exchanged glances—then, as one, they sprinted through the open gate before the dungeon could change its mind.