It stepped out fully into view, its body larger than any normal ape, muscles thick and defined, horns curving forward from its head while its red eyes locked onto me instantly. There was no hesitation in it, no pause to assess.
It growled.
Then lunged. The ground shook slightly under its weight as it rushed forward, arms spreading wide to grab hold of me, aiming to crush me.
I watched the movement. Then stepped aside at the last moment, letting its momentum carry it past the centerline while I turned with it, my sword already in motion. The blade cut cleanly toward its neck, but the moment it connected, I felt the resistance, thick muscle, tougher than the earlier monsters.
I didn't pull back.
Instead, I stepped forward into the strike, tightening my grip and driving more force through the blade, pushing through the resistance rather than trying to cut around it.
The edge gave way. The motion carried through.
In one continuous arc, the blade sliced completely through its neck.
