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As we both began to wake, we felt fully prepared for the mini-boss fight. After packing our gear, we slowly approached the massive door and pushed it open.
At the center of the room lay the Chimera—its monstrous form sprawled across the floor. It had the body of a tiger, the head of a lion, a serpent for a tail, and two enormous demon wings. A thick, dark aura radiated from it. The sight alone was terrifying—but luckily, it was asleep.
Seizing the opportunity, I dashed forward and drove my blade into its head, hoping for a swift kill.
But I was wrong.
The Chimera erupted with a deafening roar, its eyes snapping open in fury.
I quickly retreated to the girl's side and shouted, "Use the black hole magic you learned!"
Though clearly nervous, she gathered her focus and cast the spell. A swirling black hole appeared above the Chimera, pulling at its flesh. The force tore at its wings, ripping one clean off. Blood sprayed violently across the room as the beast screamed in agony.
Seeing an opening, I charged with full force, but the Chimera lashed out with its snake-tail. It struck me hard—my arm snapped with a sickening crack, and I was hurled against the stone wall.
Dazed and on the edge of consciousness, I forced myself to drink a healing potion. The pain dulled, and strength slowly returned to my body.
I rose again, determined, and prepared to finish the fight. Drawing deep from within, I activated a technique I had barely mastered—*True Slash*.
White mana surged across my blade, glowing with raw energy. The Chimera's tail came at me once more, but I narrowly dodged and lunged forward.
With a final cry, I brought the blade down, cleaving through the Chimera's neck and severing its head.
But the strain was too much.
Blood filled my mouth, and I collapsed to the ground—the backlash of using so much mana overwhelming my body. Darkness closed in around me.
Just before I lost consciousness, I heard a voice—soft, radiant, and otherworldly.
"Welcome, Jake," it said.
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