The forest clearing grew quiet as the last echoes of battle faded.
One by one, the members of Squad Seven stepped into the open, gathering around Dren and Shen Hao.
Vira was the first to appear, flipping her twin blades once before sliding them smoothly into her sheathes.
"All clear on my side," she said simply.
Ren Kael followed, calm as ever, sword at his side, giving a slight nod as his sharp eyes swept across the group.
A low grunt sounded as the beast-man stomped into view, cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders.
"Mine didn't last long," he muttered.
Out of the shadows, the masked figure emerged without a sound — light on their feet, the smooth white mask hiding every expression.
Shen Hao gave them both a quick glance but said nothing.
Neither seemed eager to talk… and that was fine by him.
Finally, Jorin arrived, wiping his hands with a cloth, looking as calm as if he'd been on a quiet stroll.
They all gathered loosely around Dren, the mood shifting naturally back into focus.
Dren clapped his hands together with a grin.
"Well… still breathing. I'll take it."
Shen Hao smirked.
"Barely."
A low chuckle passed through the group — short, sharp, the kind shared between those who understood the cost of a fight.
But the brief calm shattered when the ground gave a faint, ominous rumble.
A pressure rolled over them — thick, heavy, suffocating.
From the treeline, a massive figure stepped forward.
It moved with slow, deliberate steps, each one cracking the ground beneath its clawed feet.
Twice the size of the monsters they had faced before, its dark, jagged scales shone faintly in the light. Crimson eyes glowed with a sharp, hungry intelligence.
Dren's easy grin faded into a hard, focused expression.
"Level Four Demi-Conqueror."
Shen Hao shifted his stance, glancing sideways.
"And you're…?"
Dren answered without looking away.
"Level Two. Peak."
Mo Han's voice stirred calmly in Shen Hao's mind.
"Be sharp. This won't be like the others."
Shen Hao slowly exhaled, tightening his fists.
"I figured."
Dren cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck, his grin returning just slightly — this time with the edge of a challenge.
"Alright, Squad Seven… let's go to work."
The air snapped with tension as Dren took a step forward, fists tightening.
"Formation three," he called calmly.
Without a word, the squad moved.
Vira blurred to the left, blades flashing in her hands.
Ren Kael shifted right, his sword sliding halfway out of its sheath with a soft ring.
Jorin moved forward with steady, controlled steps — hands behind his back as always.
The beast-man took a wide stance, cracking his knuckles with a low growl.
The masked figure vanished into the shadows of the trees, slipping into position.
Shen Hao stayed behind Dren — for now.
The monster leader gave a low, guttural growl, eyes glowing brighter as its claws flexed.
Dren didn't waste time.
He shot forward — a blur of raw power.
His fist connected with the monster's chest in a thunderous crack — enough to send a normal beast flying.
The monster slid back a single step.
Just one.
Dren's eyes narrowed.
"Alright… you're a tough one."
The monster's claw lashed out.
Dren ducked under it, pivoted, and slammed a spinning kick into its side.
The impact echoed — the monster slid back another step… and roared.
That roar made the ground vibrate beneath their feet.
Then the squad moved as one.
Vira darted in from the left, her twin blades a blur.
She slashed at the monster's side — sparks flying as her blades scraped its thick scales.
The beast swung a claw at her — she flipped backward, dodging with barely an inch to spare.
Vira landed lightly, eyes sharp.
"Alright… can't cut through that."
She vanished back into motion, circling for another angle.
On the right, Ren Kael moved with silent grace.
As the monster turned to track Dren, Ren dashed in — his sword flashing in a perfect horizontal arc.
The blade struck the monster's leg — bounced off with a sharp clang.
Ren skidded back, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Harder than steel."
Without missing a beat, he shifted back into position, waiting for the next opening.
Jorin stepped forward, his palm glowing faintly with condensed Qi.
He thrust his hand forward — a sharp, focused strike aimed at the monster's center.
The hit landed — a visible ripple of force shuddered across the monster's chest.
But instead of stumbling… the monster twisted and swung a massive claw toward him.
Jorin calmly sidestepped, letting the strike pass inches from his robe.
"Hm."
With a roar, the beast-man charged straight in — fists glowing with raw power.
He leapt up, swinging both fists down on the monster's head.
The blow landed with a thunderous crack — a small shockwave bursting out.
The monster's head dipped… just slightly.
It snapped its head up, snarling, and swiped a massive claw toward him.
The beast-man blocked with crossed arms, the force of the hit sending him skidding back across the dirt.
He spat to the side.
"Big, but not unbeatable."
From the shadows, the masked figure appeared behind the monster — silent, blade gleaming faintly.
With a flick of their wrist, they struck at a joint behind the monster's leg — the blade piercing just enough to draw a thin line of dark blood.
The masked figure vanished before the monster could even react.
Dren regrouped with the others, glancing around as they all pulled back for a moment.
The monster stood in the center — minor cuts, but still very much alive and angrier than ever.
Its claws flexed… its eyes burning like twin embers.
Shen Hao stepped forward beside Dren.
"You sure we can take this thing down?"
Dren gave a quick grin.
"Not sure… but we're going to find out."
The monster let out another deep, guttural growl — a sound that seemed to shake the very ground under their feet.
Dren glanced at Shen Hao from the corner of his eye.
"Your turn."
Shen Hao stepped forward, letting out a slow breath.
His Qi surged, flowing steadily through his body — focused, sharp.
"Master," Mo Han's voice echoed calmly in his mind, "control the timing… don't burn everything out in one go."
Shen Hao nodded slightly.
"I know."
The monster locked its glowing eyes on him, claws flexing as it crouched low, preparing to strike.
Without a word, Shen Hao extended both hands forward — a soft hum filled the air.
In each palm, a glowing, rose-shaped ember bloomed into existence.
The Ember Bloom.
The petals of pure Qi shimmered faintly, radiating a soft but deadly light.
The squad's eyes widened.
Even Dren arched an eyebrow.
"…Didn't know you had tricks like that."
Vira stared, whispering, "That's Qi…?"
Jorin's usually calm eyes narrowed in surprise.
Even the beast-man muttered under his breath, "What in the…"
Shen Hao tightened his stance.
The monster lunged.
With a sharp motion, Shen Hao hurled the first Ember Bloom straight toward the monster's chest.
The glowing rose shot forward, leaving a trail of light behind it.
The monster reacted fast — faster than anyone expected.
It raised one claw and caught the Ember Bloom with its bare hand.
The air crackled as the two forces clashed — the monster holding the glowing attack in its claw as sparks burst around its arm.
Its muscles bulged, absorbing the impact… and with a roar, it crushed the Ember Bloom in its grip, sending out a wave of scorching air.
Shen Hao's eyes sharpened.
"Not bad…"
He vanished.
With a burst of speed, he teleported around to the monster's other side — his second Ember Bloom already spinning in his palm.
Without hesitation, he launched it toward the monster's left side.
The monster twisted — raising its other claw just in time.
It caught the second Ember Bloom in its free hand — both hands now glowing faintly with burning energy trying to push into its scales.
Its claws trembled slightly under the force, but it held both blooms back with raw power.
Dren's eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
Mo Han's voice whispered in Shen Hao's mind.
"Now."
Shen Hao teleported again — this time appearing right beneath the monster.
The moment his feet touched the ground, he thrust his hand upward.
The third Ember Bloom exploded into life in his palm — larger, brighter, spinning with a fierce, deadly hum.
He slammed it straight up — right into the monster's chin at point-blank range.
The monster's head jerked up as the Ember Bloom connected, its eyes flaring wide.
BOOM.
A grand explosion erupted from beneath the monster — light, force, and heat blasting upward with a roar that shook the trees around them.
The shockwave rippled through the clearing, forcing the entire squad to brace themselves against the force.
The explosion swallowed the monster in a burst of searing light and rolling fire.
Shen Hao stood his ground beneath it, arm extended, face set like stone.
The ground cracked around his feet…
And everything vanished inside the blast.