The ground trembled as the massive figure stepped out from the shadows. Its body towered over the adventurers—an armored titan, its skin like obsidian, jagged horns curling from its skull, and eyes glowing a molten crimson. In its hands was a sword larger than the carriage Renji had saved days ago, its edge humming with cursed mana.
The air grew suffocating, thick with malice.
"What the hell is that thing?!"
one of the heroes cried, his voice cracking.
Renji narrowed his eyes.
"A dungeon boss… no, something even stronger. This isn't just a monster. It's an elite under the Demon Lord's army."
The beast roared, a thunderous sound that rattled their bones.
"RRRAAAHHHHH!"
The heroes flinched. Some even staggered back, trembling. But Renji gripped his blade tightly, his stance unshaken.
"Stay active. If you panic, you'll die."
The beast's sword swung down, a black arc of destruction.
BOOOOOM!
Renji leapt aside, landing in a crouch as the impact blew chunks of stone into the air. He dashed forward, slashing at the beast's leg, but his blade skidded across its armored hide, barely leaving a mark.
Tch… its defense is insane.
"How am I able to break it?"
The beast's massive claw lashed out, forcing Renji to Shadow Step backward.
He launched a [Fireball], followed by [Dark Flame Fist], but the monster simply raised its arm, blocking the spells with frightening ease. Its molten eyes locked onto him, and suddenly—
SWOOSH!
The beast's sword slashed sideways with terrifying speed.
Renji twisted, barely dodging, but the force ripped across his cheek, leaving a shallow cut. His footing faltered for an instant.
And in that split second, the beast raised its weapon again—aimed directly at Renji.
"Renji!!"
A voice cried out.
FWOOOSH!
A burst of light magic streaked across the battlefield, striking the beast's arm and forcing it to stumble.
Renji spun to see the girl from the heroes' party, her wand glowing as sparks of mana shimmered around her. She was panting, terrified, but stood her ground.
Renji smirked slightly.
"Thank for saving."
"You owe my life."
She nodded nervously, cheeks flushed.
"Y-You're welcome!"
Renji rose back to his feet and turned toward the others.
" I want you guys to fight with me. Otherwise, you'll all be wiped out."
The arrogant hero clenched his teeth, glaring. But the sight of Renji nearly crushed, then saved, shook him. He finally spat in frustration.
"Fine… damn it! We'll fight with you. But don't think this makes us equals!"
Renji only smirked.
"Good enough."
The beast bellowed and lunged, its sword crashing down toward the group.
"Huhh.. This boss doesn't let us a break...."
Renji got annoyed.
They all dove aside as the ground split open beneath the blow. Dust erupted, obscuring vision.
The heroes coughed, but Renji's voice cut through.
"Stay moving! Don't let it lock onto you!"
The monster swung again, aiming for the group clustered together.
Renji sprinted forward, grabbing the arrogant hero's wrist mid-run.
"You! With me."
"What the—?!"
With a grunt, Renji hurled him toward the beast's chest. The hero's eyes widened as he soared through the air.
"Strike now!"
Renji shouted.
Instinct took over—the hero raised his glowing sword and slashed down mid-air.
CLANG!
The blade carved into the beast's shoulder, sparks erupting. The beast roared in pain, stumbling.
Renji's voice rang out again.
"Mage! Support him!"
The girl understood immediately. She cast a [Wind Boost] on the hero midair, propelling him faster. His second strike bit deeper, this time drawing dark blood from the beast's hide.
The monster howled, thrashing violently.
Renji's eyes sharpened.
"Switch!"
The hero's body glowed faintly, repelled backward by the recoil of the beast's energy. At that same instant, Renji Shadow Stepped to the beast's flank, his blade flashing.
SLASH! SLASH!
Twin cuts ripped across the monster's side, sparks and blood spraying.
The other heroes, inspired, raised their weapons.
"Now fire!"
Renji commanded, his voice like steel.
Fireballs, ice spears, and lightning bolts flew through the air, crashing into the beast's torso. Explosions rocked the chamber as the titan stumbled again, roaring in fury.
But it wasn't finished. Its molten eyes burned brighter, and its sword pulsed with cursed mana.
Renji's heart clenched. He recognized that glow.
"That skill… Varuk used it too."
"I have to try it."
The beast's sword rose high, gathering swirling black flames. The air itself seemed to warp from the heat.
If this lands… we're done.
Renji's decision was instant.
"Clear my way!!"
The heroes froze, then, driven by the commanding tone, unleashed everything they had—barrages of magic and steel, striking the beast to stagger it.
Renji gritted his teeth, his hands weaving the same spell he had stolen from the 8th demon general. His voice echoed with power.
"[Abyssal Roar]!"
A sphere of swirling black and crimson mana built in his hand. The ground shook as he poured his energy into it, veins glowing faintly from the strain.
The beast turned toward him, sensing the threat.
Renji shouted, his eyes blazing.
"Now MOVE!"
The heroes scattered aside just as Renji dashed forward, his aura exploding outward. The sphere ignited, spinning violently, and with a roar he thrust it straight into the beast's chest.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
The impact consumed the room in a wave of black fire. The beast screamed, its body cracking under the overwhelming force.
Renji leapt into the air, his sword raised high, catching the last rays of the spell's light.
"HAAAHHHHH!!"
He brought his blade down in one final, devastating strike.
SLASHHHHHHH!!!
The sword cleaved through the monster's skull, splitting it clean in half.
For a moment, silence.
Then the beast's body collapsed, shaking the entire dungeon as it fell lifeless to the ground.
The heroes stood frozen, gasping, eyes wide in disbelief.
"…He killed it…"
one whispered.
Another dropped his weapon, trembling.
"He actually… killed it."
The arrogant hero's face was pale, but he couldn't deny what he had just seen. His hands clenched, torn between humiliation and awe.
The girl, however, was smiling softly, her eyes fixed on Renji.
Renji landed gracefully, his chest rising and falling heavily. He exhaled, sheathing his sword, and turned to the others.
"Next time, listen when I tell you it's dangerous."
No one argued.
The dungeon, once filled with chaos, fell into silence once more.
But in Renji's heart, he knew this was just the beginning. If even dungeon bosses were using techniques like the Demon Generals… then the Demon Lord's shadow was spreading faster than anyone realized.
And Renji would be there to face it.