We moved deeper into the forest, the sunlight fading behind the thick canopy. Every step echoed softly against the damp earth, and the sound of insects filled the air.
Astro suddenly raised his hand, signaling us to stop. His sharp eyes narrowed.
"There's movement ahead," he whispered.
Before any of us could respond, the ground beneath our feet began to tremble.
A low rumble—then a violent quake.
The earth cracked open as something massive burrowed out.
Megan's voice broke the tension.
"Centipede! Everyone, get ready!"
From the dirt rose a monstrous creature—its slick gray body shimmering under the dim light, dozens of legs writhing across its length.
> [Gray Worm Centipede]
Level: 30
"Formation!" Loiuse commanded, his lance spinning in his hands.
The beast lunged first, its enormous body slamming toward us. I stepped forward, raising my shield just in time.
Boom!
The impact sent a gust of wind through the clearing, dust and leaves scattering everywhere. The centipede screeched, recoiling slightly—but my stance held firm. I didn't move an inch.
"Nice block!" Loiuse shouted, already charging in.
The centipede hissed and lashed out with its barbed tongue—long, sharp, and coated in venom.
But before it could strike, Loiuse swung his lance with precision.
Slash!
The tongue fell to the ground, writhing. A dark liquid hissed against the soil.
"Now!" Astro called from behind.
He drew his bow and released an arrow, the string vibrating with power.
Thwip!
The arrow pierced straight into the creature's left eye. The centipede screeched in agony, twisting violently.
Ian moved like a shadow, appearing behind it in a blur. His dagger glowed faintly green before he plunged it into the beast's back.
"Got you!" he snarled.
The attack made the centipede convulse, its movement faltering. That was all Megan needed.
"Everyone, back!" she warned. Her staff ignited, flames swirling around her like a storm.
"B-Rank Skill — Fire Blow!"
A burst of blazing fire exploded from her hands, engulfing the centipede in a torrent of flames. The air shimmered from the heat, and the creature's screeches slowly faded as its body turned to ash.
When the fire died, only a charred husk remained.
Smoke curled into the night air. Loiuse exhaled, lowering his weapon.
"Nice work, everyone. Quick and clean."
I looked at the burned remains, the faint heat still touching my face.
"Yeah," I said softly, tightening my grip on my shield. "But that was just one. There could be more."
Loiuse smirked. "Then we'll burn them too."
The forest grew thicker the deeper we went, the air turning heavy and cold.
We'd already fought through several waves of centipedes—ugly, armored things that burst from the ground one after another.
Without a healer, every scratch, every bruise mattered.
"Stay alert," Loiuse warned, his lance dripping with black ichor. "We can't afford mistakes."
I wiped my blade clean. "Yeah… but something's not right. The ground's been shaking since earlier."
Before anyone could answer—
BOOOOOOM!
The ground cracked apart, sending a shockwave that threw dust and leaves into the air.
I barely managed to raise my shield before something massive descended from above.
The impact made my knees buckle, the soil beneath me cratering under the force.
When the dust cleared, a towering figure stood in front of us, blocking out the sunlight.
A creature—no, a monster—covered in golden fur that shimmered like molten metal. Its arms were thick as tree trunks, its eyes burning with primal fury.
> [Giant Golden Ape]
Level: 50
Loiuse's eyes widened. "A Golden Ape!? Damn it—everyone, back off!"
Astro drew his bow instantly, his hands steady even as fear rippled through the air.
"On it!" THWIP! His arrow shot forward, bouncing off the ape's chest like a pebble.
Megan tried to bind it with her wood magic, green vines bursting from the ground.
"Bind it—Forest Snare!"
The vines wrapped around its legs—but the ape roared, muscles bulging, and snapped them apart like threads.
"Don't come close!" I shouted. "Keep your distance!"
The ape's golden eyes locked onto me. In an instant, it lunged.
Every swing of its massive arms carried a shockwave, the wind slicing through the trees like blades.
WHOOOM!
Each blow I blocked sent tremors through my body, my feet digging into the dirt to keep balance.
"Crimson Blade!" I roared, activating my A-rank skill. The sword in my hand flared red with burning light.
I vanished forward with B-rank Flash Step, closing the distance in an instant.
SWISH!
My blade struck its chest—
—but only shallowly. Its hide was like steel.
"Damn it…" I gritted my teeth and slashed again and again, each strike echoing with sparks.
The ape howled, its roar ripping through the forest.
Then Loiuse shouted, panic in his voice.
"It's calling for reinforcements!"
The sound of its roar shook the ground itself, spreading far and wide through the trees.
Megan's face went pale. "If more come—we're dead!"
The ape raised its arms again.
The pressure was suffocating.
Even Ian couldn't get close—one wrong step and he'd be crushed instantly.
"Just go!" I shouted. "Leave me here!"
"No way!" Loiuse yelled, lunging back into the fight.
Megan slammed her staff into the ground, her magic flaring bright green.
"B-Rank Skill: Forest Vines!"
A wall of thick vines and leaves erupted, creating a blind spot—a cover to escape.
"Everyone run!"
But then—
SHHK!
Something black streaked through the air.
We froze.
Astro's body stiffened—then split apart, cleanly sliced in half. His bow clattered to the ground, his eyes still wide in shock.
"ASTROOOO!!!" Loiuse screamed, his voice breaking as rage consumed him.
Megan fell to her knees, trembling, her hands shaking too much to cast another spell.
I turned my head, following her gaze.
And then I saw it.
Floating just beyond the veil of vines—
a dark figure, wreathed in black mist, its eyes burning crimson.
Its presence alone froze my breath.
The very air bent around it, whispering death.
Not a beast.
Not a monster.
A Demon.