Dawn broke with cold wind.
A small unit gathered at Blackridge's gate.
Arin.
Rynor.
Jaren.
Lyra.
Captain Bren.
Twelve elite soldiers.
Light armor.
Sharp blades.
Mana crystals.
Enough supplies for three days.
Kelsin stayed behind.
"I'll manage the town," he said.
"Return safely."
Arin nodded.
"Protect Blackridge."
They marched toward Redstone Valley.
The land changed slowly.
Grass turned red.
Rocks shimmered faintly.
Mana density increased.
Lyra frowned.
"This place is corrupted."
After half a day, they reached the valley.
Huge stone pillars rose from the ground.
Red mist floated between them.
The air felt heavy.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: High Mana Zone Entered]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Monster Activity – Active]
A roar echoed.
Low.
Deep.
Terrifying.
From behind the rocks—
A giant beast emerged.
Four meters tall.
Covered in stone plates.
Eyes glowing crimson.
Stoneback Behemoth.
Arin activated Observation.
[ STR: 180 | MAG: 45 | SPD: 60 | END: 220 | INT: 20 | CHA: 10
Talent: Stone Armor (Epic) ]
"Too strong…" Jaren muttered.
Arin raised his hand.
"Formation Alpha."
Soldiers spread out.
Shields front.
Archers back.
Mages center.
Rynor rushed first.
Sword glowing faintly.
He slashed.
Sparks flew.
No damage.
"Hard as steel!" he shouted.
Lyra began chanting.
Mana swirled violently.
"I'll weaken it!"
The beast charged.
Ground shattered.
Two soldiers were thrown away.
"Hold!" Arin shouted.
Jaren met it head-on.
He roared and slammed his axe.
Crack!
A small fracture appeared.
"It works!" Arin yelled.
Lyra released her spell.
"Mana Corrosion!"
Blue mist wrapped the monster.
Its armor dulled.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Enemy Defense Reduced 15%]
"Now!" Arin ordered.
Everyone attacked.
Arrows.
Magic.
Steel.
The Behemoth roared in pain.
It swung wildly.
Rynor was sent flying.
Hit a rock.
Coughed blood.
"Rynor!"
Arin's heart skipped.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Emergency Leadership Triggered]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Command Boost +20%]
"Jaren, restrain!"
"Lyra, overload!"
"Archers, eyes!"
They moved instantly.
Jaren wrapped chains around its leg.
Lyra poured everything into one spell.
Archers aimed carefully.
"Crystal Breaker!" Lyra screamed.
A beam of blue light pierced the crack.
Boom!
The monster collapsed.
Dust filled the valley.
Silence followed.
They had won.
Breathing heavily, Arin walked forward.
The corpse dissolved.
Leaving behind a glowing crystal.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Boss Monster Defeated]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Rare Resource Obtained]
Redstone Core.
Lyra knelt.
"It's valuable… extremely.
Arin picked it up.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Resource Stored]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Development Potential Increased]
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
STR: 7
MAG: 5
SPD: 7
END: 6
INT: 10
CHA: 9
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 1
]
They treated the wounded.
Rynor survived.
Barely.
Captain Bren bowed.
"Your Highness… you led us perfectly."
Arin looked at the valley.
"This place will be a mine."
"Not a threat."
Far away…
Deep underground…
Something awakened.
It felt the Behemoth's death.
And it was angry.