I floated in the air, as though my body were part of the wind swirling around me. Yet, with every passing second, it became heavier. I could feel it—the power within me was slowly draining, imperceptibly. The Divine Blessing that had aided me all this time was now fading. I knew my time was limited. Every movement I made, every strike I delivered, had to be calculated. I could not waste strength on unnecessary actions.
At that moment, Strigifavorus stood before me, its eyes glaring with hatred. The wind blew, yet everything felt hollow. Every hiss, every movement, seemed slow, as if the world itself were testing every decision I made.
I knew I had to strike, and I had to do it precisely.
Without wasting time, I called forth the water flowing within me. With full concentration, the water froze in my grasp, forming a massive spear that glistened in the air, as though absorbing light from every angle. This ice spear reminded me of something greater—something more powerful than a mere attack. I released it, aiming it directly at Strigifavorus's chest.
However, in that instant, I realized it was futile. The ice spear only scratched the surface of the monster's body, its thick, iron-like feathers withstanding the blow. But that did not mean my attack was without merit. Strigifavorus only staggered slightly, effortlessly absorbing the impact, meaning it was more cautious of my strike than I had anticipated.
Without giving me time to think, Strigifavorus opened its mouth, and a torrent of fire roared toward me. I could feel the heat reaching my skin, scorching the air around me. Without hesitation, I formed a shield of water around me. As fire and water collided, creating thick, suffocating steam, my vision blurred. I could no longer see clearly, only feeling the increasing gusts of wind.
Within that haze, I suddenly felt something far more terrifying approach. A sharp sound, so fast—a pair of giant claws shot forward, aimed at my body with enough force to destroy everything. Without thinking, I formed an ice shield, this time thicker, stronger. But the power behind the claws was immense, striking my ice shield with such force that I could feel it—cracking.
My body was slammed under the assault. I could feel its immense force breaking through the shield, every shard of ice shattering.
"Damn...! Wasn't a monster this powerful supposed to be the final boss?" I cursed inwardly. I couldn't die here, not at the beginning of my journey.
Panic began to creep into my chest. The shield was breaking, and I could barely breathe. With the last of my strength, I opened a small gap behind my back—a narrow opening that allowed my body to leap out, to escape that deadly grasp.
I leapt, my body soaring into the air, leaving the shattered ice shield behind. I could feel the air flowing around me, and with one swift motion, I managed to break free from Strigifavorus's claws.
I was gasping for breath, my body still trembling, but I knew I had succeeded. I had avoided that strike. Before my breath could fully return to normal, Strigifavorus surged forward with unexpected speed. I barely noticed the massive movement, its huge, fearsome body flying toward me with incredible speed, without warning.
The strike came so quickly, its body crashing into mine with such force, as if I were a leaf blown by the wind. There was no time to respond, no time to form a shield strong enough. I felt my entire body slam with the force of a giant's hammer.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhh!" I screamed. The pain was sharp, so real—like bones cracking all at once. It spread quickly through my blood. I couldn't breathe easily, my body drowning in deep, unrelenting pain.
I was flung downward with such speed, the world spinning, the sky growing farther away. As I fell, I knew. I had to hold on. I had to fight through the pain and strike back. No matter how hard the blow had been. I had to endure, or everything would end.
Even though my body fell freely from above, I did not give up. I would not let Strigifavorus win so easily. In one full rotation of struggle, I gathered the power within me. Instantly, two elemental blades of water and wind formed in both my hands, shimmering with sharp, blue light. I aimed them directly at the approaching Strigifavorus.
I saw the water blade slice through the monster's skin, and with one quick movement, I felt the power of the Water Spirit flowing within me. The water blade had just cut its neck, drenching it, and in the same second, I bound it, creating a strong water bind that jolted Strigifavorus's body immediately.
Not long after the ice froze its body, the wind blade followed, soaring with a speed that even my eyes could barely track. The wind blade struck Strigifavorus's neck with precision, tearing off its hard feathers, leaving a visible trail.
However, I began to feel the effects of all this. I fell uncontrollably, my body still shaken by the previous attack. I tried to control my position, attempting to soften the force of my fall. In the threatening air, I called upon the wind element, forming a thin shield of wind around my body, hoping this would help cushion my impact when I fell.
I directed my body with all my strength, trying to slow my descent to avoid crashing into the hard ground. The trees below were getting closer, and I desperately tried to use them as a cushion, to avoid hitting the earth with full force. Finally, I could feel it—my body touched something solid.
The Hanarusa tree—I could feel it, a massive tree that stood resilient, though slightly swayed by the weight of my fall. I landed on one of its branches after hitting several limbs with my body. I was gasping, still trying to hold back the sudden pain. My breath was ragged, my body on the verge of collapse, but I could feel it—I was still alive. And I could still fight.
Strigifavorus dove rapidly toward me, its speed like an unstoppable storm. I could feel the tremors in the air accompanying every movement, as if the world itself were being torn apart by it. Without thinking, I leapt from the Hanarusa branch, moving as fast as I could, leaping over higher branches. My breath was labored, my injured body growing heavier, but I knew, I had no other choice. I had to endure, had to avoid, or I would fall right into its grasp.
I kept running, jumping from one branch to another, never looking back. Only the sound of my labored breath, mixed with the pounding footsteps of the monster getting closer. The Hanarusa branches felt sturdy, but fragile in this urgency. My mind was blank, spinning with no clear direction. I knew I had to conserve my strength, but how could I if every step I took brought me closer to danger?
Suddenly, a loud sound erupted—Strigifavorus landed with such force that it felt as though the earth split beneath it. I didn't have time to look. I could only leap again, dodge, run, jumping from one Hanarusa branch to another. My breath was gasping, my body feeling heavier with each moment, but I knew, I couldn't give up now. I had to keep going.
I heard the deafening sound of its wings growing nearer. Its fiery breath surged fiercely, burning the air around me. I could feel its heat touch my back, even as I continued to run with all my might, dodging every flame that nearly scorched my body. It felt like my injured body was growing heavier, as though the wind itself was pushing me down.
Strigifavorus chased relentlessly. Its sharp eyes locked onto me, and even though its body was wounded, it would not stop. I could see how out of breath it was, its movements faltering. Its injured wings made it difficult to fly freely, and occasionally, it nearly crashed into the towering Hanarusa trunks.
I kept running, moving, not a moment to stop. But as I leapt over a higher branch, I felt a massive vibration—the force of Strigifavorus's wing flap. It unleashed a mighty burst of air, sending me flying. The branches beneath me broke instantly. I was hurled into the air, and the pain pierced me as I fell from several meters high.
"Aaaahh!" I screamed softly, my body slamming against the roots of the trees and scattered rocks on the ground. Everything felt dark, and the pain was overwhelming. The wet earth, the hard roots, everything hit my body, as though I was crushed between two terrible forces.
I fell still, feeling my battered body struggling to breathe. The pain was sharp, as if my body was being crushed.
I heard another loud noise. As I tried to rise, Strigifavorus also fell from above. The monster let out a growl, its massive body making several trees topple. Its face was full of rage, yet its breath was labored. Every move it made suggested it, too, was in a very poor condition.
We both fell in a way that seemed almost identical, suffering on the hard earth. And though I had fallen, though my body was in pain.
I tried to stand, struggling, in the midst of the dark forest. My breath was shallow, my body trembling, but I knew— I was still alive. And I could still fight.
Strigifavorus dived quickly toward me, its speed like an unstoppable storm. I could feel the vibrations in the air as it moved, as if this world itself wanted to be destroyed by it. Without thinking, I leapt from the Hanarusa branch, moving as fast as I could, leaping over higher branches. My breath was gasping, my injured body growing heavier, but I knew, I had no other choice. I had to endure, had to avoid, or I would fall right into its grasp.
I kept running, jumping from one branch to another, never looking back. Only the sound of my labored breath, mixed with the pounding footsteps of the monster getting closer. The Hanarusa branches felt sturdy, but fragile in this urgency. My mind was blank, spinning with no clear direction. I knew I had to conserve my strength, but how could I if every step I took brought me closer to danger?
Suddenly, a loud sound erupted—Strigifavorus landed with such force that it felt as though the earth split beneath it. I didn't have time to look. I could only leap again, dodge, run, jumping from one Hanarusa branch to another. My breath was gasping, my body feeling heavier with each moment, but I knew, I couldn't give up now. I had to keep going.
I heard the deafening sound of its wings growing nearer. Its fiery breath surged fiercely, burning the air around me. I could feel its heat touch my back, even as I continued to run with all my might, dodging every flame that nearly scorched my body. It felt like my injured body was growing heavier, as though the wind itself was pushing me down.
Strigifavorus chased relentlessly. Its sharp eyes locked onto me, and even though its body was wounded, it would not stop. I could see how out of breath it was, its movements faltering. Its injured wings made it difficult to fly freely, and occasionally, it nearly crashed into the towering Hanarusa trunks.
I kept running, moving, not a moment to stop. But as I leapt over a higher branch, I felt a massive vibration—the force of Strigifavorus's wing flap. It unleashed a mighty burst of air, sending me flying. The branches beneath me broke instantly. I was hurled into the air, and the pain pierced me as I fell from several meters high.
"Aaaahh!" I screamed softly, my body slamming against the roots of the trees and scattered rocks on the ground. Everything felt dark, and the pain was overwhelming. The wet earth, the hard roots, everything hit my body, as though I was crushed between two terrible forces.
I fell still, feeling my battered body struggling to breathe. The pain was sharp, as if my body was being crushed.
I heard another loud noise. As I tried to rise, Strigifavorus also fell from above. The monster let out a growl, its massive body making several trees topple. Its face was full of rage, yet its breath was labored. Every move it made suggested it, too, was in a very poor condition.
We both fell in a way that seemed almost identical, suffering on the hard earth. And though I had fallen, though my body was in pain.
I tried to stand, struggling, in the midst of the dark forest. My breath was shallow, my body trembling, but I knew— I was still alive. And I could still fight.
Strigifavorus dived quickly toward me, its speed like an unstoppable storm. I could feel the vibrations in the air as it moved, as if this world itself wanted to be destroyed by it. Without thinking, I leapt from the Hanarusa branch, moving as fast as I could, leaping over higher branches. My breath was gasping, my injured body growing heavier, but I knew, I had no other choice. I had to endure, had to avoid, or I would fall right into its grasp.
I kept running, jumping from one branch to another, never looking back. Only the sound of my labored breath, mixed with the pounding footsteps of the monster getting closer. The Hanarusa branches felt sturdy, but fragile in this urgency. My mind was blank, spinning with no clear direction. I knew I had to conserve my strength, but how could I if every step I took brought me closer to danger?
Suddenly, a loud sound thundered—a sound that seemed to split the very earth itself—Strigifavorus landed with such force, as though its presence alone could fracture the world. I didn't have time to look back. I could only leap again, dodge, and run, tracing the fragile branches of the tree that were beginning to break beneath me.
I could hear the roar of the monster's wings growing nearer. The breath of fire, searing the air around me. I could feel its warmth touch my back, even as I continued to run with all my strength, dodging every spark of fire that almost scorched my body. It felt as if my injured body was growing heavier, as though the wind that struck me was pushing me down, forcing me toward the earth.
Strigifavorus pursued me relentlessly. Its sharp gaze locked onto me, and though its body was wounded, it did not cease its chase. I could see how labored its movements had become, the effort it took to maintain flight, its damaged wings making it difficult to soar freely. Occasionally, it almost collided with the towering Hanarusa trunks, so tightly packed around us.
I kept running, never stopping, there was no time to rest. But as I leaped over a higher branch, I felt a powerful vibration—a sudden flap of Strigifavorus's wings, unleashing a force so great it shook the very air. I was caught off guard, and before I could leap farther, the monster lunged, its massive claws reaching for me. The branch beneath me shattered instantly. I was thrown into the air, the pain surging through my body as I fell from a height of several meters.
"Aaaahh!" I screamed softly, my body crashing into the roots of trees and scattered rocks on the ground. Everything went dark, and the pain was overwhelming. The wet earth, the hard roots, everything collided with my body, as though I were caught between two worlds of terror.
I lay still for a moment, struggling to breathe. The pain was sharp, as though my body were being slowly crushed.
I heard another loud noise. As I tried to lift myself, Strigifavorus also fell from the tree. The monster roared, its massive body causing several trees to topple. Its face was full of fury, yet its breath was labored. Every movement of the beast seemed to indicate that it, too, was in dire condition.
The two of us fell in almost the same way, suffering on the hard earth. And though I had fallen, though my body was in pain, I tried to rise with difficulty, amidst the dark forest, gasping for breath. Strigifavorus was now only a few dozen meters away, but it felt as though a chasm separated us. My breath was heavy, as if I could not lift the weight of the world. My body, already full of wounds, felt increasingly fragile. My strength had waned significantly since only moments ago.
I stared at Strigifavorus, its eyes full of hatred and anger, locking onto me. I knew it wouldn't let me go easily. And in my current condition, I could not escape. It felt as though every inch of my body wanted to collapse, but I knew—I could not give up. Not now. Not after everything had led to this point.
"But what can I do?" I thought, the voice of anxiety echoing in my mind. "I am no longer strong enough to keep fighting. It's useless to have the will but no means to defeat it."
Slowly, I began to feel the panic slip into my breath. Each passing second felt more oppressive. The pain in my body intensified, yet I knew that if I stopped, if I retreated, everything would be over. But on the other hand, I didn't know what was left within me. Could I endure any longer?
I didn't want to die. Not here. Not like this.
But at the same time, I knew I could no longer run. If I kept avoiding, kept fleeing, I would just waste the remaining strength without results. Strigifavorus would not let me live. So, what else could I do?
Moments later, I could feel droplets of water wetting my face. I looked up, noticing the night sky was releasing millions of droplets over the entire forest. I paused for a moment, letting the rain soak me, the cold air creeping across my body. The thunder roared loudly, followed by a flash of light above the sky, illuminating the dark forest.
One of the flashes struck, seizing my thoughts. Suddenly, I remembered. I remembered the moment I first arrived in this world. I recalled the friends who had unknowingly followed me, the family I had left behind in my original world. All those memories, which had long been buried deep within my heart, came rushing to the surface.
I remembered them—those who were waiting for me to return. I remembered my father, my mother, my younger sibling, and the people who had always been by my side. I remembered the world I should have lived in peacefully. I remembered the reason I began this journey.
"Right," I whispered softly, pressing my hand to my chest. "The reason I must kill you here, now, is because I must return. I have to go home."
Strigifavorus, the monster that blocked my way, was not far from me, but now I knew what I had to do. I couldn't keep waiting, I couldn't keep running. I had to stake my life on this.
Remembering their faces—my family, my friends—it gave me the strength to move forward. If I failed, I would lose not only myself but also the chance to see them again. Though I knew that giving everything I had left could leave me severely wounded, or perhaps lose my life altogether.
But I had to take that risk. I had to risk the chance that I could defeat my enemy and survive afterward. Even though the odds were slim. A gambler in a film I once watched had said, "Even if your chances are only 1%, bet everything as if you have 99% chance. All or nothing!"