The deep growl from the shadows wasn't alone.
As Louis, Betty, and Locob braced themselves, multiple pairs of glowing eyes emerged from the darkness. The ground trembled as hulking figures stepped into view—Razor Wolves, Stoneback Boars, and even two Mad Goremanes.
Mad Goremanes were B-rank creatures resembling oversized, muscular gorillas, but with bone-plated arms strong enough to crush boulders. Their crimson eyes gleamed with rage, and their deep snarls sent a chill down Louis' spine.
Betty's grip tightened on her bow. "This is bad."
Louis activated Analysis, his vision filling with glowing stats.
---
Enemy Analysis:
Razor Wolves (B-rank) ×3 – Speed-focused, coordinated attacks.
Stoneback Boars (B-rank) ×2 – High defense, devastating charge.
Mad Goremanes (B-rank) ×2 – Unmatched strength, bone-plated arms.
Status: Agitated (All enemies are unnaturally aggressive.)
---
Louis cursed under his breath. Something was driving them mad.
But now wasn't the time to question it. They had to fight.
The Razor Wolves struck first, lunging in perfect unison.
"Dodge!" Louis shouted.
Betty flipped back, nocking an arrow in midair. Thwack! Her shot pierced one wolf's leg, sending it tumbling.
Louis ducked under another wolf's claws, then slashed upward. His dagger cut deep, but the beast twisted away before he could finish it.
The third wolf targeted Locob.
Locob panicked. He raised his hands, trying to cast a spell—too slow.
Louis tackled him out of the way just as the wolf's jaws snapped shut where he had been standing.
"Stay focused, Locob!" Louis growled, helping him up.
Before Locob could respond, the boars charged.
"Move!" Betty yelled.
The first Stoneback Boar came barreling toward her. She barely managed to leap aside as its tusks tore through the ground, kicking up dirt and debris.
The second boar rushed at Louis and Locob.
Louis grabbed Locob and shoved him behind a tree just as the massive beast collided with the trunk, splitting it in half with sheer force.
Locob's breath came in shaky gasps. "T-That would've killed me."
"No time to freak out," Louis said. "You need to use fire. Their armor is weak to heat."
Locob swallowed his fear and nodded. He stretched out his hands, gathering mana.
Then—BOOM!
A Mad Goremane slammed its fists into the earth, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The sheer impact knocked Louis off balance.
The second Goremane roared and lunged for Betty.
"Crap!" She fired three arrows in rapid succession, but its bone-plated arm blocked the shots with ease.
Louis grit his teeth. They were being overwhelmed.
---
Turning the Tide
They needed a plan. Fast.
Louis' mind raced. The wolves were fast but fragile. The boars were tanky but slow. The Goremanes… they were the real problem.
He called out, "Betty, keep the wolves busy! Locob, start heating the boars' armor. I'll handle the Goremanes!"
Locob hesitated. "H-Handle them how?!"
"I'll figure it out," Louis muttered.
The first Goremane charged.
Louis ducked under its swinging arm and slashed at its side. His dagger barely cut through its thick hide before the beast backhanded him with bone-plated force.
WHAM!
Louis flew backward, crashing into the dirt. Pain exploded in his ribs.
"Louis!" Locob shouted.
Louis pushed himself up, coughing. "I'm fine! Just—do your job!"
Locob's eyes darted to the boars. He raised his shaking hands and summoned green fire.
The flames struck one of the boars, heating its stone armor. Cracks formed across its hide as the heat spread.
Betty seized the opportunity—her arrow struck true, piercing through the weakened armor into the beast's flesh.
The first boar collapsed, letting out a final grunt before going still.
"One down!" Betty called.
But there was no time to celebrate.
The second boar slammed into Locob, sending him tumbling. His fire flickered out.
The boar reared up, ready to crush him—
Louis dived in, slashing across its exposed belly.
The beast howled, staggering back. Betty fired another shot, and with a final cry, the second boar fell.
But the fight wasn't over.
The Mad Goremanes were still standing.
And they were furious.
---
The Final Blow
One of the Goremanes grabbed a fallen tree and swung it like a club.
Louis barely rolled away as it crashed into the ground, sending wood splinters flying.
"Locob, we need more fire!" he shouted.
Locob was still struggling to stand, exhausted. "I—I don't have enough mana…"
Louis cursed. Then they had to end this fast.
He turned to Betty. "Aim for their knees. We need to bring them down!"
Betty nodded and loosed an arrow—THWACK! It struck a Goremanes' knee, forcing it to stagger.
Louis dashed in, slashing at its other leg.
With a deafening roar, the beast collapsed to one knee.
"Now, Locob!" Louis yelled.
Locob clenched his fists. He was almost out of mana, but…
"I only have one shot left."
He closed his eyes, focused his remaining energy, and launched a final fireball.
The flames struck the Goremane's exposed chest, engulfing it in a green blaze.
The beast let out one last earth-shaking roar—then collapsed.
The remaining Goremane, seeing its ally fall, let out a deep growl. It glanced between them, then…
It ran.
The battle was over.
---
Aftermath & A New Fear
The group stood in silence, panting. Their bodies were covered in dirt, sweat, and bruises.
Louis wiped blood from his lip, glancing at the fallen creatures. Too many B-ranks at once.
Betty exhaled sharply. "This wasn't normal."
Locob, still trembling, whispered, "W-What's making them act like this?"
Louis didn't have an answer. But deep down, he had a sinking feeling.
Something was changing in these woods.
And whatever was behind it…
They weren't ready for it.
To be continued…