Sia's POV
"A smart, cunning beast with exceptional intelligence." That was my humble assessment of the creature we were facing, a daunting bear that had demonstrated an unsettling level of awareness and strategy. From our earlier confrontation, it had become painfully clear that a direct attack would lead to its demise. Instead, it resorted to a ghost-like skill, a tactic that not only revealed its underlying mechanics but also provided the beast with valuable moments to recover from the injuries it had sustained.
In the depths of my mind, I cursed myself and my companions. We had been granted a golden opportunity to retreat, yet my instructions had been dismissed without so much as a word of explanation. Did they really believe they could avenge Rey's death, the comrade we had just lost? I wanted to voice my concerns, to demand clarity, but the moment had passed. My focus shifted back to the formidable adversary standing before us.
The intelligence displayed by this beast was staggering, and it had repeatedly demonstrated its cleverness since the beginning of our encounter. Our team had managed to hold its ground, but following Rey's untimely death, I was no longer convinced that we stood an equal chance.
Raga lay half-conscious, weaponless and vulnerable. June, too, was on the verge of collapse. She had been weary even before the loss of Rey weighed down upon us. Then there was Dawn, who appeared the most deeply affected by Rey's death. I sensed a complex bond between them, perhaps sharing a mentor-student dynamic, akin to that of brothers Raga and Rey. The intricate nature of the relationship between Dawn and Rey intrigued me, yet I knew it was best to keep my distance in this moment of turmoil.
In the midst of chaos, it was the beast that stood out as unusual. Typically, these creatures would unleash roars—hundreds of them—to either overwhelm us with sheer mana pressure or to instill dread. Yet, this bear roared only when necessary, displaying a level of restraint that was both impressive and disconcerting. The first to strike would find themselves at a disadvantage, and I feared both the beast and my teammates shared this understanding. My senses were heightened to the point where even the faintest, abnormal sound would send a jolt of alertness through me.
That jolt came when Dawn made a sudden charge towards the beast, wielding a staff that resembled a spear more than anything else. This reckless move startled Raga, who screamed in urgency, trying to halt her advance, desperation lacing his voice as he called out to his wife. Yet, Dawn seemed impervious to his pleas, her eyes fixated on the bear before her, oblivious to the danger lurking just beyond her grasp.
The bear seized the moment, sensing her determination. As she drew closer, it smashed its powerful limbs into the ground, sending a shower of ice shards—each the size of a finger—flying in all directions. Its mighty roar served as a clarion call, launching hundreds of these ice sparks towards us. In the chaos, Raga miraculously managed to reach Dawn, grabbing her hand just in time before covering her with his massive, unarmored back.
Seizing the disarray to my advantage, I darted away, my sword ready to deflect the oncoming ice sparks. A few steps in, I spotted Raga's weapon lying on the ground, a glimmer of metal amidst the flurry.
June, who was barely able to remain standing, appeared to suffer the most. With great effort, she summoned what little mana she had left and conjured a small, transparent barrier just ahead of her. This fragile shield managed to withstand several of the ice sparks momentarily, but it was only a temporary reprieve. It soon shattered, dissipating like mist, while June herself fell to her knees, her hands trembling on the ground, struggling to keep her upper body upright and leaving her utterly vulnerable to our relentless foe.
The beast's unnatural awareness of its surroundings took me by surprise. Despite my best efforts to suppress my signature and move into its blind spot, the creature's senses were far more advanced than I had anticipated. Within seconds, its eyes locked onto my subtle shift in position, and I realized with a jolt that I had underestimated its precision. Before I could react, the beast fired its Ice Beam, a deadly blast of frozen mana that hurtled toward me with terrifying speed.
Just as the chilling beam closed in, Dawn's spell shot out in response—a smaller, but intensely concentrated flame arrow. It streaked toward the beast with incredible speed, its fiery tail a stark contrast to the icy blast. The creature, with alarming agility, adjusted its position with minimal movement, evading the majority of Dawn's attack. The impact was just a glancing blow, but it didn't deter her. She pushed more mana into her spell, desperately trying to land a hit as the creature shifted its focus back to her. She fired another volley of condensed flame arrows, determined that one of them would eventually pierce its defenses.
Seeing the opening created by Dawn's persistent attacks, I seized my moment. Grabbing the sword from the ground, I hurled it toward Raga, hoping he could still fight despite his condition. From this distance, I could see the grim reality of Raga's injuries—burns marred his skin, and his most recent encounter with the beast had resulted in a direct hit on his bare back. The ice-infused attack had left behind jagged shards of crystal-like frost embedded deep in his flesh, reflecting a haunting shimmer of light as he struggled to stay upright.
Despite the severe injuries, Raga's focus never wavered. His movements were slower than usual, but his skill remained undeniable. He caught the sword effortlessly in his hand, a gesture that conveyed both his physical strength and his unyielding determination. He glanced over at me, signaling me to join the fight. Without hesitation, I nodded in agreement, and we both surged forward, moving in sync toward the beast.
Raga, being closer to the beast's proximity, was the first to engage. He charged at the creature, meeting it head-on, the flames surrounding his body intensifying as he took on the beast's full fury. In an act of pure defiance, Raga let out a fierce roar, mimicking the beast's own primal challenge. The sound reverberated through the air, sharp and aggressive, and in that instant, the beast redirected its focus entirely toward him, abandoning its attention on Dawn.
"You're not as smart as I thought," Raga muttered under his breath, his voice laced with pain, but also with a mocking tone as he once again activated his Burning Mode. The air around him warped with the heat, his sword igniting into a brilliant inferno.
In response, the beast summoned its own formidable power. It tapped into its Ice Mana affinity, unleashing a constant discharge of freezing energy that countered Raga's flames. The temperature in the battlefield fluctuated wildly, swinging between intense heat and an all-encompassing cold, the two elements clashing violently. With each swing of their weapons, the world seemed to shake, the force of their battle creating shockwaves that rippled through the ground.
My role in the fight had just begun. I moved forward, tapping into every ounce of mana I had stored in my armor and weapon. My connection with Rare Death's reddish ignite calmed my adrenaline, sharpening my focus and allowing me to push through the growing fatigue. The flames around Raga were starting to diminish, the intense cold from the beast's power sapping his strength. Yet, I could feel the heat within me as I stepped into the fray. My armor, a marvel of engineering, absorbed the uncontrolled flames of my comrade with ease. But what stood out the most was its unexpected tolerance to Ice mana—an attribute I hadn't fully accounted for when upgrading the gear, but one that proved invaluable now.
We clashed relentlessly, exchanging blow after blow, spells intertwining in the air as the battle raged on. The two elemental forces of fire and ice collided with such intensity that the world around us seemed to bend and warp. The physical and magical toll on our bodies began to take its toll sooner than expected. The flames that had once shielded Raga's body were rapidly diminishing, and his movements were slowing. His hands, once able to wield his sword with precision, were no longer able to resist the crushing cold of the beast's ice-infused mana. Even the beast, sensing Raga's increasing vulnerability, started to focus more on me, redirecting its attacks toward my offensive.
Amidst the exchange of magic and steel, Raga spotted an opening—an injury left vulnerable on the beast's side. Despite my protests, urging him not to be reckless, Raga's resolve overpowered my concern. He saw his chance, and his mind locked onto the thought: if he could strike at the ice-covered wound, it could be fatal. The injury, thickly coated in layers of ice, was a glaring weakness—one that could be pierced with precision.
Gathering all the strength he had left, Raga pushed himself forward with incredible force, his body moving with a speed and determination that defied his exhaustion. In a final, desperate effort, he took a direct hit from the beast's attack, the cold blast searing through his chest. But he did not falter. His momentum, fueled by sheer willpower, carried him forward as he thrust his weapon deep into the beast's side. The blade drove through the ice and into the exposed wound, the heat of Raga's weapon clashing with the cold, creating a momentary explosion of steam and energy.
The beast howled in pain, a sound that reverberated through the battlefield, its massive body shuddering as Raga's weapon found its mark. For a brief moment, time seemed to slow, the beast struggling to retaliate, but Raga's strength and determination proved to be the deciding factor. With one final push, he drove his sword further into the heart of the creature, his last ounce of strength fueling the fatal blow.
The beast's scream was deafening, a high-pitched, gut-wrenching sound that tore through the air. It was less of a roar and more like a painful, tortured cry that reverberated through the battlefield, a signal of both agony and fury. The shockwaves from the sound were monstrous, slamming into my chest and sending me stumbling backward. My feet slid across the ground, and I planted my sword deep into the earth to resist the force of the push. The sudden drop in temperature that accompanied the beast's roar hit me like a physical blow, and I instinctively looked up, my eyes narrowing in the cold.
Before me, Raga was in a dire position. His flames—once vibrant and all-consuming—sputtered out, extinguished by the overwhelming cold that radiated from the ghost bear. He stood there, vulnerable, unprotected, and seemingly unaware of his peril as the beast bore down on him with its menacing claws. But just as the ghost bear swung its massive limb to strike, an interruption occurred. Dawn—her movements sluggish from the toll of her earlier battle—waved her hand, summoning a thick smokescreen. It was a desperate attempt to blur the vision of the beast. The smoke worked, giving Raga just enough of an opening to attempt a retreat. But instead of retreating, he refused to abandon his ground, choosing instead to ignite his sword once more. The flames flared back to life with a brilliance that illuminated the surrounding darkness, overwhelming the ghost bear's icy shield.
For a fleeting moment, there was a brilliant explosion, a flash of light that seared through the battlefield, blinding me momentarily. My eyes took a few precious seconds to adjust, but by the time they did, the situation had worsened. The bear was not done. In an instant, its massive claw pierced Raga's chest, blood spraying from the wound as the force of the strike made him stumble back, his grip on his sword loosening. I watched in horror as the beast didn't just push Raga away, but it swung its mighty fist and delivered a devastating punch to his body. Raga was sent hurtling through the air, his body and sword flying in the same direction as Lucius, who had been hidden in the distance.
Dawn stood frozen in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. She had seen enough to know what had just transpired, but her vision had taken longer to clear. When it finally did, the sight that greeted her was enough to drain the color from her face. Her husband, Raga, impaled and bloodied, was no longer standing, and the beast was stalking its prey with terrifying intent.
Now, it was just the three of us left standing—though "standing" was a generous term. Dawn barely had the strength to hold her weapon, her arms trembling from the strain of her earlier injuries and spells. I stood by her, my own body battered and bruised, but still on my feet, though barely. The beast, still crouching on all fours, was in a similar state. It was battered, bloodied, and clearly exhausted, yet it was far from defeated. In all my years of facing dangerous creatures, few beasts had the endurance or ferocity to keep fighting after taking so much damage. Yet here it was, still determined to kill.
The Ghost Bears were legendary for their ruthlessness and cunning. They didn't engage in battle without reason. Most beasts of the outer rim avoided humans when possible, preferring to flee rather than fight. But not the Ghost Bears. They stalked their prey, hunting with a stealth and intelligence that made them unmatched. They didn't attack in packs; instead, they hunted alone, using the element of surprise to their advantage. Once they decided on a target, there was no retreat, no hesitation. They would follow for hours if need be, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And once they did, they attacked with a savagery that few could survive.
The white-furred Ghost Bears were among the most dangerous of their kind, and the one before me was no exception. Every instinct screamed at me to retreat, to leave this fight, but something in my chest—some primal, defiant spark—refused to give in. Despite the odds, despite the almost certain death that awaited, I was unwilling to abandon the fight. I glanced at Dawn, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion.
With a heavy breath, I stepped forward, my sword gleaming in the cold light of the dying flames. "Giving up and retreating? That's not in our blood, right?" I called to the beast, my voice tinged with both defiance and desperation. The beast's roar was delayed, as though it were savoring its moment, before it released an answer that only confirmed what I already knew. This wasn't a battle to win. This was a death match—one that we would either escape from or be consumed by.
"Dawn, take June and retreat to the narrow trees behind this region. I'll handle this beast myself."
I gave her my final command, my voice firm, unwavering. Whether she chose to obey or defy me no longer mattered. My focus was solely on the boy now—everything else was irrelevant. Their foolishness, their reckless disobedience, had led to this disaster. Raga, more than anyone, had sealed his own fate. I was certain he knew about Dawn's strange connection with Rey, yet he still threw himself into a fight for vengeance. And in the end, he paid the ultimate price—his life.
For once, Dawn reacted swiftly. As the monstrous creature lunged closer, she turned on her heels and bolted. But instead of taking June with her as I had ordered, she abandoned the unconscious girl like deadweight and disappeared into the shadows.
My eyes widened in shock, my body instinctively dodging the beast's attack, but my mind struggled to process what I had just witnessed.
"No! You stupid bitc—!"
Before I could even finish my outburst, the creature cut me off, slamming its massive limbs forward in an attempt to break through my guard. Its sheer strength was overwhelming, pushing against my weapon with relentless force. Every muscle in my body strained to keep my stance, barely managing to hold it at bay. Just a few meters behind me, June lay completely motionless. If the chaos of battle—the deafening explosions, the earth-shaking clashes—hadn't woken her by now, nothing would.
With no other choice, I decided to go all out. I considered my options, but none offered the same chance of survival as unleashing my full power.
I tightened my grip on my weapon with both hands. It was now or never.
"Mana Zone: Dance of the Bladeknight."
The moment I activated my technique, a powerful force erupted from within me. My core became a vortex, spinning at immense speed, pulling in the surrounding mana like a whirlpool consuming the ocean. This was a lesser version of the legendary S-rank technique, but still formidable in its own right. As mana surged into me, I could feel my strength rising, my movements sharpening, my instincts becoming razor-focused. This ability would allow me to continuously absorb and refine vast amounts of mana even as I fought—a crucial advantage in a battle where every second counted.
I exhaled sharply, steadying my stance as I locked eyes with my monstrous opponent.
"Finally..." A smirk tugged at my lips despite the situation. "We're on equal ground now."
BOOOOM
Even before the explosion erupted, I sensed a powerful accumulation of mana from the direction Dawn had run. The sheer force of the energy radiating from the distant trees made everything else— even the beast standing in front of me—feel irrelevant. My senses dulled to its presence, its very image dissolving into a mist-like illusion before my eyes.
"Another mirage?! But how?!"
The realization sent a chilling shudder down my spine. I was certain we had exchanged blows—or had we? My grip tightened around my weapon as doubt crept in. Had I been fighting an illusion the entire time? Had the real monster been somewhere else all along?
Then, from the trees ahead, the true beast emerged, moving with a slow, menacing stride. A grotesque sight rested between its massive jaws—something round, dripping with fresh blood. My breath hitched. A closer look confirmed my worst fear.
Dawn's severed head.
The beast had killed her.
The crimson trail of blood formed a dark line along the ground as the creature carried her lifeless remains, unbothered, almost as if savoring the moment. My chest tightened, but anger quickly overtook grief. There was no time for mourning. There was only one battle.
I launched myself into the air, my sword gleaming with mana, ready to strike and end this nightmare once and for all. The beast's glowing eyes followed my movement, but it made no effort to evade or counterattack. It simply stood there, lowering its head, jaws parting as it gently let Dawn's head roll onto the bloodstained ground.
Then I saw it—what it had been preparing.
Mana surged around its body, condensing above its spine into a massive, donut-shaped transparent ring. The sheer density of the energy made the air around it crackle, distorting space itself. My senses flared with alarm, my instincts screaming at me to abandon the attack and retreat. But I was already mid-air, too close, too committed. There was no turning back.
I had only one choice—go all in.
"Mana Zone: The Fallen Meteorite!"
I roared the chant as my entire body became encased in a hundred thin sheets of mana, forming layers of protective energy. At the same time, I poured every ounce of my remaining mana into my sword, causing its blade to extend several meters, glowing with a searing intensity that made it feel like I was wielding a piece of the sun itself. The sheer weight of the massive blade burdened my arms, yet it only fueled my resolve.
Below me, the beast finished charging its attack.
I had heard of this technique before—an infamous ability used only by the strongest of creatures. A pulse of highly compressed mana burst from its body, expanding outward in a massive shockwave. The first wave struck everything within a hundred-meter radius, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Trees were uprooted, the earth split apart, and boulders were shattered into dust.
Then came the second pulse.
Then the third.
Each consecutive wave grew stronger, sending ripples through the battlefield, weakening my descent momentarily. But I refused to waver. I clenched my teeth, muscles straining against the immense pressure, my sword still aimed at the beast's core.
And then, the final pulse came.
A colossal surge of raw, charged mana—pure destruction incarnate.
It collided with my descending attack in a violent clash, shaking the very fabric of reality. The two forces didn't merely collide—they merged, fusing for a split second before detonating like an erupting volcano. The explosion consumed everything, a blinding flash of light accompanied by an ear-splitting roar.
I pushed forward with all my might, my voice joining the beast's as we both roared, both refusing to give in. This was the final moment. A battle of will, power, and survival. One of us had to fall.
And it would not be me.
***
'How long was I unconscious?'
That was my first thought before I even opened my eyes. My body felt heavy, unresponsive, like I had been submerged in deep water. My hearing was muffled, but the distant echoes of the battlefield still reached me. When I finally forced my eyelids open, I was met with devastation.
The explosion had left behind an enormous crater, its darkened edges still smoldering from the sheer force of mana that had been unleashed. The ground where the beast once stood had completely collapsed inward, leaving a jagged, hollow pit. Trees had been shredded apart, their broken remains scattered in every direction. The once-dense forest was now an unrecognizable wasteland, consumed by destruction.
Then, I noticed something alarming—blind spots in my vision. Large, irregular patches of darkness distorted my sight, remnants of the aftermath of the battle. It took me a moment to realize I was slumped against a sturdy tree, likely the only one resilient enough to withstand the blast that had sent me crashing into it.
I conducted a quick self-examination. My right arm was in ruins—fractures, muscle tears, barely any feeling left. My armor had fared no better; my headgear was shattered, my breastplate cracked beyond repair. But despite all that, I was alive. No fatal wounds. No permanent damage. I let out a slow, strained breath of relief.
Then, amidst the blurs and blind spots, I saw her.
June.
She was lying on the ground a few meters ahead of me, her wide, terrified eyes locked onto mine. She was awake. Finally. That should have been a relief, but the fear frozen on her face made my stomach drop.
Something was behind her.
The Ghost Bear.
I hadn't sensed it, likely because my senses were still dulled from the battle's aftermath. But now, with the overwhelming stench of blood filling my lungs, I knew exactly what had terrified her. The beast was in shambles. Deep gashes marred its massive body, its left ribcage torn open to reveal splintered bone. Blood oozed from the wounds, pooling beneath its feet. Its breathing was ragged, uneven, and its posture was unsteady, yet its glowing eyes burned with undying malice.
'Still standing, huh? You persistent bastard…'
I couldn't help but admire it, despite everything. Even with fatal injuries, it refused to back down. A part of me wished I had that kind of resolve. But deep inside, I knew this was the end. I had heard the stories. Ghost Bears didn't just kill their prey. They tormented them—slowly, painfully. They enjoyed the suffering.
'This is going to be a long night…'
I had already surrendered to my fate when the beast took a step forward, its monstrous form towering over June. She trembled violently, her lips parting in a weak, barely audible plea for help. It was painful to watch. The bear inhaled deeply, its massive nostrils flaring as it took in her scent. That same deep sniffing motion I had seen before—right before they decided whether to kill, eat, or torture their victims.
Then, it made its choice. A massive claw came down. June's scream was unlike anything I had ever heard. A bone-chilling, heart-wrenching sound that would haunt me for the rest of my days. Its long, razor-sharp nails tore into her back with ease, puncturing deep into flesh. She thrashed, her small limbs flailing as she tried in vain to free herself. But the bear was merciless. With deliberate precision, it ripped her apart—one limb at a time. Her screams grew weaker with every tear of flesh, every snap of bone. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. The unbearable stench of blood filled the air, so thick it nearly choked me. The dark crimson splatters painted the ground, her body twitching, broken. Then, the beast placed a heavy paw on her head.
And then, with a sickening crunch, it was over. The bear's massive paw crushed June's head, the sound deafening, wet, and final. She was gone. I should have felt something—rage, fury, grief, anything—but all I felt was relief. She wasn't suffering anymore.
The beast turned its gaze toward me. It knew. I was next.
But unlike June, I would go down fighting. My body was barely holding together, but the lingering effects of my Dance of the Bladeknight technique still coursed through me. My right arm was useless, shattered beyond function, but my left—my left was still capable. And it would have to be enough.
I steadied myself, exhaling sharply as my thoughts drifted to the boy we had met just an hour ago. Lucius. His small frame, his wide, admiring eyes, and that voice—so filled with innocence and respect. I couldn't sense him anymore, but I knew he was there, watching from the shadows. Hoping. Praying. Praying that I had something left, some miracle, to end this nightmare.
I didn't. That kind of strength… I once had it. But that was a long time ago.
The Ghost Bear suddenly picked up speed, its massive form barreling toward me. It must have sensed my recovery, eager to finish me before I could regain my footing. The earth trembled beneath its charge, sending vibrations through the ground. My vision was still distorted, but that tremor gave me exactly what I needed—I knew its position. Its approach.
I had one chance.
Tightening my grip, I kicked my sword up with my right leg, catching it in my left hand. The moment my fingers wrapped around the hilt, I lunged forward.
This was it.
My final stand.
The beast and I collided, my blade meeting its monstrous strength in a clash of steel, sparks, and blood. At first, I thought the blood was mine. The pain was everywhere, after all. But I was wrong.
Through the scattered gaps in my blurred vision, I saw it—the crimson arc of a blade slicing through the air, a perfect, merciless strike.
'Crimson Ultima!'
The beast's arm fell away from its body, severed cleanly at the joint.
Raga.
He was still alive.
Four deep, gaping holes riddled his chest, yet somehow, he remained standing. Barely—but standing. With what little life remained in him, he had landed a decisive blow.
Seizing the opportunity, I thrust my blade into the beast's exposed core. Its agonized roar split the sky, shaking the very ground beneath us. Before it could retaliate, I summoned a small dagger into my mangled right hand. The pain was unbearable, but I ignored it, forcing the blade into its flesh. Again. And again.
Raga—half-dead, half-alive—threw himself in front of me, using his own body as a shield, taking on every counterattack without hesitation.
"That's for my family!" he bellowed, his voice raw with vengeance.
The beast swung its massive head with all its might. Raga's body was sent flying into the darkness. At that exact moment, I drove my dagger deep into the monster's throat.
The Ghost Bear reared onto its hind legs, lifting me off the ground. I refused to let go, gripping my dagger with everything I had. Using the thin wire that connected my dagger and sword, I looped it around the beast's thick neck and jumped.
As I soared over its back, I pulled with all my strength.
The wire tightened. The blade twisted deeper into its core.
The beast resisted, thrashing wildly, but the more it struggled, the worse its injuries became. With my right arm now free, I gathered the last remnants of my mana, shaping it into eight small but sharp arcs. One by one, they pierced its massive form.
The roars of agony turned to desperate, gurgled gasps.
It was over.
With one final push, I released my grip, allowing the beast to pull me toward it—only for me to use the momentum to drive my reinforced elbow straight into its skull. I soared past, landing unsteadily behind its towering form.
Silence.
The Ghost Bear wobbled, its body shuddering. Then, with a final, resounding thud, it collapsed.
I staggered forward, barely able to keep myself upright. My breaths came in ragged gasps, my entire body screaming in exhaustion. But it was done. The monster was dead.
As I stood over its lifeless form, a familiar figure emerged from the trees.
Lucius.
He walked up beside me, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, we both stared at the beast's fallen body, neither of us speaking.
Then, without a word, I reached for my ring, injecting a small amount of mana. The Ghost Bear's corpse disappeared into my storage, leaving behind only the bloodstained earth and the echoes of the battle that had just unfolded.
I turned to Lucius and extended my hand.
He took it.
"It's over," I said, my voice heavy with finality. "Chop Chop little one, we're leaving..."