"This cannot be! This grand adventure is undertaken for the safety of the people of Galatea and Biscode. It would be a farce to merely go through the motions," Galou declared with a gesture of dismissal, his voice laden with righteous indignation.
Upon hearing Galou's lofty proclamation, Zhang Fan barely suppressed a laugh. It was clear the prince was merely seeking an excuse for his own amusement, cloaking it in the guise of nobility.
"But this is truly perilous," Vier attempted to dissuade Galou.
"Unacceptable! As the prince of the Galatean Lion Corps, I cannot and will not retreat!" Galou ignored Vier's concern, his pride as a prince overriding caution. Previously, his ventures near the border were heavily guarded, depriving him of the thrill of adventure. Now, with just a small party, he relished the freedom it brought.
"I believe Vier has a point. A casual stroll is one thing, but venturing too deeply could spell disaster," Zhang Fan interjected. While he was eager for a challenge, he also bore the responsibility for the group's safety. It was not the time for selfish actions.
"Alright, I get it," Galou reluctantly conceded, respecting the promise he made to follow Zhang Fan's lead. With Zhang Fan's declaration, Galou knew he had lost any chance to argue.
"Wait! There's something!" Holo, walking by Zhang Fan's side, suddenly spoke up. What sound? Her wolf ears twitched as if detecting something amiss.
"What's happening?" Zhang Fan immediately inquired, lacking Holo's acute hearing.
"It seems dangerous, like a fierce beast," Holo replied, her expression grave.
"Retreat!" Zhang Fan made an instant decision, trusting Holo's judgment. As Galou and the others looked on in confusion, Zhang Fan turned his mount, leading the retreat. With Zhang Fan's command, there was no room for objection.
Before they could get far, a series of thunderous roars echoed behind them. Could it be? From the sound alone, they knew the creature pursuing them was no trivial foe.
"Don't look back! Just run!" Zhang Fan urged, though he couldn't help but glance behind. What they faced was a colossal rhinoceros, over ten meters long and four meters tall, its sharp horn gleaming with a silver sheen. As it charged, the forest trembled. How had such a monster appeared here?
It was futile. The beast's speed was too great; they wouldn't last thirty seconds at this rate. With no time to waste, Zhang Fan leaped into the air, summoning his divine wings for an aerial assault.
"Rune Technique—Flash of Annihilation!" A massive column of light descended from the sky, Zhang Fan's most potent attack to date. Despite its power, the rhinoceros's thick hide barely registered the hit, showing only minor cracks without a drop of blood. The beast's resilience was disheartening.
Unable to let it advance further, Zhang Fan knew he had to stop it here. With "Flash of Annihilation" proving ineffective, he prepared for a stronger attack.
"Rune Technique—Lunar Slash!" Another powerful strike, yet it too failed to make a significant impact. Zhang Fan's energy waned, and the situation grew dire.
"Rune Technique—Cyclone Claw!" At that moment, Holo intervened with a blaze of orange light. Her energy claws targeted the rhinoceros's eyes, catching it off guard and striking true.
"Careful!" While hitting the beast's eyes was advantageous, it enraged the rhinoceros further. With Holo directly in its path, she was in imminent danger.
In a flash, Zhang Fan swept Holo into his arms, narrowly escaping the rhinoceros's rampage. His quick thinking saved Holo from certain peril, though her mount was not so fortunate, sent flying by the beast's charge.
"Why did you come back? Didn't you realize the danger?" Zhang Fan scolded Holo, relieved yet frustrated by her reckless act.
"I just wanted to help," Holo murmured from Zhang Fan's embrace, her earlier bravado replaced by vulnerability. Realizing the gravity of their situation, she clung to Zhang Fan, seeking comfort in his presence.
"Sigh, rest for now. Leave this beast to me," Zhang Fan reassured her, setting Holo down to face the frenzied rhinoceros alone. Its relentless destruction of the forest underscored the urgent need to subdue it, prompting Zhang Fan to ready his next move against the formidable foe.