For a moment, the forest fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly as the demon's body lay still. Julia and Rina stood side by side, breathing heavily, their bodies tense with adrenaline. Hima lowered her staff, eyes wide with disbelief, while Olive remained vigilant, scanning the treeline for any signs of further danger.
"Did… did we really just kill it?" Hima asked, her voice shaky. "It was massive!"
"It's not dead until we make sure," Olive replied, her black eyes sharp and focused. She stepped cautiously toward the demon, moving with the practiced grace of a predator. She kept her knives ready, poised for any sudden movement.
Julia nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on the demon's still form. "Stay alert. This could be a trick."
Rina, still gripping her sword, leaned forward, studying the creature. "It looks defeated," she said, but her voice held an edge of uncertainty. "But we've seen things before that could come back from worse."
