As the dust and debris finally settled, the once-mighty salamander—the ruler of the cave—lay motionless on the ground.
Its once vibrant blue and yellow scales were gone, replaced by charred remnants and blackened bones. The air was heavy with the smell of burnt flesh and bones, the aftermath of the trio's combined attack.
The creature that had once been a fearsome D-rank beast, agile and relentless, now resembled nothing more than a crumbling heap of ashes and fragmented remains. The water in the pond nearby was steaming, its surface rippling from the sheer force of the battle.
Ray, Leon, and Arnold stood still for a moment, catching their breath, their weapons lowered. They stared at the salamander's remains, each of them silently acknowledging the intensity of the fight and the teamwork—or rivalry—that had led to their victory.
