[PoV ???]
My feet hit the rough, damp ground, each step feeling heavier as though the earth itself conspired to stop me. My breath came in gasps, my chest tight, but I couldn't stop running—not now.
I glanced back and saw a group of Smilodon monsters chasing me, their red eyes gleaming with a hunger for blood and flesh. Their deadly fangs jutted out, poised to tear me apart.
I can't let them catch me, or I'll die!
Their movements were so quick and agile, seeming unaffected by the thick snow blanketing the ground. At this speed, they would soon catch up. And if they did, a mere wizard without physical strength like me wouldn't stand a chance.
"I need to do something!"
Out of nowhere, a fierce will to survive surged within me, pushing me to give it my all. I shook my head, trying to dispel the fear clouding my thoughts. With trembling hands, I pulled out the wand from my waist and recited a spell I knew by heart.
"Å brennende ild, form en vegg som skjermer meg." Then, I turned around and shouted the spell's name to activate it. "Brannmur!"
A thick, scorching wall of fire blazed around me. When the Smilodon monsters touched it, they shrieked in pain as the flames forced them to retreat.
"Hahaha! You won't break through my magic wall!" I laughed with satisfaction, confidence swelling within me. Now, I felt ready to face them with my abundant magic energy.
The Smilodon pack snarled in frustration, beginning to circle me and form a ring. I smirked confidently, certain they wouldn't be able to reach me.
"Go on, try to break through my magic, you ugly cats. Pfft!"
I stuck my tongue out, taunting them, knowing they couldn't do a thing. Honestly, this spell was just a beginner's magic. If it weren't for my dense mana reserves, my magic wouldn't be this powerful.
Someday, I'd need to ask my master to teach me a stronger spell, just in case I faced a situation like this again.
Several seconds passed, and the monsters hadn't moved an inch.
"What's going on? Are they waiting for my mana to run out?" I frowned, observing their behavior. But then, I smirked mockingly. "You'll never get to touch me. Even if you wait a whole week, my mana won't run out."
They only growled lowly, their faces contorting in frustration at their inability to attack me.
Scritch. Scritch.
The rustling sound of bushes caught my attention. I stood still and looked toward the source of the noise. A large figure emerged from the shadows of the forest, and my eyes widened as I took in the sight.
"No way, it's..."
A Smilodon nearly two meters tall emerged from behind the bushes. Its sharp claws and fangs glinted under the sunlight, its fur as white as snow. Glowing red eyes stared at me intently. Along its body, sky-blue magic crystals glimmered.
The largest Smilodon strode toward me, its pack stepping aside respectfully to make way for it. They seemed to bow their heads as if acknowledging this giant as their leader.
"Damn it! Why did I have to run into an alpha?"
Alphas are the leaders of monster packs, the strongest among them, respected by the others. Judging by its form, this particular monster had definitely evolved, making it far more powerful than an ordinary beast.
I bit my nails. "What now? What should I do?"
The Alpha's heavy footsteps shook the ground beneath me. My skin prickled, my heart pounded, and my legs felt weak, standing was becoming a challenge.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Calm down, Linnie, it's just big. Trust me, it won't get through the fire wall if I strengthen it a bit more. Yeah, I just need to reinforce it a bit."
Closing my eyes to focus, I began chanting the same spell again, ready to layer it with additional magic.
"Brannmur!"
I swung my wand again. The same spell activated, layering the previous wall and darkening the flames, signaling that they were now twice as hot as before.
My body felt drained, drenched in sweat, and I wobbled, nearly losing my balance.
Though it's a beginner's spell, Fire Wall requires a lot of mana to cast. And maintaining the flames eats away at a small amount of mana over time.
"Hah...hah... it's a bit tiring, but it doesn't matter. I still have plenty of mana left. I could keep this spell up for two or three days if I need to."
The Alpha halted, growling softly. Like its followers, it seemed frustrated by my actions.
Seeing this, I grinned mockingly, sticking out my tongue again. "Pfft!"
A frown creased the Alpha's brow. They might not be as intelligent, but these monsters still appeared to understand when they were being provoked. The Alpha Smilodon took a few steps back and drew in a deep breath, making me wonder what it intended to do.
Whatever it was, it wouldn't change the fact that it couldn't penetrate my magic.
"Graaaaah!"
Its mighty roar unleashed a powerful gust, shaking my sturdy fire wall. Even as I covered my ears tightly, my eardrums rang painfully.
"Sto...stop it… this hurts," I shouted hoarsely, pressing my hands against my ears.
Looking around, I saw my fire wall had been blown apart by the roar; there was no longer any magic protecting me from the Smilodon pack, who were now poised to make me their prey. My body went limp, numb, and I collapsed onto the thick snow.
For a moment, my heart seemed to stop. My mind struggled to process what had happened. I stared blankly at the monsters closing in. My earlier confidence had vanished without a trace.
As the massive feline drew closer, my brain finally snapped back into action. I scrambled backward, pleading with them, though I knew they wouldn't understand a word.
"N-no, please don't come closer. My meat is little, bitter, and unappetizing!"
Rather than pouncing immediately, they advanced slowly, seemingly intent on instilling deep fear within me. They acted like killers who relished their prey's terror before the final strike.
"Nooo! Somebody, please help me!" I screamed as loudly as I could, hoping someone would hear.
I continued to crawl backward, inch by inch, until my back met a large stone. Now I was truly cornered, with no escape.
Their sharp grins made me tremble even more. Tears started streaming down my cheeks, realizing there was no way to escape death now. I couldn't hold back my sobs any longer.
Hic… hic… Is this how it ends?
Resigned, I curled up, trying to wipe away the tears streaming down my face. Desperation crept over me, sadness weighing down as I prepared to become these monsters' next meal.
Fragments of childhood memories flashed in my mind. I remembered my father—always there for me, always spoiling me, always loving me despite my flaws.
Now, I regretted running away from home and ending up here. Father, forgive your foolish little girl.
The Smilodon came closer. I could feel their warm, panting breaths, eager to taste my flesh.
"I don't want it to end like this." With death looming over me, I whispered to myself, "Someone, please help me… hic… hic…"
A shadow suddenly appeared in front of me. With a single powerful swing of his long spear, he struck all the Smilodon away, even the Alpha.
"You're safe now, stay calm." His voice sounded warm and soft in my ears. When I sat up, I looked at a handsome man in a black coat trimmed with bird feathers around the collar.
"Are you alright?"
A shrill voice came from beside me. I turned to see a girl with wolf-like ears and dark purple hair. Worry was reflected in her captivating golden eyes. She gently placed both hands on my shoulders, as if trying to reassure me.
"Everything's alright now; you're going to be just fine," she said with a warm smile. She waved at the young man fighting alone. "Yata, take care of them yourself, okay? I know you're strong enough to handle it."
"Alright. I'll do my best."
The man she called Yata took a stance, one leg braced forward, his spear pointed straight ahead as he fixed his shining black eyes on the Smilodons.
One of the beasts charged at him at full speed. The monster leaped high, its front claws extended toward him. But the man seemed calm, unmoving, his gaze steady on his opponent.
He moved his spear with a single, fluid motion, graceful and natural. His swing was so subtle it almost looked like a gentle breeze. It was slow enough that even my untrained eyes could follow it.
Thud.
In an instant, the Smilodon was impaled on his spear, the blade piercing its left chest all the way through to its back. Who would have thought such a gentle movement could be a lethal weapon, like a silent assassin?
"Incredible." The words slipped from my mouth as I watched in awe. "I've never seen anything like that before."
The white snow beneath Yata's feet was stained with the thick, pungent red liquid. The Smilodon that had attacked him now lay limp at his feet, the spear still lodged in its chest.
Yata pulled his spear free and gave it a quick flick to shake off the blood. He looked at the nine remaining Smilodons with a sharp gaze, extending his spear toward them.
"Who's next?" he asked, standing with a confident stance.
The Smilodon pack growled at him, every eye filled with rage after seeing the death of their companion. They advanced slowly, readying themselves to charge at him together.
At that moment, I could see the wide grin spreading across Yata's face. Instead of fear, it seemed he was enjoying the battle unfolding before his eyes.