The Shadow Wyrm's roar echoed through the forest, its eyes glowing with an ominous red light as it locked onto Kazuki and his team. The creature was massive, standing at least three times taller than any of the monsters they had encountered so far. Its scales shimmered in the moonlight, a mixture of black and deep purple, and its massive claws dug into the earth with each slow, deliberate step.
Kazuki could feel the intensity of the creature's presence, but his face remained as calm as ever. He wasn't one to panic easily, even when facing such an overwhelming opponent. Instead, he surveyed the situation carefully, considering his options. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword as his instincts kicked in.
Leo, standing behind his barrier, was visibly shaken. "A Shadow Wyrm… I've only read about them in ancient texts. This is a Class S monster. We're way out of our league here!"
Serena glanced at Kazuki, noticing his calm demeanor. "Kazuki, what's the plan? We can't just rush into this blindly."
Kazuki nodded, his gaze never leaving the Wyrm. "We'll need to play it smart. Leo, keep your barrier up as long as you can. Serena, try to get behind it when it's focused on me. I'll keep it distracted."
Serena raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "You're finally taking the lead, huh? Don't get yourself killed."
Kazuki gave her a half-smile, drawing his sword with a slow, deliberate motion. "I don't plan on dying. Not yet, anyway."
With a burst of speed, Kazuki dashed forward, moving faster than either Serena or Leo could follow. His sword gleamed in the moonlight as he swung it toward the Wyrm's thick, armored leg. The blade connected with a loud clang, sending a shockwave through the air, but barely scratching the creature's scales.
The Wyrm roared, swinging one of its massive claws at Kazuki. He leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the strike. Dust and debris flew into the air as the claw smashed into the ground where he had stood just moments before.
"Damn, that thing's tough," Kazuki muttered under his breath, eyeing the creature's thick scales. "I'll need to find a weak spot…"
Serena circled around the Wyrm, looking for an opening. "I'm in position! Just keep it busy!" she called out, readying her sword for a strike.
Leo, from behind the barrier, began chanting an incantation. His staff glowed with a bright, blue light as he prepared a spell. "Kazuki, I'm casting a binding spell! I don't know if it'll hold, but it should slow it down!"
Kazuki nodded, glancing over his shoulder. "Do it."
Leo's voice rose as he completed the spell, a series of glowing chains appearing from thin air and wrapping around the Wyrm's massive legs. The creature roared in fury, thrashing against the magical restraints, but the chains held—for now.
"Nice work, Leo!" Kazuki called out, taking advantage of the opening. He dashed forward again, this time aiming for the Wyrm's underbelly. His sword moved with lightning speed, slashing across the creature's softer, more vulnerable flesh.
The Wyrm howled in pain, its movements becoming more erratic as it tried to shake off the chains. Serena seized the moment, darting forward with a powerful strike aimed at its hind leg. Her blade cut deep, causing the creature to stumble.
But just as it seemed they were gaining the upper hand, the chains began to crack under the Wyrm's immense strength. Leo's face paled as he struggled to maintain the spell. "It's breaking free! I can't hold it much longer!"
Kazuki cursed under his breath, realizing they didn't have much time. He could feel the strain in the air as Leo's magic began to wane. They had to finish this quickly, or they'd be in serious trouble.
The window appeared again, flashing urgently in front of Kazuki's eyes.
Warning: Enemy strength is increasing. Defensive measures recommended.
Kazuki gritted his teeth, ignoring the warning for now. He had no intention of backing down. With a sharp breath, he channeled all of his strength into one final attack. He sprinted toward the Wyrm's head, leaping high into the air with his sword raised above him.
In that brief moment, time seemed to slow. Kazuki's eyes locked with the Wyrm's glowing red gaze as he brought his sword down in a powerful, decisive strike. The blade connected with the creature's skull, sending a shockwave through the air.
The Wyrm let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing to the ground, its body shaking the earth beneath them. Dust and debris filled the air as the massive creature lay still, defeated at last.
Kazuki landed lightly on the ground, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the battle. He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, sheathing his sword as he turned to face Serena and Leo.
"Is it… over?" Leo asked, his voice trembling slightly as the magical chains faded away.
Kazuki nodded, his expression calm. "Yeah. It's over."
Serena walked over, sheathing her sword with a satisfied smirk. "Not bad, Kazuki. For someone who doesn't like fighting, you sure know how to handle yourself in a battle."
Kazuki shrugged. "I only fight when I have to. You guys did most of the work."
Leo let out a relieved sigh, leaning on his staff for support. "I thought we were done for. I've never seen a creature that strong before…"
Kazuki glanced down at the Wyrm's massive body, his mind already moving to the next concern. "We should get moving. That thing was probably drawn here by something. We don't want to stick around and find out what else is in this forest."
Serena nodded in agreement. "Right. Let's get to the town and regroup."
As they began walking again, Kazuki's mind drifted back to the warning from the window. He had a feeling that this wasn't the last time they'd face something like this. And there was something else that bothered him—why had the window appeared so frequently during this fight? Was it trying to tell him something more?
They walked in silence for a while, the forest growing darker as the sun fully set. The town was still a few hours away, and the atmosphere felt tense after their encounter with the Wyrm. But Kazuki's thoughts were interrupted by Leo, who seemed deep in contemplation.
"Hey, Kazuki," Leo began, his tone curious. "That monster… it wasn't a random encounter, was it? It felt like it was drawn to us. Almost like it was hunting us."
Kazuki didn't answer right away. He had considered the same thing. There was something unnatural about the way the Wyrm had appeared, as if it had been waiting for them.
Serena chimed in. "You think someone's targeting us?"
Kazuki frowned, glancing back at the forest. "Maybe. But it's too soon to say for sure. Let's not jump to conclusions until we know more."
Leo nodded, though the worry didn't leave his face. "Still… it doesn't hurt to be cautious. We should keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
The group continued on their path, their pace quickening as they approached the town. Kazuki's mind raced with possibilities. If they were being hunted, then this journey was about to get a lot more complicated. But for now, they needed rest. They would have to deal with whatever came next when the time arrived.
As the town finally came into view, Kazuki felt a sense of relief wash over him. They had survived another day, but the shadow of danger loomed ever closer.