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Scene: Inside the Gate, Moments After the Bear's Appearance
The massive A-rank bear monster towered before them, its dark fur rippling with unnatural energy. Its glowing eyes, filled with primal rage, were locked on Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu. The air was thick with tension, and the ground beneath their feet trembled as the beast let out another earth-shaking roar.
Kang Wo Hu's instincts screamed at her to brace for battle, her hand tightening around her weapon, but Mordryn stepped forward, his presence commanding the space between them and the creature.
Mordryn:
calmly but firmly
"Step back."
Kang Wo Hu hesitated, her eyes widening as she looked at him.
Kang Wo Hu:
"What? No, I can help—"
But Mordryn's voice cut through her protest like a blade.
Mordryn:
with an edge of authority
"This is no ordinary A-rank monster. It's different... older, more dangerous. Stay behind me."
Kang Wo Hu blinked, startled by the intensity in his voice. She had never heard him speak like this before—so certain, so sure of what he was facing. There was no doubt in his eyes, no hesitation in his movements.
Reluctantly, she stepped back, her heart racing. She knew Mordryn was powerful, but this was an A-rank monster. Even the best hunters struggled against creatures of this caliber, and yet, here was Mordryn, standing between her and the beast with a calm that made her blood freeze.
The bear's growl deepened, its massive form shifting as it prepared to charge. It was fast—too fast for something of its size. Before Kang Wo Hu could even register its movement, the bear lunged forward, claws extended, aiming to tear Mordryn apart.
But Mordryn was faster.
In a blur of motion, he raised his hand, a dark energy swirling around his palm. He met the beast head-on, his body moving with an unnatural fluidity that seemed effortless. His fist collided with the bear's massive claw, and the ground cracked beneath the force of their clash.
Kang Wo Hu's eyes widened in disbelief. She had seen powerful hunters before, but Mordryn... he moved like a force of nature, like a storm that couldn't be contained. Each of his strikes was precise, each movement calculated.
Mordryn:
gritting his teeth
"You... are nothing."
The bear let out a furious roar, its enormous body twisting as it tried to overpower Mordryn. But he didn't falter. With a swift, brutal motion, he slammed his palm into the beast's chest, sending a shockwave of energy through its body.
The bear staggered, its form shuddering as dark tendrils of magic wrapped around it, binding its limbs. It struggled, but it was no match for the raw power that Mordryn had unleashed.
With a final, decisive strike, Mordryn thrust his hand forward, his fingers glowing with dark energy. The bear let out one last, agonized roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive form crumpling into a heap of fur and muscle. The ground shook with the force of its fall, and the air grew still.
It was over. In just a matter of minutes, the A-rank monster—something that would have taken a team of hunters hours to bring down—was defeated.
Kang Wo Hu stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at Mordryn. He didn't even seem winded. His expression remained calm, his eyes sharp as he turned to face her.
Mordryn:
quietly
"Are you hurt?"
Kang Wo Hu shook her head, still trying to process what she had just witnessed.
Kang Wo Hu:
in awe
"That... that was incredible. I've never seen anyone fight like that."
Mordryn didn't respond, his gaze shifting to the fallen bear. He could feel the faint flicker of energy from the beast's core—its lifeforce slowly fading. But even as he absorbed what little power remained, it wasn't enough. His strength was returning, but not fast enough.
Mordryn:
thinking to himself
"This is only the beginning. There's more power here... somewhere."
Kang Wo Hu finally stepped forward, her eyes still wide with shock.
Kang Wo Hu:
"How did you know it wasn't a normal A-rank monster?"
Mordryn's gaze remained on the fallen beast, his voice low.
Mordryn:
"I've fought creatures like this before. This bear... it's not from your world. It's older, stronger. There are forces at play here that go beyond what your hunters understand."
Kang Wo Hu frowned, her mind racing with questions, but before she could ask anything else, a strange sound echoed through the air. It was faint at first, but it grew louder, more distinct.
Mordryn turned, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon.
Mordryn:
quietly
"We're not alone."
Kang Wo Hu followed his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. In the distance, through the twisted trees and jagged rocks, there was a faint light—something unnatural in this dark, foreboding landscape.
Kang Wo Hu:
whispering
"What is that...?"
They moved cautiously toward the light, their steps slow and deliberate. The air grew colder, and the landscape seemed to shift around them, as though the very world inside this gate was alive, watching them.
As they got closer, the light became clearer. It wasn't just a random glow—it was coming from a structure. A village, hidden deep within the gate's twisted realm.
The buildings were old, ancient even, made of stone and wood that looked like they had been untouched for centuries. Smoke rose from chimneys, and faint figures moved in the shadows.
Kang Wo Hu's breath caught in her throat.
Kang Wo Hu:
"A village... inside a gate?"
Mordryn's expression darkened. He had seen things like this before—places that existed outside of time, trapped between worlds. But this village... it felt wrong. The magic here was different, more sinister.
Mordryn:
quietly
"Be on your guard."
As they approached the outskirts of the village, the figures moving in the shadows began to take shape. They were humanoid, but there was something off about them—something unnatural.
And then, as they stepped closer, the village grew eerily silent. The figures stopped moving, their glowing eyes fixed on Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu.
Something wasn't right.
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End of Chapter 16