Grrrrreeeaaahhhrk!
The giant lizard let out a sharp, guttural screech, echoing through the charred landscape. The ground around it was a molten sea, lava bubbling and hissing as it slowly consumed the monster's legs, sinking halfway into the searing pool. Waves of intense heat radiated from the lava, warping the air and making every breath feel like inhaling flames.
If this doesn't work…
The instant I cast the attack, my body was flooded with exhaustion. A massive amount of soul energy drained from me, leaving a hollow, throbbing ache deep in my core. My legs began to tremble, and I had to lean heavily on my weapon just to stay standing, fighting off a wave of dizziness.
"Hah… hah… hah…" Each breath was labored, and I felt like my lungs might burn from the effort. "That attack consumes too much mana and soul energy; I feel like I'm going to pass out…" I whispered. Ever since coming to this world, I hadn't once used a skill that required so much mana in a single burst. By now, I'd figured out that soul energy and mana were essentially the same thing, but handling them felt overwhelming.
If I have to use another attack like that… I might pass out and be completely useless in a fight.
While the monster struggled to pull itself from the molten trap, I took the chance to catch my breath. "Die, you bastard!" I shouted, throwing every ounce of fury I had left into my voice.
Kim Seong-Hoon was already rushing to my side, quickly wrapping his left arm around my waist and holding me steady. "Are you okay, big sis?" His tone was cold and metallic, but there was a hint of worry in his voice.
"I'm fine…" I muttered, brushing him off. My mind was racing. "We need to decide quickly: do we run or fight? That monster must be high level, and even my strongest attack only trapped it. Its scaly body must be shielding its vital organs." Reluctant to retreat, I felt a deep frustration bubbling up inside. But now that the heat of battle had cooled, I could feel a gnawing doubt creeping in. Is this fight even possible?
Kim Seong-Hoon's eyes locked onto the monster's, his own gaze turning draconic, as if a beast inside him was waking. "I feel this urge… to kill it," he said, his voice laced with a primal hunger. "But you're right, we should move." His voice was reluctant, edged with frustration. "Little sister Jieun and Malrang are about 100 meters away; we can reach them quickly!"
Just then, a giant fireball came barreling toward us, blazing from the direction of the lizard. It was a breath attack—one that didn't stop. Flame after flame erupted from the monster's maw. "Not good!" I barely had time to react.
My heart skipped as the enormous, 10-meter-wide fireball drew closer, the heat intensifying with every millisecond. It all happened so fast. My instinct was to flee, but if I ran, Kim Seong-Hoon would likely be left in the blast, helpless. And even if I tried, the impact might still rip my legs clean off. I'm going to regret this!
"Triple Kinetic Shield!"
Boom Boom Boom
The air boomed as my kinetic shield manifested just before the flames struck.
"Eternal Ice!" A familiar voice pierced through the chaos as a 10-meter-tall ice wall appeared in front of my shields. The blue glow of the ice was a stark contrast against the flames, but it began to crack, buckling under the heat.
I glanced at Kim Seong-Hoon, his lips bloodied and his eyes bloodshot, his knees barely holding him up. I could tell he was using every last ounce of strength.
KABOOM
My first shield shattered on impact, and I cursed under my breath. The ice wall was already showing fractures. "Damn, it's going to shatter!" I yelled, panic rising. The remaining shields were nearly useless under the pressure. The heat was unbearable, searing through my skin and hair, and the pain was so intense I felt my vision blur.
"Celestial Guard!" Jieun's voice rang out as my second shield burst, a blinding, warm veil wrapping around us just in time.
Thud
Jieun's small form hit the ground, her body limp from the sheer force of the spell she cast.
Jieun…
"Big sis… I…"
Thud
Kim Seong-Hoon collapsed too, his last reserves spent holding up the ice wall and enduring the searing heat.
"Kinetic Shield! KINETIC SHIELD! DAMN IT!"
What now? I'm at my limit… "Wooo," Malrang leapt in front of me, her tiny body attempting to shield me. "Malrang, no!" I felt her energy surge through our connection as she prepared to sacrifice herself. "Air Shatter!" Extending my arm, I sent a controlled wind blast to push her out of harm's way, the force knocking her unconscious. I'm sorry, my friend… I couldn't let you do that. I hope you can forgive me.
Krrriiissshhh!
Jieun's veil shattered, leaving only my final shield, cracking under the relentless heat. Sixty… sixty-one… Just a bit longer. Maybe, with immortality, I could—
THUD... THUD... THUD…
Heavy footsteps echoed, and I looked up, barely able to comprehend the towering figure approaching.
Boom
A massive man landed in front of me, shielding me with his enormous form.
"Guardian Shield!" His deep, gravelly voice roared as he raised an immense golden hammer in one hand and a golden shield in the other. A 15-meter-tall shield, shimmering like moonlight, appeared before us, casting a blinding radiance. The fire attack dissipated instantly, leaving us bathed in healing light that soothed our wounds.
"Let me join your party!" the giant man bellowed, dropping his hammer and extending his hand. "Quickly!"
Who is this guy? I knew there was no room to refuse; if he could block that attack, he had to be powerful. "Fine! Let's do this!" I yelled, clasping his hand.
-Party successfully formed. Current members: 5. Party strength increased by 8% due to human player connection level.-
As he held back the fire with ease, I studied his massive frame in awe. "I'm Kang Eun-Woo. Nice to meet you, friend!" His voice was suddenly full of warmth.
"Thanks for saving us…" I muttered, frustration lingering. I felt weak for needing his help. "My name's Lee Gaon, sir…"
He laughed heartily. "I'm only 24! Don't make me a grandpa yet! Hahaha!" His laughter echoed loud and wide, and I couldn't help but feel some of the pressure slip away. How can he laugh in front of that beast? He must have nerves of steel. Or is he just that strong? Curiosity overcame me, and I activated my inspection skill.
Inspect!
-Kang Eun-Woo, Level 7 Star Knight-
Stats:
Level 3 Lesser Giant Stamina
Level 9 Attack
Level 5 Magic
Level 1 Lesser Giant Strength
Level 6 Lesser Giant Defense
Level 3 Agility
Level 1 Mana Spring
Level 9 Mana Regeneration
This guy's a beast! So far I am not able to see too much about the player characters. But this alone proves that he is already a powerful level 7.
"Sorry about that, Kang Eun-Woo." I felt that inspecting him at the moment was a bit inappropriate.
"No problem." He shook his head in understanding" I'll hold him here a bit longer. Try sneaking around and go for its neck—I saw someone kill one that way before. That's their weak spot." He pointed to the middle of the lizard's neck.
Who could take down a creature like this?! Alarm spread through me. Even with my abilities, this monster barely flinched from my attacks.
Sensing my thoughts, Kang Eun-Woo chuckled. "Hahaha… Don't think about it too much. The guy who did it is a beast himself, he is already at level 15. Few players could ever match his speed or talent, and his class... overpowered is an understatement."
"You must tell me more about this dude later, let's kill this lizard first."
I couldn't afford to wonder now. Supporting myself with my weapon, I pushed my tired body off the ground. Activating my Darkness Steps, I dashed forward, leaving a trail of shadows in my wake, feeling Kang Eun-Woo's presence next to Kim Seong-Hoon gave me strength and hope.
I wonder if this is strong enough... I'd never had the chance to test my new skills, so their total power was still a mystery. But after that last attack, I understood that these high mana-consuming moves were meant to be my finishers—an advantage of my Ruler status.
-Wind Slash: 900 Mana-
"Die, you freak!" My scythe thrummed with energy, my vision hazing from strain. Stay conscious, Gaon! Do it!
"Double Wind Slash!" I poured the last of my mana into the strike, aiming directly at the lizard's neck. My scythe sliced through the air, the wind slash forming an X that barreled toward the monster.
"Die!" The powerful cross of wind struck true, tearing a deep, lethal X-shaped hole through the lizard's neck.
Hrrraaaarrr…
The giant lizard let out a final, guttural scream before collapsing in a pool of its own blood. Slowly melting into the lava pool that was still present under its body.
"We did it!" I shouted in excitement. However, I should start holding my tongue behind the bars... Another strange phenomenon unfolded.
-Error! Error!-
-The impossible achievement has been fulfilled! Party members will now be transported to a trial area.-
WHAT???