The shaking intensified, and the small island began to move.Cracks split open in the rocky ground as the yellow ocean churned violently around it, as if the sea itself had come alive.
Grido's voice cut through the chaos."Everybody, look out!" he yelled.
But it was only Akira's sharp instincts that caught something the others missed.
His eyes quickly scanned the fractured ground, piecing together the clues—the strange marks in the earth, the erratic behavior of the waves, and the unnatural light seeping up from below.His voice came out urgent, louder than the tremors.
"Grido! , transform the bird!"
"We have to get away now, or we'll die!"
Grido stared at him in shock."What are you talking about?!"
Akira shouted, his dark eyes blazing with confidence."The island—it's not just shaking!
"The island is the Boss!"
"The whole thing!"
"NOW, MOVE!"
His words struck like thunder. Grido didn't hesitate any longer.In an instant, his bird shifted from its small, concealed form into its true size, its massive wings unfurling."Get on! Now!" Grido yelled.
Akira darted forward, grabbed Victor—who was still frozen in stunned disbelief—and hauled him onto the bird's back. Grido did the same with Anna, who stumbled as the ground beneath her feet gave way.With everyone on its back, the bird began flapping its powerful wings, lifting them off the ground just as the island started to break apart.
A deafening rumble erupted from below, followed by a geyser of yellow liquid that shot a hundred feet into the air. The bird narrowly avoided the spray, climbing higher as the island began to transform.
From their vantage point, the true nature of the monster was revealed.
The island shifted, its rocky surface melting into a glowing, gelatinous mass. The sea around it bubbled furiously as a colossal, slime-like creature emerged, its back covered in a rocky shell like some ancient sea monster.Its eyes were two glowing orbs of gold, radiating pure hatred as they locked onto the bird. The odds felt insurmountable.
Anna clutched her chest, her voice trembling."That thing... it's not just huge—it's massive.How are we supposed to fight something like that?!"
Grido gritted his teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped the bird's reins."That's a Thermos."
"Damn it, I know they're the type of monster that appears here, but they've never been on island itself. They usually come out of the water, or sometimes the dungeon clears without fighting one at all.This is the only type of dungeon where the exit gate opens on its own without needing to kill the boss... What the hell is happening to us today?"
"Is this one a mutant too?!"
"Because this size—it's on a whole other level compared to a normal Thermos!"
"How are we supposed to kill it when we're barely holding on as it is?!"
"Our mana reserves are drained, and the plan we had is useless now."
Victor, still shaken, finally spoke up."Those Werehyenas were tougher than we expected.They weakened us before the real fight even began."
Akira sat at the front of the bird, his gaze locked on the massive Thermos below.
His dark eyes were cold and calculating.
"I think I know a way," he said, his voice low but firm, carrying a quiet intensity that silenced the others.
Grido turned to him, a flicker of hope crossing his face."What do you mean, Akira?
"Do you have a plan?"
Akira allowed a slight smile and looked down at the Thermos."If we think this through... we can do it.But you have to trust me completely."
The air was thick with tension, the weight of their task pressing down on them like a guillotine.Below, the Thermos roared again, its massive form shifting as it continued to rise from the water, like a mountain ready to crush them all.
"Trust you?" Grido muttered, glancing at the others. "You're the reason we're still alive, Akira. So whatever you've got in mind... we're with you."
The bird circled the monster, its wings slicing through the steam rising from the boiling sea below.
"Good," Akira said, gripping the hilt of his PanthoBlade tightly. "Because this won't be easy."
Grido chuckled softly, shaking his head as he glanced at Akira. "You know, it's funny," he said, his tone a mix of amusement and admiration. "You're the youngest and the one with the least experience, yet here you are, acting so calm in this situation. Truly, I feel embarrassed."
Anna smiled a bit, her eyes flickering toward Akira. "He's right," she said, her voice light but sincere. "The junior is outrunning us today."
Victor remained silent, his expression unreadable as he stared at the Thermos below.
Akira took his eyes off the Thermos for a moment to glance at them, his dark gaze sharp but calm. "Do you have a problem with that?" he asked, his voice steady.
Grido raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't get me wrong. I'm just grateful you were with us today. We'd probably be dead by now if it weren't for you."
Akira's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "And about the part where I'm calm... I'm not. Not really. I just know that with this team, we can deal with it."
Anna's smile widened, and even Victor gave a slight nod, though he still didn't speak. Grido grinned, clapping Akira on the shoulder. "Well, then, let's prove you right, kid. Lead the way."
"Good," Akira said, gripping the hilt of his PanthoBlade tightly. "Because this won't be easy."
The tension was palpable as Akira finished scanning the mutant Thermos with his system.
He didn't share what he'd discovered, only clicking his tongue in thought, his sharp eyes never leaving the massive creature.
"Hmm," he muttered, turning to the others."Here's the plan," Akira began, his voice low."It's do or die, so no mistakes are allowed.Trust me but trust yourself the most."
His eyes swept over the group. Though their faces showed exhaustion and pain, each nodded in agreement, steeling themselves for the challenge ahead.
"Grido, you're up first."
"Use your bird to get its attention," Akira instructed, gesturing toward the towering Thermos that swayed like a living fortress of slime and stone.
Grido nodded and whispered something inaudible to his giant bird.
With a piercing screech, the bird surged forward, its sharp claws gleaming in the golden light. It flew low, raking its claws across the slimy surface of the creature.
The Thermos let out a deafening roar, its deep bellow echoing across the ocean like thunder. Its massive, gelatinous body turned slowly, focusing entirely on the aerial threat.
"Good," Akira said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "The first step is done.Victor, it's your turn," Akira said more firmly, his expression serious. "I know you're hurt, but it's the only way.You need to blind its right eye.Don't worry—I'll help you."
Victor coughed into his hand, blood staining his lips, but he clenched his teeth.
"Damn kid, pushing me like this," he grumbled, giving Akira a look that was more exhaustion than anger.
Victor leapt from the bird, plunging toward the Thermos, his small form barely visible against the vast expanse of the beast. As he dove, a sharp crackle filled the air as Akira's white lightning bolts shot out, arcing toward the Thermos. The bolts didn't strike directly but flashed with a blinding light, momentarily disorienting the beast and masking Victor's descent.
With a battle cry that echoed like a war horn, Victor drove one of his sword deep into the creature's colossal, glowing right eye. The blade sank in with a sickening crunch, eliciting a furious howl from the beast. The Thermos writhed violently, its massive body heaving like a stormy sea, nearly throwing Victor off.
The sword twisted within the wound as the beast recoiled, its immense size barely registering the small figure who had dared to attack. Victor found himself flung onto the solid, ridged portion of the creature's spine, clinging for dear life as the beast rampaged.The only reason he'd managed to injure it was his tiny size relative to its enormous mass. The Thermos was so distracted by the chaos that Victor was little more than a blip on its radar.
Victor clung to the rough surface, using every ounce of strength left in his battered body."Damn it!" he cursed, coughing up blood."Kid, I'll kill you myself after this."But a small smirk played on his lips.
"Nice," Akira muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on the massive beast."Now it's your turn, Anna. Can you do it?"
Anna's eyes widened, her grip tightening on her daggers."Me?" Her voice wavered slightly. "What do you want me to do?"
Akira's voice softened, but his gaze remained steely."You can do this.Blind its other eye—make sure it can't see us coming."I'll use my lightning again to distract it. Can you do it?"
Anna clenched her jaw, took a deep breath, and nodded sharply."Okay. Leave it to me."
The Thermos roared, its deafening cry shaking the battlefield. Its grotesque, slimy form twisted violently, its one good eye burning with unbridled rage.Without wasting another second, Anna launched herself forward, her body cutting through the air like an arrow, daggers gleaming under the harsh light.
At the same time—
CRACK!
White lightning surged from Akira's palm, splitting the air with a deafening boom as it struck the Thermos. Sparks exploded across its massive body, arcs of electricity dancing wildly over its slimy flesh.The attack should have staggered it. Should have made it flinch.
But it didn't.
The Thermos barely reacted.It had adapted.Its remaining eye flickered with something primal and ruthless—it wasn't backing down anymore.Still mid-air, Anna realized it too late.The beast wasn't distracted. It wasn't hesitating.
It was waiting.
Its massive, quivering arm heaved upward like a wave of liquid, intercepting Anna's daggers just before they could strike the glowing orb.The impact sent ripples across the beast's face, and Anna found herself slightly off balance.
"Tch!" she spat, her voice shrill with frustration."Why does it always have to be so bloody difficult?!"
Her feet scrambled against the slick, uneven surface of the Thermos, and her eyes widened in horror as the monster's other huge hand loomed over her, threatening to crush her like an insect.From the bird's back, Akira saw the danger. His dark eyes narrowed, and he didn't hesitate before preparing to leap toward her."Damn it!" he growled under his breath."Forget the plan.If she dies—"
His thoughts were cut short as Grido grabbed his arm, holding him back with unexpected strength."Stop!" Grido commanded."Trust her she's got this!"
Akira glared at him, his jaw tight, but he hesitated, his gaze snapping back to Anna.
As the Thermos' massive hand descended, Anna's sharp mind raced faster than the beast's lumbering movements. "Not today. I won't look weak and useless in front of him or embarrass myself any more than this.And if I don't do this, our chances of survival drop to zero."She muttered under her breath, her expression hardening.
She activated one of her skill, Blink, just as the monster's hand was about to crush her.In an instant, her body shimmered like a mirage and disappeared, reappearing mid-air just before the Thermos' remaining eye.
"What—?" Akira's breath caught, his sharp eyes darting to where she had materialized.
Anna didn't waste the opportunity.With a savage cry, she plunged both daggers into the glowing eye with all her strength.The blades sank deep, and the Thermos released an earsplitting roar of agony.
Its enormous body convulsed violently, sending waves of turbulence crashing against the surrounding sea. The glowing light in its second eye faded into darkness, leaving it blind and helpless.
Anna landed back on the beast's surface, breathing heavily but steady, her eyes burning with determination.
Grido let out a long exhale, releasing Akira's arm.
"See?" he said, though his voice carried a note of relief."I told you."
Akira's face was impassive, his gaze fixed on Anna as his mind raced.He muttered, "What did she just do?"