The Thermos, now utterly disoriented and enraged, let out a thunderous roar that reverberated across the sea, sending shockwaves through the water. Its massive, slime-covered body convulsed violently, and the air grew heavy with an oppressive, dark energy. The creature's special ability, Abyssal Grasp, activated—a terrifying skill that immobilized its prey with a freezing aura before crushing them in its monstrous grip.
Anna, who had just blinded the beast's remaining eye, froze mid-motion. Her body trembled as the invisible force of the Thermos's skill pinned her in place. She gasped, her muscles straining against the paralyzing effect, but it was no use. She couldn't move an inch.
Before she could react, the Thermos's gigantic, slime-dripping hand shot out, its massive fingers wrapping around her like iron chains. The crushing force made her cry out in pain as the creature lifted her into the air, bringing her closer to its gaping maw lined with jagged, grotesque teeth.
The team watched in horror, their hearts pounding as the Thermos dangled Anna above its head, its slimy grip tightening with every second.
"Damn it!" Akira growled, his voice low but seething with urgency. He turned to Grido, his icy eyes narrowing. "She can use Blink again, right?"
Grido hesitated, his usual calm demeanor slipping. "Akira…" he started, his voice strained."Right, Grido?" Akira pressed, his tone sharper now, his fists clenched at his sides.
Grido gritted his teeth, his expression grim. "No… Blink has a cooldown of 40 seconds. She can't use it again—not in time."
"Forty seconds…" Akira muttered under his breath, his fists tightening further. "She doesn't have forty seconds."
The Thermos, oblivious to the team's desperation, heaved Anna higher, its grotesque mouth opening wider as it prepared to devour her. Victor, still clinging to the monster's back despite his grievous wounds, roared in frustration.
"Bastards! DO SOMETHING!" His voice shook with pain and fury, his eyes wide with impotent rage.
In the Thermos's grasp, Anna struggled feebly, her strength fading fast. Her mind raced with memories—visions of her life flashing before her eyes."So… this is it?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. She closed her eyes, her body shaking not from fear, but from acceptance. "At least the others will live," she thought, a sad smile forming on her lips. "I did my part. I showed… I'm not useless. Right, Grandpa?"
A memory surfaced—her grandfather shielding her from a dangerous explosion, his voice clear in her mind. "You need protection forever, Anna. One day, I hope you give up on this path you've chosen."
Tears welled up in her eyes, glinting like crystals in the dim light. "It wouldn't have been so bad… to walk this path a bit longer," she murmured, her voice breaking as the Thermos opened its maw wide, preparing to swallow her whole.
Then, a deafening crack split the air.
A blinding flash of white lightning illuminated the stormy sky as the Thermos's massive hand was severed at the wrist. The creature let out an ear-piercing roar of pain, its grip on Anna loosening as she fell through the air.
"WHAT?!" Anna cried out, bracing for impact—only to find herself caught in strong, steady arms. Her eyes widened as she looked up into Akira's icy, focused gaze. His Soul Infusion skill was active the cooldown didn't matter since he had leveled up before, his entire body enveloped in a faint white light. His PanthoBlade, crackling with white lightning, buzzed with power as he landed gracefully on the Thermos's shoulder.
"Akira?" she whispered, her voice trembling with shock and relief. Tears still clung to her lashes, but now there was a glimmer of hope.
He looked down at her, his voice calm but firm. "You're not dying today."
The Thermos, now writhing in agony from its severed hand, bellowed furiously, its massive body thrashing as it tried to shake off the uninvited rider on its back. But Akira stood firm, his footing steady on the creature's slippery shoulder. He held Anna close with one arm, his other hand gripping the PanthoBlade.
The tension in the air was palpable as Akira balanced precariously on the Thermos's shoulder, his mind racing. Grido watched from above, perched on the back of his massive bird, his sharp eyes tracking Akira's every move. His mind was a whirlwind of questions.
"Who is this boy?" Grido wondered, his brow furrowing. "I know he's connected to Shiro Shoto, but his lineage doesn't explain this. The precision, the lack of hesitation, the absence of fear—it's unnatural for someone his age. And his mana… how is it fully restored? He didn't use a potion, and we're all exhausted from fighting those werehyenas. Yet, he's faster now than before.Sharper. What is he?"
On the Thermos's back, Victor clung to the uneven surface, his body battered and bleeding. Yet, when he saw Anna safe in Akira's arms, a faint smile crossed his bloodied lips. "Hah… saved her, huh? That kid…" he muttered, coughing up blood. "He's full of surprises."
Akira knelt beside Anna for a moment, ensuring she was unharmed, before standing and turning his attention to the Thermos. The creature's massive arms flailed wildly, its roars shaking the sea. Akira's mind was a storm of calculations and regrets.
"I acted because I couldn't let her die, he thought, his grip tightening on the PanthoBlade.Not because of the plan. I wanted a 100% success rate, but now… the plan's over.
He glanced at the Thermos, its movements growing more erratic as it struggled to regain control. "I thought if I blinded it, I could get close to its neck and deliver a decisive blow. But even with my full power, I only managed to sever its hand." His jaw clenched. "Even if I had stuck to the plan instead of saving Anna, the result would've been the same. My attack power isn't enough yet"
His jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Now, I don't have a choice. I have to do it. I didn't want to, but…"
"Akira!" Grido's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and urgent. "What's your plan? We're running out of time! Victor can't hold on much longer, and my mana's nearly depleted! If I fall into the water, it's game over for all of us—I can't keep the Glothan ( The name of Grido familiar) transformed for much longer!"
Akira's piercing white eyes met Grido's. "I'll finish it soon, just come pickup Anna and Victor" he said, his voice steady but laced with finality.
Grido's breath hitched. "That look…" he thought, a shiver running down his spine. "What is he planning?"
Victor, still clinging to the Thermos's back, shouted through gritted teeth. "If you've got some trick up your sleeve, kid, now's the time! I'm not dying because you're taking your sweet time!"
Anna, now safely on Grido's bird, stared at Akira with wide eyes. "Akira… what are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pointed at Grido. "Take Victor and Anna to safety. It won't be safe here much longer."
Grido nodded, understanding the urgency. He swiftly maneuvered his bird to retrieve Victor, carefully lifting the wounded man from the Thermos's back. "Damn it, I'm really messed up, huh?" Victor groaned, coughing up blood.
"Maybe a little," Grido replied with a faint smile, though his eyes were heavy with concern.
Once Victor and Anna were safely on the bird, Anna turned to Akira, her expression a mix of fear and curiosity. "What are you planning?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with worry.
Akira's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I'm going to let the Thermos eat me."
"WHAT?!" Anna and Grido exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with disbelief.
Akira's expression remained calm, his eyes locked on the Thermos. "Trust me,I'll be the last thing it ever swallows."" he said simply, before turning to face the beast, his Pantho Sword glowing brighter than ever. The air around him crackled with energy as he prepared to execute his plan—a plan so reckless, so daring, that it left the others speechless.
The Thermos roared, its massive maw opening wide as it lunged toward Akira. And without hesitation, Akira stepped forward, allowing the creature to swallow him whole.