Chapter 4: Traps in the Darkness
Battle Against the Forbidden Beast
The dragon—or what resembled a dragon—let out a deafening roar that shattered the silence of the forest, shaking the ground and air around them. Its massive body and tattered wings moved with surprising speed, jaws lined with razor-sharp teeth snapping hungrily. The guild members readied themselves, weapons drawn, as Reina pulled Kano away.
"What are you doing?" Reina shouted in panic.
Kano didn't respond. In an instant, the blue energy surrounding his hands surged uncontrollably. Like a blade of light, it struck the beast, but the attack barely scratched its impenetrable scales.
The beast staggered but didn't fall. Instead, it retaliated—a horrifying roar accompanied by a blast of dense green fire. Reina leapt backward, but the flames surged too quickly, nearly engulfing them.
"Behind you!" another adventurer yelled, shoving Kano and Reina to the side.
Even with their help, the attack was overwhelming. The green flames consumed the surrounding trees, reducing everything to ash in mere seconds. Enraged, the beast spun around, slamming its massive tail into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the clearing.
"What do we do?" Kano asked, feeling trapped. He had no idea how to act, but deep inside, he sensed that his power could change the tide of this battle.
Reina, seemingly more attuned to the situation, yanked Kano further back. "We have to work together. Listen, you need to focus. You have immense power, but it's still out of control."
Kano stared at her, then turned his gaze back to the beast. "I don't know how to control it. It just comes out, like an unstoppable urge."
"Don't worry, we'll guide you," Reina said, turning to the other adventurers. "Attack from all sides! Don't let it get close!"
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Uncontrolled Magic
Reina moved her hands, and the air around them shifted. A massive fireball formed in her palm and hurtled toward the beast. Another adventurer, a burly man wielding a double-headed axe, charged forward, striking the creature's side with all his might.
But even as they attacked together, the beast remained nearly impervious. Their strikes barely left a mark on its armored scales. Kano felt a growing despair. Can I really help? he wondered.
Suddenly, an intense sensation coursed through Kano's body. The blue energy returned, this time enveloping not just his hands but his entire being. It flowed through him, making him feel lighter, stronger. His eyes glowed bright blue, and instinctively, he knew what to do.
"Channel it through your whole body, not just your hands!" Reina shouted, as if she understood what was happening.
Kano closed his eyes, focusing on the strange sensation. The energy flowed, and in an instant, he felt an immense surge of power. He opened his eyes, and before he knew it, a massive burst of blue energy shot toward the beast.
BAM!
The beast reeled, its body struck by the powerful wave. This time, the attack was effective. Cracks appeared on its scales, and it let out a pained roar.
But something unexpected happened. The burst of energy rebounded back into Kano's body, causing him to stumble. His entire being felt like it was on fire, as if the energy was tearing him apart from within.
"What's happening?" Reina screamed, panic etched on her face. "Kano!"
Kano felt himself weakening. It was as though a flame burned him from the inside out. Yet he couldn't stop. For the first time since his awakening, he sensed something greater pulling him into the darkness.
Before he lost consciousness, a voice echoed in his mind. "Don't run. Accept me, and I will grant you greater power."
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A New Challenge
When Kano regained consciousness, his body felt strangely light. The beast lay lifeless on the ground, defeated. The guild members were exhausted, yet they couldn't ignore the oddity of the situation—Kano's attack had turned the tide of battle.
Reina approached him, worry written all over her face. "What happened to you? You almost died."
Kano took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I… I felt something coursing through me. Something powerful, but also incredibly dangerous."
Reina paused, her expression serious. "That power… it might not be ordinary magic. I've never seen anything like it before. Are you sure nothing has been influencing you?"
Kano stared at his hands and body, searching for answers. But deep down, he knew that this battle had only scratched the surface of something far greater. Something hidden within him—and perhaps, this world held secrets far beyond his imagination.
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End of Chapter 4
Narration:
In a battle that nearly cost him his life, Kano discovered a power within himself greater than he could have imagined. Yet this power came at a price. In a world filled with magic, monsters, and hidden mysteries, Kano's journey had just begun—and each step forward would carry even greater risks.