"I'm well prepared. I'll snatch what you're proud of," the screeching voice of the eyeball resounded in the boundary as it got angered by the casual remark.
Taking a deep breath, he released a faint smile. "Don't you know me well enough?" A murderous aura materialized around him, creating a scratch on the invisible wall.
"We'll see." The fissure began to grow inch by inch until it expanded enough to accommodate three meters.
Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "This is going to be your last fight." His form began to change completely.
Now, before the fissure stood a humanoid monster with long, sharp claws. Releasing an inhuman voice, it said, "Sorry buddy for troubling you, but I'll give you a proper feast."
"Oh! Enough chatting with your friend."
A creature with a human head, the body of a lion, and the tail of a scorpion emerged from the fissure.
With all his strength, Sam threw a spear while the monster released a wave. Their attacks neutralized each other.
This continued as both tested the waters, throwing one attack after another.
"Still haven't tamed another beast. Are you regretting it? Or blaming yourself?" A voice that seemed to come from hell rang in Sam's head.
Calm down.
Calm down.
He continued to attack, reminding himself to stay composed.
"But the taste of that meat is still fresh in my mind. Wanna taste...?"
With a faint, bitter smile, Sam replied, "You succeeded."
In the next moment, a heavy kick almost landed on the monster's head before it was deflected by a wind wave.
Regaining his footing, his glowing eyes became even more mesmerizing. Amid the chaos of the fight, a weapon suddenly materialized and drilled into the monster's body.
The monster's body trembled. "You! You hid your weapon in the ground. How?"
"This weapon isn't... Ahh." Shaking his head, Sam sneered. "You should be buried with your confusion."
His attacks became ruthless, relentlessly targeting the wounded area.
"My wound... my wounds aren't healing?" The monster's eyes grew frantic. "How?"
Sneering, Sam released a laugh. "Don't you know better? Ah, better recall everything."
Despite his taunts, his attacks didn't cease.
Searching through its thoughts, the monster eventually realized the truth. "You vicious brat! You have a more monstrous heart than any creature."
"No need to compliment me. I learned from you." Sam replied sarcastically.
Realizing it had no other option and unable to delay any longer, the monster retreated into the fissure, leaving behind a warning: "I'll come back next time."
With a light smile, Sam aimed at the monster's back with all his strength. A shrill voice echoed from inside the fissure.
"You vicious brat! I'll boil you alive, and your soul will be tortured for eternity!"
The fissure closed, along with the invisible wall's boundary.
Sam suddenly slumped down. "Thank God we were in the dungeon," he murmured, unable to imagine the consequences if there had been no restrictions placed on the monster.
As if recalling something, he took a small, three-inch strange mechanical device and simply typed, "She is fine," before crushing the device.
Standing unsteadily, he returned to his previous state but suddenly vomited blood.
Blarg!
He started coughing. "My condition has worsened. I have to overcome my own hurdle." His eyes moistened as he spoke.
***
A teacher standing near Ma'am asked, "Ma'am, what do you think of today?"
"Though it's hard to fight against monsters without using beasts, they have to adapt. They must learn that while the environment may be safe, we don't nurture pathetic individuals."
The teacher nodded his head. "Yeah, the outside planets are too tough, so they have to learn the viciousness of nature."
"Have you seen Divya's bodyguard? I've heard so much about him."
Sighing, the teacher gave his opinion. "His level is far too high for his age, but something is bothering him."
"You mean... You also noticed that he has contracted only one beast? I thought I was hallucinating or misjudging, but if this is true, then that boy must have a story."
With a faint smile, the teacher replied, "Becoming the bodyguard of the Verma family's jewel... Something must be unique about that."
A third person's voice entered their ears. "Ma'am, the dean is calling you."
"Okay, I'm coming."
"Okay, sir, some work may come."
"Sure, you can go ahead. I'll manage alone."
***
"Dad, I lost the assessment today."
"My princess! What happened to you? Has someone betrayed your expectations?"
With a quick response, she directed her words toward Sam. "He disappeared after entering the dungeon, and if he were there... I would have been confident to fight."
Her father simply laughed at her response, though Sam stood with a blank face.
"Your confidence should come from your heart, not from his protection."
Lowering her head, she nodded, but her eyes moistened, and she asked in a low voice, "Dad, he came for just one day, and instead of scolding him, you're teaching me?"
Sighing, the silver-haired man held her in his arms while indicating to Sam to move away from there.
"He has his own troubles and couldn't be with you to protect you. Understand him. For him to reach this level, you can imagine his circumstances."
"Okay, Dad. Since you're saying it, I'll forgive him."
Caressing her hair, his mind wandered. "If only his brother were...."