Unable to bear being behind Mia and Lia any longer, I ran ahead. As we retraced our steps, I couldn't shake the sense of unease. Mia and Lia had every right to be angry about their friend's death, but that didn't excuse taking out their anger on everything we came across.
We could have spared Xal'Nia and continued on, but their desire for revenge drove them to act. It made me question humanity's actions.
Are we the real monsters? We came to this world, and all we've done is steal, kill, and destroy. It sounds more demonic and destructive than anything the monsters have done. Xal'Nia was merely living her life, gathering resources for her family, and I ended it all in an instant.
Snap
The sharp snap of a breaking branch pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced up to find a clearing framed by trees, where sunlight streamed through the canopy and highlighted a bear munching on berries. Above the bear, the name "Grim" hovered in an orange hue, marking it as a mini-boss. Its coat gleamed a rich brown under the sunlight.I looked around for Mia and Lia, but they were nowhere to be found.
The bear's head swung toward me, its bright brown eyes burning with fury as it began to charge.
Was this grim i thought
As Grim charged at me, I quickly unsheathed my sword and braced for his attack. He was level ten, and one wrong move could mean certain death. When he closed the distance, I dodged his initial strike, only to be slammed into a nearby tree by his sudden, forceful headbutt. Grim growled as he prepared for another attack.
I shouted, "I'm not who I was before!"
Grim charged at me again. Sword outstretched, I was determined not to let him get close. As he swung, I blocked with my sword, but he quickly retaliated with another slash.
"Multi_Slash!" I shouted, delivering five cross-shaped cuts to the bear's underbelly.
Grim fell back to all fours, his eyes locked on me with fierce intensity. I leaped backward, preparing for his next move. As he charged once more, red mixed with the dirt and water beneath him. He slashed at me again, but I blocked the attack with my sword, readying myself for the next onslaught.
Snap
The sharp crack of my sword breaking in two echoed through the surrounding forest. With the force of the attack, Grim drove me back into a tree. A searing pain surged through my body, and red began to pour from my mouth as a pounding ache resonated throughout me. I slumped against the tree, struggling to maintain my balance.
The pain was relentless, throbbing with every heartbeat. I sheath my sword.
"Heal_ "I mumbled
I leaned against the tree for support, Grim advanced with unyielding determination, his breath coming in heavy gasps. Now that I had a closer look, I realized he was about the height of an average human. Without hesitation, he lunged at me again.
"Silent_Cast_Quick_Draw"
In a flash, I drew my sword and slashed across Grim's face. Red spurted from the wound as he let out a pained grunt. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly created some distance between us.
Grim charged at me again, fury still burning in him. I used my shield to block his assault. The impact of his strike pushed me backward, sending me stumbling toward the swampy water. I tried to escape, but my movements were sluggish, and Grim caught up to me with brutal efficiency. He headbutted me in the back, causing me to crash into the murky depths of the swamp.
Grim took advantage of my disorientation, leaping on top of me and pinning me down with crushing weight. He bit into my left arm with a ferocious grip. The pain was relentless, a cruel blend of ripping, tearing, and crushing pressure. I could feel the wet, sticky warmth of red mixing with the cold, slimy mud of the swamp.
Despite the overwhelming pain, Grim continued his assault. He clamped down again, sinking his teeth into my arm. A single tear traced down my face as I tried to endure the agony.
Leo's name echoed in my mind as everything began to fade to black. I could still feel the crushing weight of Grim on top of me, the relentless pressure, and the mingling of red with the dark, murky swamp.
"It hurts so much," I sobbed, my voice trembling.
"Light_bullet," a familiar voice said.
I felt the bear being forcefully pushed away from me. Though I couldn't see who had intervened, the relief was palpable. Someone gently lifted my head and offered me a thick liquid.
Despite this, the pain was still intense and paralyzing. As I lay in the water, I managed to look up.
Lia had a scared look on her face, but I couldn't tell why. She was using healing magic on me, and I began to feel better.
Mia stood between us and Grim. She drew her sword, slashing at his eye.
Grim, now with a deep slash across the right side of his face and missing an eye, realized he couldn't win. He retreated, pushing aside bushes and foliage as he made his way out. Before disappearing into the distance, he let out one final roar.
I tried to lift my arms, but the lingering pain made every movement a struggle. I glanced at my hand.
They ensured the area was secure and that Grim wouldn't return before rushing to my side. Mia carefully lifted me from the water.
She mumbled something—perhaps a spell.
Too exhausted and in too much pain to respond, I lost consciousness. Everything around me faded to black, and the last image I saw was Lia's eyes, brimming with tears.