Taking cautious, measured steps, I crept closer to a dense thicket of bushes. Though my invisibility was still active, I knew it wouldn't shield me from beasts with heightened senses. Ahead, a small clearing broke the monotony of the forest.
Such clearings weren't rare, but this one stood out—broken branches littered the ground, and the undergrowth was flattened, bearing the unmistakable marks of a battle.
At the center of the chaos was a beast, easily twice my length and towering over me in height. Its massive, reptilian tail swayed menacingly, muscles rippling beneath its scaled skin.
From where I stood, I could see the creature's heaving flanks and the tense crouch of its body, ready to pounce.
I couldn't see what—or who—it was focused on. But I could hear the faintest of breaths, strained and uneven. A person. The voice I'd heard earlier.
The bushes offered some protection, but I knew it wouldn't last. If the beast turned its attention my way, my invisibility wouldn't save me. I'd taken the risk of coming here, and now I had to see it through.
The beast radiated raw power—its presence made the air feel heavy. From the way it moved, I could tell it was a stage-2. Injured, though. Its growls carried an edge of pain, and its movements were jerky, unfocused.
Still, that didn't make it any less dangerous.
I crept sideways, circling the beast. Every step was deliberate, every breath measured. My heart pounded in my ears, but I kept my focus. The beast's panting filled the clearing, masking the sound of my movements. As I got closer, I saw its massive lion-like head, its mane matted with blood.
This was my chance.
My hand tightened around the hilt of my sword, and with a sharp exhale, I lunged forward, driving the blade toward its neck. The weapon sank in—only slightly. The creature's muscles were like steel, stopping the blade before it could do any real damage.
Panic surged through me.
The beast roared, twisting violently as it whipped its tail in my direction. I barely ducked in time, the tail slicing through the air like a whip.
"Damn it," I muttered, pulling back. My invisibility kept me safe from its direct gaze, but it could still sense me. Smell me. Feel the disruption in the air.
I wouldn't cower. I couldn't.
Summoning every ounce of courage, I leapt onto its back, gripping its coarse mane with one hand while keeping my sword buried in its neck. It bucked and thrashed, trying to shake me off. I yanked hard on the mane, hoping to widen the wound, but the beast's hide was too thick.
Then I heard it.
"Mana Blast!"
A thunderous explosion of force struck the beast's head, the impact like a boulder crashing into its skull. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing onto its side, its massive frame toppling me to the ground.
For a moment, I just lay there, gasping for air, the adrenaline still surging through my veins.
When I managed to sit up, I saw her.
The girl leaned heavily against a tree trunk, one leg bent at an unnatural angle. Blood streaked her arms, and her green hair was matted with dirt and crimson. Despite her injuries, her eyes burned with determination, locking onto me with unnerving precision.
My invisibility was still active—there was no way she could see me. And yet, she did.
Without a word, she raised a trembling hand and pointed toward a nearby tree. Following her gesture, I saw a small leather bag lying on the ground, partially hidden by the undergrowth.
Before I could react, her strength gave out. She collapsed, face-first into the dirt.