Eugene and the team of strong villagers made their way to the location where the man had been killed by the Minotaur. The journey took about three kilometers, and when they arrived, they were met with a gruesome sight.
The man's body had been split in two, and some of the villagers couldn't bear to look. Eugene, maintaining her composure, ordered them to dig a grave on the spot since it would be difficult to carry the body back.
Some of the villagers began digging a seven-foot-deep hole, and once it was ready, they carefully placed the man's body inside and covered it with soil.
Without a word, they left the grave and continued their journey, following the Minotaur's tracks. Broken grass, snapped trees, and massive footprints led them to an open area with short grass.
There, they found the Minotaur, feasting on animals as if it were starving.
Eugene raised her hand, signaling the team to hide and prepare for an ambush. The villagers scattered, some hiding in the tall grass while the archers climbed trees, waiting for Eugene's signal to attack.
Eugene then raised two fingers in a peace sign, the signal for the two archers to get ready. They drew their bows, arrows nocked and aimed, waiting for the final command.
With her other hand, Eugene placed her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp, piercing whistle. The Minotaur's head snapped toward the sound, its massive body turning to face the forest where the villagers were hidden.
Eugene clenched her fist, and the archers released their arrows. The magical arrows streaked through the air, glowing faintly as they sped toward the Minotaur's eyes.
But just as the arrows were about to hit their mark, the Minotaur swung its massive axe, blocking the arrows with a deafening clang.
The Minotaur let out a thunderous growl, its rage boiling over. Eugene quickly raised three fingers, signaling the swordsmen to attack.
Three swordsmen rushed forward, splitting into a triangular formation and charging at the Minotaur from three different directions. The aura around their swords began to glow brightly as they closed in.
One swordsman aimed for the Minotaur's head, but the creature blocked the strike with its massive axe. The other two attacked from the sides, targeting its legs. Despite the Minotaur's tough hide, their blades managed to tear through the skin on its legs, causing it to roar in pain.
The three swordsmen quickly retreated, putting distance between themselves and the enraged beast.
As the Minotaur struggled, a bright red light emerged from the forest. Fyr stepped forward, his hands glowing as he unleashed five fiery orbs. The orbs shot toward the Minotaur, who tried to block them with its axe. However, the flames spread, igniting the fur on its body.
The Minotaur roared in agony, thrashing as the fire consumed its fur.
The Minotaur, though severely weakened, was still able to move. With a roar, it leaped into the air and slammed its axe into the ground, creating a shockwave of pressure that sent trees and villagers flying.
Eugene's team was thrown back by the force, but Eugene stood firm, unfazed by the blast. She signaled for her team to fall back, her eyes locked on the Minotaur.
Eugene began walking toward the beast, closing the distance to just five meters. The Minotaur, enraged, screamed and lifted its axe from the ground, dirt and debris scattering as it swung the massive weapon toward Eugene.
The axe swung from right to left, aiming directly at her. But Eugene didn't flinch. The axe stopped just an inch away from her, as if hitting an invisible barrier.
The Minotaur, confused, pulled back and swung again, this time from left to right. "This time, it's 100% going to hit!" it seemed to think. But again, the axe stopped mid-swing. Eugene had caught it with one hand, her grip unyielding as she stared down the beast.
The Minotaur, shocked and terrified, leaped backward, putting distance between itself and Eugene.
Before the Minotaur's feet could even touch the ground, Eugene delivered a devastating punch to its stomach, sending the massive beast flying backward. The sheer force of the blow caused the ground to crack and crumble, unable to withstand the power. The Minotaur crashed to the ground, dazed and struggling to get up.
As it tried to open its eyes, Eugene was already in motion, her fist aimed directly at its face. "This is for killing my people," she said coldly, landing the first punch. "And this is for wasting my time this morning," she added, delivering a second blow.
The Minotaur's face shattered under the impact, blood splattering everywhere as its head was driven deep into the ground.
"That's why you never try to kill my people again," Eugene said, standing over the lifeless body of the Minotaur.
The eugene team gathered around, staring in awe at the defeated beast. Fyr stepped forward, using his fire magic to burn the remains. Once the task was done, they all headed back to the village.
---
At the Village:
Myrul was eating with Emilia when she asked, "Papa, do you think Mama will come back?" Her face was sad, her voice filled with worry.
Myrul picked her up and placed her on his lap. "Don't worry, your mother is strong. She can beat Papa easily—well, I might let her win sometimes, but she's still strong,"!he trying to lighten the mood while hiding his embarrassment.
Suddenly, a loud "BOOM" echoed, and time froze once again.
---
Task Complete: Minotaur Defeated
Rewards Received:
- Strength: 20 → 25
- Intelligence: 80 → 85
- Speed: 20 → 25
- Artifact:*Bendera* (Flag)
- Passive Ability: Can detect anything approaching the village from 5 kilometers away.
- Boost:Increases the mental resilience of villagers.
The book disappeared, and Myrul felt a surge of satisfaction. He had always known Eugene was strong, but seeing her in action was something else entirely.
"Emilia, get ready. Your mother will be back soon," Myrul said, smiling confidently.