The Smiling Death

"Hah...hah– this thing… is a freak!"

Seraphina flashed in front of him just in time to block another incoming swipe.

BANG!

Golden light burst as the monster's claws collided with her sword. She slid back several meters, her feet digging trenches into the soil.

Even Seraphina couldn't defend without being pushed.

"Amon, Eliana! don't get hit!" she warned sharply. Sweat trickled down her forehead. "That monster's strength is above a normal rank three!"

The Goremaw's mismatched eyes glared at all three of them, saliva dripping from its crooked mouth, burning holes into the grass.

GROOOOOWL…

It scraped its claws against the ground and crouched.

Amon's heart clenched.

'Oh no… it's going to–'

"MOVE!" Seraphina screamed.

The Goremaw charged, its bent legs kicking off the ground so hard the earth ruptured.

It barreled toward them like a living avalanche.

Amon dove to the left.

Eliana jumped and rolled right.

Seraphina dashed backward with a burst of light.

BOOOOM!!

The creature rammed into a massive tree, splintering it apart like it was made of paper. Debris flew in every direction.

Amon swore under his breath. "What kind of monster hits like that!?" The monster was too strong. Its power was similar to rank four.

He tightened his grip on his sword, shadows gathering around him again.

Eliana stood up, panting, her platinum-blonde braid messy and her clothes dusty.

"Its hide is too thick… my arrows aren't piercing deeply enough."

Seraphina narrowed her eyes.

"Then we'll need a joint attack. But first we must create an opening."

The Goremaw slowly turned toward them again.

Its huge, swollen eye locked onto Amon this time.

A deep rumble vibrated from its throat.

Amon froze.

"…Oh come on. Why me."

The Goremaw bent low.

Amon's pupils shrank.

'It's targeting me—!!'

The monster lunged, palm extended. Charging straight for him.

Amon had no time to move at all.

But before it could hit Amon, someone came between them.

Thud!

The figure swung its huge greatsword. It clashed against the monster's hand, pushing it back.

The monster groaned loudly. At the same time another arrow flew at its face.

BOOM!

It exploded, drawing its attention away from Amon.

The one who had just saved Amon was standing in front of him. He could see the back of that person.

Short shoulder-length black hair with red color at the ends. Fluffy wolf ears standing up. Her fluffy tail swaying lightly beneath her uniform skirt.

'She just save me!' Amon thought.

She turned her face back slightly.

"Huh! You nearly got eliminated by an ugly monster. It should be me who will eliminate–" but Amon didn't let the woman continue.

"Ohh! My Aisha came to save me! I knew it! That you care about me and think of me as a friend." He said with a wide, happy smile.

The woman just came to save him like a hero. Just like how the female lead gets saved by the protagonist… wait, that's so wrong.

Anyway. Hearing Amon's words only made Aisha blush. Her cheeks became pink.

She turned and faced Amon.

"Wha–What are you saying? You bastard! What 'my Aisha'!? When did I become yours!" she demanded an answer. How could he call her that? He was being shameless again.

Amon just smiled mischievously.

BOOM!

Meanwhile Seraphina and Eliana engaged in the fight.

"Oi! Stop flirting there. We are in a fight!" Eliana yelled while jumping from one tree branch to another. Of course, this sight wouldn't be hidden from her eyes, even if she was away from them.

Aisha and Amon turned their heads toward her direction.

Aisha gritted her teeth in annoyance. But she didn't retort. It was not the time for that.

Amon raised his hand. The hatchet dug in the monster's neck trembled, then flew back through the air and landed in Amon's left hand.

Aisha raised her eyebrow in amusement.

"That Goremaw is too strong. We need to fight together to defeat it." Amon's voice was serious. It didn't suit the boy. That's what Aisha thought.

She looked at him. Her blush was gone. She grinned.

"You don't have to worry, boy. Those two are on the way here. They will join the battle as well." Her voice was confident, as if defeating this Goremaw would be an easy task.

He frowned. He didn't understand who the two she was talking about were. But then suddenly realization came.

With wide eyes he asked, "Wait, those two! You mean–" His words weren't completed.

A crimson spear covered with fire shot at the monster's chest. Its heat made the air tremble.

At the same time, multiple blinking sparks appeared, surrounding the monster's whole body. They looked like stars. As if a milky way had surrounded the monster's body.

BOOM!

The monster was not able to avoid the spear as it collided against its chest.

Crushed!

BOOM!

Just then, those tiny star-like particles shot at the monster like shooting stars.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

ROOAAAAARRRRR!

The Goremaw roared in a high-pitched roar. It was not in anger, but in a scream.

Two figures joined the battle.

One with violet hair. The other with dark blue.

Standing side by side.

"Ohh! Marcus and Arnold! Nice timing bros! You came at the perfect time!" Amon waved his hand in their direction. His loud voice drew both young men's attention.

"Bastard! You are still here!" The response was immediate. It was obviously Marcus who responded.

"Yeah. He won't be eliminated that easily. I guess I need to do it myself. For now, let's focus on the battle," Arnold said from beside Marcus.

Marcus nodded. "That attack… it was your ability… quite amazing." Marcus praised Arnold's ability.

The smoke created by the dangerous attacks slowly faded away.

The monster was still standing. But now its huge body was covered with wounds and injuries.

Eliana and Seraphina grouped up and stood behind the Goremaw.

Arnold and Marcus stood in front.

Aisha and Amon stood on its left side.

They had circled it.

They didn't need to talk with each other. They already knew what to do.

"Well! Why are you waiting, guys!" Eliana yelled in excitement.

All of them kicked off the ground and rushed at the monster from all directions.

The true final battle had just begun.