We were barely processing the horrifying scene when a loud scream echoed from the combat zone. Reflexively, I turned my head and saw the monstrosity.
It was a colossal beast, with greyish, naked skin, as if nature itself had decided to eliminate any unnecessary adornments from its design. Its grotesque muscles seemed ready to tear its own body apart, and its size was imposing, easily reaching two meters in height. Its elongated snout hid a gigantic jaw, but when it opened its mouth, what I saw inside froze me. A greenish glow burned inside, as if its throat was distilling venom or spectral fire. Its teeth were disproportionately large, thick, and sharp, made to crush bone with ease.
What the hell did they feed this thing? Steroids or something? I thought, feeling a chill run down my spine.
Beside it, the red dragon I had seen earlier lay gravely wounded. In front of it, the creature stood over a broken body, its paws bloodied and chunks of flesh still clinging to its claws.
I felt Nao tense up beside me, ready to react. Mika, on her part, was already muttering a support spell, while Jack simply watched the scene with an expressionless face. I gritted my teeth; it was frustrating not being able to read their stats. How much could I trust him?
Suddenly, the creature roared and lunged forward. The dragon, despite its wounds, responded with a fierce attack, using its enormous claws to deliver a horizontal strike with all its might.
The beast dodged with inhuman agility, jumping high and landing on one of the reptilian warriors who were facing it. The impact was brutal; the unfortunate one barely had time to scream before being crushed. From its jaws, a thread of greenish saliva fell on him, and almost instantly, his body stopped moving. His health bar dropped immediately.
It killed him with just that! one of the enemy group girls exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear.
The creature let out a terrifying shriek, and before our eyes, its muscles began to grotesquely expand. Its muscles became more pronounced, its body radiating a reddish-green aura, and its size nearly doubled.
My stomach churned. This was no ordinary low-level monster; this was a disaster in the making.
Everyone began to shake and scream in fear.
Damn beast, I'll kill you! shouted a semi-dragon boy.
Everyone turned to look at him when they heard his voice.
LET'S GO, EVERYONE! DON'T BE AFRAID, THERE'S A LOT OF US! TOGETHER WE CAN KILL THIS BEAST. IT'S KILL OR DIE IN ITS CLAWS! he exclaimed, drawing a shiny silver long sword.
That semi-dragon boy was good at motivating his group.
The boy pointed his sword at the beast. The beast focused its gaze in the direction of the semi-dragon's group while licking its lips.
A horrible screech.
The creature flexed its legs and in an instant, disappeared from my sight.
That thing is too dangerous, it's better to flee, that's all my instinct was telling me. Is it because of my Survival skill?
DON'T STAY STILL, LEADER, WAKE UP! shouted the semi-dragon, trying to wake the dragon, as if...
It's impossible for him to have survived that attack.
We need to retreat, I shouted, not taking my eyes off the beast.
No! We're many, we can kill it! roared a semi-dragon warrior, swinging his sword in fury.
I bit my lip, watching the defiant expression on his face. It was clear he didn't understand the situation. I looked at Nao and Mika; both nodded.
Jack, on the other hand, just looked at me with a sly smile, as if the situation didn't concern him.
A crack echoed through the ground. The creature flexed its legs and in an instant, disappeared from our sight.
Watch out! was all I managed to shout before all hell broke loose.
My body reacted before my mind. As soon as I saw the creature disappear,
I threw myself aside purely on instinct. A second later, the ground where I had been shattered into a rain of debris and dust.
Damn it! I exclaimed, awkwardly landing on my side.
The beast's gut-wrenching screech pierced my ears. I looked up just in time to see its claw descending like a guillotine onto another reptilian warrior. He didn't even have time to react. His scale armor broke as if it were paper, and his torso exploded in a burst of blood and guts. His scream was cut short. Another one down.
Damn! Jack hissed beside me, looking irritated.
This is impossible! Mika gasped, but this time it wasn't out of fear. Her hands trembled, yes, but from contained fury.
Nao was on guard, but her face was pale. She knew what we were all thinking. This thing was far stronger than we had anticipated.
The leader of the dragon-kin was on the ground, trying to recover. His body shook as his blood dripped onto the ground. He was gravely injured, but still breathing.
The semi-dragon who had shouted earlier, the one who tried to motivate his group, gritted his teeth in fury. His golden eyes burned with determination.
We can't give up! If we let this thing kill us one by one, we're doomed! Everyone, attack at once! he bellowed, charging with his sword raised high.
I bit my lip. It was a good speech. In another circumstance, it might have even been inspiring. But it would be useless if the beast kept moving at that speed.
NO! WAIT! I shouted, but it was too late.
The semi-dragon and four other reptilian warriors charged at the creature. Instead of retreating or reacting in panic, it let out a guttural laugh. Its eyes glowed with an insane gleam.
One of the warriors reached it first, swinging a massive axe with all his strength. The blade descended brutally, but in an impossible move, the creature twisted its body and let the weapon pass by. Before the attacker could react, the beast grabbed him by the neck with one hand and lifted him into the air.
No...! Mika stifled a scream, but she didn't stay still.
Without wasting time, her staff glowed with an emerald flash. Thick, dark vines erupted from the ground like living snakes, lashing out at the creature. Some wrapped around its limbs, trying to hold it down, but one in particular pierced its skin.
The Lupinacid let out a growl, trying to break free with a brutal tug... but then its body shook. Its movements became erratic for a moment.
Did it work...? Nao asked in amazement.
Mika furrowed her brow.
Its nervous system is reacting to the toxin in my vines. It won't paralyze it completely, but it will make it slower.
Then let's take advantage of it! I shouted.
Mika had already thought of that. Her staff glowed once again, this time with a frosty gleam.
Piercing Frost!
Ice spikes erupted from the ground, piercing the lupinacid's body in several places. They weren't enough to kill it, but they made it roar in pain.
And it still wasn't over.
With a twist of her staff, Mika channeled a new skill.
Fire Storm!
Fiery spheres spun around her before launching in bursts at the creature.
The fire spread across its skin, making it screech and writhe. Its attempts to extinguish the flames were clumsy due to the neurotoxin Mika had used earlier.
Jack whistled, impressed.
Damn, girl, if you could do all that, why didn't you do it earlier?
Because we didn't have a plan! Mika huffed, sweat dripping down her forehead.
The semi-dragon, still standing, looked in our direction.
Are you going to run!? he roared. We can't leave our comrades!
If you stay, you'll die, I replied firmly. And your comrades too.
His eyes burned with fury, but before he could respond, I felt a chill run down my spine. A deep instinct screamed that something was wrong.
Without wasting a second, I activated my analytical vision. I felt my pupils dilate as the enemy's data appeared before me in a flash of light.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Lupinacid
🔹 Subtype: Venomous Lupinacid
🔹 Race: Lesser Mykraal
🔹 Level: 43 | Rank: D+
❤️ HP: 13,596 / 17,800 🔵 MP: 4,200 / 4,200
Attributes
• Physical Strength: 520
• Attack: 470
• Defense: 360
• Constitution: 410
• Intelligence: 150
• Magic Power: 220
• Physical Resistance: 430
• Magic Resistance: 290
• Agility: 530
• Speed: 600
• Evasion: 480
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Status
[Berserker] [Poisoned] [Paralyzed (temporary mobility reduction)]
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Active Skills
• [Berserker] Temporarily boosts strength and speed at the cost of rational thought, greatly enhancing combat aggression.
• [Intermediate Strength Boost Lv 3] Increases physical strength by 30%, allowing for more powerful strikes.
• [Intermediate Agility Boost Lv 4] Raises agility by 40%, improving evasion and overall movement.
• [Minor Regeneration Lv 2] Recovers 2% HP every 10 seconds, helping it stay active in battle despite injuries.
• [Rending Claws Lv 3] Hardens its claws, enabling deep cuts that are hard to defend against.
• [Crushing Bite Lv 2] Enhances bite damage, capable of fracturing weak bones and weakening prey.
• [Toxic Exhalation Lv 1] Releases a poisonous and corrosive gas that clouds vision and causes a weakening effect on targets.
Special Abilities
• [Night Camouflage] Absorbs light in darkness, rendering it nearly invisible and allowing it to stalk prey undetected.
• [Expert Climber] Has retractable clawed limbs that let it move swiftly across walls and ceilings, perfect for ambushes.
• [Weak Neurotoxic Venom] Its bite applies a venom that paralyzes small prey for 3–5 seconds or greatly reduces mobility in larger enemies.
• [Lesser Toxic Exhalation] Emits a mildly corrosive gas that blurs vision and causes slight dizziness, impairing enemy coordination.
• [Pack Instinct] The presence of other Lupinacids nearby heightens its aggression and coordination, enhancing group attacks.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Weaknesses
• [Sensitivity to Bright Light] Its eyes are adapted to dimness; intense light disorients it and reduces combat effectiveness.
• [Limited Strength] Though ferocious, it cannot break through thick metals or solid structures, limiting its impact on well-armored targets.
• [Slow Regeneration of Deep Wounds] Severe injuries take a long time to heal, leaving it vulnerable after critical damage.
• [Fire Weakness] Despite its general resilience, its skin is highly flammable and burns quickly under intense heat.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
My eyes flew wide open. Shit!
—Run! —I shouted as best I could.
His eyes burned with fury, but before he could answer, the Lupinacid twisted and let out a deafening shriek. Its skin was still steaming, but regeneration had already begun. Suddenly, its body tensed, and its aura grew even more aggressive. A guttural roar burst from its throat, and its muscles swelled with uncontrollable power. It had entered a berserker state.
Without hesitation, its bloodshot eyes locked onto Mika. She became its primary target. With explosive speed, the Lupinacid charged at her, moving with such fury and speed that its form blurred.
Jack barely had time to react. His instincts kicked in, throwing himself between Mika and the creature. Boom! Jack's sword clashed against the beast with a brutal impact, sending him flying back several meters. If not for Mika's protection spell, the shockwave would've slammed him into the wall.
But the Lupinacid didn't stop. It attacked wildly, its claws moving like lightning, each strike powerful enough to shatter solid stone. Jack blocked the first blow, stumbling under the force of it. The next attack came before he could recover—one claw slashed down with brutal force. Jack dodged at the last second, but the claw grazed his side, tearing through his armor and leaving a burning gash on his skin.
Mika, face tense with focus, channeled a minor healing spell toward Jack—barely enough to slow the bleeding. But the Lupinacid gave no pause. Its frenzy made it unstoppable, its attacks growing fiercer and more erratic. Jack knew he wouldn't last long unless they found a way to finish the creature once and for all.
"Fire... its weakness is fire."
I knew what I had to do. We couldn't keep fighting on its terms. If we didn't drag it out or find a strong source of light, we were done for.
—Fuck this! —I roared.
No time to hesitate. I bent my knees and jumped with all my strength, using the wall for extra momentum. In midair, I focused my magic, and the axe answered my call. Its blade, far too heavy to wield under normal conditions, ignited with flames as gravity hurled me downward toward the beast.
The Lupinacid, still obsessed with Mika, didn't see me coming.
I took the chance.
—Die, bastard! —I bellowed.
With the full force of my fall, my axe came crashing down in a devastating strike.
BOOM!
The blade plunged into the monster's hardened flesh, igniting it from within. An inhuman shriek tore through the air as the flames devoured its skin, forcing it to writhe in agony.
—It's working! —I shouted.
Before I could press the advantage, a shadow flashed past me at impossible speed.
The half-dragon didn't waste time. In a blink, his wings snapped open with a sharp crack, launching him toward the Lupinacid. He took advantage of its distraction, driving his claws into its side, tearing through hardened muscle with brutal force. The creature roared, staggering, its regeneration working overtime to close the new wounds.
Nao appeared like lightning, her sword gleaming in hand. Without hesitation, she stepped between us and the Lupinacid, eyes locked on the monster with deadly precision.
—Rowena, cover me —she ordered, her voice firm.
I nodded without question.
Nao moved with inhuman speed, her sword slicing a lethal arc through the air. The blade cut into the Lupinacid's arm before it could react, and the beast let out a growl of pain.
—Keep the pressure on —I said, looking for an angle to strike.
Nao spun with fluid grace, dodging a vicious counterattack and driving her sword deep into the Lupinacid's leg. In that instant, the half-dragon unleashed a blast of lightning from his mouth, crackling through the open wound and sending violent spasms through the creature.
The Lupinacid roared, its regeneration desperately trying to seal the wounds as it thrashed wildly, trying to extinguish the flames still burning on its body.
But I was already on it.
I bent my knees and jumped with all my strength, using the wall once more to propel myself.
In midair, I wreathed my axe in fire, and with the full weight of my fall, came crashing down upon the beast.
—Die, bastard! —I bellowed.
BOOM!
The burning blade sank into its shoulder, slicing through bone and flesh. The explosion of fire consumed its insides, and its scream of agony shook the tunnel.
We were breaking it.
But we knew it wouldn't fall that easily.
If we wanted to make it out alive, we had to end it now.
But before we could land the final blow, the Lupinacid let out a heart-rending roar and leapt into the air with inhuman speed.
The impact of its landing was devastating. A shockwave rippled through the ground, lifting a cloud of dust and shards of stone. We barely had time to react before the creature—its eyes still glowing with that insatiable hunger—charged at us again with a blood-curdling roar.