Chapter 13: Trouble

The flying lion left everyone stunned. "Quick, get out of the way!" Ye Tian shouted. Only then did the others snap out of their daze and scramble to dodge. With a crash, the lion barreled through several large trees, then tumbled and continued its wild charge forward.

A series of thunderous booms, like war drums, sounded, and a massive figure appeared before them. "This is bad. It's the Four-Armed Titan!" Grey's face changed abruptly. That was a peak sixth-rank magical beast, far beyond what they could handle.

The thunderous drumbeats continued as the Four-Armed Titan dropped what it was holding and pounded its chest with all four fists, the sound echoing through the forest. "Retreat! Its target isn't us," Grey noticed sharply. The object on the ground was a lion cub, which meant the titan was after the lion, not them.

The group quickly retreated to the side. Seeing that its provocation had no effect, the Four-Armed Titan roared, grabbed the cub, and slammed it viciously into the ground. The cub let out a heartrending cry.

Hearing its offspring's wail, the lion ahead turned and, upon seeing the scene, was struck with terror and rage. With a furious roar, it lunged at the Four-Armed Titan. "Back! The Golden Flame Lion is about to unleash its ultimate move!" Jin sensed the magical energy thickening around them, a clear sign a powerful spell was imminent. If they couldn't dodge in time, they'd be caught in the blast.

With a deafening bang, the Golden Flame Lion spat a fireball the size of a yard across, striking the titan's head dead-on. Sparks burst in all directions, and a shockwave surged outward. "Careful!" Jin swung his wooden staff, conjuring a semicircular shield that enveloped the group.

"Jin!" Grey called out. "I'm fine, I can hold it," Jin replied through clenched teeth. Ye Tian quickly got to his feet; beneath him were Lisa and Ani, who had been closest to him.

"Keep moving!" Jin dismissed his magic, revealing a swath of toppled trees all around.

"Impressive!" Ye Tian exclaimed. Jin had blocked such a violent shockwave with a single shield, which amazed Ye Tian. He thought to himself how convenient it would be to have such a skill—then he wouldn't have to worry about wind or rain when sleeping outdoors.

Jin had no idea what Ye Tian was thinking—if he did, he might have bashed Ye Tian with his staff. To think that a barrier capable of fending off a fourth-level spell would be reduced to a mere tent—how could a great magus bear such humiliation?

The Golden Flame Lion's earth-shattering move had dealt the Four-Armed Titan a heavy blow. One of its upper limbs had been severed and was spraying blood. But victory was already tipping toward the titan: the lion, spent from its ultimate attack, was easily lifted and hurled aside.

The party was helpless; the more they tried to avoid danger, the more it came looking for them. It seemed there was no escape. "Battle formation!" Grey, no stranger to combat, immediately gave the order.

The Four-Armed Titan braced its long arms against the ground and hurled its massive body toward them, throwing a punch. The ground erupted in a crater, but the team had already shifted back, avoiding a direct hit.

"Battle Qi Slash!" Gell was the first to strike, sending a crescent-shaped arc of energy at the titan, carving a bloody line across its hide. "Tch, tough as nails," he muttered. He hadn't expected much, but this thing's defense was truly monstrous—no wonder the captain had ordered them to steer clear.

"Earthsplitter!" Ani swung her great axe, cleaving a deep gash in the ground that sped toward the titan. With a roar, the titan slammed its three remaining arms into the earth, dispersing Ani's thunderous blow with brute force.

With a shout, Lasse leapt onto the titan's back and drove his dagger into its side. A dull thud—he frowned and quickly leapt away. "Radiant Slash!" A blinding golden light flashed as Radon unleashed his skill.

The scent of burning flesh, accompanied by a sizzle, filled the air. The titan's waist was scorched black. "Cone of Frost!" Jin unleashed his spell, sending a massive icicle driving into the charred wound.

Enraged, the titan bellowed. Today was meant to be a day of triumph: it had taken advantage of its old enemy's distraction, wounded it, and taken its cub hostage, aiming to end future troubles. Now, with its goal nearly achieved, these humans had thwarted it and wounded it too!

"This is unforgivable!" the titan roared inwardly, then sprang up and swung a fist at the one who’d burned it moments before.

"Look out!" Radon had underestimated this peak sixth-rank beast. Even wounded, it was still deadly—he would find it hard to escape unscathed.

A huge crash: the titan's massive fist slammed into a shield nearly as tall as a man. Behind it, Gell's eyes blazed with anger. "Bastard! You won't harm my companions!" He forcefully warded off the titan's fist and struck back, leaving a bloody mark on its hand.

"Watch out!" Radon grabbed Gell's shoulder and the two withdrew quickly. The titan ignored its wound and continued its assault, smashing another crater in the earth. "Thunder Rage!" Ani charged in, unleashing her powerful skill and carving a long, bloody wound into the titan's waist.

"That hide is thick!" Ani withdrew quickly, but the titan suddenly swung at her. She barely managed to block with her axe before being sent flying. "Hup!" Ye Tian dashed over and caught Ani in midair.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "I'm fine," Ani spat out a mouthful of blood. Ye Tian quickly grasped her wrist and sent his inner energy into her.

"What are you doing?" Ani protested, trying to pull her hand back. Just then, Lisa rushed over. "Ani, are you alright?" She pressed her hands to Ani’s side, channeling a wave of healing light to mend her wounds.

Ye Tian felt his inner energy clash with Lisa's and quickly withdrew. If both forces kept working at once, they might end up harming Ani further.

"Wind Slash!" A blade of air shot from Grey's sword, aimed at the titan's wounded waist.

The titan slapped the attack aside, losing a few tufts of fur but taking no real harm. Grey frowned deeply. "Aim for the legs!" he called. Jin swept his staff, sending four yard-long icicles hurtling at the titan's ankles.

With a few kicks, the titan shattered the incoming icicles. At that moment, Radon darted in close. "Sword of Light!" The tip of his sword glinted gold as it thrust toward the beast’s ankle.

A burnt odor wafted through the air—the attack had some effect. Before the titan could recover, Gell was upon it, striking the same wound Radon had made.

The beast howled in agony, its pain mounting. Suddenly, a red glow erupted from its body. "Not good, it's enraged! Everyone, be careful!" Grey, well-traveled and experienced, recognized the signs at once: the beast had entered a berserk state, dramatically boosting its strength and speed.

"Hey there, big guy! Over here!" Ye Tian's sudden shout rang out. Everyone was startled to see him waving and shouting from atop a tall tree, gesturing wildly at the already furious beast.

"Ye Tian, are you out of your mind?!" Grey's heart jolted as he instantly realized Ye Tian was trying to draw the monster’s attention to buy them time. Even so, the act was reckless beyond belief. "Jin!" Grey shouted. Magical energy surged around Jin as he cried, "Absolute Frost Spike!" A massive icicle, ten feet long, shot toward the titan’s chest.

The titan’s instincts screamed danger. It turned and saw the giant icicle flying at it and mustered all its strength to smash at it.

With a crash, shards of ice exploded everywhere. The titan shattered the spike, but it paid dearly—one of its arms, frozen solid, shattered to pieces.

Jin tasted bitterness. As expected, a sixth-rank beast was no easy foe. Even as a great mage, he had gained nothing from the exchange. The last attack had drained almost all his magic; he wouldn't be able to cast such a powerful spell again any time soon.

The titan roared triumphantly. Though it had lost another arm, the prospect of slaughtering its foes filled it with savage joy. Just as it prepared to charge, a light, mocking chuckle sounded in its ear. "Hey, big guy—got a little present for you!"

The titan started, not knowing when its earlier tormentor had climbed onto its back. What shocked it even more was that, taking advantage of the chaos, the opponent had...