The panther advanced as though it were any other typical workday, stretching its limbs and gracefully sinking its claws into the ground. As the thing got closer to Jacob and Connor, Jacob could not escape the uneasiness that sank deep in his stomach with every unnervingly exquisite step it made. The panther's emerald eyes, glowing against its black fur, seemed otherworldly and more terrifying with each step. Those piercing green orbs didn't just look at the twins. They seemed to see through them, peering into their very souls. The twins felt exposed. Both of the twins knew nothing good could be coming from the beast.
Jacob's breath caught as he activated the skill "Identify," desperate to understand what they were up against.
{Skill activation: Identify}
{Shadow Beast} LVL 8
Jacob barely registered all the information before the panther lowered its head into what looked to be a battle stance, positioning itself at eye level with them, ready to strike. A lump formed in Jacob's throat, and his breathing became shallow. While Connor stood frozen beside him, shivering with tension, he realized they were gravely outmatched and eclipsed. They were only level one, barely prepared for a fight with a creature like this.
Jacob murmured, "Shit," as his anxiety increased. "It's level 8."
Connor's gaze widened. "That's... not good."
"We need to move," Jacob pleaded to Connor.
Connor firmly refused, knowing they couldn't outrun the shadow beast given their unique condition. With two merged human beings running, they had to do it in unison, meaning they would have to coordinate and slow down for one another so they wouldn't fall, while the beast would be running at top speed with little to hinder it. After considering this, Connor concluded, "We have to fight them."
Before he could say anything else, the shadow beast sprang at them; its razor-sharp teeth looked terrifyingly even and pointed directly at their skulls. The twins scrambled back in terror, barely making it out.
"Jacob, summon something!" Connor yelled, his voice quivering.
In despair, Jacob called out a metal shield, hoping to halt the approaching attack.
{Skill activation: Metal Shield (Common)}
But the shadow beast slashed through the shield like it was paper, its claws screeching against the metal. Connor was focused solely on survival, tuning out noises that might have irritated him moments ago. He focused entirely on trying to make it out with his life. Jacob kept hearing an all-seeing voice in his brain as he tried to summon a monster to help them: "You have no fragment in your inventory; thus, you are unable to summon one."
Skill activated {imprint}
Frustration hit Jacob like an unrelenting wave, almost drowning him. He felt useless; his thoughts started roaming wild—what the hell was even an imprint? It didn't do anything from the looks of things; it had just drawn energy around the beast in green. Then a thought struck him—he had seen Connor create a shield. Ideas started running through his mind. If he could do that, maybe he could create something too. He thought of a spear made of metal, just like Connor's shield, and just like that...
{Soul skill unlocked: Soul Bond—Twin Flame Network}
{Skill activation: Metal Spear}
A metal spear appeared in Jacob's hand, surprising both brothers. It wasn't just Connor who could manipulate metal—it seemed they shared more than they realized. Without hesitation, with just a thought, Jacob hurled the spear at the beast. With a sharp whoosh, the weapon flew through the air, landing with a heavy thud on the creature's side.
With a growl of defiance, the panther wobbled back and sent a blast of wind their way—furious, its emerald eyes focused on them once more. The twins sensed that the beast was getting ready to attack again, and tension was rising; they could feel it like the beast breathed across the jungle. It was palpable, like a rock on a hill somewhere, getting ready to roll alongside a lot of other rocks and impending doom. There wasn't much a person could do to stop what was going to happen. That's how Jacob felt about his situation, but still, he wanted to fight.
"Okay, Jacob," he whispered to himself, trying to amp up his confidence, slowing down his breathing, trying to clear his mind and regain his composure. Just like he had done beforehand. He focused on summoning another spear, but this time he was not ready for what came next.
The loud thud could be heard, followed by the all-knowing voice:
Skill activation fails due to insufficient mana!
"What the hell?" With a wave of skepticism, Jacob mumbled.
"Why didn't you do that thing again?!" Connor yelled, his voice hinting at their impending terror.
"When I attempted, it refused to allow me; it said something along the lines of 'out of mana!'" Jacob responded in an unusually serious tone, with annoyance.
The panther, as if sensing their vulnerability, seemed to know when despair started to set in. It stalked closer, its paws making soft thuds as it neared. With each step, the twins' hearts started skipping. Connor, his mouth dry, quickly activated a skill.
{Skill activation: Identify}
{Shadow Beast LVL 8 - HP: 150/200}
Connor's hope continued to sink. They had barely dented the creature's health bar, and it would take at least three more strikes like the last to bring it down. But with Jacob out of mana and him not knowing how Jacob managed to activate the skill, they would probably not be able to muster that type of attack any time soon.
Suddenly, Jacob's voice cut through the panic, and what came with it was a little bit of hope. "There are people on our right," he called out.
In the distance to their right, a group of adventurers appeared.
Connor barely had time to process this when the shadow beast lunged at them, its teeth aiming to tear into them. They instinctively dodged; this caused them to slip as they hit the ground. The beast's claws missed by mere inches, but it was relentless in its pursuit of the twins' lives, slashing at them again and again as they rolled out of the way and dodged its series of attacks, trying to buy time. After all, they only had one option right now. All they could do was try and rely on the group of adventurers.
Frustrated, now the beast roared, its body freezing in place mid-attack.