Chapter 21 - The Roar of the Infernal Lupus

The air was tense. Night had barely fallen over the forest when a deep and terrifying roar shook the trees, making the leaves tremble.

Leonhardt swallowed hard as he watched the dark figure emerging from the shadows. The Infernal Lupus, a legendary beast engulfed in black flames, advanced slowly, its red eyes fixed on them with savage fury.

"This can't be…" Seraphina murmured, raising her bow. "How is it possible for a creature like this to appear here?"

Evelyn kept her gaze locked on the monster, tightening her grip on her sword.

"That doesn't matter now. We have to kill it before it kills us."

Leonhardt felt adrenaline coursing through his veins. Since he had started his training, he had faced many dangerous creatures, but this… this was different.

"Don't underestimate its fire," Seraphina warned. "If it touches us, it won't be just a simple burn."

As if understanding their words, the Infernal Lupus lifted its head and let out a deafening roar. Its jaws opened, and a column of black fire erupted from its throat.

"Move!" Evelyn shouted.

The three of them scattered just before the ground where they had stood turned into a blazing inferno. The earth charred instantly, and the air filled with an unbearable stench.

Leonhardt rolled across the ground and immediately got back on his feet, his sword ready. He knew he couldn't afford to take a single hit.

An Unstoppable Enemy

Seraphina fired an enchanted arrow directly at the beast's eye. The arrow flew with perfect precision, but just before impact, the wolf's black flames consumed it mid-air.

"No way!" she exclaimed.

Evelyn lunged at the creature with her superhuman speed, appearing right in front of it and slashing with all her strength. Her steel blade struck the Infernal Lupus' side, but all it produced was a shower of sparks.

The monster reacted instantly, swinging one of its massive claws with overwhelming force.

Evelyn barely had time to block, but the impact sent her flying several meters, rolling across the ground.

"Evelyn!" Leonhardt shouted, running toward her.

"I'm fine…" she muttered, getting up with some effort. "But this damn thing is tough."

Leonhardt clenched his teeth. They couldn't keep fighting like this. They needed to find its weak spot.

He activated his Stat Vision, and for a brief moment, he saw the energy lines running through the wolf's body. A layer of dark magic covered it like armor, shielding it. However, on its chest, just below its neck, there was a glowing red core pulsing like a heart.

"Its weak spot is on its chest!" he shouted.

Evelyn grinned recklessly.

"Then we just have to split it open."

The Battle Plan

The Infernal Lupus charged at them again, leaving burning marks on the ground with every step.

"Seraphina, I need you to distract it with your arrows," Leonhardt ordered. "Evelyn and I will open its chest."

"Understood!"

Seraphina pulled a special arrow from her quiver and infused it with wind magic. She aimed at the beast's face and fired.

The projectile exploded in a flash of light just before hitting the wolf, momentarily blinding it.

"Now!" Leonhardt shouted.

Evelyn and Leonhardt ran in opposite directions. Evelyn dashed to the side, drawing the beast's attention, while Leonhardt slid under its massive body, slashing his sword at its lower chest.

A spark of dark energy erupted from the impact.

"It's working!" Leonhardt said.

But the Infernal Lupus reacted with incredible speed. It spun around and struck Leonhardt with its tail, sending him crashing into a tree.

The impact knocked the air from his lungs, and his sword slipped from his grasp.

"Leonhardt!" Seraphina cried.

Evelyn clenched her teeth and lunged again.

The beast roared, ready to finish him off.

But before it could, Evelyn appeared right above its head. With a fierce battle cry, she swung her sword with all her might at the beast's chest.

This time, her attack pierced the creature's flesh.

The Infernal Lupus let out a bloodcurdling howl.

Leonhardt, despite the pain, seized the opportunity. He forced himself to stand, grabbed his sword, and rushed toward the open wound.

"Take this!"

With a swift motion, he drove his sword directly into the wolf's glowing core.

The creature froze. Its eyes widened in shock, and its body trembled violently.

Then, with one final roar, it exploded in a burst of dark flames.

The Mystery of Dark Magic

When the dust settled, the only thing left of the Infernal Lupus was a small black crystal, pulsating with ominous energy.

Leonhardt picked it up cautiously.

"This… isn't normal."

Seraphina approached, her expression serious.

"That crystal… isn't something a normal beast should have."

Evelyn crossed her arms.

"Are you saying someone did this on purpose?"

Leonhardt stared at the crystal, a chill running down his spine.

"I don't know… But if someone is creating monsters like this, it means we're dealing with something much bigger than we thought."

The group remained silent, the uneasy feeling lingering in the air.

Somewhere, someone was playing with dark magic.

And sooner or later, they would have to face that unknown enemy.