The Roar Beneath the Roots

The path had grown darker, the flickers of torchlight behind them fading as the trio pressed deeper into the heart of the dungeon. Moss hung in thick sheets from the walls, and the air carried the scent of wet earth and something... primal.

Then, they saw it—two enormous stone doors, weathered by time, their surfaces etched with carvings of beasts and tangled vines.

"This is it," Theo said, his voice a murmur. "Mini Boss chamber."

Chosa swallowed the lump in his throat. The pressure was already building—and they hadn't even opened the doors yet.

Cass stepped forward without hesitation and pushed the doors wide.

What greeted them inside wasn't a room.

It was a domain.

The space stretched wide like a temple swallowed by the jungle. Giant trees had grown through the stone itself, roots coiling through cracks and rubble. At the center of it all, perched atop a throne made of bark and bone, was the monster.

It slowly stood—nearly ten feet tall, its body like a gorilla fused with a lizard. Thick bark-armored skin wrapped around its torso, its limbs ending in claws the size of swords. Its head bore a crown of antlers, moss growing from its back.

It let out a roar that shook the walls and sent dust falling from the ceiling above.

The pressure slammed into them like a wave.

Chosa gritted his teeth, barely keeping his footing. "That… thing looks like it rules this forest."

Theo wiped sweat from his brow, his easy-going demeanor faltering. "Yeah, he probably does."

Chosa turned to Cass, whose expression hadn't changed one bit. No fear. No hesitation.

He blinked. "How are you not freaking out right now?"

Theo answered, "She's got a passive skill—'Mental Fortress.' It keeps her mind steady. Doesn't matter if it's a floor boss or an actual god in front of her, she won't crack."

Chosa's eyes widened. That's a thing?

He thought quickly. Luna, can you copy that?

"Already in process," Luna replied. "Skill 'Mental Fortress' acquired. As a passive, it will not consume your active skill bookmark slot."

Chosa smirked to himself. Nice.

As the creature bellowed again, the team backed up and huddled behind one of the thicker roots near the chamber's edge.

Theo pointed toward the beast's flank. "Alright, listen. Cass, you're on aggro. Keep it focused on you as long as possible. I'll pelt it with wind magic from the side. We'll try to chip away and stall it."

Chosa looked between them. "What about me?"

Theo turned. "What can you do?"

Chosa hesitated. "Speed boost."

Cass gave him a glance. "Kind of useless if you don't have the strength to hit with it."

That hit a nerve.

Chosa sneered. "I also have a poison skill. If we drag this out, and I can land a few cuts, it'll start eating away at him. Game of endurance."

Cass rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

Theo nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Poison damage over time gives us another win condition. Just don't get caught."

They moved.

Cass surged forward, shield raised, and slammed it against the ground with a thunderous CLANG. The boss roared again and charged.

Theo chanted under his breath, a ring of glowing symbols spinning around his staff. "Winds that carve the sky—Slicer Gale!"

Blades of air shot forward, slashing at the creature's side, opening shallow gashes. It snarled in pain but didn't slow down.

Chosa darted along the perimeter, activating his speed boost. The world blurred around him as he zigzagged between vines and roots, dagger drawn.

Now or never.

He dashed in, landing a quick slice across the creature's calf before leaping back.

The poison took hold—barely visible—but Chosa could see it beginning to pulse beneath the creature's bark-like skin.

Cass kept its attention, her shield absorbing blow after blow. Theo continued bombarding it from behind. Every strike, every spell was a piece of the puzzle.

It was chaos—but it was working.

The plan was in motion.

And this time, Chosa wasn't just trying to survive.

He was fighting to win.