The blood of the forest

The creature rose, battered but not broken.

Its roar shook the entire chamber, dust falling from the ceiling as its claws dug into the floor for support. Its moss-covered hide steamed with the residual magic from Theo's spell. The poison was starting to take effect—its movements slowed, breath uneven—but it was far from done.

Cass stood beside Chosa, her shield arm trembling slightly from earlier strain. Theo regrouped near the entrance, panting, mana flickering wildly around his fingers.

"This thing's a freak of nature," Theo muttered. "Even with the poison and the wind storm, it just won't stay down."

"It will," Chosa said, wiping blood from his lip. "It has to."

Cass glanced sideways at him. "You still standing?"

"Barely. But standing counts."

Luna's voice echoed in Chosa's mind.

"Toxic saturation nearing critical. One or two more direct strikes should push it into the lethal threshold."

One or two more, huh? Alright then…

He took a step forward, wincing as pain fired through his ribs.

"I'll be bait this time," he said.

Cass blinked. "You? You can't even walk straight."

"I don't need to walk straight. Just fast."

Theo grimaced. "If you die, I'm not explaining it to your family."

Chosa smirked. "Don't worry, you won't have to."

Without waiting, he activated Speed Boost, his body flaring with sudden motion. Dust kicked up behind him as he bolted across the room, zigzagging toward the beast.

The monster saw him coming and lunged with a deafening roar. A massive paw swiped toward him, but Chosa dove beneath it, rolling and slicing across its leg again with the poison-tipped dagger.

Hisssss. Another cut. Another dose.

The creature shrieked in rage and whirled after him, crashing into the wall where he had been just a second before. Vines lashed out, missing him by inches.

"Saturation at 90%," Luna said. "One more strike should do it."

Theo was already chanting.

"Tempestus, Severum, Fluctus—Shatterburst!"

A vortex of wind formed above the monster's head and slammed downward, blasting it with concentrated force. The beast staggered, one knee buckling.

Cass didn't need a signal. She was already moving, charging full speed, shield-first.

She slammed into the creature's exposed flank, knocking it off-balance and opening up its underbelly—just enough.

"Chosa—now!" Theo yelled.

Chosa sprinted forward. His vision blurred. His lungs burned. His grip tightened around the hilt of the dagger.

And then—slash.

A deep, perfect line across the monster's chest.

The dagger hissed as poison surged through the wound.

The creature's roar caught in its throat.

It took a step forward… then another…

Then it collapsed with a thunderous CRASH.

The entire room shook.

Silence followed.

The three stood there, panting—soaked in sweat, blood, and adrenaline.

Cass exhaled deeply, falling to one knee and planting her shield into the ground. "It's… finally over."

Theo dropped down onto the stone, flat on his back. "I'm never eating forest meat again."

Chosa stood over the beast's body, breathing hard. He looked at his dagger—cracked slightly at the edge from overuse.

Then, the boss's body began to disintegrate into glimmering particles—and in its place, a small cache of loot materialized.

Among the drops was a beautifully handcrafted dagger resting on a moss-covered pedestal. The blade glistened silver, ancient in design, with tree-like symbols etched into the handle. At its center sat a small glowing gem, pulsating faintly with a light that felt alive.

"Whoa…" Chosa breathed, picking it up carefully.

"Analyzing weapon," Luna said. "This is an Ancient Dagger of Verdance. Rare drop. Durable and enchanted. That gem embedded in the hilt—"

"What is it?" Chosa asked.

"It's a Skill Gem. Rare, but not unheard of. Some weapons have gem slots. This one appears to hold a low-tier nature-based skill."

Chosa's eyes widened. "So I can use the skill in the gem?"

"Correct. While equipped, you'll be able to call upon its magic. Limited charges unless recharged with mana."

A slow grin crossed his face. A new weapon. Stronger. Sleek. Far more reliable than his old chipped dagger.

He sheathed it and glanced back at the pedestal—beside it sat a large mana stone, pulsing with arcane energy.

"That'll sell for a lot," Theo noted, whistling. "You're making bank today."

Cass gave him a nod. "Looks like you earned it."

Then Luna spoke again.

"You've also earned 2 Skill Points from defeating the miniboss. Would you like suggestions on how to allocate them?"

Chosa rubbed his chin. "Let's hear it."

"You could enhance your passive stamina regeneration for longer endurance in prolonged fights. Or invest into physical resistance—useful, considering your habit of throwing yourself into danger."

He chuckled. "I'll think on it."

"Take your time. But I recommend deciding before Floor 3."

He glanced back at the collapsed body of the miniboss, now turning into ethereal dust, and then at Theo and Cass—equally battered, but still standing.

He had a stronger weapon. Valuable loot. Skill points.

And he was still breathing.

For now, that was enough.