23:Slaying The Saber Toothed Tiger

The Storm Sword Technique incorporated various moves using the power of the wind element, a graceful yet deadly dance of offense and defense.

SWISH!

"[Wind Blade Barrier!]"

Roland's voice rang out firmly, the wind around him whirling violently.

The air churned and condensed before them, forming a transparent, shimmering barrier of spiraling currents.

A fireball, blazing like the sun, hurled through the sky at terrifying speed.

BOOOOM!

A thunderous explosion echoed as the fireball smashed into the barrier. The wind screen shuddered, absorbed the impact, and sent the blazing orb veering off to the side.

BOOM!

The redirected fireball detonated in the distance like a missile, carving a pit several meters deep and twenty meters wide into the earth. The grasslands blackened instantly under the burst of flames.

"Go!" Roland shouted, eyes fierce.

Without hesitation, he rushed forward toward the Flaming Saber Tiger. The giant blade in his hands vibrated, wrapped in violent swirling wind.

"[Storm Sword Slash!]"

He aimed straight at the tiger's head, but before his strike landed, something else happened..

SHRING!

A battle cry tore through the wind.

"ROAAAAHHHHHHH!" roared Adonis, charging from the side, his double-headed axe raised high. Veins bulged on his arms, and fire reflected in his eyes.

"Eat this, you flaming furball!"

He swung the axe in a brutal arc, cleaving toward the tiger's shoulder just as it prepared to leap.

But suddenly—

SNAP! CRACK!

Vines burst out of the ground like awakened serpents.

Freya acted and cast the spell.

"[Prison Vines!]"

A glowing sigil on the earth beneath the tiger flared as Barn yelled.

The vines coiled up with lightning speed, wrapping around the Flaming Saber Tiger's hind legs and tail. It let out a surprised growl as its body lurched and lost balance.

Barn twisted his sword with finesse, his expression calm but resolute. His blade curved unnaturally, glowing with a deep blue aura.

"Hold it down while it's stunned!" Barn shouted, eyes locked on the beast. "Don't let it recover!"

Kara meanwhile, supported them by casting spells and buffs.

The Flaming Saber Tiger tried to leap back but faltered under the pull of the vines.

CLANG!

Roland's sword slashed downward. The tiger barely tilted its head, avoiding death by inches—but a deep gash opened across the right side of its face.

Blood gushed out in torrents.

"ROARRRRRRR!"

The tiger howled in agony.

Adonis grinned like a madman, sweat pouring down his face. "Still breathing, huh?! Let's fix that!"

Adonis swung again, his axe smashing into the beast's ribs, followed by Barn slashing at its hind flank with precise, twisting cuts, making the wounds harder to close.

The others closed in, surrounding the tiger like wolves a dying bear.

Suddenly—

WHOOSH!

A cyclone erupted from the beast's body, and its fiery fur flared up violently. The pressure exploded outward.

BOOM!!!

A cloud of flame engulfed the area, knocking everyone back like rag dolls.

Roland hit the ground hard, skidding on his back.

"Ugh!" he grunted, coughing up dust.

From within the smoke, a chilling growl emerged.

The Flaming Saber Tiger's eyes blazed, blood pouring from multiple wounds. It staggered, but the fire in its body reignited, now fueled by desperation.

It leapt forward with fury, mouth wide open, fangs bared—

Straight toward Roland.

"Shit!" Roland gasped, rolling out of the way just in time.

The tiger crashed into the dirt where he had stood a second ago, fangs snapping at empty air.

Roland turned with burning eyes, slashing across the tiger's waist.

The blade dug deep, blood splashing hot against his face. Still, the beast didn't fall.

"These damn beasts..." Roland muttered under his breath, panting. "Why won't you die?"

"Because they fight preparing to die.Truly fearless…" said Barn beside him, voice ragged but steady.

He stepped forward, wiping blood off his cheek, and added, "That's why we attack together."

Their friends joined in, hitting the wounded tiger from all sides, forcing it to stumble.

Its massive body trembled.

But just as it fell to one knee—

WHOOMM!

A colossal surge of mana burst from the tiger's core.

Its body shimmered, and it unleashed a final, terrifying spell.

Meteor Shower

The skies darkened as a magic circle formed above the tiger. A gigantic fire cloud bloomed with swirling inferno.

Then came the rain.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Flaming meteors fell like doomsday, shattering trees and exploding soil all around.

"Take cover!" Barn shouted, raising a temporary shield.

Roland growled, "Don't let it end like this!"

They braced themselves, dodging and deflecting as best as they could.

Adonish caught a fireball on his axe, screaming through the heat, "I'm not done yet, you oversized barbecue!"

A minute passed that felt like an eternity.

When the last fireball fell and the flaming cloud dissipated, the group emerged from the blackened smoke.

Their armor was scorched, their faces black with soot, but their spirits remained unbroken.

The Flaming Saber Tiger stood in the center—swaying, trembling, almost drained of life.

Roland raised his sword once more, wind gathering in spirals around him.

With a roar louder than the beast's own, he surged forward.

"DIEEEEEEEE!"

The sword cut clean through the air, through bone, through fire—and finally, through the tiger's neck.

THUD!

The giant's body collapsed.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy breaths of survivors.

"…It's finally dead," Barn muttered.

Adonish dropped to one knee, slamming his axe to the ground and exhaling sharply. "Remind me… to never piss off a tiger."

They laughed weakly.

From the side, a quiet voice called out.

"Lord Roland… have some water."

It was Freya, the elf mage, approaching with a gentle smile and a leather pouch.

Roland turned, his eyes weary but grateful. He took the water with a grateful nod and drank it in one go.

"How's everyone?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"Still breathing, thanks to you three," Freya said. "And… you fought like hell."

"No need for thanks," Roland replied. "Just another day on the edge."

They treated their wounds quickly, then moved to dismember the corpse of the beast.

The magic core, the crimson-striped fur, the scorching blood—every part was worth a fortune.

Ten minutes later, there wasn't even a shred of the Flaming Saber Tiger left to mourn.

"Poor thing…" Barn muttered.

"Poor? That thing tried to cook us alive!" Adonish replied.

As they scouted the lair, near a warm spring, they found rare herbs thriving under geothermal warmth.

Roland looked around, eyes shining.

"This place… might just become my next retreat," he said with a smile. "Hot springs, rare herbs, and a view. What more do we need?"

They packed up herbs with lifted spirits and began their journey home with victory behind them and spoils to show for it.