monsters 3

Cain rushed forward, flames surging from his hands, his claws ignited with blazing fire. With a feral roar, he slashed at the monster, leaving a burning trail across its chest as the flames hissed and spread over its scales.

Cassian followed up instantly, leaping high into the air. He brought his fist down with crushing force, slamming the monster in the jaw. The creature staggered backward—but not for long. It snarled and extended razor-sharp spikes from its knuckles, aiming to strike back.

Cassian twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the clawed swipe. Before the monster could recover, Cain darted in again. He struck with a fiery uppercut, his flame-coated fist smashing into the monster's face and leaving scorch marks across its face.

Snarling, the monster shook off the flames. With a guttural growl, it fired a barrage of sharp rod-like spikes toward the two. They split apart, dodging the deadly projectiles that embedded deep into the surrounding rock.

With terrifying speed, the monster lunged forward and delivered a brutal kick to Cassian's chest, sending him flying backward. Cain retaliated, lunging in with another blazing punch, but the monster caught Cain's arm and hurled him to the ground like a ragdoll.

Cassian recovered quickly and vaulted toward the monster again, slamming a flying kick into its chest. The impact staggered the monster, and Cassian followed with a powerful hook. The monster raised a massive claw in defense and countered with a blow of its own. Cassian managed to block it, but the force sent him skidding across the ground.

Breathing hard, Cassian narrowed his eyes. "I might have to use that skill," he muttered. "Cain! Summon a clone!"

Without hesitation, Cain nodded and triggered the summoning.

[Skill Activated: Cloning]

[Summons 1 clone]

A perfect copy of Cassian appeared beside them. Without wasting a moment, Cassian surged forward, grappling the monster in a bear hug.

"Cain! I'm holding him down! Hit him with everything you've got!" Cassian shouted.

"Are you crazy?! If you die, I die too!" Cain yelled back, his fists igniting once more.

"Just do it! I can take it!"

The monster roared and began to grow long, jagged spikes from its forearms, aiming to impale Cassian. Just as they pierced his skin—

[Special Skill Activated: Sacrificial Pawn] [All damage sustained within 1 minute is redirected to designated clone.]

[You will not feel pain in this state.]

Cassian's wounds instantly regenerated. The clone that had been summoned began to convulse and burn, bearing the brunt of every injury Cassian took.

With one arm locked around the monster, Cassian began punching it with his free hand, his strikes relentless and brutal. "NOW, CAIN!"

Cain raised his arms. "BURNING RAIN!"

A flurry of blazing fireballs erupted from his hands. They pelted Cassian and the monster, detonating on contact. Cassian's body healed as fast as the wounds appeared, while the clone wailed and cracked under the pressure.

Cassian roared in unison with the explosions, punching and holding fast, while the monster screamed, its body engulfed in searing flame.

Blood sprayed in every direction. The monster thrashed, jabbing Cassian again and again, but its speed was slowing. Its strength waned.

Cassian's arm was broken. His side was punctured. But it didn't matter. Every injury transferred to the clone. The monster's body, however, grew increasingly mangled—burned, shredded, broken.

---

Far off in the distance, five armored figures stood on a ridge, observing the chaotic battle. Flames crackled in the distance.

"They're almost done," said Gian, gripping the hilt of his sword.

Patrick hefted a massive hammer over his shoulder. "Do we move in?"

Gian smirked. "Get ready. Once that monster's down, we strike."

The rest of the group—three riflemen—loaded their weapons in sync. Slowly, they began their approach.

---

Back at the battlefield, the final fireball exploded. The clone vanished—burned to ash. The special skill ended.

Cassian collapsed, gasping. Cain fell to one knee, his chest heaving with exertion. The monster lay sprawled in front of them, unmoving, its flesh charred and bones exposed.

"Is it over?" Cain rasped.

Cassian slowly lifted his head, glancing at the notifications.

[Quest not yet complete.]

"No... it's not," he said.

Before he could explain further, five new figures emerged from the smoke. They wore mismatched armor and carried weapons—predatory grins on their faces.

"Bandits..." Cassian muttered.

Cain clenched his fists. "They're not just passing through. I can feel their intent. They've come for us."

Cassian nodded grimly. But then his eyes widened. "Wait—Cain. The quest hasn't updated. That monster... it's not dead."

As if summoned by his words, the monster suddenly convulsed and leapt to its feet. Despite its wounds, it dashed away with terrifying speed.

Everyone—including the bandits—stared, dumbfounded.

"That thing... it's still alive?!" Gian exclaimed.

Cain turned to Cassian. "I'll chase it down. I have enough energy left in me to finish it. You hold these guys off."

Cassian nodded without hesitation. "I'll buy you time. Go."

Cain ignited his feet with flame and took off in pursuit. Cassian turned back toward the bandits, straightening up despite the pain.

Gian stepped forward, sneering. "In that condition, you think you can take us all?"

Cassian gave a grim smile. "Try me."

With a defiant roar, Cassian charged into the group. He ducked under a swing from Patrick's hammer and countered with a swift jab, catching one of the riflemen in the jaw. Bullets whizzed past him as he weaved between them.

Gian slashed at him with his sword, but Cassian blocked the attack with his forearm, grunting from the impact. He countered with a punch to Gian's ribs.

Meanwhile, the riflemen split apart, firing from different angles. Cassian flipped behind a rock, narrowly avoiding the barrage. He grabbed a chunk of broken debris and flung it at one of them, striking him square in the chest.

Back on the trail, Cain burned through the forest, fire trailing behind him. He spotted the monster up ahead—bleeding, limping, but still fast.

Cain launched himself off a boulder, propelling forward with a burst of flame. He tackled the monster mid-run, sending them both crashing into a ravine.

Cain rolled and stood up first. "This stupid Chase ends now."

The monster rose unsteadily. Its body was covered in burns, spikes broken and flesh torn.

"This...is...the beginning" it growled.

Cain's eyes burned like embers. "Is that so?"

He summoned every ounce of flame he had left. The ground trembled under the surge of energy.

"FIRE NOVA!"

A massive explosion erupted around him, engulfing the monster. The forest shook. Animals scattered. A wave of heat blasted out in all directions.

Smoke and ash billowed into the sky.

Cain was panting while holding the core of the monster, "if I eat this monster's core, I'll definitely get stronger" Cain smirked.

Back with the bandits, Cassian felt a surge of energy.

[Quest Update: Monster defeated]

[You leveled up!]

[You recover some of your health and energy]

[All stats increase by 1]

[Quest Reward]

[New skill available: Clone Recall]

Cassian grinned as a ripple of power restored his strength. He ducked under a sword slash and punched Gian in the gut, sending him flying backward.

"Looks like my partner succeeded," Cassian said, cracking his knuckles.

[Skill Activated: clone recall]

Cain was teleported in front of the bandits, but this time his appearance change, there's a two horn on his head, blood dripping to his mouth as he ate the monster's core.

Cain's looking down to the bandits, menacingly, as there's a sinister smile on his face.

The bandits hesitated.

"Now it's your turn."