The forest trembled.

From the darkness above, a massive shape darted between the trees, each jump sending showers of leaves fluttering down. The branches rattled violently, bending under its weight. Only its glowing red eyes and the jagged outline of its shadowed bulk could be seen... inhumanly large, muscles twisting beneath a hide that drank the light itself.

Dila's heart jumped into her throat. "Golems... charge!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the still woods.

The two stone giants roared to life, their heavy footsteps shaking the earth as they lunged forward. Dirt scattered in every direction, and the faint blue glow of their runes flared brighter with each movement.

The beast let out a guttural snarl and suddenly blurred—slipping between the golems like a shadow splitting through light. It was fast... too fast. The trees creaked as it pushed off another trunk, launching itself straight toward Dila, its massive fists raised high to crush her.

The air seemed to freeze.

Then—slam!—both golems moved in perfect sync, their hands shooting out like anchors. Each seized one of the creature's legs mid-air. The ground cracked under their strength as they yanked backward with a thunderous force.

The beast howled, twisting, its red eyes burning with fury as the golems swung their arms together and flung it through the air. It spiraled wildly, crashing into the dense wall of trees. The sound of splintering wood echoed across the forest as branches snapped and curled unnaturally, almost alive... almost watching.

Dila stood there breathing hard, uncrossing her arm's and lowering her staff. The eerie wind brushed past her, carrying the stench of iron and soil. Her silver hair swayed slightly as she breathed more, exhaling shakily.

"Creepy... that beast is no joke, Nari," she muttered, eyes still scanning the shadows.

From her staff, a faint pink glow shimmered.

☆ Yeah... it's creepy. ☆ Nari's soft voice replied, her tone uneasy but still laced with her usual playfulness.

The forest went silent again—too silent. Only the faint hum of mana and the trembling leaves hinted that the nightmare wasn't over yet.

The ground began to tremble again.

Dust swirled around Dila's barefeet as the hulking shadow of the beast lowered itself, its movements now sharper, more deliberate. It crouched low... and then blurred. Its massive frame darted side to side across the clearing, each leap thudding like thunder against the dirt.

Dila's eyes followed its movements, but it was too fast—its shape smearing through the darkness. "What is it doing...?" she whispered, her breath shaky.

The creature let out a deep, rumbling grunt—a distorted, inhuman sound that vibrated through the air. Suddenly, it slammed both its hands into the ground, ripping up huge chunks of stone and earth. The debris hovered for a split second in midair, as if suspended by malice alone... and then—

CRASH!

The boulders came flying toward her like catapult shots.

"Golems!" Dila shouted instinctively.

Her two stone protectors moved in front of her, their heavy steps cracking the dirt floor. They raised their massive arms, forming a living wall between her and the incoming storm. The first boulder smashed into one's forearm, sending cracks spidering through its granite skin. Another struck its shoulder, scattering chips of rock into the air.

Thud! Crack! Boom!

The rain of stones didn't stop. It was relentless.

Each impact echoed like cannon fire, shaking the trees and sending leaves cascading down like rain.

Dila flinched, leaning sideways as one of the smaller fragments flew past her face. Her blue eyes widened in fear as she saw the front of her golems slowly eroding under the barrage. Their once-smooth surfaces were now chipped, dented, and glowing faintly blue through the cracks as their mana cores strained to keep them alive.

Her voice trembled. "M-my god..." she whispered, watching helplessly as one of the boulders slammed into her golem's chest, pulverizing part of its torso into rubble.

The air was thick with dust, the forest trembling with each monstrous throw.

Behind the veil of stone and dirt, the beast's red eyes glowed like twin embers... its silhouette shifting, waiting for its chance to strike again.

The ground beneath Dila's feet vibrated, the smell of earth and mana thick in the air. Her fingers tightened around her staff, heart pounding in her chest.

☆ Master... it's adapting... ☆ Nari's faint, worried voice echoed in her mind.

"I can see that," Dila murmured, her pulse racing as she stared at her wounded protectors. "And it's not stopping...."

The beast kept roaring in that guttural, twisted tone.... each grunt echoing through the forest like a warped drumbeat.

Ummm... ummm... haaaa... hahahahaha!

Its laughter was jagged... almost human but warped, distorted by rage and madness. It scooped up another huge boulder, veins bulging in its dark, massive arms, and hurled it with terrifying force. The impact shattered the earth near Dila's golems, showering the air with chunks of dirt and debris.

Dila raised her arm again, shielding her face from the flying stones. Her heart was pounding so fast it hurt. "Why can't they hold properly, Nari?! They're supposed to be strong!"

☆ Because, as I said, we're still recovering, master! ☆ Nari's voice was quick and firm, but there was a flicker of concern in her tone. ☆ Our mana flow isn't stable yet... your magic output's still lower than usual! ☆

"Yes, I know that," Dila snapped, though her voice trembled. Another explosion of dirt and rock erupted near her, forcing her to step back. "But still...!"

☆ It's a logical thing, master, ☆ Nari replied, her voice slightly teasing despite the tension. ☆ Weaker magic means weaker summons. Please understand that—it's basic logic! ☆

Dila exhaled sharply, her brows furrowing as she gripped her staff tight. The trembling of her hands betrayed the anxiety beneath her calm tone. "Yeah, yeah... I understand..." she murmured, biting her lip.

Then Nari's tone turned serious. ☆ Golem integrity... seventy percent. ☆

The words hit her like a cold wind.

"Seventy?" Dila whispered, her eyes darting toward her summoned golems. Both of them were still standing, but cracks ran deep through their bodies. Their glowing blue cores flickered unsteadily like dying flames.

Another boulder crashed against one of their shoulders, blasting off a chunk of stone. The golem staggered, trying to steady itself as the other one stepped forward protectively.

☆ Master... this is bad, ☆ Nari said softly. ☆ The beast isn't stopping. It's like it's enjoying this.... ☆

Dila's eyes widened. She looked at the creature—it was grinning.

The outline of its jaw curled upward in that eerie, crooked smile, its red eyes blazing with twisted pleasure as it scooped another boulder and threw it again. Each time it hit, it laughed louder, HAHAAHAHAHAHA!—a monstrous sound that made the trees quiver.

The forest smelled of wet dirt and iron. Dust drifted through the faint moonlight like ashes, painting the air with gloom.

Dila's chest heaved as she tried to think, her gaze darting between the beast and her faltering golems. "Let me just think... I need a plan," she muttered under her breath.

Her eyes trembled, reflecting both fear and determination as the beast continued its cruel barrage.

The earth shook again....

And still, the laughter echoed through the dark forest like a taunt meant just for her.

The air trembled faintly as Dila steadied her breath, her chest rising and falling beneath the soft shimmer of her dress. Dust swirled through the ruined clearing.... the sound of cracking stone and distant echoes of falling rubble filled the tense silence. Her two golems stood battered in front of her, their bodies chipped and cracked, steam-like mana leaking through the fractures that lined their forms.

Dila clenched her staff tighter, her expression firm but her eyes flickered with exhaustion. The faint glow from her staff's orbiting shards dimmed for a brief moment before reigniting, reflecting the strain in her mana flow. She whispered under her breath, voice low and tense.

"I have no choice.... I'll summon another golem."

Inside her staff, Nari's soft voice suddenly chimed within her mind, carrying a tone of concern.

☆ Master, no.... we'll become weaker.... ☆

The wind howled faintly, brushing strands of Dila's silver-white hair across her face as she turned her gaze toward the monstrous figure still lurking beyond the haze. The ground trembled with every growl it made. Her jaw tightened, and she muttered sharply.

"Are you saying that we should just stand here.... and accept being sitting ducks? That's a terrible idea.... just waiting to be crushed."

There was a brief silence.... the only sound was the faint crackling of mana discharging from the golems' wounds. Nari's tone grew worried, trembling slightly.

☆ You have a point, Master.... but please be careful with your mana.... if it strain out so much.... your life might shambles and we might be dead before the beast even touches us.... ☆

But Dila didn't respond. Her blue eyes gleamed beneath the faint dust light, cold yet determined. The atmosphere grew heavier as the air around her began to vibrate.

She slowly lifted her staff, the shards orbiting around it spinning faster and faster until the ground beneath her pulsed with faint ripples of light. Then, with a firm tap of her staff against the ground, a wave of bright, earthen energy exploded outward. The soil cracked, and glowing veins of mana surged beneath her feet.

A deep rumble followed.... the third golem rose from the fractured earth, forming shape by shape.... its stony arms flexing as light seeped into its joints. Dila's breathing grew faintly labored, but her focus never broke.

Dust blew past her, her dress fluttering in the wind as she whispered faintly to herself.

"...Come forth.... my third golem Earthrea."

The creature stood tall beside the other two, its body newly forged from shimmering stone and magic. Dila's fingers trembled slightly from the strain, yet her eyes never wavered from the enemy beyond the haze.... her resolve firm despite the toll it took on her.

The beast in the distance continued to hurl boulders, each one crashing down with deafening force, shaking the ruined field like thunder.

Dila lifted her staff, her voice sharp and commanding.

"Attack that beast over there.... while it's still distracted throwing those boulders at us!"

The golem turned its gaze toward the towering silhouette beyond the haze and gave a single nod, the sound of grinding stone echoing softly like a war drum. Then it lunged forward, each step pounding against the dirt, sending vibrations through the broken ground.

The beast noticed the approaching golem and abruptly halted its attack. Its blood-red eyes narrowed. With a deep growl, it crouched low.... then sprang backward with a powerful leap, its claws dragging against the earth as it avoided the oncoming blow.

The golem's massive fist came crashing down where the creature once stood. The impact exploded in a burst of dirt and shattered rock, throwing debris high into the air. The shockwave rippled outward, blowing Dila's hair and dress back as she shielded her eyes with one arm.

Through the haze, the beast landed lightly atop a fallen tree trunk, its grotesque frame twisting with unnatural speed. It let out a low, mocking laugh that echoed through the forest.

"Heheheh...."

Dila's teeth clenched. Her staff trembled faintly in her hand as she glared at the creature's dark silhouette moving between the trees.

"How are we supposed to hit something that moves that fast....?" she muttered, her voice edged with frustration.

Nari's soft voice answered in her mind, calm yet slightly strained.

☆ It's up to you, Master.... there's nothing I can do about that.... ☆

The wind whispered between the trees, carrying faint traces of dust and tension. Dila lowered her gaze for a brief moment, her pulse racing as the sound of the beast's laugh faded into the darkness ahead. Her jaw tightened again.... she knew this was going to take more than just brute force.

The moment hung heavy in the air.... then the beast suddenly moved.

With a burst of violent speed, it leapt straight toward Dila's golem the one that charge the beast. The sound of air splitting trailed behind its movement. Before the golem could even brace, the beast spun mid-leap and delivered a crushing kick to its chest. The impact cracked through the air like thunder.

The golem's massive stone frame was hurled backward, crashing through the trees. Trunks snapped in half, leaves scattered like rain, and dust exploded from the ground as the golem slammed into the forest floor. The earth trembled beneath Dila's feet.

The beast landed lightly on the dirt, its claws digging into the soil as it straightened its hunched form. A faint ripple of dark energy coiled around its body, lifting it just slightly above the ground. It grinned, sharp teeth glinting beneath the faint moonlight.

"Is that all you've got, kid?.... What a weakling! Ahahahahaha!"

Its laugh echoed through the ruined grove, deep and mocking, bouncing off the broken trees. Dila's grip on her staff tightened until her knuckles turned pale.

Then, through the swirl of dust, her golem rose again. The glowing blue light in its eyes flickered, dim yet unyielding. It let out a low grinding sound, like stone scraping against stone, and suddenly charged.

The ground quaked under its steps. It collided with the beast head-on, slamming its massive shoulder into the creature's torso with the force of a battering ram. The impact sent a booming shockwave through the forest, shattering branches and scattering debris.

The beast grunted in surprise as it was driven backward, crashing through several trees. Bark and leaves flew in every direction. But even as the golem pressed on, shoving it relentlessly into the wreckage, the creature's mouth curved into a wicked smirk.

It dug its claws into the soil, its muscles tightening. The ground split beneath its feet as it forced itself to a stop. The golem pushed harder, grinding forward, but the beast's stance didn't waver.

Then.... with a low growl, the beast lifted one knee and drove it upward with monstrous strength. The blow struck the golem squarely in the abdomen, sending cracks racing across its stony surface.

In the same motion, the beast twisted, using its strength to fling the golem high into the air. The massive construct spiraled helplessly, pieces of rock breaking off as it rose.

Before it could hit the ground, the beast leapt after it, body blurring into motion. In mid-air, it brought down its clawed arm like a hammer, striking the golem's back with a sickening crack.

The impact sent the golem plummeting like a meteor, slamming into the ground hard enough to shake the earth. A violent shockwave burst outward, scattering dirt, leaves, and chunks of stone.

Dila shielded her face with her arm, the wind cutting across her skin. Her eyes widened, heart pounding as she watched her creation lying half-buried in the torn soil.... silent and still.

The beast landed gracefully amidst the dust, its glowing red eyes locking on her. Its laughter rumbled again.... low, cold, and cruel.

Dila's eyes widened, her breath trembling in disbelief.

"No.... impossible.... it can't be defeated that easily.... I poured raw power into that golem...."

Her voice cracked as she watched the crumbled remains of her creation almost scattered like broken armor. The faint blue light that once pulsed within its body now flickered weakly, fading into darkness. The cold wind whispered through the forest, carrying the smell of crushed stone and disturbed earth.

She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand straight. "Fine.... if one falls, then two will rise!"

Her staff pulsed faintly, blue veins of mana spiraling along its shaft. The ground beneath her rumbled as her two remaining golems, cracked and battered, stepped forward. Their movements were heavy, their stone forms trembling with damage.

"Charge!" Dila shouted, voice echoing through the dark woods.

The two golems roared, their glowing eyes flaring to life once more, and thundered across the broken field. Each step crushed roots and earth beneath them. The beast tilted its head, smirking. Its red eyes gleamed like embers in the dark.

In an instant, it vanished from sight....

Dila's breath hitched. Then, with a violent burst of movement, the beast reappeared before them.

Its claws sliced through the air with a piercing shriek....

CRACK!

Both golems froze mid-motion as a dark streak split the air. A heartbeat later, their stone bodies were cleaved clean in half. The two massive figures crumbled apart, shattering into the ground with heavy thuds that shook the soil beneath Dila's feet.

Dust and fragments scattered around her feet as she staggered backward, gripping her staff tightly.

Her pupils trembled. "No.... no, that can't...."

☆ Master.... prepare yourself.... you're vulnerable now.... ☆ Nari's voice trembled softly through the echoing silence.

The forest fell eerily still again. The beast straightened, standing proudly amidst the rubble, its breathing slow and steady.... its grin growing wider.

But then.... a faint grinding sound came from behind it.

The third golem—the first one that had fallen earlier—was still alive. Cracked, half-buried, but moving. Its hand shot forward suddenly, clutching the beast's leg with a thunderous grasp.

The beast's grin vanished. It looked down, red eyes narrowing.

The golem's broken arm tightened, pulling with all its remaining strength, the ground splintering beneath it.

The air buzzed with the last of its fading magic.

But the beast only sneered. With a sharp motion, it lifted its heavy foot.... and stomped.

The strike landed with brutal force, crushing the golem's head into dust.

A deep shockwave rippled through the soil, scattering loose rocks and sending tremors across the clearing.

Dila stumbled as her staff slipped slightly from her fingers. She felt it.... the connection between her and her summoned golems fading into nothing. Three glowing lines of light that once tethered her to them dissolved slowly into the air like fading fireflies.

Her heart sank into silence. The forest whispered again—dark, heavy, and cold.

All three of her golems were gone.

The beast turned its head toward her slowly, the shadows wrapping around its form like smoke.

Its red eyes gleamed, and it smiled.

A low growl echoed through the dark.... almost like laughter.

And Dila stood there.... alone.

Her hand shook as she gripped her staff tighter, her breath uneven, the chill of fear and despair crawling up her spine.

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