Amon moved quietly through the area surrounding the temple.

The ancient structure loomed behind him, half-swallowed by vines and shadow, its broken stone walls standing like silent witnesses to countless forgotten ages.

The forest around it was dense, the trees tall and dark, their canopies blocking most of the already-dim light filtering from the sky.

He wasn't wandering aimlessly.

This was scouting.

After discovering the name of the place, Amon knew one thing clearly. Staying ignorant here would get him killed. If he was going to rest near this temple for a few days, then he needed to understand what kinds of monsters roamed nearby.

His sword hung loosely in his right hand. The hatchet was strapped at his waist, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.

Crunch.

Amon froze.

His boots pressed lightly against the forest floor as he halted mid-step. His eyes narrowed, senses sharpening instantly.

That sound hadn't been wind.

It was too heavy.

Too deliberate

.

He slowly turned his head toward the source.

Another crunch followed.

Then a low, guttural sound rumbled through the trees.

"...Haaah…"

Amon exhaled slowly, steadying himself.

"Of course," he muttered under his breath.

"No such thing as peace here. Mfs comes to me always."

The bushes ahead began to shake.

Branches snapped apart as something massive pushed through.

Then it stepped into view.

Amon's eyes widened slightly

.

The creature was huge. Easily over eight feet tall when standing upright. Its body was bulky and muscular, covered in coarse, dark-grey fur. Long arms dragged close to the ground, ending in thick hands with claws instead of fingers.

Its face resembled that of a gorilla, but twisted. Elongated jaw, sharp fangs protruding from its mouth, and eyes that glowed faintly red in the gloom.

A monster.

And not a small one.

Before Amon could react further, another shape emerged from the trees.

Then another.

Three of them.

Three gorilla-like monsters stood in a loose formation, spreading out instinctively as if they were used to hunting together.

"...Three at once," Amon muttered. "You've got to be kidding me...Guess i should have just rested there."

The monsters beat their chests with their fists, releasing deep, thunderous roars that shook the surrounding foliage.

ROOOOAAARGH!

The sound vibrated through Amon's bones.

"Yeah, yeah," he said quietly, adjusting his grip on the sword. "I hear you. It's gorilla type."

The monsters charged.

Their movements were deceptively fast for their size. The ground trembled under their weight as they rushed forward, arms swinging violently.

Amon didn't hesitate. He stepped back sharply, shifting his stance. Mana stirred within him.

Shadow gathered around his blade.

The first monster reached him in seconds, swinging its massive arm downward like a hammer.

Amon dodged to the side just in time.

BOOM!

The arm smashed into the ground where he had been standing, shattering stone and dirt. Fragments flew in all directions.

Amon slashed upward, aiming for the monster's exposed side.

CLANG!

The blade struck. But instead of cutting cleanly, it skidded against hardened muscle and bone-like density beneath the fur.

"Tch—so tough already?"

The monster roared in pain but didn't fall. It backhanded Amon with its other arm.

Amon crossed his sword to block.

CRASH!

The impact sent him flying backward. He skidded across the ground, rolling twice before stopping near a tree.

Pain exploded through his arms.

"Ghh…!"

Before he could fully recover, the second monster lunged.

It leaped.

Its shadow fell over him.

Amon reacted instantly, rolling to the side.

The creature landed where he had been, both fists smashing into the ground and creating a small crater.

Amon pushed himself up, drawing his hatchet in one smooth motion.

The third monster came from the flank.

Too close.

Too fast.

Amon ducked under its swinging arm and buried the hatchet into its thigh.

Crack!

"ROOOAAARGH!"

The monster howled in agony, staggering backward as black blood spilled onto the ground.

Amon didn't pull the hatchet out.

He kicked the monster's knee with full force. The joint bent the wrong way.

The creature collapsed with a thunderous crash.

But Amon didn't have time to finish it.

The first monster charged again.

Amon jumped backward, then thrust his sword forward.

[Shadow Clutch.]

Dark tendrils burst from the shadow beneath the monster's feet, wrapping tightly around its legs and arms.

'My shadow clutch is becoming more and mire stronger.'

The monster struggled, roaring furiously as it tried to tear free.

The shadow strained, flickering under the immense strength.

"Hold," Amon growled through clenched teeth.

The second monster didn't wait.

It charged straight at him while the first was restrained.

Amon released Shadow Clutch.

The shadow snapped back instantly.

He rolled sideways as the second monster slammed into the space he had occupied.

Using the momentum, Amon sprinted forward, leaping onto the wounded third monster.

He ripped the hatchet free and brought it down on the creature's neck.

Once.

Twice.

CRACK—SPLAT!

The monster convulsed violently, then went still.

Amon jumped off its corpse just as the second monster swung at him from behind.

He blocked with his sword.

CRACK!

The blade cracked slightly under the pressure.

Amon's eyes widened.

"Shit—!"

He kicked the monster's chest and leaped back, creating distance.

The first monster was back on its feet now, breathing heavily, rage burning in its eyes.

Two left.

Both injured.

But still extremely dangerous. They roared together and charged. Amon took a deep breath.

His body ached.

His mana reserves weren't infinite.

But backing down wasn't an option.

"Alright," he muttered. "Let's end this."

He dashed forward instead of retreating.

The first monster swung.

Amon slid under the attack, slashing upward with his sword and pouring mana into the strike.

Shadow coated the blade completely.

SHHHNK!

This time, the blade cut deep.

The monster screamed as its chest was torn open, black blood spraying across the ground.

Before it could recover, Amon drove the hatchet into its skull.

CRACK!

The monster collapsed instantly.

The final monster roared in fury and despair.

It charged recklessly, abandoning all caution.

Amon sidestepped at the last moment.

As the monster passed him, Amon spun.

He slashed at the back of its knee.

The joint gave out.

The creature fell forward. Amon didn't hesitate.

He climbed onto its back, gripping its fur tightly as it thrashed violently.

"Stay still," he growled.

He raised his sword with both hands and plunged it straight down into the base of the monster's skull.

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