The air was tense as we made our way through the winding paths of the dungeon. Each step brought us closer to the room marked by the system as the floor boss's lair. My heart was heavy with a mix of anticipation and dread.
"The mid-bosses were no joke," I muttered, gripping my sword tighter. "If they were that strong, what kind of monster will the floor boss be?"
"My Lord, do not let doubt cloud your mind," Tsuki said, walking beside me with her usual grace. Her crimson eyes sparkled with excitement. "No matter how powerful the foe, we will emerge victorious."
Wogg nodded, hefting his massive axe onto his shoulder. "She's right, Master. Together, we've taken down everything in our path. This boss will fall just like the others."
Their unwavering confidence reassured me somewhat, but the gnawing doubt lingered in the back of my mind.
---
Meanwhile: A Visit to Ray's Hut
Far from the dungeon, in a tranquil forest surrounding a massive tree, three figures approached Ray's hut.
Leading the group was a striking red-haired Oni woman with a single horn protruding from her forehead. She exuded raw strength, her traditional red-and-black yukata doing little to hide her muscular frame. Despite her intimidating appearance, her confident stride suggested she was ready for any challenge.
Walking beside her was a pink-haired Oni woman, whose demeanor was the polar opposite. She was quiet, her soft gaze scanning the surroundings with curiosity. Her two horns, smaller but sharper than the others', adorned the sides of her head. She held a grimoire in her hand, her fingers lightly tracing its cover as if ready to unleash its power at a moment's notice.
The third figure was a tall, broad-shouldered Oni man with vibrant red hair and two horns similar to the pink-haired woman's. His katana hung loosely at his side, but his sharp eyes darted around as though expecting danger. He wore a dark yukata with a golden sash, its modest design contrasting with his imposing aura.
The trio approached Ray's hut, their attention immediately drawn to a peculiar sight. A tiny Fenrir pup with snow-white fur sat in the clearing, her ears drooping and her tail tucked between her legs. She looked utterly dejected, surrounded by a group of towering Orcs.
"Is that... a baby Fenrir?" the pink-haired Oni asked, her voice soft yet filled with concern.
"It's adorable!" the red-haired woman exclaimed, her horn gleaming in the sunlight.
"Adorable or not, it's surrounded by Orcs," the Oni man interjected, his tone wary. "We shouldn't get involved. It's not our business."
"But what if they've kidnapped her?" the pink-haired woman argued, clutching her grimoire tightly. "She looks scared."
"Then she's not our problem," he said firmly. "We don't know what's going on here, and starting a fight with Orcs will only cause unnecessary trouble."
The red-haired woman crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Coward. If you won't help, I will."
"Fine," the man sighed, rolling his eyes. "Let's get this over with."
The three Oni strode into the clearing, their weapons drawn.
---
A Clash in the Clearing
The Orcs turned toward the newcomers, their expressions shifting from confusion to aggression. The Oni didn't wait for explanations.
The red-haired woman charged first, her longsword gleaming as she swung it in a wide arc. Her strength was immense, cutting down the first Orc with ease.
The pink-haired woman remained behind, her grimoire floating in front of her as she chanted softly. Glowing runes surrounded her, launching bursts of magical energy that struck the Orcs with pinpoint precision.
The red-haired man moved with calculated efficiency, his katana a blur as he sliced through their ranks.
At first, the Orcs seemed to fall easily, but then the impossible happened. The fallen Orcs began to shimmer and rise, their wounds closing as if they had never been struck.
"They're regenerating?" the man growled, his grip tightening on his katana.
"Some kind of enchantment," the pink-haired woman murmured, flipping through her grimoire.
The battle raged on, the clearing filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and Orcish roars. Despite their combined efforts, the Oni found themselves no closer to victory.
The red-haired woman snarled in frustration. "Fine. Let's end this!"
The pink-haired woman nodded, her grimoire glowing brighter as she began a new chant. The runes around her expanded, forming a dome of golden light. One by one, the Orcs staggered and fell, their massive forms slumping to the ground in a deep, magical sleep.
Rir, the little Fenrir pup, let out a frightened yelp before curling into a ball and succumbing to the spell as well.
"That's more like it," the red-haired woman said, wiping sweat from her brow.
The two women approached Rir, their expressions softening as they looked at her.
"She's adorable," the pink-haired woman said, gently picking her up.
"No way. I'm taking care of her," the red-haired woman said, crossing her arms.
"You'll scare her," the pink-haired woman retorted, holding Rir protectively.
The red-haired man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Both of you, stop. Let's get out of here before the Orcs wake up."
The two women glared at each other but relented. Together, the trio left the clearing, carrying the still-sleeping Rir with them.
---
Back to the Dungeon
We finally arrived at the large, ornate gate marking the floor boss's chamber. The carvings on its surface depicted scenes of battle and conquest, as if mocking the challengers who dared to enter.
I swallowed hard, the weight of anticipation settling heavily in my chest.
"This is it," I said, my voice quieter than I intended.
"My Lord, you worry too much," Tsuki said, smirking. "This will be interesting."
Wogg patted me on the shoulder. "Stay focused, Master. We've come too far to turn back now."
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the gate open.
The room beyond was massive, its ceiling lost in shadow. At the far end stood a towering figure, its monstrous form illuminated by an eerie glow. Surrounding it were four familiar shapes—the mid-bosses we had already defeated.
"No way," I muttered, my grip tightening on my sword. "They're back?"
The central figure stepped forward, its presence overwhelming. It was larger than any of the mid-bosses, with glowing red eyes and a body that seemed to radiate power.
"This... is going to be hard," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tsuki's smirk widened, her claws glowing faintly. "Good. A challenge."
Wogg readied his axe, his stance steady. "We're ready, Master. Let's finish this."
And with that, we stepped forward, prepared for the battle of our lives.
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