Chapter 18: The Frenzied Beast

(Adventurer POV + Sam's POV)

(Lina's POV)

The arrow flew from my bow, sailing toward the beast. It wasn't a perfect shot—my hands were shaking too much for that—but it struck the creature in the shoulder, embedding itself deep.

The massive beast let out a growl, but didn't slow down.

I watched as Derrick charged forward with his shield, bracing himself for impact. His movements were solid, confident. Marie was already gathering her magic, readying her first spell. Leon stood at the front, his sword gleaming in the fading light.

"This is just a normal F-Rank beast," Leon muttered under his breath. "Stick to the plan."

But as I looked at the creature's jagged scales and glowing eyes, I wasn't so sure.

(Sam's POV)

I kept myself hidden in the shadows, watching the adventurers slowly close in on the beast. They were following their formation well enough, but it was obvious they weren't fully prepared for this.

I could feel it—the sheer power radiating from the F-Rank beast. This thing wasn't a weakling. It had been in countless battles, and it was nearly at its level cap. The adventurers didn't know what they were dealing with.

And yet, I was curious. How would they fare? Would their teamwork be enough?

'Let's see what you've got.'

(Lina's POV)

"Derrick, engage!" Leon ordered, signaling the start of the fight.

Derrick didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, slamming his shield into the ground to brace for the beast's charge. The creature let out a roar and lunged at him, claws outstretched.

I held my breath as Derrick blocked the attack, his shield absorbing the impact with a loud clang. The force of the hit sent him skidding back, but he held his ground.

"Marie, now!" Leon shouted.

Marie's hands flared with bright light as she cast Fireball, sending a swirling mass of flames straight toward the beast. The fire hit the creature square in the chest, causing it to stagger for a moment, but it quickly shook off the flames with a growl.

"That barely slowed it down," I whispered under my breath, drawing another arrow. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I couldn't back down now.

I released the arrow, aiming for the beast's leg this time. It hit, but the creature barely seemed to notice.

(Sam's POV)

'They're getting some hits in, but it's not enough.'

I watched as the adventurers fought with all they had. Derrick was holding the line, taking the brunt of the beast's attacks, while Marie cast her magic from a distance. Lina was firing arrows, but they weren't doing much more than chipping away at the creature's health.

The beast was tough. Its Thick Hide Lv 2 was absorbing most of the damage.

Still, they were wearing it down bit by bit.

(Lina's POV)

The battle dragged on, and my arms were beginning to ache from firing so many arrows. We had been at this for nearly an hour, slowly chipping away at the beast's defenses. Derrick was covered in sweat, his shield dented from the constant impacts, but he refused to give up.

Marie had switched between Fireball and Wind Cutter, trying to find any weak spots in the beast's defenses. Each spell landed, but none were enough to finish the fight.

Leon darted in and out of the beast's range, slashing at its legs and arms whenever he had the chance. But even he was starting to slow down.

"We've almost got it!" Leon shouted, his voice breathless. "Keep pushing!"

I could see it now—the beast was weakening. Its movements were slower, more sluggish. We were winning.

But something didn't feel right.

(Sam's POV)

They were wearing the beast down, but it wasn't over yet. The adventurers were getting tired, and I could tell they were starting to think the battle was almost won.

They were wrong.

I flicked my tongue, sensing the shift in the air. The beast's energy was changing—growing darker, more intense. Its eyes glowed brighter, and its muscles tensed.

'Oh no… here it comes.'

[Status Inspection Lv 2 activated]

[Stonehide Beast (Lv 22) detected]

[Skills:]

– [Frenzy Lv 1]

– [Thick Hide Lv 2]

– [Berserk Charge Lv 2]

[Status: Enraged]

'Frenzy's kicking in. They don't stand a chance.'

The Frenzy skill was dangerous. It activated when the beast was close to death, giving it a massive boost in strength and speed. The adventurers were already exhausted, and they had no idea what was about to hit them.

(Lina's POV)

"Stay focused!" Leon shouted, charging in for what he thought would be the final blow.

But before he could strike, the beast let out a deafening roar. Its eyes flared with rage, and its entire body seemed to grow larger, its muscles bulging under its rough, scaly hide.

"Leon, get back!" I screamed, but it was too late.

The beast lunged forward with terrifying speed, slamming into Leon with enough force to send him flying across the clearing. He hit the ground hard, his sword clattering out of his hand.

"No!" I shouted, drawing another arrow and firing at the beast, but it didn't even flinch. Its movements were faster now, more aggressive, as if it had been given a second wind.

(Sam's POV)

The adventurers were in trouble now. The Frenzy skill had fully activated, and the beast was tearing through them like paper. Leon was down, his sword lying several feet away, and Derrick was struggling to hold the line.

The beast slammed into Derrick's shield again, this time cracking it down the middle. Marie was casting spell after spell, but the beast was moving too fast now. Her magic wasn't landing as cleanly as before.

'They're done for if this keeps up.'

(Lina's POV)

I fired another arrow, but it was no use. The beast was too fast, too strong. Derrick's shield shattered completely under the weight of the next attack, and he was thrown to the ground, his body skidding across the dirt.

"Derrick!" I screamed, panic flooding my veins. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold my bow.

The beast turned its glowing eyes on Marie, who was desperately trying to cast another spell. She looked terrified, her hands trembling as she conjured a weak Fireball.

"Marie, get out of there!" I shouted, but the beast was already charging at her.

She barely had time to react before it was on her, its massive claws raised to strike.