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Suddenly, the Status Window started pouring out a multitude of information, blocking my view. The overlapping text on the translucent screen could easily become a distraction. With a hostile monster approaching us at this moment, I immediately decided to dismiss the Status Window and focused on the current situation.

‘It wasn’t an idle warning that Elvis said he might get hurt.’

Didn’t the quick glance at the Status Window indicate it? The creature, proudly stomping toward us, was the guardian of the sanctuary.

Even if this stone statue was long forgotten, the notion that it would be weak—just because it served the gods—was utterly absurd.

‘It must be hiding some special power. This is getting troublesome.’

Our spirit, known for its unparalleled detection skills, wouldn’t miss a trace.

This guardian certainly must have been favored by a deity wealthy enough to command such an impressive temple in the past. It’s strange for it not to have unique abilities.

And then, at that moment. Elvis hurriedly rushed outside and conveyed his message.

—It’s right in front of us…! At this rate, that enormous monster will crash into the building!

Though it’s called the guardian of the sanctuary, I couldn’t fathom why it aimed to demolish this structure.

Instead of questioning further, I quickly relayed the message.

“Princess Shione, we need to get out of here immediately.”

“I think it would be better to hide in an obscure spot and ambush…”

“Elvis said that monster will charge in here any moment!”

“Well, I can’t just sit by and be crushed under rubble. Let’s move. Lady Diolia, can I leave the front to you?”

“Why would I have taken the position of commander for the cavalry if I couldn’t hold my ground? Trust me to guard the front.”

This place was not ideal for combat against a giant monster.

The ancient building, which could crumble any moment due to the fierce battle, would be problematic for future investigations. Even with the wizard’s support, controlling any additional variables thrown in by a monster capable of effortlessly demolishing structures would be nearly impossible.

We raised our mana, warming up our bodies, and dashed outside, armed with our respective weapons.

Diolia, leading the charge and the first to encounter the monster, had her first impression.

“Tch, it’s disgustingly huge. Looks like it’ll be a pain to slice through.”

Just behind her, Shione and I finally laid eyes on the monster’s true form.

‘The overall shape resembles a wolf, but with some bear-like features scattered about.’

It boasted a height equivalent to the second floor, built on the form of a wolf, with claws and sharp fangs prominently displayed, embodying a dangerous silhouette of a bear.

Though it had the head of a bear notorious for its cunning, its eyes were utterly dull. Perhaps it had survived for too long in this area rich with magic, lacking depth and simply guided by its ingrained instincts.

As it snorted forcefully and stared our way—

‘It really looks irritable.’

Whether due to its instincts or the chaotic effect created by the Status Window, drawing its attention wasn’t exactly favorable.

‘Why is that thing only looking at me?’

The moment its gaze locked onto me, it froze, and this monster commenced growling, baring its sharp teeth at me.

With all its focus now directed toward me, it lunged forward.

“Knights, aim for its legs!”

“It’s too fast! Rangers and wizards, try to restrain its legs!”

Despite its massive size, its speed was astonishing. Each time the knights lunged with their swords, the guardian dodged gracefully.

As Diolia recognized its leisurely movements, she dashed forward.

“Not so fast!”

With a shot like an arrow, she dashed in between the guardian’s front legs, quickly maneuvering toward its left rear leg.

“Ha…!”

She held her breath, gathering strength.

The aim of her strike was to sever the incoming enemy’s leg targeting Shione, ignoring the knights.

In preparation for a perfectly horizontal slash, she elevated her sword skyward and readied for the moment of attack.

“Ah.”

Diolia had no choice but to change her posture as she failed to sever its leg immediately.

“Damn it…!”

BANG─!

In an instant, as if it had foreseen her move, the beast stomped its massive body onto the ground, crushing Diolia under it.

However, as it rolled aside in a quick motion, Diolia remained standing, blood staining her blade.

‘Looks like Diolia isn’t just another monster.’

Despite the panic, she managed to defend herself and even inflicted a minor wound on its belly.

The two knights who had rushed to her were now pushing forth, determined to slay that wretched beast alongside Diolia, who was focused solely on dealing a fatal blow.

Rather than simply observe her efforts, I promptly readied my arrow.

“It’s fixated on me, so I’ll draw its attention away.”

“Can you manage that?”

Shione had been observing carefully and likely realized that it wanted me.

I simply nodded in response and leaped forth.

Her expression contained a mix of trust and worry, but there was no time to second-guess.

‘Staying here longer would be a misstep.’

If that massive front paw swung and blocked our exit, we wouldn’t be able to count on the priests and wizards still inside.

“Tania, Elvis. I’m pulling back.”

Calling on the spirits, I launched my arrow.

Rather than outright kill it, I aimed to obscure its vision as my sole intent.

The magic erupted from the arrow embedded in front of the guardian.

WHOOSH─!

With a powerful gust of wind, flames erupted, blocking the monster’s view almost immediately.

“Tania, hold on a moment, and Elvis and Orna, assist with movement.”

I dashed away at breakneck speed, putting distance between us and the ruins.

The scene was chaotic, with broken rocks and thick trees scattered all around. It would be a death wish to weave through Shione’s magic range. So I whispered, hiding at the threshold.

“Orna, manipulate the wind so my scent doesn’t escape. Tania and Elvis, continue as you were.”

With this distance, we should have ample time for our wizard and knights to regroup.

Hiding my scent and obscuring my view, I bought some time. Now I just needed to maintain our front and let our knights follow behind to unleash their firepower.

That’s what I thought, but—

“…I guess hide-and-seek doesn’t work.”

Of course, the guardian was leaping toward me with an explosive charge.

Apparently, it depended on some other sense, rather than sight or smell, to locate me.

I leaned against a tree, gripping my longbow, and spoke to the three spirits.

“Let’s get ready for tag. You know what to do, right?”

My usual routine.

Dodging the monster’s attacks while weaving effortlessly through the forest obstacles to take it down one by one.

Tania and Elvis nodded knowingly, while Orna still seemed a bit confused. But, there wouldn’t be any harm in her learning as we went along.

Matching gazes with my spirits, I quickly notched an arrow and swept sideways, launching it instantly.

TWANG─!

With Elvis’ support, the arrow shot straight ahead, and at that moment—

BANG!!

An explosion erupted right before the giant bear head.

Even as the fire blazed atop its head, the creature continued rushing forward; when it finally spotted my arrow nearing, it swung its front leg to attack.

“….”

The moment our eyes briefly met, stunned as I was—

“Let the games begin!”

The tag was officially on!

This was the edge of Shione’s magic’s influence.

Noticing it extending farther behind me, Shione seemed ready, closing in now. But the space was still tight.

‘Moving backward from here would be suicidal.’

I began sprinting to the side.

The issue was that the distance between me and that bear head charging in straight for me was rapidly closing.

“Where do you think you’re going…!”

In response, Elvis unleashed his magic.

A sharp gust of wind tore through the trees, cutting through the monster’s hide. Taking advantage of its momentary distraction, I threw up obstacles in my path.

The behemoth barreled through fallen trees, intent on sinking its teeth into my neck, glaring with fierce anger. The issue was that Tania’s flames were igniting its dark fur, and it was utterly losing its mind over the burning irritation.

It smashed into the fallen logs with reckless abandon.

“This is a complete mess!”

Though it was a crude tactic, it proved effective, even throwing a log in my direction.

As Elvis dealt with the log, it vanished from view.

“What the hell is this…!”

My senses, sharpened through mana, lost track of the beast’s whereabouts.

In this bizarre moment, where my heart raced—suddenly, the monster appeared right in front of me, mouth agape, looking to bite off my head. I could feel the mana that had been nestled in my heart rapidly draining away.

Now with Tania taking shape as a high-tier spirit, she laid a hand on the monster’s sharp teeth, whispering.

“Who are you touching?”

The flames conjured by the high-tier spirit enveloped its head.

No matter how resilient its life force was, it couldn’t withstand those flames. After all, that was one of my most threatening attacks.

Tania grinned as she formed a V sign with one hand, shooting me a confident smile. The creature should be fatally wounded by now. It would soon breathe its last, requiring only a final finishing blow to end this battle.

However, as I aimed to deliver that decisive strike—

CRACK─!

“Huh?”

Tania’s shocked voice rang out.

In her eyes, the monster had closed its jaws around her arm, clearly visible.

 

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