The battlefield had turned into a wasteland.

  Burned earth. Cracked trees. Smoke drifting into a darkened sky.

  The Colossal Shadow Direwolf stood within a crater, shadow fur swirling violently around its wounded body. Its golden eyes glowed like twin embers in the abyss.

  Across from it, the Inferno Chimera lowered its stance.

  Kael’s three heads moved in perfect synchronization.

  “This ends now,” the dragon head rumbled.

  The Direwolf answered with a final roar that shook the heavens.

  The Colossal Shadow Direwolf lunged through the collapsing forest, shadows twisting around its body like a living storm. Across the battlefield, the Inferno Chimera did not roar this time. It did not raise its claws. It simply lowered one dragon head, its eyes burning with cold, merciless intent.

  A tiny spark appeared at the top of dragon head.

  No larger than a candle flame like just a small black hole.

  Yet the air screamed.

  The spark compressed into a needle-sized ember — white at its core, rimmed with crimson lightning. The ground beneath the Chimera cracked from the pressure alone. In the next instant, the ember push toward.

  A flash.

  Faster than sight.

  The streak of light pierced through the darkness like divine judgment and struck the Colossal Shadow Direwolf directly between the eyes.

  Silence.

  For half a heartbeat, nothing happened.

  Then the world ended.

  A sphere of blinding white fire expanded from the wolf’s head, swallowing it whole before its body could even

  react. The expanding sunball devoured trees, earth, stone, and shadow alike. A Five Hundred meters radius was

  consumed in a single catastrophic bloom of light. The shockwave flattened mountainsides, vaporized rivers into

  steam, and turned the forest into a molten sea. The sky split apart as a towering pillar of flame pierced the

  clouds, forming a mushrooming inferno that darkened the horizon.

  There was no scream.

  No regeneration.

  No shadow to escape into.

  Kaito reacted without hesitation.

  “Titan Mountain Wall!”

  Massive earthen walls surged from the ground, forming a layered fortress around the carriage, the horse, and Serena and Renna. Layer upon layer of compressed stone rose like a mountain barrier.

  He reinforced it again.

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  And again.

  The explosion struck.

  The world outside turned into pure white.

  The walls trembled violently. Cracks spread across their surface as heat and force pressed against them mercilessly.

  Serena shielded her face.

  Renna held onto the carriage tightly.

  For several seconds—

  It felt endless.

  Then—

  Silence.

  The heat faded.

  Dust slowly settled.

  Kaito dismissed the broken layers of stone.

  What lay before them was unrecognizable.

  A massive scorched crater stretched across the forest. Everything within Five Hundred meters had been erased.

  No trees.

  No grass.

  No shadows.

  The Sky Clear.

  Only ash and cracked earth.

  At the center—

  The Colossal Shadow Direwolf was gone.

  Nothing remained except two dark, jagged fangs embedded in the ground, faintly radiating shadow energy.

  Kael stood in his Chimera form for a moment longer before shrinking back into his human shape.

  He exhaled slowly.

  “…Annoying opponent.”

  Kaito walked forward cautiously, searching for something.

  Renna stared in awe. “That’s… insane.”

  Serena whispered, “That wasn’t even S-rank…”

  Kaito approached the remains and picked up the two Shadow Fangs. Even broken, they pulsed with dense mana.

  “These will be valuable,” he said quietly.

  He placed them inside his item box.

  Kael stretched lazily. “Let’s move before something stronger smells this.”

  No one disagreed.

  They repaired what little damage the carriage had taken, calmed the horse once more, and resumed their journey toward Grainford.

  Two days later.

  The forest gradually thinned.

  The air grew lighter.

  Road signs carved into stone began appearing more frequently.

  They had reached the main route toward Grainford.

  “One more night,” Kaito said, checking the map. “We’ll reach the city tomorrow.”

  Renna grinned. “Finally.”

  As the sun dipped toward the horizon, they found a long river running parallel to the road. The water shimmered gold under the evening light.

  “This spot’s perfect,” Serena said softly.

  They set up camp near a long river

  This time, the mood felt lighter.

  The tension from the Direwolf battle had faded into quiet accomplishment.

  Kaito prepared grilled meat over open flame while a pot of soup simmered beside it. The scent drifted warmly through the air.

  Renna sat close to the fire, turning skewers occasionally.

  Serena prepared vegetables neatly.

  Kael leaned back on a rock, watching the river lazily.

  Soon, they gathered together and ate.

  The grilled meat was tender and smoky. The soup warm and comforting.

  Renna smiled. “After everything… this tastes even better.”

  Serena nodded. “We’ve come far.”

  Kaito looked at the flowing river.

  “Ten days,” he murmured.

  Renna raised her bowl. “To surviving peak A-rank monsters.”

  Kael lifted his lazily. “To better food in the city.”

  They laughed.

  For a while, they simply enjoyed the sound of water and fire.

  Later, Renna and Serena stretched.

  “I’m exhausted,” Renna admitted.

  Serena nodded. “We should rest.”

  They climbed into the carriage to sleep.

  Kael entered the tent without another word.

  Kaito remained by the fire.

  He volunteered to keep watch.

  The river reflected the moonlight beautifully.

  For once, there were no monsters. No tension. Just anticipation.

  He looked toward the distant horizon.

  Grainford.

  A new city.

  New challenges.

  New opportunities.

  He smiled faintly.

  “Let’s see what awaits us.”

  Morning came quickly.

  Kaito prepared omelette rice, the sweet aroma waking everyone gently.

  Renna stretched dramatically. “I’m ready…. let’s go”

  Serena smiled softly. “We’ll still eat Kaito’s cooking.”

  Kael yawned. “Let heading to the city.”

  After breakfast, they packed up one final time.

  The road ahead widened.

  Merchants began appearing occasionally, traveling toward the same destination.

  A few hours passed.

  Then—

  As they crested a hill near noon—

  They saw it.

  Grainford.

  A massive city enclosed by towering stone walls. Guard towers rose high above, banners fluttering in the wind. Smoke from countless chimneys curled into the sky.

  The city stretched far beyond what they expected.

  Serena’s eyes widened. “It’s huge…”

  Renna laughed excitedly. “It’s been ten days since we left.”

  Kaito felt a quiet sense of achievement.

  “Finally,” he said softly. “We’ve reached the city.”

  The road became busier as they descended the hill. Merchants, travelers, and adventurers all moved toward the massive gates.

  The guards at the entrance stood in full armor, checking carriages and issuing entry permits.

  Kaito slowed the horse slightly.

  Before entering—

  He glanced at his companions.

  Renna looked excited.

  Serena calm but curious.

  Kael indifferent as always.

  A new chapter awaited them beyond those gates.

  And with the Shadow Fangs secured in his item box—

  Grainford would not be a simple stop.

  It would be the beginning of something far greater.