The Rank D Demon Beast roared as it charged toward them, its enormous feet crushing the vegetation beneath them with every step. The participants immediately scattered instead of waiting for it to reach them, and Rook noticed that everyone had finally understood the seriousness of the situation. This wasn’t another F-Rank or E-Rank demon they could surround and defeat through numbers. One mistake against a creature of this level could put someone out of the fight instantly.
"Don’t let it separate us!" one of the participants shouted.
The group quickly adjusted their positions, spreading into a loose formation around the Demon Beast. A tall participant carrying a spear rushed toward its left leg while another raised both hands and released several glowing projectiles toward its face. The attacks struck almost simultaneously, forcing the beast to turn its head and stagger slightly.
Milo took advantage of the opening and charged forward. His enhancement trait surged through his body as he accelerated, allowing him to reach the Demon Beast before it could recover. He swung his weapon toward its knee, and the impact caused the creature to bend its leg.
"Rook!"
Rook understood immediately.
He raised his hand toward the ground.
"Stone Lance!"
Several stone spikes erupted beneath the Demon Beast, forcing it to leap backward to avoid being impaled. One of the lances still caught its thigh, tearing through its flesh and causing blood to spray across the ground.
The creature roared and landed heavily.
Another participant immediately attacked from behind, driving a sword into the wound Rook had created. The Demon Beast twisted violently and swung its arm backward, forcing the participant to retreat before the enormous fist could crush him.
Rook watched the exchange carefully. The others were not weak, but they were clearly struggling to find a way to damage something this powerful. Their attacks could hurt the beast, but none of them could deal enough damage to stop it.
That meant he had to create the openings.
"Move!"
Rook thrust both hands forward.
"Water Manipulation!"
A massive wave of water formed beside him before crashing into the Demon Beast’s side. The creature was pushed several meters across the ground, its feet carving deep trenches into the dirt as it struggled to maintain its balance.
"Now!"
The participants moved together.
The spear wielder rushed toward the creature’s leg while two others attacked its exposed back. Milo accelerated from the opposite direction and struck the Demon Beast’s ribs with enough force to make it stagger.
Rook didn’t wait.
"Wind Blade!"
A compressed blade of wind tore across the creature’s back.
The Demon Beast roared and spun around, but another participant had already attacked its face. A bright burst of energy struck one of its eyes, causing the creature to recoil.
"Keep attacking!" Milo shouted.
The group continued their assault, but the Demon Beast quickly adapted. It lowered its body and suddenly charged toward the nearest participant.
The young man froze for half a second.
Rook’s Perception caught the movement before anyone else could react.
"Get out of the way!"
The participant immediately threw himself aside as the Demon Beast’s fist smashed into the ground. The impact sent dirt and stones flying in every direction, and several people were forced backward by the shockwave.
Milo rushed toward the beast’s exposed side.
He struck it once, twice, then a third time.
The Demon Beast finally noticed him and swung its arm.
Milo ducked beneath the attack, but the creature followed with another strike. Milo blocked it with his weapon, yet the impact sent him sliding several meters backward.
Rook’s expression hardened.
He raised his hand.
"Flame Burst!"
The explosion struck the Demon Beast directly in the side.
The creature was thrown away from Milo and crashed through several trees. Flames spread across its body, but it immediately rolled across the ground to extinguish them.
Rook didn’t give it time.
"Vacuum Slash!"
The invisible blade tore through the smoke and opened a deep wound across its chest.
The Demon Beast staggered.
"Attack!"
Everyone rushed forward.
The spear wielder drove his weapon into the creature’s wounded leg while another participant attacked its back. Milo charged from the front and struck its jaw, forcing its head upward.
Rook raised both hands.
"Stone Lance!"
Several stone lances erupted beneath the Demon Beast and pierced through its legs.
The creature roared as it attempted to break free.
"Again!"
Rook forced more mana into the ground.
Another wave of stone erupted.
This time, the Demon Beast was pinned for several seconds.
The participants immediately surrounded it and unleashed everything they had. Fire, blades, arrows, and other abilities struck its body repeatedly, tearing through its already damaged hide.
For the first time, the Demon Beast was forced onto one knee.
Rook’s eyes narrowed.
They were making progress but then the creature’s muscles suddenly expanded.
The stone around its legs cracked.
"Move!"
Rook shouted, but the Demon Beast had already broken free.
It swung both arms outward.
Several participants were struck simultaneously.
One was thrown into a tree while another crashed onto the ground. Milo managed to avoid the attack by jumping backward, but the creature immediately pursued him.
Rook reacted without hesitation.
"Wind Blade!"
The attack struck its shoulder.
The Demon Beast ignored it.
Rook’s expression changed.
It was going after Milo despite the damage.
He sprinted forward and released another attack.
"Flame Burst!"
The explosion struck the Demon Beast from behind, but it merely staggered before turning around.
Its yellow eyes locked onto Rook.
Rook felt the pressure immediately.
"Come on, then."
The Demon Beast charged.
Rook waited until the final moment before jumping sideways. The creature passed him and slammed into the ground, creating another crater.
Rook immediately counterattacked.
"Vacuum Slash!"
The invisible blade tore through its back.
The Demon Beast roared and turned around.
Before it could retaliate, Milo appeared beside Rook.
"Together?"
Rook nodded.
"Together."
Milo charged first, drawing the creature’s attention while Rook moved around its flank. The Demon Beast swung at Milo, forcing him to duck and roll beneath its arm. He immediately struck its leg, causing it to stumble.
Rook raised both hands.
"Stone Lance!"
The ground erupted beneath the creature.
The Demon Beast attempted to leap away, but the spear wielder intercepted it and stabbed into its wounded leg.
The creature lost its balance.
Rook saw the opening.
"Everyone, get back!"
The participants immediately retreated.
Rook gathered the remaining mana inside his body.
He had already decided that conserving it was pointless. If they allowed this battle to continue for too long, someone would eventually be seriously injured or killed.
Fire gathered around one hand.
Wind compressed around the other.
The ground beneath him trembled.
"Rook!" Milo shouted.
Rook released the attack.
"Flame Burst!"
The explosion swallowed the Demon Beast.
Before the flames could disappear, Rook released another attack.
"Vacuum Slash!"
The invisible blade tore through the center of the explosion.
The Demon Beast staggered out of the flames, blood pouring from its chest but it was still alive.
Rook’s breathing became heavier as he stared at it.
The participants gathered behind him again, weapons raised and abilities prepared.
Nobody ran nor surrendered.
The Demon Beast slowly lowered its body, preparing to charge once more.
Rook tightened his fists.
He could feel how little mana remained inside him, but the others were still standing beside him.
They had survived this long together.
They were going to finish it together.
The Demon Beast suddenly roared and charged again, and every participant moved forward to meet it.