Slayer: I Will Eradicate All Monsters

Damien's heartbeat thundered in his ears as he surveyed the battlefield. The fog swirled ominously around them, veiling whatever monstrosities still lurked ahead. The remains of their recent victory were strewn across the ground—black ichor pooled in jagged trenches carved by desperate strikes, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air.

Before the group could catch their breath, the oppressive silence was shattered by a deep, resonant growl. The earth trembled beneath their feet, and a massive shadow loomed in the fog, its outline growing sharper with each thundering step.

"Brace yourselves!" Leon shouted, raising his shield as the rest of the group scrambled to form a defensive line. His voice was steady, but the tremor in his arm betrayed his fear.

The creature that emerged was unlike any they had faced before. Towering over them at nearly twice the height of the last monstrosity, it was covered in jagged, bone-like armor. Its six limbs ended in razor-sharp claws, and a tail adorned with spiked ridges swung menacingly behind it. Worst of all were its eyes—glowing crimson orbs that seemed to pierce through the fog and into their very souls.

"What… what is that thing?" Aylen

's voice was barely a whisper, her scythe trembling in her grip.

"That's a Spiked Cragbeast, a powerful slave level beast" Damien said, his voice cold and resolute. "We take it down."

The beast lunged without warning, its claws slamming into Leon's shield with a force that sent the sturdy warrior skidding back several feet. Leon gritted his teeth, planting his feet to hold his ground. "I can't hold it for long! Do something!"

"Split its focus!" Damien shouted, already moving. He charged to the beast's flank, his sword flashing as he aimed for one of its legs.

The blade struck true, sinking into the joint where the armor was thinner. Black ichor spurted from the wound, but the beast barely flinched. Instead, it swung its massive tail, forcing Damien to leap back to avoid being crushed.

Aylen darted in from the opposite side, her scythe arcing toward the creature's underbelly. The blade scraped against its armor, sending a shower of sparks into the air but failing to penetrate. "Its hide's too tough!" she shouted, frustration evident in her voice.

"Sara, aim for its eyes!" Damien called out.

High above on a crumbled stone platform, Sara steadied her bow. Her fingers moved with practiced precision, and a moment later, an arrow streaked through the air. It struck one of the creature's glowing eyes with a sickening squelch, eliciting a deafening roar that shook the ground. The beast reared back, its tail thrashing wildly and smashing into nearby ruins.

Jason seized the opportunity, darting in low to slash at another of the beast's legs. His twin daggers found their mark, carving deep gashes into the tendons. The creature's movements grew more erratic as it tried to balance on its injured limbs.

But just as it seemed they were gaining the upper hand, another roar echoed through the fog. Then another. And another. From the shadows emerged more beasts, each as fearsome as the last. Some were grotesque amalgamations of flesh and bone, while others bore sleek, predatory forms that exuded deadly grace.

"They just keep coming!" Lara cried, her voice breaking.

One of the new arrivals, a massive beast with three heads and serpent-like scales, lunged at the group, scattering them. Its jaws snapped inches from Fredrick, who barely managed to roll out of the way. He scrambled to his feet, his spear shaking in his hands.

The students regrouped, their formation tighter this time. Leon and Aylen took the front lines, their weapons clashing against the advancing otherworld monsters. Sara and the others who could perform long ranged attacks, attacked finding weak points in the beasts' defenses. Jason moved like a shadow, exploiting every opening with lethal efficiency.

" It is still not enough "

But even as they fought valiantly, the tide of monsters pressed harder. A colossal, bull-like creature charged through their ranks, sending several students flying. Damien barely managed to intercept it, his sword glowing faintly as he activated Sword Draw. The blade cut deep into the beast's shoulder, but its momentum carried it forward, slamming into Damien and sending him sprawling.

"Damien!" Aylen screamed, rushing to his side.

He pushed himself up, blood dripping from a gash on his forehead. His vision blurred, but his grip on his sword remained firm. "I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth, though the strain in his voice was evident.

The bull-beast turned, preparing to charge again. But before it could move, Damien's sword ignited with a brilliant light. He lunged forward, his movements a blur as he unleashed a devastating Sword Draw. When his sword left it sheath, the slash tore cleaved the creature, splitting it in two. It collapsed with a final, earth-shaking thud.

'' My understanding of my force skill...increased ? "

The students stared in awe, but their brief reprieve was cut short as another wave of beasts descended upon them. This time, the creatures seemed even more coordinated, their attacks synchronized in a way that suggested a malevolent intelligence guiding them.

" No, something is wrong with this expedition " Sara muttered, confirming what was on everyone's mind. Whether it was the number of beasts or their power, it had definitely exceeded what they could handle. 

When this realization dawned on them, their attacks were less fervent....they were tired and exhausted and the truth of fighting a loosing battle weighed them down.

Damien fought like a man possessed, his Force Draw cutting through the monsters with brutal efficiency. But the strain was beginning to show. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and his movements grew less precise. He could feel the dark power within him stirring, clawing at the edges of his consciousness.

Then, it happened.

A massive, hulking beast—easily three times the size of the others—emerged from the fog. Its steps shook the ground, and its very presence seemed to sap the strength from those around it. It let out a roar that sent several students to their knees, clutching their ears.

" IT'S A SOLDIER LEVEL BEAST !! " someone cried out

"Fall back!" Leon shouted, but the beast was already upon them. Its clawed hand swept through their formation, sending students flying like ragdolls. Damien tried to counter, but the creature backhanded him with such force that he crashed into a nearby wall, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs.

As he struggled to rise, the world around him seemed to slow. The edges of his vision darkened, and a deep, primal hunger surged within him. He could feel his fangs elongating, his senses sharpening. The pain faded, replaced by an overwhelming thirst for blood and destruction.