POV Narrator
Chryssia lunged forward, her hand not clenched in a fist but with her claws extended.
She didn't hesitate to slash Kael across the chest, followed by a sweeping kick that knocked him to the ground.
Before she could strike again, Astrid slashed with one of her blades. Chryssia dodged by retreating and countered with a full-body spin, striking the hunter with the mace on her tail.
Astrid was sent flying several meters by the blow. She writhed in pain for a few seconds before trying to get up—only to realize her left arm was twisted in the wrong direction.
Even so, she rose and grabbed one of her swords with the arm she could still use.
She looked over at Kael and noticed his skin turning purple.
—Shit.
It was all she could say before she had to turn her attention back to the Phageris, who was already preparing her next attack.
Chryssia had her arm raised above her head. Astrid saw how the monster's entire arm was covered by a thin layer of yellow light. Thinking it was some kind of electrical attack, she decided her best option was to charge head-on.
Even though they were just a few meters apart, it was still enough time for Chryssia's fist to slam down like a hammer, using [Discharge]—and just like when she fought the previous hunters, a series of wide, explosive blasts erupted from the ground.
Only this time, she wasn't the one taking the hit.
Astrid never expected an attack like that. All she could do was watch in shock as the explosions hit her, sending her flying again—only this time, her head slammed into a rock, knocking her unconscious.
Chryssia looked at the huntress, whose lower half could only be described as shattered. Then she looked at the hunter, who had been turned into a human grape by the venom from her first slash—barely breathing.
Seeing that they were still alive despite their injuries, she couldn't help but be surprised by the hunters' endurance—and she sighed as she realized what she had to do.
—Sigh Right now… I'm genuinely glad that both of you are unconscious.
…
[Skills obtained: Buffing Chords, Sonic Tubes, Blunt Force, Demon Mode, Agility Boost, Ambidextrous, Enhanced Stamina, Hardened Body, Improved Healing Factor, Increased Strength
ACCEPT: YES/NO]
Even before the notification appeared, I was already staring at my hands. And after the burning sensation came and went, I was still staring.
I… ever since I arrived in this world, I knew I would end up doing this… but that doesn't make it any easier.
—It was them or me… no, I could have avoided them. But sooner or later, I was going to kill someone. They just had the misfortune of being the first.
I clenched my fists and decided that in this life, nothing and no one will stop me—that my life is priority number one, and power is number two.
—I don't know who or what I'll encounter in the future, but I do know many will die. So in advance… I'm sorry.
…
POV Narrator
A few days later.
On the horizon of the New World, a fleet of ships could be seen approaching—the Fifth Fleet was arriving.
Both in Astera and aboard the ships, people were moving with excitement, joy, or stress over the preparations.
The anticipation was almost visible in the very air on the ships, and the happiness was evident on the faces of Astera's residents, knowing they'd soon have more hands to help.
On one of the ships stood a young blond man talking to a woman in yellow clothing with a book at her waist. They were also accompanied by another young man with red hair wearing chainmail.
The three were chatting when the ship suddenly shook. Everyone on board froze and fell silent.
But panic erupted seconds later when the ship began to rise. The trio ran to the deck and stared in shock as they realized the ship was actually above the sea.
The same situation occurred on the other unaffected ships and in Astera itself, where they could see a volcano rising from the sea.
The volcano was moving toward the New World. Upon seeing this, the commander began giving orders, and the hunters mobilized in smaller boats to rescue the Fifth Fleet.
And thus, both the Fifth Fleet arrived in the New World, and with it—one of the largest Elder Dragons of all: the Blazing Mountain Dragon, Zorah Magdaros.
I have family visiting, so this will probably be the only chapter of the week. I'd also appreciate it if you could let me know what you thought of the chapter—especially the part where Chryssia kills the hunters.