The first thing Justin noticed about her wasn't the blood.
It was the way she moved—like a dancer caught between life and death, chain weapon snapping through the air with brutal elegance.
But even the most graceful break eventually stumbles.
Matilda's leg buckled, slick with blood, and her spin faltered. Her chain missed its mark. One of the bone-clawed beasts lunged at her exposed back.
She didn't have time to dodge.
But someone else did.
Shadow Step: Activated
Justin launched forward from the crumbling archway, feet silent against the stone. In one smooth motion, he dropped behind the beast and drove his dagger into the side of its skull.
CRIT HIT – 104 Damage
[Enemy Defeated: Lesser Ghoul]
[+25 XP]
The creature spasmed and dropped.
Matilda staggered backward, blinking in confusion. She hadn't seen him approach—only the flash of his blade and the body collapsing in front of her.
"Who—?"
"Stay down," Justin said, voice flat. "You're bleeding out."
Matilda's eyes narrowed. Her chain dagger retracted into her hand with a metallic snap.
"And you are?"
"The guy saving your ass."
She looked like she might argue—but the ground shook violently beneath them. Dust sprayed from the cracked stone, and from the far side of the field came a deafening bellow.
GUTREND THE CARNIFEX had arrived.
Ten feet tall. Skin like armored bark. Eyes glowing with molten rage. It swung its twin axes with a slow, deliberate malice that said: I don't need to rush. You'll all die anyway.
"That thing doesn't look level eight stronger," Matilda said through clenched teeth.
"No," Justin muttered. "It looks worse."
The system pulsed in his ear.
[Boss Analysis – Gutrend the Carnifex]
Level: 12
HP: 2,400
Weak Points: Lower spine, left shoulder
Behavior: Aggressive Pursuit, Area Suppression
Special Ability: Execution Roar (Area Fear + Armor Break)
Around them, players screamed as Gutrend barreled into a group of four, swinging both axes in a vicious X-cross. Two were cleaved in half. One flew across the field. The fourth tried to run, only for Gutrend's massive boot to crush him into the dirt.
Matilda took a step back, grimacing. "We can't fight that."
"No," Justin said. "But we can slow it down. Help others escape."
"That's suicide."
"It's necessary."
Matilda stared at him.
He didn't flinch.
Then she smirked faintly, blood dripping from her chin.
"Alright, assassin. Let's dance."
They moved together, an unlikely pair—shadow and flame.
Justin darted in from the flanks, using Shadow Step to avoid Gutrend's wide, clumsy swings. He targeted the left shoulder, landing strike after strike with his bronze dagger.
PRECISION KILL ACTIVATED
+50% CRIT DAMAGE – 132
Blood—if it was blood—sprayed in black ribbons.
Matilda followed his rhythm perfectly. Her chain dagger wrapped around Gutrend's arm, jerking it back with sudden force before slashing across his exposed flank.
[Chain Reaper Strike – 87 Damage]
[Bleed Effect: Moderate]
The boss roared, spinning toward her with a raised axe.
Justin shouted, "Down!"
Matilda dropped to her knees.
Justin leapt over her, planting both feet on Gutrend's chest and flipping backward, carving a line across its shoulder as he went.
[HP: 2,154 / 2,400]
[Time Remaining: 10:42]
But they couldn't keep it up forever.
Justin's lungs burned. Sweat soaked into his coat. His movements slowed with every dodge.
Matilda was pale, her injured leg trembling beneath her weight.
"We can't win this straight-up," she gasped. "We need a finisher."
"No finishers," Justin replied, eyes locked on Gutrend. "Only death or survival."
A chime echoed in his head again.
[System Notice – Chain Trigger Unlocked]
Consecutive Critical Strikes: 5
Bonus Skill Unlocked: Backlash Fang (Active)
Effect: Dash through target's shadow to deal triple damage (Cooldown: 60s)
"That'll do," he muttered.
He looked at Matilda. "Distract it. Give me five seconds."
"Just five?"
"Four if you're good."
She didn't argue. Instead, she charged at Gutrend, whipping her chain around one of its legs and pulling hard. The boss roared and staggered.
Justin closed his eyes.
Counted the beats.
Then ran.
The world slowed.
His footsteps disappeared beneath him.
He wasn't running—he was gliding through shadow.
Time blurred.
He emerged behind Gutrend, dagger raised, eyes focused on one glowing rune between its shoulder blades.
"Die."
The blade pierced deep, burying itself to the hilt.
BACKLASH FANG – DIRECT HIT – 384 DAMAGE (CRIT)
[Boss Stunned – 3 seconds]
Matilda didn't waste the opportunity. She leapt, chain dagger spinning wildly before snapping tight around Gutrend's throat.
"Together!" she shouted.
Justin gritted his teeth and twisted the dagger.
"Now!"
They pulled. Ripped. Tore the titan apart.
Gutrend's roar became a gurgle.
Its runes dimmed.
And then it collapsed—thundering into the stone like a falling god.
[FLOOR BOSS DEFEATED]
+300 XP
[You Have Leveled Up!] → Level 5
[New Title Acquired: First Slayer]
[New Skill Acquired: Shadow Pulse]
[Loot Acquired: Obsidian Core Fragment | 1,200 Gold | Carnifex Leather Wrap]
Silence fell over the field.
Survivors peeked from behind ruins. Others began to cheer.
But Justin just fell to one knee, panting.
Matilda limped over, eyes wide.
"That was insane."
He looked up at her. "We're alive."
She smiled. "Barely."
They sat there, catching their breath.
Then Matilda extended her hand.
"Name's Matilda. But most call me The Ballerina."
Justin shook it.
"Justin. But in here… they'll call me The Lethal Assassin."
( To Be continued....)