Wind howled through the broken trees as Rowan lowered his stance, eyes narrowing at the towering beast before him.
"Is that the best you can do?" he said coldly. "Tell me now because if that's all you've got, I'm disappointed."
The Fenrir's golden eyes flared, blazing like molten suns. The air trembled beneath its killing intent.
"How dare you talk to me that way, human?" its voice rumbled like thunder. "You're getting full of yourself."
It roared and lunged. The ground exploded beneath its claws, shockwaves rippling outward. Five massive talons sliced through the air and the world seemed to shatter.
Five crescent-shaped blades of wind tore free from its strike, screaming through the forest.
Rowan didn't flinch. His body moved on instinct, fluid, controlled.
He swung his sword once.
SHING!
The first blade split apart. Then the second. Then the third. His sword sang, cutting the air like lightning, the clash echoing like an explosion.
Even so, the force of the impact ravaged the forest behind him. Trees sheared cleanly in half, dozens falling in perfect symmetry, crashing down in a thunderous chain.
When the dust cleared, Rowan stood unmoved, his cloak whipping in the fading storm. His blade gleamed under the moonlight.
The Fenrir's breath hitched. Its eyes darted between the fallen trees and the human standing firm.
"How… how are you doing this?" it growled. "You're not a mere human. No human can slice through the wind itself!"
It took a step back, fur bristling, golden eyes burning with disbelief.
"I underestimated you. What are you?"
Rowan lifted his sword slightly, calm but unyielding.
"I'm just someone who's done this before," he said. "And I won't lose to anyone, not even you."
For the first time, the mighty Fenrir hesitated. Instinct screamed danger. The boy before it was calm, too calm.
Then Rowan's aura surged. The earth cracked beneath his feet as streams of mana coiled around his body like threads of light.
The Fenrir grinned, a low, guttural sound. "You're not human," it said again, voice shaking the leaves. "You're something else. A monster in human skin."
Rowan smirked faintly, lowering his sword. "Then let's see which monster stands when this is over."
The Fenrir's eyes gleamed. "You're getting cocky. Don't forget your place." Its voice rolled through the woods like thunder. "You've proven to be no ordinary human, but your kind still bow before me."
It raised its claws and unleashed a skill. A thick, acidic mist poured from its body, spreading fast, melting bark, grass, and stone. The air itself hissed.
Rowan didn't move. Even as the acid mist licked at his boots, it dissolved harmlessly into shimmering mana. His clothes didn't even singe.
"Hmm," Rowan muttered. "The trees are melting, but I'm not. That's disappointing." He tilted his head, eyes sharp. "You've got high regeneration and one of the strongest shields in the world. But let's see if you can regenerate from this."
The Fenrir snarled, opening its jaws. Lightning crackled in its throat, gathering until the air stank of ozone. With a roar, it unleashed a massive surge of blue-white energy.
Rowan moved. His sword gleamed as he cut upward, splitting the lightning in two. Sparks scattered across the clearing like falling stars.
He raised his sword again, divine energy flowing through him, radiant and pure. "Time for mine," he said. "Skill: Heavenly Slash."
The air trembled. The moonlight bent.
The Fenrir conjured its strongest barrier, a dome of swirling wind and mana. But the moment Rowan swung—
CRACK!
The shield shattered. The divine arc struck clean through, slicing off two of the Fenrir's legs. The beast collapsed, its roar shaking the trees.
It tried to move, tried to heal, but no mana came. Panic flickered in its eyes.
"Wha… what's going on? My power, it's gone!"
Rowan's voice was calm, almost pitying. "That attack could've killed you. But that was only the weakest form of Heavenly Slash. I made sure it only took your legs. If I'd used full power, you'd be nothing but dust."
The Fenrir trembled, eyes wide with awe and terror.
What is he? it thought. A god descended from the heavens? No… something far worse.
"What do you mean?" Rowan asked, lowering his sword just slightly, though his stance stayed firm. His eyes never left the beast. "What are you trying to say?"
The Fenrir staggered, its colossal form trembling as it struggled to remain upright. Blood and mana dripped from its wounds, hissing where they struck the ground. Its golden eyes flickered, once burning with pride, now clouded with fear.
"Who are you?" it rasped. "And why can't I use my skill? That strike… it didn't just wound me, it took something from me." Its voice trembled, half in awe, half in rage. "Did you come down from the heavens? Or from somewhere beyond? Who are you really?"