The atmosphere was charged and tense, everyone bracing for the coming clash.
On one side stood Ryan and Teal, and on the other — the Chimera Beast.
Chimera: Heheheh... Listen, you mutants. If you tell me who you are and who sent you, I promise you a merciful death.
Teal replied in a taunting tone:
Teal: I have a better offer for you, monster. How about you tell us who's behind all of this — who's responsible for what's happening here — and I'll guarantee you won't be torn to pieces.
The Chimera placed its hand on its head, feigning mild annoyance — almost acting like a kind person.
Chimera: Haah... Seems I have no choice but to kill you both in the most gruesome way! Hahahahahaha!
The obnoxious laughter was all the answer Ryan and Teal needed. Both of them charged toward the beast without hesitation, each from a different direction.
Teal unleashed a barrage of attacks — gray feathers like sharp blades, capable of slicing through rock itself.
The Chimera stomped the ground with its right leg, raising a massive stone wall that blocked Teal's strikes. Although the wall managed to stop them, it crumbled immediately afterward.
From above, a bright flare of light shone — like a burning star — dazzling the Chimera's eyes. It was a fireball created by Ryan, descending rapidly toward the beast.
But the Chimera's reaction was quick — it swung its sword-like arm at the fireball just before impact.
The Chimera's hand collided with the fireball. At that moment, Ryan landed from his jump, attempting to ambush the beast while it was distracted.
But even that fiery strike wasn't enough to break its focus — the Chimera sliced the fireball in two, then leapt backward to avoid the explosion.
The blast went off, yet the beast remained unharmed.
Ryan appeared beside it, slashing forward with his claws — but the Chimera caught his wrist and blocked the strike effortlessly.
Chimera: Haaafuuuh! That was pretty good, mutant!
It said while holding Ryan's arm, then hurled him into the air and leapt after him.
But the same scene repeated again — before it could reach Ryan, Teal darted in, grabbing Ryan mid-air and pulling him away from the Chimera's attack.
Chimera: Tsk tsk! You're such an annoying one, winged boy! You should fight head-on like your partner!
Teal: No... I've had enough of you. You'll be my first target.
The Chimera's focus shifted entirely toward Teal now — but Teal was no easy opponent.
The beast lunged at him with great strength and speed, yet compared to Teal, it was still sluggish.
Teal vanished from its sight; the Chimera turned left and right, unable to locate him — until a rainstorm of gray feathers poured down from the sky.
Realizing his opponent's position, the Chimera crossed its arms to shield itself as countless feathers rained down.
When the assault finally ceased, it brushed off the feathers embedded deep in its arms, growling in irritation.
It looked like a cat toying with a tiger — yet the tiger couldn't even keep up. That was the battle between Teal and the Chimera.
Then, a sharp thought struck the beast's mind: If I can't reach him, I'll use bait to lure him out.
The Chimera instantly turned toward Ryan and lunged, trying to grab him.
Ryan retaliated by hurling several fiery blasts, but the beast sliced through each one effortlessly with its blade-like arm.
Nearby lay a medium-sized rock. Ryan rushed toward it, grabbing it with both hands — it was several times larger than his head — and hurled it at the Chimera.
The beast didn't even flinch; it treated it like the previous fireballs and cut it in half.
But this rock was far tougher than it looked.
Upon impact, the rock exploded, sending dust and debris flying in all directions, clouding the air around the Chimera.
Using that perfect distraction, Ryan and Teal attacked together.
Ryan opened his mouth and unleashed a Dragon's Breath — a blazing torrent of fire that lashed forward like a whip, striking the beast.
At the same time, Teal launched an even more intense storm of feather strikes — far stronger than any before.
This combined assault was the fiercest and most concentrated attack they had ever unleashed.
The visibility dropped to zero — dust, smoke, and ash filled the air, hiding everything.
The Chimera was nowhere to be seen, not even a sound coming from it.
The two stood still, waiting tensely for the smoke to clear.
Had their combined strike finally ended it? Or was it just another futile effort?
Gradually, the haze began to fade.
Through the thinning smoke, they saw the Chimera kneeling on its knees, its body charred and pierced by sharp gray feathers.
Ryan swallowed hard.
Ryan: Did... did we really win?
Teal: I think so. It's not showing any signs of life... Just to be sure, I'll cut off its head.
Teal took a few steps forward, closing in on the kneeling beast.
But just before he reached it, the Chimera's eyes snapped open — glowing a deep, furious red.
Those weren't just eyes; they were the embodiment of pure rage.
Chimera (in a deep, hate-filled growl): You bastards! I'll tear you apart! Limb by limb!
Shock and fear washed over Teal's face — even Ryan froze, unable to react.
Time seemed to slow down inside Teal's mind, warning him of something terrible about to happen.
He was right in front of the raging beast — too close to dodge or respond.
As the Chimera rose, swinging its sword-arm toward him —
Teal suddenly noticed a strange reflection, a glint of something shining from afar.
With time moving in slow motion, he could see it clearly — a streak of light —
and in the next instant, the Chimera's head exploded without warning.
Ryan didn't understand what had just happened, but Teal had seen it all.
Something — from a far distance — had struck the Chimera straight in the head.
The beast's massive body collapsed at last, lifeless.
Teal dropped to his knees, breathing heavily, relief washing over his face as if he had just realized what had happened.
Ryan's voice broke the silence:
Ryan: Heeey! Teal! What just happened? How did the beast fall like that?!
Teal looked at him and replied:
Teal: Haah... You really don't have the makings of a leader.
Then, pointing upward slightly, he said:
Teal: Look up there, and you'll know.
Ryan: Huh? Where? Where? Haha!
A grin spread across Ryan's face as he looked toward the direction Teal was pointing.
End of Chapter