The gentle wind of dawn carried a vast surge of energy throughout the northern territory of the Kingdom of Tupmur. At this early hour, energy accumulated in abundance. This was because very little energy was being consumed by the surrounding residents, everyone was resting and sleeping after a long day of labor that had drained their strength.
"All right! We've arrived at the place," said Lord Saona to Rihisna and the First Stage Assistant.
"Waaah! The place looks… ordinarily beautiful," Rihisna exclaimed, her expression a mix of amazement and curiosity.
"Yes, it does appear that way," replied the First-Stage Assistant.
"That's only from the outside. You haven't seen what's inside yet, traveler," Lord Saona said with a serious expression.
"Let's move further ahead," the First-Stage Assistant added, gesturing toward an area thick with undergrowth.
As Rihisna parted the bushes, something resembling a fence emerged beyond the foliage. It looked like a fence, yet it was not an ordinary one. It was formed entirely of powerful energy, so intense that Rihisna could clearly sense it.
"This is a circular barrier," Lord Saona explained while pointing at it. "As you can see, it contains an immense amount of energy."
"It won't be easy to pass through this barrier. We'll need to open it first."
The First-Stage Assistant extended his hand toward the circular barrier, releasing a flow of energy to dismantle it.
The barrier shattered as Rihisna calmly walked through it. Lord Saona and the First-Stage Assistant stared in shock. Never before had anyone passed through the circular barrier simply by walking through it.
"Well now… it seems someone has finally managed to cross the barrier so effortlessly," Lord Saona said suddenly, his voice filled with excitement and delight. The First-Stage Assistant remained frozen in disbelief.
"This—this is impossible! Who are you really?" the assistant demanded in a raised voice.
Rihisna merely smiled and replied calmly, "So, where is the monster, Lord Saona?"
"Oh, right. It should be at the far end over there. If I'm not mistaken, you just need to keep heading straight north," Lord Saona answered, pointing in that direction.
"All right! I'll go now!" Rihisna declared loudly.
"Wait! I must warn you—don't get too close to the monster!" Lord Saona interrupted urgently.
"Oh? Why is that, Lord Saona?" Rihisna asked, puzzled.
"Because the monster uses the fire element. In other words, it wields fire-based Iktas."
"You won't be able to approach it easily due to the intense heat," Lord Saona explained in detail.
"Hmmm…" Rihisna smiled faintly, her expression showing that he understood.
He moved forward, gradually leaving Lord Saona and the First-Stage Assistant behind. The surroundings grew barren—only a few plants remained. There were mostly bare trunks and dry branches, with only a handful of living trees. The ground resembled a land in the midst of drought, riddled with cracks. This starkly contrasted with the lush and fertile area within the barrier. The air was scorching, waves of heat washing over her body.
Rihisna accelerated like a gust of wind. He used wind-based levitation Iktas; in other words, he never touched the ground. Because of this, he did not feel the heat nor need to step upon the scorched earth.
A thunderous roar erupted from the north, deafening and painful to the ears. Rihisna dashed toward the sound, increasing his speed. The closer he got, the more intense the heat became.
"W-woah… it's huge!" Rihisna exclaimed involuntarily.
Before his stood the monster Lord Saona had mentioned. It was at least five times his size—perhaps even ten times larger. Its body resembled that of a colossal bird. Surprisingly, it was not as hideous as he had imagined. In fact, it could be described as beautiful.
Its feathers were green mixed with orange hues. Its wings looked soft, yet ever vigilant. Its long tail flowed gently behind it. Its face bore a sharp, slender beak tinted yellow-orange. Its eyes were round and slightly narrow, with pupils of a soft blue. In every detail, the creature possessed a strange, elegant beauty.
"Erm… hello! How are you? Feeling well?" Rihisna greeted the giant bird cautiously.
Suddenly, the creature fixed his with a piercing glare.
A deafening shriek burst forth, an ear-splitting sound that answered his greeting with hostility.
"Ahhh! It's hot—so hot!" Rihisna cried out as an overwhelming wave of heat surged toward his.
"All right then… I'll have to use this," he said, his tone turning serious.
He thrust his right hand forward and chanted, "MANTRALANA! Self-Barrier!"
A spherical shield formed around Rihisna, completely enveloping his body.
"Hah! With this, you can't burn me anymore, you giant bird!" he declared confidently.
At the same time, the monster opened its beak wide, gathering energy within.
"If I'm not mistaken… that's a high-level fireball Iktas," Rihisna thought.
A massive fireball was released toward his—nearly three times his size.
The fireball hit him squarely, causing a loud explosion.
Rihisna emerged from the blast unharmed, charging straight toward the monster like lightning.
"Fuhh…" He exhaled sharply, calm yet focused. Drawing his left palm back to shoulder height, then he struck forward with tremendous force.
The slap echoed loudly as it connected with the monster.
The bird screeched in pain, sliding backward several meters.
"Hmmm… how does that feel?" Rihisna asked with a smile.
The creature gave him a glare before repeatedly flapping its wings. Its feet slowly rose off the ground, and then its enormous body. Rihisna had to look up as it continued to rise until it reached the sky.
"Oh no… it's flying!" he exclaimed, stunned that the creature could take to the air.
The monster then swung its tail downward.
The impact sent Rihisna crashing into the ground, cracking the earth beneath him.
"How dare you!" Rihisna shouted angrily.
He sprang back up and launched herself northward.
He strike landed squarely on the monster's left wing.
The giant bird howled in pain.
Once more, it gathered fire within its beak—this time while airborne—while Rihisna stood below, momentarily stunned.
The fireball was unleashed downward.
The explosion tore through the ground, sending debris flying and flames roaring.
"I told you… it won't work!" Rihisna said firmly. His barrier remained intact.
He raised his left palm toward the monster.
"MANTRALANA!" he shouted.
A dark purple-black sphere formed in he hand.
The sphere shot toward the monster at incredible speed.
It struck the creature's right wing, causing it to lose balance and fall.
A cry of agony rang out.
"Well? Had enough yet?" Rihisna asked.
The monster suddenly flapped its left wing backward and surged forward at full speed.
Rihisna was caught off guard and was unable to flee. With its talons, the monster grabbed him, raised him high into the air, and slammed him into the ground.
"Not done yet!" Rihisna cried, spreading his left hand.
His blow struck the monster's body directly, sending it plummeting.
The earth shook as the giant bird crashed down.
Rihisna hovered just above the ground and then slowly descended. His unrelenting attack had left the monster battered and weak.
His heart pounded violently. He extended his left hand, fingers spread wide.
"MANTRALANA!" he yelled out of instinct.
Chain-like sounds echoed as five-segmented chains burst forth from his hand, racing toward the monster. They bound its wings, neck, and legs tightly.
The creature screamed in terror.
"MANTRALANA! Iktas Absorption!" Rihisna intoned.
A fierce surge of energy and wind rushed toward his hand. The chains began draining the monster's power at an alarming rate. Rihisna's left eye turned entirely dark purple-black as the absorption continued.
Drain. Drain. Drain.
The monster shrank rapidly in size.
A moderate explosion signaled the end of the absorption.
"Haaa… haaa… haaa…" Rihisna panted, floating in midair. Sparkling lights like falling stars scattered through the sky.
Then he noticed the silhouette of a human figure drifting downward.
Rihisna darted toward it.
He caught the falling body just in time. It was a young woman—beautiful and gentle-featured. Rihisna stared in disbelief.
"It can't be… the bird monster vanished, and now this girl appears?" he whispered to himself.
He descended slowly while carrying the unconscious girl.
Suddenly, a portal materialized before him, roaring with powerful wind. Inside it stood a massive man with a muscular, XL-sized build, approaching him.
His footsteps echoed as he came closer.
"Hmmm. Come with me—and bring the girl," he ordered sternly.
Without hesitation or overthinking, Rihisna complied.
The portal closed on its own, carrying Rihisna and the rescued girl away.