I quickly pushed myself up from the ground, ignoring the dull ache running through my body. Dry leaves clung to my clothes as I steadied my footing. My eyes immediately searched for Charlie, concern rising within me.
I spotted him a short distance away.
Charlie was struggling to move, his body slightly curled as he tried to push himself up from the ground. His movements were slow and strained, and his injured leg seemed to prevent him from properly stabilizing himself.
Without hesitation, I moved toward him, stepping quickly over scattered branches and loose leaves. At the same time, Sham regained his footing and approached from the opposite side, his movements calm but urgent.
I reached Charlie first and crouched beside him, grabbing his arm to help him sit upright. Charlie let out a soft groan as he shifted, clearly feeling the pain in his leg. Sham stepped beside us, ready to lift him again so we could retreat.
But before we could properly stabilize him, I felt the air behind us shift again.
Unlike before, the tail did not stop after the first strike.
It rose again almost immediately, sweeping toward us with heavy force. The massive tail cut through the air, pushing aside branches and leaves as it descended toward our position.
Seeing the movement, Sham and I tightened our grip on Charlie and shifted quickly to the side. Supporting his weight made our movements slower, but we still managed to avoid the second strike just in time. The tail slammed into the ground beside us, sending vibrations through the forest floor.
Charlie groaned softly as we moved, his injured leg clearly causing him pain. His grip on my arm tightened slightly as he struggled to maintain balance.
After we stabilized briefly, Charlie spoke in a strained voice, "Young master, leave me and go. I will only be a burden."
I did not respond to his words.
Instead, my attention remained fixed on the beast. I carefully observed the timing and direction of its tail movements, trying to understand the pattern behind its attacks. My mind worked quickly, searching for a way to either escape or counter the situation while still protecting Charlie.
Another tail attack came.
I noticed the movement just in time. Sham and I quickly tightened our hold on Charlie and pulled him along as we shifted to the side. Our movements were hurried and uneven, but we still managed to avoid the heavy strike. The massive tail crashed down behind us, shaking the ground once again. Dry leaves and loose soil scattered into the air as the impact echoed through the trees.
We tried to move away immediately, attempting to create distance while the beast recovered from the strike. Supporting Charlie made it difficult to move quickly, but we still pushed forward, hoping to escape the beast's range.
However, before we could gain enough distance, the tail moved again.
It swept across the area, blocking our path and forcing us to change direction. Each time we tried to retreat, another strike followed, cutting off our movement and pushing us back into the danger zone. The repeated attacks came with short intervals, leaving us with little time to reposition properly.
Despite being heavily injured, the beast still retained enough strength to control the surrounding area with its tail. Its massive reach and unpredictable timing made it nearly impossible for us to escape while supporting Charlie.
After observing the pattern for a few moments, I gradually slowed my movement. My breathing was slightly heavier from repeatedly dodging the attacks while supporting Charlie. I exhaled slowly, keeping my gaze fixed on the beast as I analyzed its movements.
Each time the beast attacked, its tail struck only within a certain range. The rest of its body remained mostly still, suggesting that its injuries were limiting its mobility. It seemed capable of attacking from behind and around us, but not from directly in front of its massive body.
"I do not think we have another option than to fight it," I said quietly.
Charlie remained silent, his expression tense as he leaned against us for support. He understood the situation as well as I did.
Beside me, Sham nodded slowly. His expression remained calm, but his eyes were focused and serious.
After a brief pause, Sham asked, "Skra-what do?"
I looked toward the beast again, thinking carefully for a moment. The creature's breathing remained strained, and its head stayed lowered, but its tail continued to move intermittently.
"The beast is heavily injured," I said quietly. "Assuming it is only able to attack with its tail, we will attack it from the front where the tail cannot reach."
Sham remained silent for a moment, considering the plan. His gaze moved from the beast to the surrounding terrain, as if visualizing the approach. After a few seconds, he gave a slow nod, agreeing with the idea.
"It is dangerous, young master," Charlie said quietly, his voice still strained from the pain. Even in his injured state, his concern was not for himself but for me.
"I know," I replied calmly, keeping my gaze on the beast for a moment before turning back toward him.
I then looked directly at Charlie. "Charlie, you rest here behind this tree."
Charlie immediately shook his head. "I will not leave you alone, young master. I can still fight," he said, trying to steady himself despite the pain in his leg.
I shook my head firmly. "No. If the beast attacks us from the front, Sham and I can retreat quickly. But you cannot move fast with your injured leg."
Charlie hesitated, clearly unwilling to agree. His brows tightened slightly as he struggled between following my instruction and his instinct to protect me.
Without giving him more time to argue, I gently guided him toward a thick tree nearby. The trunk was wide enough to provide decent cover, and the surrounding bushes added additional concealment. I helped him lean against the tree carefully, ensuring he was stable and partially hidden from the beast's direct view.
"Stay here," I said quietly, meeting his gaze briefly before turning away.
Then Sham and I slowly began moving toward the front of the beast.
We moved carefully, keeping our steps light while watching the tail's movements closely. The beast continued striking behind us, its massive tail slamming into the ground at irregular intervals. Each impact shook the surrounding area, sending leaves and dust into the air. Even while advancing, we remained ready to retreat if the tail suddenly changed direction.
We observed the pattern carefully. After each strike, there was a brief pause before the tail moved again. Using those short openings, we advanced step by step, timing our movements carefully. The ground beneath our feet was uneven, and we made sure not to create unnecessary noise while moving forward.
Each step felt tense, but gradually, we closed the distance.
After moving forward carefully, we finally reached the front of the beast.
We stopped a short distance away, standing face to face with the massive creature.
As expected, the tail attacks stopped.
The beast's tail lay behind its body, unable to reach the area directly in front of its massive frame. The sudden absence of attacks confirmed our assumption. From this position, we were outside the tail's effective range, giving us a brief advantage despite the danger.
Now, standing this close, we could clearly see the beast's face.
Its massive head rested heavily against the ground, the weight of its body seeming to press it down. The thick skin around its face was marked with scratches and deep wounds, some of which still appeared fresh. Every few moments, a low groan escaped from its throat, its breathing uneven and strained.
Its eyes slowly shifted toward us.
Though dull and weakened, they still carried a heavy presence. Even in its injured state, the beast's gaze felt oppressive, reminding me that it was still a high level creature. The faint rise and fall of its chest showed that it was struggling just to remain conscious.
Despite seeing us clearly, the beast could not move its body properly. Its limbs remained still, and its massive frame stayed grounded, limited by the severity of its injuries.
I glanced at Sham and gave a slight nod.
Sham slowly began moving forward, his steps steady and cautious. He held his sword firmly in his hand, the blade angled slightly downward as he advanced. His posture remained balanced, prepared to either strike or retreat depending on the beast's reaction. Even with the creature in a weakened state, he did not lower his guard.
I remained behind, gathering refined energy quietly. My focus sharpened as I prepared to form shield at any moment. The faint pressure built within me as I directed the energy toward my control, ready to react instantly if the beast showed any sign of aggression.