Chapter 6 begins in a state of strain and persistence, where effort is no longer measured in minutes but in sheer endurance. The night has not yet fallen, but the tension in the air suggests that time itself is running out.
Querry stands before the massive stone, his hands gripping the hilt of the Dread Blade. For the past three hours, he has not stopped. His muscles tremble, his breathing is uneven, yet he refuses to step back. Every attempt drains him further, yet every failure only sharpens his resolve.
The blade does not move.
Not even slightly.
And still, he pulls.
There is something in his eyes now—something deeper than frustration. It is not just determination; it is obsession. A quiet, burning fire that refuses to be extinguished. His mind repeats a single thought over and over again: no matter what it takes, he will draw this sword. Even if it costs him days… or nights… or everything he has.
A few steps away, Leo watches in silence.
But something about him has changed.
The calm confidence he usually carries is no longer as steady. His expression is tighter, his gaze shifting occasionally toward the horizon. There is concern there—subtle, but unmistakable.
Zak notices.
He studies Leo for a moment, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Something is wrong, Zak thinks. He's not smiling like he usually does. There's definitely something he's not telling us.
After a brief hesitation, Zak begins walking toward him.
"Leo… what happened?" Zak asks.
Leo doesn't respond immediately. He remains silent, as if weighing whether to speak at all. Then, in a low and controlled voice, he says, "We only have three hours before night falls."
Zak frowns. "So?"
Leo's gaze sharpens. "The Monkey Beasts will come."
The words hang in the air.
"They're extremely dangerous," Leo continues. "If you try to fight them right now… consider the game over. You're too weak."
Zak's expression hardens instantly.
"Why do you keep calling me weak?" he snaps, anger rising without restraint.
Leo turns toward him fully now, his tone firm and serious. "Because it's the truth. You can't even control your inner yet. And the Monkey Beasts… they have mastered Strength Inner to its peak."
Zak goes quiet.
"One of them," Leo adds, "is stronger than a hundred of you."
For a moment, Zak says nothing. He understands what Leo is implying. The gap between them and those beasts is not small—it is overwhelming.
But instead of fear, something else takes its place.
Excitement.
A dangerous kind.
"Then can I try to defeat one?" Zak asks, his eyes lighting up.
Leo studies him carefully. "You can try," he says. "But you won't win."
Zak smirks. "Don't worry. I will."
Leo exhales softly, then nods. "Fine. Then we fight."
The two of them prepare, their stances shifting, their focus sharpening. A faint smile appears on both their faces—not out of confidence, but out of anticipation. Their eyes reflect something fierce, something unspoken.
As if they are ready to challenge death itself.
Behind them, Querry continues struggling with the blade, unaware of what is approaching.
The sun slowly disappears beneath the horizon.
Darkness takes its place.
The world grows quiet—unnaturally quiet. The kind of silence that comes before destruction. Even the wind seems to hold its breath.
Then—
A sound.
Heavy footsteps echo through the distance. Each step carries weight, shaking the ground ever so slightly. Something massive is approaching.
Zak and Leo exchange a glance.
Then they smile.
Moments later, it emerges.
The Monkey Beast.
It towers over them, nearly fifteen meters tall. Its body is massive, its muscles dense and coiled with power. Its eyes glow with a feral intensity, wild and bloodthirsty. In its hand, it carries a gigantic staff-like weapon, thick and heavy enough to crush anything in its path.
Zak doesn't hesitate.
He charges forward.
Leo follows.
The beast notices them instantly. With a roar, it swings its weapon downward.
The impact is devastating.
Dust explodes into the air, covering everything in a thick cloud. The ground cracks beneath the force.
For a brief moment, it seems like the fight has ended before it even began.
Then Leo's voice cuts through the haze.
"Weak."
A glowing barrier surrounds him—the result of his Barrier Ring. The attack has been completely nullified.
From within the smoke, Zak bursts forward.
"Beast Laser Punch!"
This time, his attack is different. Stronger. Sharper. His inner flows through it, amplifying its force.
The Monkey Beast responds instantly, bringing its weapon down again.
The two attacks collide.
The clash is violent, sending shockwaves outward. The air itself trembles under the pressure.
Yet neither side is pushed back.
Zak grins. "It's strong… but not that strong."
He attacks again.
This time, the Monkey Beast roars in fury. Its muscles tighten as it activates its inner—Level One.
Its next strike is far more powerful.
But Leo intercepts it, blocking the attack before it can land.
In that opening, Zak's punch connects.
For a moment, nothing happens.
The beast doesn't move.
Zak's expression falters. "What…?"
Then, three seconds later, blood spills from the creature's mouth.
Zak and Leo retreat, their breathing steady but focused. The combination of their attacks has worked.
But only slightly.
The Monkey Beast's rage intensifies.
With another roar, it swings its weapon again—harder, faster, more destructive. Leo blocks it once more, holding his ground with precision.
"Now!" Leo shouts.
Zak nods, gathering everything he has left.
This is his strongest attack.
"Mega Punch!"
All his physical strength combines with nearly all of his laser power. The energy surges through his body, condensing into a single devastating strike.
The Monkey Beast responds with equal force.
It activates Level Two Inner.
The ground beneath it shifts as it forms an Earth Arm—a massive extension of hardened earth, reinforcing its attack.
The two forces collide.
The explosion is immense.
This time, Zak's attack pushes through.
But before he can react, the beast uses its other arm, striking him directly.
Zak is sent crashing to the ground.
At the same time, the beast is thrown back by the impact of Zak's attack.
Both fall.
Both injured.
For a moment, everything is still.
Then the Monkey Beast begins to rise again.
Slowly.
Relentlessly.
Zak, however, cannot move. His body refuses to respond.
And in that moment—
The focus shifts.
Back to Querry.
His hands are still on the sword. His strength is nearly gone. But something changes.
The blade moves.
Just slightly.
But enough.
Hope ignites within him.
"I can do this…" he whispers.
Behind him, the beast begins walking toward them.
Zak is down.
Leo is preparing to move again.
And Querry…
has finally made the blade respond.
What happens next will decide everything.
To be continued.