A Unique Evolution

Elias and his party arrived at Mount Nanan, where the soldiers and Frenn immediately began setting up camp. The two novice knights and the supporting mage were stationed to guard the area, while Elias led Luke, Reina, and Jemie deeper into the mountain.

(Coordination will be key.)

“…Let’s go over how we handle combat encounters,” Elias began, turning toward Luke and Reina.

“You two don’t have much experience fighting monsters, do you?”

Luke responded first. “I’ve fought low-level monsters before, but only with a group.”

Reina followed, “Same here.”

“Understood. When fighting monsters, the most important thing is to not succumb to fear. Fear will slow your movements and cloud your judgment. Monsters use their miasma as a form of intimidation, trying to break your resolve before the battle even begins.”

Luke and Reina nodded—they seemed familiar with the concept.

“I have no doubt in your technical skills. If you fight exactly as you were trained, you will win against these monsters.”

“…Are you sure?” Reina asked, sounding doubtful.

Elias nodded firmly. “Yes, I guarantee it. But only in one-on-one combat. The real danger comes if we get surrounded.”

“That’s bound to happen, isn’t it?” Reina countered.

“Yes, which is why you two will watch each other’s backs. You may not have trained together, but this won’t require perfect coordination—just cover each other.”

Luke and Reina exchanged surprised glances.

“You two haven’t fought together before, but that doesn’t matter. Just don’t let an enemy attack your partner’s blind spot. Jemie, I need you to provide support for them.”

“I don’t mind,” Jemie replied, then narrowed her eyes. “But that means you’ll be fighting alone.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Elias reassured her. “For this battle, I won’t be doing much anyway.”

“…So you have a plan,” Jemie mused.

Their conversation ended as the cave came into view.

“First, we assess the entrance.”

Elias led the way, stopping in front of the gaping black void nestled between the trees. The opening was wide enough for three people to walk through side by side.

“Seeing it in person, it’s larger than I expected…” Elias murmured. Then, his gaze sharpened.

The miasma was dense around the entrance, a clear sign that the cave was rejecting outsiders.

“…The monsters aren’t coming out.”

“They might have noticed us and are staying inside,” Luke suggested.

“Should we lure them out?”

Elias shook his head. “Let’s observe first—”

But before he could finish, he sensed movement.

“…Something’s coming. Step back and stay alert.”

Luke and Reina immediately retreated, drawing their swords. Jemie raised her staff, preparing her magic.

Elias stood firm, watching the darkness—and then, the first creature emerged.

It crawled on four legs, resembling a spider, yet its shape was unnatural.

“…A unique evolutionary strain,” Jemie remarked.

Her earlier theory about a shell-covered creature was correct. The monster’s exoskeleton was thick, its body unfamiliar—no eyes, no visible mouth. Its biology was entirely alien.

The way it crawled out of the cave, slow and methodical, sent a shiver through Luke. He gripped his sword tighter and asked,

“What’s the plan?”

“…It’s watching us,” Elias noted.

The creature had stopped moving, studying them. Its body was tense, as if gauging whether they were a threat.

“If it attacks, I’ll handle it,” Elias said calmly.

Then, a sound echoed from the cave—a dry, clicking noise.

Reina flinched. “Is it… calling for backup?”

The moment she spoke, the monster lunged forward.

(It’s coming!)

Elias anticipated the attack, his grip on his sword tightening.

The creature leaped toward him, attempting either a body slam or a leg strike—it didn’t matter.

Elias swung vertically, cutting through the center of its body.

The bisected monster collapsed onto the ground, unmoving.

(One down… but the real problem starts now.)

More movements echoed from within the cave.

The first monster had signaled the others.

“…They’re swarming,” Jemie muttered.

“If we fight them here, we’ll be overrun,” she warned.

Elias agreed. “We need a strategy.”

Raising his left hand, he quickly began casting a spell.

“I’m going to seal off the entrance, but not completely. I’ll leave just enough space for one monster to exit at a time. That way, we can control the battle and take them down one by one.”

“…That’s a good plan,” Jemie admitted.

As she nodded in approval, Elias completed his magic.

A semi-transparent barrier formed over the entrance, allowing only a small gap to remain open.

Then—the real battle began.

From the darkness of the cave, a horde of identical creatures came surging toward them.