Battle Against the Monsters

As the monstrous creatures began to crawl out of the cave, Elias could sense Luke and Reina’s tension through their shifting mana flow.

Their momentary fear was understandable—the sight of a swarming horde would be enough to shake anyone. But they recovered quickly, their mana stabilizing along with their expressions.

(Good.)

Elias nodded internally as the first creature lunged toward the cave entrance—only to slam into the barrier he had set.

The second and third monsters, blindly following, collided into the first. Though their hardened exoskeletons prevented them from being crushed, the impact left them momentarily dazed before they started readjusting.

“So, one at a time, huh?” Jemie commented, turning to Elias.

“How do we handle them? Are you taking the lead?”

“I’ll maintain the barrier and keep watch on the deeper part of the cave. You three will handle the monsters.”

At that moment, one of the creatures discovered the gap in the barrier—the opening Elias had left intentionally. Realizing it could escape, it pushed through, emerging from the cave.

“Luke, Reina,” Elias called. “Remember your training. If you fight as you were taught, you can take them down.”

At his words, Luke and Reina stepped forward, weapons ready.

The first monster lunged at Luke, its movements quick but predictable. He sidestepped effortlessly, creating an opening.

At the same time, both Luke and Reina struck—their mana-infused swords cleaving through the hardened shell, splitting the monster apart.

For a moment, they stared in slight disbelief.

“…That wasn’t as hard as I thought,” Luke murmured.

“Yeah,” Reina agreed, her grip on her sword steadying.

Their fear had faded.

The next creature emerged. This time, Luke advanced first, closing the gap before it could react. His blade came down cleanly, cutting through the head with a single strike.

Reina did the same to the third, her sword slicing effortlessly through its form.

They were handling the battle well.

“Jemie,” Elias called.

She glanced over, already anticipating his next order.

“Support them. Even though we’re limiting the number of monsters coming out, the pace may increase. If that happens, they’ll have trouble keeping up.”

“Got it,” she replied.

Elias turned his gaze back to the cave.

(These creatures are all weak individually… but that’s not the issue.)

The real problem was the presence lurking deeper inside.

It wasn’t massively larger than the others, but its mana signature was significantly stronger.

(A leader. A stronger variant.)

Luke and Reina continued to slay the emerging monsters, though one barely survived Reina’s strike, forcing her to adjust.

At that moment, another monster attacked, attempting to overwhelm them.

But their movements were coordinated—Luke instinctively covered Reina’s back, intercepting the second creature while she finished off the first.

Both monsters fell simultaneously.

Then, Jemie intervened.

Lightning flashed across the battlefield. The next creature was instantly reduced to ash, blackened by the magical energy.

“You’re breathing too hard,” Jemie noted, her voice calm but firm.

Luke blinked in surprise, suddenly aware of his ragged breathing.

“S-Sorry,” he said, regaining his posture. “I’ll control it.”

“It’s good to focus, but if you let your body wear out too quickly, you’ll slow down and make a mistake,” Jemie advised.

“Understood. Thank you.”

He adjusted his breathing, and Reina followed suit.

Elias watched silently, evaluating their progress.

(They’re fine. Even if they get surrounded by a few more, they’ll manage.)

But then—he felt it.

From deep within the cave, a different presence was approaching.

Larger. Stronger.

(Here it comes… the leader?)

Unlike the others, this one was not rushing forward blindly.

It was calculating.

And the problem was…

(It might be too big to fit through the barrier’s gap—but what if it’s strong enough to break through?)

“…Something big is coming,” Jemie muttered, confirming what Elias already sensed.

“How do you want to handle it? Those two seem fine now, they don’t really need my support anymore.”

“…Strengthen the barrier,” Elias ordered.

Jemie didn’t question it.

She raised her staff, channeling mana into the barrier, reinforcing it.

At the same time, the incoming presence reacted.

It stopped, as if reevaluating the situation.

(So it recognizes the barrier? Interesting.)

Elias narrowed his eyes.

(Is it trying to figure out how to get through?)

Regardless, it was still moving toward the entrance.

He turned to Luke and Reina.

“The number of enemies is thinning. Can you keep handling the stragglers?”

“Yes, we’ve got this!” Luke called.

“I’m fine, too!” Reina confirmed.

“Good. Jemie, keep your focus on that thing.”

“…Understood,” she said, gripping her staff tighter.

Then—the leader finally emerged from the darkness.