Chapter 2: The Taste of Despair

  The cavern exploded into chaos. The screeching of the distorted humanoids echoed off the damp walls. One of the monsters, its eyes glowing with a feral hunger, lunged directly at Xyron. The sharp claws were inches from his face when a blur of steel intercepted the strike.

  "Get back, Xyron! Attack from the rear!" Jin shouted, his blade clashing against the monster’s grey skin.

  Xyron didn't hesitate. Despite his low rank, his instincts were sharp. He sprinted to the side, circling the beast. As Jin plunged his sword deep into the creature's stomach, Xyron jumped, driving his iron blade into its spine. The monster let out a guttural roar, but before it could counter, Yuhima appeared from above.

  With a graceful leap, she swung her sword in a wide arc. Squelch. The monster’s head hit the ground before its body even realized it was dead.

  "That’s one down!" Jin panted, wiping green blood from his forehead.

  Suddenly, another monster emerged from the shadows behind Yuhima, its jagged blade raised for a lethal strike. Yuhima was still recovering from her jump—she couldn't move in time.

  "Yuhima, look out!" Xyron screamed.

  He didn't think. He threw his body forward, pushing Yuhima out of the way with a powerful shove. The monster’s heavy blow, meant for her, slammed into Xyron’s shoulder. The force sent him flying across the cavern floor, crashing into the hard stone.

  "Xyron!" Yuhima cried out as she tumbled away, safe but horrified.

  Jin rushed the monster, swinging wildly, but the creature was fast, parrying every strike. Yuhima joined the fray, her movements a blur of desperate speed, but the monster dodged her blade with ease. Just as the creature prepared to lunge again, a massive shadow loomed over it.

  The Captain’s broadsword descended like a guillotine, splitting the monster in half. "Pathetic," the Boss muttered, looking at the two knights.

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  Jin ignored him and ran to Xyron’s side. He reached into Xyron’s bag, pulled out a glowing blue healing potion, and poured it over the jagged wound on Xyron's shoulder. The light hummed, knitting the flesh back together.

  Xyron gasped, his eyes snapping open. He stood up slowly, shaking off the daze. "Thanks, Jin."

  "Save the thanks for later," the Captain barked, looking at the path ahead. The cave had reached a dead end—or so it seemed. Two dark tunnels diverged like the maw of a beast. "The monsters are dead for now, but their leader is hiding. We split up."

  He pointed to the left tunnel. "Jin, Xyron, and you—the Rank 5 knight—take the first path. Yuhima, the rest of you follow me to the right."

  As the teams separated, a dark, sinister smile played on the Captain’s lips. 'Go on, little runts,' he thought, his eyes cold. 'That path leads straight into the main nest. I’ve left the weaklings as live bait to clear the way for me.'

  On Xyron’s side, the silence was deafening. Suddenly, the darkness breathed. A massive horde of monsters—larger than the ones before—swarmed them. Within seconds, the Rank 5 knight was dragged into the shadows, his screams cut short as the monsters tore into him.

  "No!" Jin yelled, but he was already surrounded. He pushed Xyron back, trying to create a shield. "Xyron, run! Get out of here!"

  A monster slammed its fist into Jin’s chest, breaking his ribs. As he fell, another beast lunged, its jaws opening wide to crush Jin’s head.

  In that moment, something snapped inside Xyron. The air around him seemed to freeze. In a blur of movement that no Rank 6 should possess, he swung his sword. Slash. The first monster’s head spun through the air. With a spin, he decapitated the second one before it could even blink.

  "Xy- Xyron... behind you!" Jin gasped, blood spilling from his mouth.

  Xyron turned, but he was a second too late. A massive monster, wielding a rusted iron sword, thrust the blade forward. The cold steel pierced Xyron’s chest, erupting through his back.

  Xyron’s eyes widened, blood coughing out of his lips. The monster let out a cruel laugh, twisting the blade before throwing Xyron’s limp body against a jagged rock. He hit the ground hard, a pool of crimson spreading rapidly beneath him.

  The darkness began to close in.

  Editor’s Comment:Betrayal and Bloodshed! The Captain’s greed has led the team into a death trap. Xyron showed a glimpse of terrifying speed, but was it enough? With a sword through his chest and the 0.00000000000001251% chance of revival looming, is this the end of the Last Gozzaki, or the beginning of his true awakening?