The Golden Wolflord, sensing Yomite’s vulnerability amidst the chaos of the storm, saw its chance to strike. In a swift, fluid motion, it lunged forward, its massive jaws clamping down on Yomite’s arm.

He screamed in pain, feeling the crushing force of the Wolflord’s fangs as they tore through his armor and into his flesh.

“Aaargh!!!”

In a desperate attempt to free himself, Yomite mustered all of his strength and pried open the Wolflord’s massive teeth, wincing as the sharp edges tore at his arm even further. With a final surge of effort, he managed to pull his injured limb away from the beast’s relentless grasp.

The agony Yomite experienced was akin to a thousand needles piercing his flesh simultaneously, each one burrowing deeper and deeper into the tender muscle. It was as if molten lava flowed through his veins, scorching every nerve ending in its path.

“Haah…haah…”

With his uninjured arm, he gripped his claymore tightly, sweat mixing with the blood that had stained the hilt.

Yomite’s vision gradually returned, the storm dissipating as the Golden Wolflord assessed its wounded prey.

The beast appeared more cautious now, wary of the warrior’s deceptive tactics. Yomite’s breathing was labored, and he knew that he couldn’t keep up the fight for much longer.

With a fierce growl, he charged towards the Golden Wolflord, his claymore raised high above his head.

The beast snarled in response, its eyes gleaming with a primal fury. It leapt forward, aiming to take down Yomite once and for all.

But Yomite was too smart for the beast.

He sidestepped the Wolflord’s attack, using his uninjured arm to slash at the beast’s stomach.

The Golden Wolflord let out a howl of pain, stumbling backwards. Yomite seized the opportunity, plunging his claymore into the beast’s exposed underbelly even deeper than before. The blade cut through flesh and sinew, causing the beast to writhe in agony.

The Golden Wolflord flew away, reeling from the vicious blow.

It gathered its remaining strength for a devastating retaliation. Its amber eyes blazed with an inner fire, and the air around it crackled with an ominous energy. Yomite, sensing the impending danger, braced himself for the creature’s ultimate attack.

With a deafening roar, the Golden Wolflord unleashed a colossal laser beam from its maw. The searing energy, channeled into a slow-moving frontal cone, scorched the earth and threatened to incinerate Yomite. He deftly maneuvered around the lethal onslaught, narrowly avoiding the seething energy that threatened to consume him.

The intensity of the attack gradually diminished as the Golden Wolflord’s reserves dwindled. Its movements became labored and strained, a testament to the toll the battle had taken on the majestic creature. As the laser beam dissipated, the Wolflord stumbled, its exhaustion rendering it vulnerable.

Yomite recognized that this fleeting moment of weakness was his chance to deliver the decisive blow. His muscles ached, his lungs burned, but he refused to yield. With a final surge of adrenaline, he charged at the faltering Wolflord, his claymore poised for the fatal strike.

The Golden Wolflord, sensing the impending doom, attempted to rally its strength for a final defense. But its efforts were in vain, as Yomite’s claymore plunged deep into its heart. The creature let out a mournful howl, the anguish and agony resonating throughout the arena. As its life force ebbed away, the Wolflord’s body began to shimmer, its golden fur dissipating into a luminous cloud.

The once formidable adversary now lay defeated at Yomite’s feet, its essence dissipating into the air like a fading dream. A mixture of relief, exhaustion, and reverence washed over Yomite, as he sheathed his claymore and collapsed to his knees.

“Finally…dead…”

As Yomite stood over the fallen beast, he couldn’t help but notice the aftermath of the Golden Wolflord’s devastating laser beam attack.

The heat it had produced was so intense that the sand upon which it had been cast had fused and transformed into glass. The once-chaotic battleground now shimmered with an eerie beauty, the crystalline surface reflecting the light in a mesmerizing array of colors.

Had he been hit by that attack, his body would be pulverized. It was comparable in power to his cube, which he could not even summon during their fight due to no openings.

Despite his victory, Yomite’s battered body cried out for respite. His burnt arm throbbed, the lingering bleeding from the Wolflord’s bite tormented him, and his half-frozen leg threatened to give way.

Limping away from the site of his triumph, Yomite passed through the gate, re-entering the spiral abyss. The second trial’s entrance now beckoned him to continue his arduous journey, but his injuries hindered his ability to walk.

‘Seems like Lisa really was right. If I had the restraining bracelet on, I would have most definitely died there. I’m still too weak.’

As Yomite stumbled, a pair of slender arms caught him just before he hit the ground. “Well done. It seems like your first trial was much harder than the one I did ages ago,” Lisa said. Her eyes, brimming with concern, surveyed Yomite’s injuries. “Handsome, you’re badly hurt. We need to get you some help. Stand up if you can.”

With a wince, Yomite managed to stand. “Where…are the others?”

“They’re fine,” Lisa reassured him. “They’re all training alone in ‘peaceful areas,’ where they can hone their skills without constant danger. Right now, we need to focus on you.”

Guided by Lisa, Yomite hobbled towards the nearest healing chamber, a sanctuary for warriors to recover from their wounds. The chamber, hidden from sight, revealed itself only after he entered the trial.

Once inside, Yomite was placed on a soft, cushioned surface. The moment his body touched the cushion, a soothing energy enveloped him. His pain subsided almost instantly, and he marveled as his wounds closed, bruises faded, and cuts healed before his eyes.

***