Chapter 20: Deadly Combination

The bear’s roar echoes like a clap of thunder. Its power is palpable, shaking the ground as snow falls from the branches, scattering around the clearing.

Alynia and Veil move forward together, their breaths synchronized by the intensity of the moment. Alynia glances at Veil and notices the fatigue etched on his face.

Alynia (focused gaze): "You're getting tired, Pup. You had your fun, but you're not there yet."

Veil (breathless but determined): "I'll... hold on as long as it takes."

Alynia (stepping slightly away): "Tsk. Don’t act tough. If you collapse now"—(she eyes the bear, speaking to it)—"I’ll let it turn you into mush."

The bear charges forward with brutal strength. Its massive paws pound the ground with each step, creating a heavy, oppressive rhythm.

Alynia leaps to the left, leaving a trail of kicked-up snow in her wake. Veil does the same to the right, his movements heavier, but he keeps pace. Their coordination begins to show.

Alynia (shouting): "We have to stop it! If we let it move like this, we’ll wear out before it does!"

Veil (fixed gaze): "And how do you plan to do that?!"

Alynia (piercing eyes): "I’ll freeze it. But I’ll need time."

The bear pivots sharply and strikes a tree. The trunk splinters under the impact, sending shards of wood flying. Snow swirls through the air.

Alynia (yelling): "Then keep it busy!"

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Veil reacts instinctively. He bends his knees, takes a deep breath, and feels the shiver of the wind again.

Veil (internal thought): I can do this. This time, I’ll trigger it myself.

He pushes off with force. BOOM! The wind explodes beneath his feet, propelling him forward. This time, he manages to maintain a bit of control over his trajectory, though his balance remains shaky.

He passes the bear on the right, dagger in hand. He strikes the creature’s flank, but the blade bounces off the stone-like plates.

Veil (grimacing): "Even the dagger?! Are you kidding me?!"

The bear swipes at him with its massive paw, but Veil propels himself again, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Alynia (piercing gaze): "Nice work! Keep it distracted!"

Alynia closes her eyes. She raises both hands and focuses her breathing. The thread of mana extends from her.

Droplets of water rise from the surrounding snow and begin to float. The icy wind carries the particles toward her, forming a sphere of water above her hands.

Alynia (low voice, concentrated): "Calm… slowly… denser…"

The bear senses the threat and charges directly at Alynia.

Veil (yelling): "No, not her!"

He bends his knees and pushes off again. BOOM! He launches himself straight at the bear. This time, he doesn’t evade; he faces it head-on. He stretches out his arm and strikes the creature’s head with all the force of his momentum.

Impact.

The bear staggers back two steps. Veil’s gaze is fiercer than ever, his breathing ragged.

Veil (shouting): "Now, Alynia!"

The water sphere above Alynia is ready.

Alynia (fixed gaze, sharp voice): "Catch the wind, Pup! Add it in!"

Veil extends his hand toward her.

Veil (internal thought): The wind… into the water… I can do it!

He focuses, dispelling his doubts. The wind responds to his will. A current of air surges toward Alynia’s water sphere.

The water begins to swirl. The sphere becomes a spinning liquid vortex.

Alynia (yelling): "Take this!"

She hurls the sphere with tremendous force. The wind wraps around the water, sharpening it like a blade.

The impact is devastating.

The water smashes into the bear’s head, the pressure shattering the stone plates, and the cold freezing the fur from within. Shards of ice explode outward, and the bear collapses heavily to the ground.

Silence falls. Snow drifts down gently, and the only sounds are Alynia and Veil’s labored breaths breaking the stillness.

Veil (panting): "…Did we… get it?"

Alynia slowly approaches the bear. She stares at its motionless body, then relaxes her shoulders.

Alynia (calm voice): "It won’t move again."

Veil collapses onto the ground, exhausted but smiling.