"Black Steel, one of the five strongest metals discovered so far," Luke mused, his gaze lingering on the beast before them.
"They range from the weakest to the strongest:
Black Steel of Earth, for unparalleled durability.
Violet Cold Iron of Ice, for extreme conductivity.
Dracsteel of Fire, known for its raw destructive power.
Adamantite of Pressure, revered for its overwhelming striking force.
And finally, Voidlight Ore of the Heavens," Luke narrated, his voice steady as he recalled the knowledge ingrained in his mind.
"I've heard that Voidlight Ore has been lost to the ages," he added, his fingers resting under his chin in thought. He sifted through everything he had learned about ores in this world, trying to piece together what this meant for the beast before them.
"If that's the case, then doesn't that mean the Black Steel Guron is ranked between a C or D-class beast, depending on its hide?" Luke asked, his analytical mind already working through the possibilities.
"B-rank," Persin interjected without hesitation. "Not just because of its tough hide but also due to its intelligence," he explained, his sharp eyes trained on the massive creature.
"That's crazy," Luke muttered, though his tone remained casual. While the others were visibly unnerved, he was utterly unfazed. In truth, he could take this creature down in mere seconds if he wanted to.
'It would be simple to deal with this thing in an instant... but I should see what these nobles are so confident in.'
Turning his gaze to Persin, Luke asked, "How do you know all this?"
"I worked as a mercenary before enrolling in the Academy. I've seen my fair share of expeditions and big hunts," Persin answered nonchalantly.
"Oh?" Luke raised a brow, intrigued. One of Persin's sleek, closed eyes lifted slightly as if to gauge Luke's reaction.
Their attention shifted back to the unfolding battle.
Jevon had engaged the Black Steel Guron, his movements sharp yet cautious. Instead of attempting to block the beast's devastating blows outright, he focused on parrying—the sheer weight and force behind the Guron's strikes were too much to absorb head-on. Each impact sent vibrations through the air, leaves rustling from the shockwaves.
Sweat trickled down Jevon's forehead, though he tried to mask his struggle. "I'll finish this beast in a few seconds," he declared, forcing confidence into his voice. But his actions betrayed him—he was barely keeping up.
The Black Steel Guron swung its massive fist forward. Jevon sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow, and seized the opening. He sprinted up the beast's arm, using its own limb as a path to higher ground. The Guron let out an enraged snarl and quickly slapped at its own arm, trying to swat Jevon off like an insect.
Just before it could catch him, Jevon leaped, his sword flashing as he plunged it deep into the beast's thick neck.
The Black Steel Guron staggered. Its enormous frame trembled before it hunched over, motionless.
Jevon, believing he had won, hopped down from the creature's shoulder, his chest heaving. With a victorious smirk, he yanked his sword free from the Guron's hide, the blade slick with dark blood. He turned toward the group, spinning his weapon in a flourish.
"It took me quite a while to kill this beast, but if it wasn't for Your Highness—" Jevon began, his voice filled with self-satisfaction.
But he stopped.
Something was off.
Tergil was sprinting towards him, his mouth moving frantically, but Jevon couldn't hear his words. It was as if time had slowed to a crawl. His lips formed the words, "Watch out!"
Confused, Jevon's brow furrowed. Then he saw it—
A shadow.
No… not a shadow.
The Black Steel Guron's arm.
The beast, still very much alive, swung its massive hand toward Jevon in a blur of motion.
Jevon's instincts screamed at him. He reached for his sword, but he was already too late. His body had tensed, his fingers barely grazing the hilt when—
Boom!
The impact landed with bone-crushing force.
Jevon was launched through the air like a ragdoll, his body crashing through one tree before violently slamming into a second. The force of the collision sent shockwaves rippling through the forest, birds bursting into the sky in startled flight. Leaves rained down from the canopy above as the impact left a deep crater in the wood.
The first tree he had crashed into splintered at its base, creaking before toppling over, shaking the ground. The second tree trembled under the force, its trunk partially caved in where Jevon had struck.
Silence.
Jevon's fate was unknown.