Spike, Shell, Shadow, Horn, Venom.
Five subordinates immediately took battle stances.
No one questioned my decision.
Waspy and Brownie paused.
Then also prepared for battle.
Though worry still showed in their eyes, they chose to trust me.
I quickly assessed the Forest Bear.
This was the strongest opponent I'd ever faced.
But not unbeatable.
"Follow my commands!" I shouted.
"Shell, Horn, frontline containment!"
"Spike, Shadow, high-speed harassment!"
"Venom, Waspy, ranged output!"
"Brownie, heal when needed!"
"Yes!"
All members responded in unison.
The Forest Bear looked at us.
It didn't attack immediately.
But let out a low roar.
Like a warning.
But the next second—
It moved.
Charged straight at Brownie!
Target clear, completely ignoring other beasts.
"Shell!" I shouted.
Shell immediately rushed forward, blocking in front of Brownie.
It used "Taunt."
Let out a low roar.
An invisible force spread out.
The Forest Bear's movements hesitated.
A trace of confusion flashed in its eyes.
But only lasted less than a second.
Then its eyes became clear again.
Continued charging at Brownie.
Taunt failed?
No, the effect was too weak.
The Forest Bear's hatred for Brownie was too deep—Taunt couldn't fully control it.
"Horn!" I shouted.
Horn charged from the side.
Rock horn aimed at the Forest Bear.
Full speed sprint.
"BAM!"
Massive impact sound.
Horn's rock horn struck the Forest Bear's waist.
[Forest Bear HP: 285/300]
The Forest Bear was knocked off course.
Its massive body staggered.
But Horn was also sent flying by the recoil.
Rolled on the ground several times before stopping.
[Horn HP: 165/180]
The power gap was too large.
The Forest Bear steadied itself, looking at Horn.
A flash of anger in its eyes.
But it didn't chase Horn.
Instead continued targeting Brownie.
Shell had already rushed before Brownie.
The Forest Bear saw Shell blocking the path.
Let out an angry roar.
Then raised its front paw high.
Claws gleaming cold in the moonlight.
"BAM!"
One swipe down.
Massive force unleashed.
Shell's armor made crunching sounds.
Its entire body was slammed into the ground.
Dirt flying.
[Shell HP: 200/250]
Lost 50 HP in one hit!
And Shell was stunned by the strike.
The Forest Bear didn't stop.
It raised the other paw, preparing to strike again.
If this hit landed, Shell might be critically wounded.
"Store!" I concentrated.
Used Spatial Mark.
A single thought.
Shell's figure instantly vanished.
Taken into the space.
The Forest Bear's paw struck empty air.
"BAM!"
Hit the ground, creating a deep crater.
It paused.
Prey disappeared?
I immediately released Shell at a position ten meters away.
Shell reappeared, lying on the ground.
Gasping heavily.
"Shell, retreat!" I shouted.
Shell struggled to stand, backing away.
Only then did the Forest Bear react.
It turned to look at me.
Let out an angry roar.
Then charged at me.
Very fast.
Though only 16 speed, its massive size meant each step covered great distance.
"Spike, Shadow, contain it!" I shouted.
While dodging to the side.
Spike immediately attacked from the side.
Became a silver-gray blur.
Tail stabbing at the Forest Bear's hind leg.
"SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!"
Three consecutive attacks.
[Forest Bear HP: 277/300]
The Forest Bear cried out in pain.
Turned and pounced at Spike.
But Spike was too fast.
Dodged with a flash.
Shadow dove from the air.
Claws aimed at the Forest Bear's eyes.
"SCREECH—!"
The Forest Bear sensed danger.
Suddenly raised its front paw.
"BAM!"
Swatted at Shadow.
Shadow made a sharp turn mid-air.
But was still grazed by the shockwave.
Wing struck, lost balance.
Tumbled through the air before landing.
[Shadow HP: 100/120]
"Venom, Waspy, attack!" I shouted.
Venom opened its mouth.
"SPLAT—!"
Green venom sprayed out.
Aimed at the Forest Bear's face.
But the Forest Bear reacted quickly.
Turned its head to dodge.
Venom grazed its cheek.
"HISS—!"
Skin seared.
[Forest Bear HP: 272/300]
Waspy also fired poison stings.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Three stings shot out in a triangle formation.
Blocking the Forest Bear's escape routes.
One hit the shoulder.
Another hit the front leg.
"SLASH! SLASH!"
[Forest Bear HP: 262/300]
The Forest Bear roared angrily.
It was enraged by these insects.
Turned and charged at Venom.
Venom immediately jumped back.
But the Forest Bear was faster.
About to catch up.
"Horn, ram it!" I shouted.
Horn sprinted from the side.
Rock horn struck the Forest Bear again.
"BAM!"
[Forest Bear HP: 247/300]
The Forest Bear was knocked off course.
But this time it was prepared.
The moment Horn struck.
Backhanded a swipe.
"BAM!"
Horn was struck on the head.
Its entire body slammed to the ground.
[Horn HP: 125/180]
Horn lay on the ground, struggling to stand.
Obviously badly hurt.
The Forest Bear walked toward Horn.
Preparing to finish it.
"Store!"
I immediately used Spatial Mark.
Horn's figure vanished.
The Forest Bear struck empty air again.
It stopped.
Turned to look at me.
Eyes full of anger and confusion.
How did these prey keep suddenly disappearing?
I released Horn behind the Forest Bear.
"Horn, retreat and rest."
Horn nodded, backing away.
The Forest Bear was completely enraged.
It realized these beasts were toying with it.
Let out an earth-shaking roar.
"ROAR—!"
The sound wave made my ears ring.
Then it stopped chasing individual targets.
Instead swept wildly.
Front paws striking continuously.
"BAM! BAM! BAM!"
Attack range enormous.
Spike moved at high speed around it.
But the Forest Bear's attacks were chaotic.
Everywhere.
One paw grazed Spike.
"BAM!"
[Spike HP: 85/110]
Spike was sent flying.
Shell tried to support.
Rushed up trying to draw attention.
But the Forest Bear didn't even look at it.
Backhanded a swipe.
"BAM!"
Shell was sent flying again.
[Shell HP: 150/250]
HP already below two-thirds.
I gritted my teeth.
Direct confrontation wouldn't work.
Had to find weaknesses.
I observed the Forest Bear's movements.
Most of the time it was on all fours.
Only when attacking would it stand or raise its front paws.
At that moment...
The belly would be exposed!
"Shell, draw attention from the front!" I shouted.
"Horn, coordinate!"
Shell and Horn exchanged glances.
Though injured, still able to fight.
They charged at the Forest Bear from both sides.
The Forest Bear saw them coming.
Stood up.
Both paws raised high, preparing to strike.
Now!
Belly exposed!
"Venom, attack the belly!" I shouted.
Venom immediately reacted.
"SPLAT—!"
Venom sprayed out.
Precisely hit the Forest Bear's belly.
The fur there was sparse, skin exposed.
"HOWL—!"
The Forest Bear cried out in pain.
[Forest Bear HP: 227/300]
Lost 20 HP!
It really was a weak point!
The Forest Bear immediately crouched.
Protected its belly.
But I'd already found the method.
"Keep going! Force it to stand!" I shouted.
Shell and Horn attacked from both sides again.
The Forest Bear was forced to stand in defense.
Spike seized the chance to dive underneath.
Tail repeatedly stabbing the belly.
"SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!"
[Forest Bear HP: 207/300]
Another 20 HP lost.
Waspy also aimed at the belly and fired stings.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Two stings hit.
[Forest Bear HP: 197/300]
The Forest Bear completely went berserk.
Its eyes turned blood red.
Muscles throughout its body swelled.
Veins bulging.
Let out an earth-shaking roar.
"ROAR—!"
A terrifying aura erupted.
I felt an oppressive force.
This was... a berserk state?
The next second.
The Forest Bear's movements suddenly accelerated.
Shockingly fast.
It swiped at Spike.
Spike reacted quickly, immediately dodging.
But the Forest Bear's speed was at least twice as fast as before.
"BAM!"
Spike was grazed.
Its entire body sent flying seven or eight meters.
Crashed into a trunk.
[Spike HP: 50/110]
HP dropped below half!
The Forest Bear didn't stop.
Turned and charged at Shell.
Fast as the wind.
Shell had just steadied itself.
The Forest Bear was already in front.
Both paws striking continuously.
"BAM! BAM! BAM!"
Three attacks.
Each carrying terrifying force.
Shell's armor began showing cracks.
[Shell HP: 110/250]
[Shell HP: 70/250]
[Shell HP: 30/250]
After three strikes, Shell's HP was only 30!
"Store!"
I immediately used Spatial Mark.
Shell vanished under the Forest Bear's paws.
I released it twenty meters away.
Shell lay on the ground, nearly combat ineffective.
"Shell, retreat!"
Shell struggled to crawl backward.
The Forest Bear turned toward Horn.
Horn tried to flee.
But the Forest Bear was too fast.
One swipe came.
"BAM!"
Horn was sent flying.
Rolled on the ground for over ten meters.
[Horn HP: 60/180]
HP also nearly depleted.
"Store!"
I put Horn in the space too.
Then released it far away.
"Horn, retreat!"
Now only I, Spike, Shadow, Venom could still fight.
And Waspy and Brownie.
But the Forest Bear in berserk state.
Strength and speed both greatly increased.
We couldn't get close at all.
I rushed forward, trying to attack.
But was struck by a paw.
"BAM!"
Massive force.
I was sent flying.
Tumbled through the air, crashed heavily to the ground.
[HP: 100/220]
Lost 40 HP in one hit.
And my chest hurt intensely.
Probably broke several ribs.
Shadow tried to ambush.
But was backhanded by the Forest Bear.
"BAM!"
[Shadow HP: 40/120]
Shadow fell to the ground, struggling to fly.
But its wings were injured, couldn't take off.
Venom kept spraying poison.
But the Forest Bear in berserk state.
Seemed not to feel pain.
The venom hit but it completely ignored it.
Kept attacking frantically.
Spike tried to harass.
But was forced back by several consecutive attacks.
[Spike HP: 30/110]
HP already critical.
I struggled to stand.
The situation was very bad.
Our main forces were all critically wounded.
And the Forest Bear still had nearly 200 HP.
And in berserk state, attack power and speed both greatly increased.
What to do?
I looked at Brownie.
It had been hiding at the edge.
Trembling.
The Forest Bear also looked at Brownie.
Its berserk eyes locked onto the target again.
It let out a low growl.
Then charged at Brownie.
This time.
It held nothing back.
Speed astonishing.
"Brownie, dodge!" I shouted.
But Brownie was frozen in fear.
Couldn't move.
I desperately chased.
But wasn't fast enough.
And my injuries made me even slower.
Waspy flew before the Forest Bear.
Used "Mental Disruption."
The Forest Bear's movements hesitated.
But only lasted less than half a second.
In berserk state, Mental Disruption's effect was greatly reduced too.
The Forest Bear continued toward Brownie.
Closer and closer.
Ten meters.
Five meters.
Three meters.
It raised its front paw high.
Claws gleaming cold in the moonlight.
Massive shadow fell over Brownie.
I gritted my teeth.
Too late.
Even using Spatial Mark was too late.
Brownie didn't have a mark—I couldn't remotely store or release it.
And the current distance exceeded twenty meters.
I couldn't run over in time.
Was I going to...
Lose Brownie?
Just then—
A green light erupted from Brownie.
Brilliantly dazzling.
The ground shook.
Countless vines burst from the ground.
Thick and powerful.
Instantly wrapped around the Forest Bear's legs.
"What?!"
The Forest Bear's movement was interrupted.
It looked down at its legs.
Thick vines tightly coiled.
And still growing.
Thicker and thicker.
Tighter and tighter.
Brownie stood in place.
Eyes emitting faint green light.
Entire body wrapped in green radiance.
It no longer trembled.
But calmly looked at the Forest Bear.
Said quietly:
"Enough..."