Wes and Scarlett crouched behind the tree line, eyes locked on the chaos unfolding in the clearing below. The massive Dire Bear towered over the armored knights surrounding it, each blow from its claws sending shockwaves through the air.
Wes narrowed his eyes. Let's see what these knights are made of...
Scarlett suddenly tensed beside him. "That woman—behind the knights. Do you see her?"
Wes turned to follow her gaze. Standing at the rear of the formation was a breathtakingly regal woman. She had long, flowing silvery-blonde hair and deep violet eyes that shone with fire and command. Her white and gold ceremonial battle gown flowed around her like divine silk, armor plates glinting beneath. In her hand, a gleaming longsword.
The woman stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Do not falter, my knights! Do not embarrass the Kingdom of Elarindor! Are you with me?!"
"YES, PRINCESS ALTHEA VALENROSE!" the knights roared.
She smiled. "Good. Now—charge!"
With a war cry, the knights surged forward.
Wes blinked. "A princess? Out here fighting that thing?!"
Scarlett nodded. "She's commanding them like a true warrior."
"This just got way more interesting," Wes said, eyes gleaming. What kind of skills does a knight princess use?
He looked at the bear.
"Appraisal!"
Monster Analysis – Appraisal Active
Name: Dire Bear – Red-Eyed Variant
Rank: D
Level: 10
Type: Beast-Class Monstrosity
HP: 9,400 / 10,000
MP: 320
Attack: Extremely High
Defense: Very High
Speed: Low to Moderate
Threat Level: Dangerous (Recommend: C-Rank or Higher Adventurer Party)
Skills:
Earth Slam: Creates a small localized shockwave with a ground pound, knocking enemies off balance.
Fury Roar: Unleashes a deafening roar that lowers enemy morale and temporarily boosts its own attack.
Piercing Swipe: Delivers high-speed claw attacks that ignore standard armor.
Thick Hide: Passive skill that grants natural defense against both physical and magical attacks.
Regeneration: Slowly regenerates HP over time unless wounded by enchanted or elemental weapons.
Behavior: Highly territorial and aggressive, especially when wounded. Has high resistance to mental interference and crowd control spells. Known to destroy entire forest outposts when provoked.
Wes whistled. "Okay, that thing's a regenerating nightmare."
"A regenerating tank," Scarlett added, frowning.
In the clearing, the knights clashed with the Dire Bear. Their swords struck its hide, sparks flying, but their attacks barely scratched it. The bear roared, swatting two knights away like ragdolls.
Althea narrowed her eyes and dashed in. Her movements were graceful but deadly. She slashed the bear with swift, elegant strikes, leaving glowing gashes in its thick hide.
But it wasn't enough.
The Dire Bear went berserk, launching into a flurry of swipes, knocking aside knight after knight. Althea tried to hold her ground, but the creature overwhelmed her. For five grueling minutes, she clashed, dodged, and struck—but it was clear. The tide was turning.
Wes clenched his fists. "She's good... but not enough alone."
"Should we help?" Scarlett asked, watching intently.
Wes hesitated. "Let's wait a bit longer. If it gets worse, we jump in."
Scarlett nodded. "Right."
Then—
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted. Smoke and dust clouded the clearing.
When it cleared, Althea and her knights lay on the ground, battered and groaning. The Dire Bear let out a deafening roar, stomping toward the fallen princess.
Althea, injured, tried to crawl away but hit a tree. Her arm wouldn't move.
So this is how it ends...? she thought. Forgive me, Elarindor... Mother, Father... I failed you.
The Dire Bear raised its claws.
Althea closed her eyes. I'm sorry.
"ARC SLASH!"
A black shadow darted between her and the beast. A glowing blade met the bear's claw in a shower of sparks.
The bear recoiled. Althea's eyes snapped open.
"Are you alright?" a calm voice asked.
Standing protectively in front of her was a young woman with crimson hair and emerald eyes—Scarlett.
Althea blinked. "W-Who are you...?"
Scarlett kept her eyes on the beast. "Swordswoman Scarlett Hayes. Nice to meet you."
The bear roared again and lunged.
"It's coming back!" Althea gasped.
Scarlett grit her teeth. "Wes! Where are you, you idiot?!"
A distant voice rang out. "My bad! I'm coming—EXPLOSION BULLET!"
BOOOOM!
A blast of fire slammed into the Dire Bear, sending it flying into trees.
A figure dropped into the clearing: raven-black hair, amber eyes, revolver in hand—Wes.
He grinned. "Now that's what I call an explosive entrance."
Scarlett glared. "Be serious, idiot."
Wes walked over dramatically. "Of course I'm serious. I wasn't about to let that bad bear scratch a single royal hair."
"BE. SERIOUS. IDIOT!" Scarlett yelled and smacked him hard.
"OW! That hurts!" Wes whined. "I was helping!"
Althea blinked in confusion. "Who... are you people?"
Scarlett stepped forward. "Sorry. I'm Scarlett Hayes, and this idiot is Wes Walker. We're travelers."
Wes smiled. "Magic Gunslinger. Nice to meet you, princess."
Althea's expression softened. "Princess Althea Valenrose... and thank you. For saving me."
"Anytime," Wes winked.
Althea blushed slightly.
Scarlett frowned—and stomped on Wes's foot.
"OWWW! What was that for?!"
"Don't flirt with royalty in a monster fight, moron!"
Althea giggled quietly at their antics.
Then the rubble shifted.
ROOOOAAARRR!
The Dire Bear rose from the debris, more furious than ever.
"He's still standing?!" Wes shouted.
"We're level 4. That thing's a D-rank beast," Scarlett muttered.
Althea struggled to rise. "I can't fight anymore..."
Wes turned to her, thinking.
"Don't worry. I've got an idea."
Scarlett eyed him. "Why are you smiling like that...?"
"You'll see."
He raised his revolver.
"WAIT! What are you—"
BANG!
The bullet hit Althea in the shoulder.
"YOU SHOT THE PRINCESS?!" Scarlett screamed, punching him furiously.
"OW OW OW! It was a Healing Bullet!"
The violet light surrounded Althea, healing her wounds.
Althea blinked. "I... feel better. My pain's gone."
"See?! Told you!" Wes grinned.
Scarlett checked her over, stunned. "It actually worked..."
The bear roared again, charging.
Wes turned to the others. "Team-up time. Ready?"
Scarlett nodded. "Let's bring it down."
Althea rose to her feet. "Agreed."
Wes grinned. "Then let's win this thing."
The ground trembled beneath the Dire Bear's charge.
Wes, Scarlett, and Princess Althea stood firm, then leapt in opposite directions just as the beast lunged.
CRASH!
The monster barreled through, colliding with trees and splintering them like twigs. It reared back, letting out a thunderous roar, its red eyes blazing with fury.
Wes met Scarlett's eyes. "Let's team up, partner!"
Scarlett gave a rare smirk. "For once, I'm with you."
She dashed in first, her blade gleaming as she spun around the Dire Bear. Wes flanked from the right, firing precision shots to draw the beast's attention. The two moved like a dance—slashing, dodging, striking. It was their first real battle as a team, and their synergy was electric.
Scarlett's blade tore at its legs while Wes's bullets chipped away at its hide.
The bear bellowed in pain as cuts and burns began to mark its body. Still, it fought back with wild rage, swiping its claws and shaking the ground.
"Watch out!" Scarlett shouted as the Dire Bear unleashed Earth Slam—it raised both forearms and smashed the ground. A shockwave rippled through the forest floor.
Wes was caught off guard and thrown back, slamming into a tree with a grunt. Scarlett stumbled, her footing lost for a second.
"Tch, that hurt!" Wes groaned, getting up.
"Don't slack now!" Scarlett called, parrying a sudden swipe.
The bear lunged at her with Piercing Swipe. She blocked one claw, but the second caught her side. Her armor deflected most of it, but she hissed in pain, blood staining her dress.
"Scarlett!" Wes shouted.
"I'm fine! Just a scratch!"
Wes narrowed his eyes and pointed his revolver. "Water Bullet!"
BANG!
A blue bullet slammed into the Dire Bear's side, soaking its fur.
Wes grinned. "Follow-up: Lightning Bullet!"
CRACK!
A blast of lightning erupted on impact, electrocuting the soaked beast. Sparks flew, and the bear staggered back, shrieking in agony. Smoke rose from its scorched fur.
Scarlett seized the moment, appearing before the monster in a blur. "Arc Slash!"
Her blade glowed crimson as it slashed clean across the Dire Bear's eye. The beast shrieked, thrashing wildly in pain, blinded and enraged.
It roared and activated Fury Roar, a concussive bellow that caused the air to tremble. Wes and Scarlett flinched, ears ringing.
"Damn it, it's enraged!" Wes grunted.
Althea joined in, blade glowing. "I'll buy us time!"
She dashed forward, slashing across the beast's limbs. The Dire Bear responded viciously, its thick hide absorbing most of her blows. It retaliated, swinging wildly.
One blow clipped Althea's arm and sent her tumbling. She landed on her knees, sword digging into the earth to stop her fall.
"Princess!" Scarlett called.
"I'm not done yet!" Althea growled, rising.
Wes and Scarlett regrouped beside her.
"We need to bring it down!"
Wes looked around. "We'll trap it—you finish it, Princess."
Althea blinked in surprise, then nodded. "Understood."
Wes raised his revolver again. "Gravity Bullet!"
WHUMP!
A purple shot struck the Dire Bear, and its massive body slammed into the ground, gravity magic anchoring it hard.
The bear roared, straining to rise. Its limbs shook under the invisible weight.
Althea's eyes widened. What kind of weapon is that...?
Wes flashed her a grin. "Your turn, Princess."
She blushed faintly, then composed herself. "Got it."
With a burst of speed, she shot toward the fallen beast. Her longsword glowed with divine light.
"Radiant Arc Slash!"
SLASH!
A golden arc of energy followed her blade. She cut through the bear's neck cleanly and landed gracefully behind it.
The beast froze.
Then its body crumbled.
The Dire Bear was no more.
Althea exhaled. "It's over. We have won."
The injured knights, watching from where they lay, erupted in cheers.
"LONG LIVE PRINCESS ALTHEA!"
Wes and Scarlett stood back to back, catching their breath.
"We really nailed that combo," Wes said.
"Only because I carried," Scarlett teased.
"Hey! I shocked it, soaked it, and slowed it. You just poked it in the eye."
"You're lucky I didn't poke you."
They both burst into laughter.
Althea watched them from a distance, a curious smile on her lips.
Who are these two... really?
To be continued...