The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

(Raye's POV)

BOOM!!

I shot forward like a missile, my body wreathed in blazing winds.

FWISH—

The air cracked violently with my speed, the heat of [Nyx] leaving a wild trail of flames chasing after me—like a comet tearing across the battlefield.

-GRAAAHHH—!!

The Glittermaw Ape, regaining its footing, roared furiously and slammed both fists into the ground—

B O O O O M—!!

"...?!"

The earth shattered and shook, forcing me to slow down a little.

Then from the belt-like fur around its waist, the ape yanked out a weird, spiky fruit—

WHOOSH!

And it threw it straight at me with terrifying force!

It was one of its skills—exploding fruit!

And knowing what was coming—

"No you don't."

FWOOOSH!!

SLASH—!!

I twisted midair and cut the explosive fruit in half with a clean swing!

BOOM—!!!

It exploded midair, sending a shockwave rippling outward!

WHISH—

I used my wind wings to maneuver through the blast, minimizing the damage, but still—

Tonk-

"Ghh...!"

A few burning fragments slammed against my armor.

I grunted, feeling a sharp sting under the plating. The armor absorbed most of it, but the ache still pierced through.

"Tch—"

I couldn't afford to slow down.

And so—

SWISH—!!

I dove faster toward the Glittermaw Ape!

And with [Nyx] being engulfed by a violent fire—

SLASH—!!

I delivered a precise cut across the its massive forearm!

-GRAAAARGH—!!

Blood sprayed from its wound as it let out a guttural roar.

But as the ape howled—

KRK-KRK—!!

Suddenly, the ground beneath me bulged—!

-KIEEEEEEEE—!!

FWISH!!

The Chromaworm burst out from below, its rainbow scales now flashing red—signifying resistance against fire!

'Shit!'

Its huge jaws opened wide, aiming to bite me in half!

BOOM!!

I slammed my foot on the air itself, using the wind magic concentrated in my boots, and launched myself upward just in time!

CHOMP—!!!

The Chromaworm's jaws snapped shut below me, missing by inches.

'Close one.'

I thought, frowning as I glared down at it.

Swish—

I spun midair, then dove back down. And using my momentum—

SLASH—!!

I slashed downward with [Nyx], leaving a burning cut along the top of the worm's armored head!

-KIIIIIIIIIIIEEE—!!

THUD!

The Chromaworm screeched and immediately dove back into the ground, disappearing like a snake into water.

It was fast.

Then at that moment—

BAM!!

The Verdant Maul, still smoking from Pyro's earlier fireball, smashed its fists into the ground!

KRRRRK—

The earth trembled.

SHLURK—!!!

And all around it, massive poisonous vines burst from the soil, shooting up toward me like spears!

"...!"

SWISH—!! FWOOSH—!

I darted through the air, dodging narrowly between the strikes!

But—

TINK—!!

One vine grazed my side, slamming into my armor with enough force to knock me off balance!

"Grhk—!!"

The impact rattled my bones, a dull ache spreading through my ribs despite the armor.

But I didn't fall.

'Fuck...!'

Gritting my teeth, I caught my balance midair—

Whoosh—

I dove lower, then—

SWISH!! FWISH!!

I sliced apart the vines with two sharp arcs of [Nyx]!

Vine chunks rained down around me.

Swoosh—

I zipped sideways to avoid being caught in them.

But as I was doing that—

"?!"

I felt a presence behind me!

-KIEEE—!!!

It was the Chromaworm again!

BAM!

It erupted from the ground, jaws wide open!

'Shit...!'

I started to twist my body to counter, but then—

-MEEP—!!

BOOM!!

I saw a massive fireball slammed into the worm's side!

"...!"

My eyes widened slightly—I caught a glimpse of Pyro, smiling confidently at me.

-KIEEEEEK—!!

The Chromaworm howled, staggering from the blast.

THUD!!

It crashed onto the ground it loved so much.

And looking at Pyro—

'Thanks, Pyro!'

I shot a quick thought his way.

Though, as I was distracted—

-GRAAAAAHH—!!

The Glittermaw Ape roared in rage and unleashed another stunning sonic wave!

BOOMMMMMM—!!

"Gugh!"

The sound hit me like a hammer, rattling my skull, blurring my vision.

"Fuck...!"

FWOOM—

I bit my tongue hard and blasted my wings desperately, forcing myself to stay airborne.

If I fall now, I'd het caught by them...!

FWOOSH—

I shot upward, gaining distance, gulping down sharp, burning breaths.

I rested for a few seconds away from them.

And looking below me—

I saw the three monsters regrouped, snarling and glaring up at me.

"..."

I narrowed my eyes.

Their bodies were covered in small cuts and burns now—clear signs I was wearing them down.

Pyro had been constantly annoying them with small fireballs too.

But they weren't backing off.

The Chromaworm's scales shifted again—this time to a dull brown, boosting its defense.

SHIIIK—!

The Verdant Maul summoned more vines, wrapping them around its body like armor.

-GRRRR...

And the Glittermaw Ape pulled another explosive fruit from its belt, ready to throw.

Looking at them—

'They're adapting fast...'

I thought of that.

But so was I.

"Hah..."

I smiled a little.

And after that—

BAM!

SWOOOOSH—!!

I dived back down like a falling star!

B O O M—!!

The ground cracked hard under my landing!

S W O O O O S H—!!!

-GURGH...?! 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

-KIEK...!!!

The impact sent a gust of wind blasting outward, knocking the monsters back slightly!

And without hesitation—

BAM!!

I went straight for the Chromaworm, gliding low across the ground with terrifying speed!

-KIEEEEE—!!

WHOOSH—

The worm lunged for me, its jaws flashing, trying to bite me again—

FWIP—

But I sidestepped at the last moment, spinning low—

SLASH!!

And carved a deep wound into its softer underbelly as I avoided its mouth!

-GIIIIIIIIEEEK—!!

The Chromaworm writhed in agony, flailing wildly.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

It smashed into the ground violently!

I moved to follow up and finish it—

But then—

FWISH—!!

A vine shot at me from the side!

"?!"

Fwip—

I raised my arm just in time.

THUNK!!

Then the vine slammed into my forearm, sending a painful jolt through my bones!

"Keuk—!"

SHHHICK—

I slid backward across the ground, but I stayed on my feet.

"Tch."

The armor could tank hits, but I still felt every damn one of them.

At that moment—

-GRAAHH!!

FWOOSH!!

The Glittermaw Ape charged at me, tossing the explosive fruit at point-blank range!

And it exploded immediately—

BOOM—!!

"...!"

Swish—

I crossed my arms and braced against the explosion!

"GAAH!"

The shockwave hurled me backward, my boots skidding across the ground!

BAM!

"Ugh?!"

My back crashed into a tree once.

Swaaa~

Smoke billowed around me.

But as it cleared—

Fwip—

I stood tall again, armor scorched slightly, but still intact.

"..."

My lungs burned.

My muscles ached.

I frowned.

But my blood pumped harder than ever.

'I'm getting used to the armor's abilities now.'

I thought.

And just then—

-GRAAAAAH!!

-KIEEEEEK!!

-GAAAAWL!!

The three monsters snarled, coordinating without words.

The Chromaworm coiled, ready to strike.

The Verdant Maul readied another wall of vines.

The Glittermaw Ape pounded its chest, building up for another stunning roar.

They're planning to end it all in the next clash.

'Good.'

I said in my head.

Because so was I.

And without hesitation, while staring straight at the three mini bosses—

BAM!!

FWOOSH—!!

I flapped my wings hard and surged forward, leaving a trail of fire and wind behind me!

SWAAAAAA—!!

My sword burned brighter.

THUMP- THUMP- THUMP—

My heart roared louder.

-GRAAAAHH!

-GAAAAWL!

-KIIEEEEEK!!!

And as they all glared at me, ready to meet my charge—

I opened my mouth, then—

"[Flash]"

I muttered that.

S L A S H—!!

My whole vision blurred as I swung [Nyx] in a single, devastating horizontal line.

And when my senses came back in a split second...

Tap—

I landed lightly behind the three monsters.

As simple as that.

Fwish—

"..."

I looked back over my shoulder.

The Glittermaw Ape.

The Chromaworm.

The Verdant Maul.

All three stood frozen.

And then, a second later—

SWAAAAAAAAA—!!!

Their bodies caught on fire at once, engulfed in violent flames.

I stared at their burning silhouettes, my hands trembling slightly from the recoil of my last attack.

And looking down on my sword—

"Guess that was too fast."

I whispered, frowning slightly at the sharp pain gnawing at my arms.

It hurt like hell.

THUD—

The three bodies of the mini bosses fell on the ground all at the same time.