But to the villagers, it was everything.
He was a stranger, bound to them by neither blood nor obligation. He had no duty to fight for them, no promise to protect them—yet he stood at the forefront, bearing the greatest risk without hesitation.
To them, that was the very definition of selflessness.
A hero.
And for that, Wu Chen had earned their deepest respect.
But Just as Wu Chen neared the end of the horde, a deafening roar shattered the night.
The ground quaked beneath his feet, and a gust of unnatural wind tore through the battlefield as trees at the forest's edge were violently uprooted—cleared aside as if by the hand of some ancient god.
Then it emerged.
The boss creature.
Towering above the others, it radiated raw, oppressive power. Its hulking form was wreathed in a shadowy aura that distorted the very air around it, as though reality itself recoiled from its presence.
From its aura alone, it appears to be a Level 5—how shocking. A creature of that caliber is a nightmare for any opponent. Even more so for Wu Chen, who is only a Level 2 Top-Tier cultivator. This is, without a doubt, the most powerful creature he has ever faced.
The sheer difference in strength was staggering, and for the first time since the start of the battle fear crept into his heart. Could he survive this encounter, much less emerge victorious?
The creature eyes burned with a malevolent glow—cold, calculating, and filled with primal hatred. Each step it took shook the earth. Its claws, long as swords, gleamed with lethal sharpness, leaving gashes in the soil wherever they scraped.
Wu Chen's body instinctively tensed. His breath caught for just a moment—not from fear, but from the sheer weight of the creature's presence. It was like staring into the abyss.
This wasn't a mindless beast.
It was something more.
Something ancient.
Something deadly.
But still, Wu Chen stepped forward.
What else was there to do?
There was no turning back now. Even if he wanted to retreat—where would he go? Behind him lay a village counting on him. Ahead, a beast that threatened to destroy everything.
This wasn't a choice. It was a necessity.
Either he brings the creature down…
Or it would be the end of him.
So he raised his spearhead, the blade gleaming with quiet resolve beneath the moonlight. His eyes locked onto the monster's without flinching.
He said nothing.
There was no need.
The battle had already begun.
The creature let out a low, menacing growl, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied Wu Chen.
Though it couldn't speak, its gaze was sharp and calculating, filled with a primal intelligence. Wu Chen could almost sense its thoughts.
its confidence, its disdain. It was as if the creature was silently mocking him, its expression conveying a clear message: 'You weakling, you dare to face me?'.
And truth be told, it had every right to think so. In sheer power, Wu Chen was vastly outmatched.
But Wu Chen didn't flinch. He stood firm, his breathing steady and his mind razor-sharp. He didn't need words to understand the challenge before him.
The creature's posture, its predatory glare, and the way it loomed over him told him everything he needed to know. This would be a fight that pushed him to his limits, perhaps even beyond.
But Wu Chen didn't dwell on doubt. His focus was absolute. The villagers were counting on him, and failure wasn't an option.
So he tightened his grip on his weapon, his body coiled like a spring, ready to unleash everything he had.
The creature might have confidence, but Wu Chen had a purpose.
Without hesitation, the creature lunged at Wu Chen with a feral snarl, its massive claws slicing through the air like jagged blades.
Wu Chen sidestepped—just barely. His instincts screaming as the razor-edged talons grazed past his ribs, close enough to feel the wind of their passage. Despite anticipating the attack, the creature's speed was overwhelming. Even knowing where it would strike, he could scarcely react in time. The claws missed him by mere inches the ground where he had stood erupted in a spray of dirt and stone, shredded as easily as parchment.
His heart hammered, but his body moved before thought could catch up, With a sharp twist of his body, he retaliated—his spear flashing like a streak of silver lightning, aiming to pierce the creature's thick, scaly hide.
But to his shock, when the blade struck, it was like hitting a solid iron. It skidded harmlessly off the beast's armor-like flesh, The impact shuddered up his arms, the edge failing to bite, as if the creature's hide had turned his weapon to dull scrap.
Worse still, the close range of his strike left him exposed.
The realization came a little late. His attack had brought him within the monster's killing range, and the creature seized the moment.
With a roar, it slashed at him in a savage arc, claws swinging like swords—merciless and fast, a blur of motion like a wolverine's frenzy.
Wu Chen's instincts screamed. He threw himself backward, retreating the moment his strike failed, the deadly claws raked the air just shy of his throat.
He felt the heat of its breath, the nearness of death like a shadow against his skin. A fraction slower, and those talons would have split him open.
He landed in a crouch, sweat slicking his grip on the spear. The creature didn't press forward—not yet. It watched him, eyes gleaming with something almost like amusement.
Was it toying with him?.
Another split second had saved him.
Again.
This isn't good, Wu Chen thought, his heart pounding like a war drum. How long can I keep this up?
Twice now, death had brushed past him—far too close for comfort. The chill of it still clung to his skin, and for the second time, a flicker of unease crept into his chest. He didn't like this—being pushed to the edge, dancing so near the jaws of death.
It wasn't about fear but been realistic, one mistake. Just one… and it would all be over.
Wu Chen knew—if he didn't find a way to turn this fight around, any of the future strike could be the last