The forest held its breath.

  Richter could feel it—an eerie stillness that settled over the clearing, the kind that didn’t belong in a living, breathing ecosystem. The usual hum of birdsong had faded, the rustle of small creatures in the underbrush had gone silent. Even the wind, which had been threading through the towering branches overhead just moments ago, had stilled like it too was waiting.

  Then came the snap.

  A low, guttural growl rumbled from beyond the tree line. It was deep, vibrating through the ground, sinking into Richter’s bones. Not a warning. A statement. Something massive stirred in the undergrowth, each step sending dull thuds through the sun-dappled earth.

  Jason muttered a curse, gripping his staff tighter. Dave shifted, subtly moving in front of his kids, his shield already sliding into position. Sophie lowered her stance, one hand drifting toward the twin Daggers at her belt.

  And then, it stepped into view.

  A bear. Or at least, something that might have once been a bear.

  It was huge, easily twice the size of a grizzly, its hulking form moving with an unnatural fluidity for something so massive. Patches of its fur were sparse, replaced with bark-like plating that covered its shoulders and forelegs, giving the illusion of armoured flesh. Its eyes—glowing green, unnatural, predatory—locked onto them with an eerie intelligence. The ridges along its back flexed, wooden tendrils shifting beneath the surface, as though the forest itself had moulded this creature into existence.

  As Richter locked eyes with the creature, a faint pulse of energy flickered in his vision. A notification materialized before him, confirming his suspicion—he had an identification skill.

  [Barkskin Bear]

  Rank: F

  Level: 6

  Class: Beast

  Richter knew they stood no chance. "Run!" he shouted. But it was too late. The bear reared onto its hind legs and let out a deafening roar. Yet, it wasn’t just sound—it carried something deeper, something that gripped his gut with cold terror. A wave of unnatural pressure crashed over him, and instinct screamed the truth.

  A Taunt skill.

  They all felt it—running was no longer an option. They had to fight.

  Dave pulled his shield from his back, stepping forward just as the bear dropped to all fours and launched into a full sprint. The ground trembled beneath its massive weight, each footfall leaving deep indentations in the earth, scattering loose soil and uprooting patches of grass. The bark plating along its body rattled like the snapping of brittle branches, the grinding of wood against wood echoing through the clearing. It moved with terrifying momentum, a force of nature barrelling toward them, dust and leaves swirling in its wake.

  Richter’s breath hitched, his heart hammering against his ribs. Every survival instinct screamed at him to flee, but his legs refused to obey. He was paralyzed, locked in place by the taunt. This wasn't just a bear—it was a force beyond anything he had ever encountered. The glowing green eyes bore into him, primal and unrelenting, and for the first time since arriving in this world, Richter truly believed they were no longer on the same world.

  Dave planted his feet firmly, his stance unyielding. A green aura flared around him, wrapping his frame in shimmering energy. Richter’s mind worked fast, drawing from every game he had played—this had to be some kind of stamina-based skill, likely enhancing his resilience for the coming clash.

  Richter knew he had to do something, but what? Panic clawed at his thoughts, his mind racing through the skills he had acquired. Mana Barrier. Could it stop something this massive? He had no choice but to try.

  As the thought formed, so did the sensation—an awareness that hadn't been there before. A wellspring of energy deep within him stirred, pulsing like a second heartbeat. He focused, willing the power to surface, and the response was immediate. Warmth spread through his veins, tingling in his fingertips as an unseen force coalesced at his command.

  Instinct guided him. No words, no gestures—just intent. The mana surged outward, forming a thin, nearly invisible wall in front of Dave. The air shimmered as the barrier took shape, a translucent veil that flickered like heat off sunbaked stone. Just as the bear closed the final distance, its bulk thundering toward them, Richter’s barrier solidified.

  And then, impact.

  The barrier shattered, exploding into a cascade of shimmering blue fragments that scattered like glass before dissolving into nothing mid-air. The force of the impact sent a concussive shockwave through the clearing, kicking up dirt and loose debris. The bear crashed into Dave’s shield with earth-shaking force, its momentum driving deep furrows into the ground as it pushed forward. Dave gritted his teeth, his green aura flickering under the strain. His boots skidded backward, carving trenches into the soil as he braced against the beast’s relentless power. Sweat beaded on his brow, but he held firm. The bear let out a frustrated snarl, its massive claws scraping against the metal, while man and monster locked in a desperate contest of strength.

  Sophie had already positioned herself, moving with a predatory grace as she dashed toward the bear from behind. Her twin blades gleamed in the filtered sunlight, aimed precisely at the beast’s hind leg. She struck with precision, the edge of her blade carving against the bark-like plating. The cut wasn’t deep, but it was enough—the bear let out a pained roar, its massive frame flinching from the unexpected strike. The way Sophie moved, the way her attack flowed seamlessly from one motion to the next, made Richter certain—she wasn’t just swinging blindly. She had fighting proficiency, likely some kind of passive skill augmenting her technique.

  The bear abruptly ceased its struggle against Dave, shifting its massive frame as it reared onto its hind legs. Its massive claws arced through the air, aiming to crush the elusive Sophie, who had been striking at its weak points. But before it could complete the motion, Dave let out a thunderous roar of his own. The force of it rippled through the clearing, a raw, commanding energy that resonated deep in Richter’s chest. It was the same unnatural pull that the bear’s taunt had carried earlier—heavy, unavoidable, absolute.

  Dave had his own taunt skill.

  The bear’s glowing green eyes flickered, its aggression abruptly redirected. It snarled, twisting its bulk toward Dave, answering the challenge. Jason now joined the fight as a blue ball of energy slammed into the side of the bears head, staggering the bear.

  Dave’s shield absorbed blow after blow, each impact sending tremors through his arms, but he held firm. Richter, pushing past his exhaustion, continued summoning Mana Barrier, each translucent wall flickering into existence just in time to intercept the bear’s relentless swings. The barriers cracked and shattered under the sheer force, but they bought Dave precious moments to brace himself.

  Sophie finally drew blood. Her blades struck true, slashing at the same weakened spot she had targeted earlier. Bark and flesh split open, dark ichor seeping from the wound as the bear let out an enraged roar, its movements faltering for a brief moment.

  Richter and Jason saw their opening. Without hesitation, both summoned Mana Bolts, hurling them toward the exposed wound. The twin projectiles streaked through the air, crackling with raw energy. Jason’s bolt surged ahead, its form denser, more stable, the telltale sign of his class advantage as a caster. Richter’s, though weaker, still hit true. The impact sent a pulse of blue light rippling across the injury, the bear reeling backward, its growl turning into something closer to a pained bellow.

  The bear's massive arm swung out, a blur of raw power and brutal force. Dave barely had time to shift before the limb clipped his shoulder. A sickening crunch filled the air. Even though it was just a glancing blow, the sheer force dented the dull metal of his pauldron, sending him stumbling backward. His sword arm dropped limp at his side, the weight of his weapon forgotten as pain contorted his face. His breath came in ragged gasps, sweat dripping down his brow as he struggled to stay upright.

  Richter’s mind raced. If this was a mere grazing hit, then a direct strike would be lethal. A single, clean blow could reduce any one of them to nothing more than a broken heap. Fear clawed at his gut, but it wasn’t just his own mortality that terrified him—it was the stark realization that this fight was hanging by a thread, and the bear had barely begun to show its full strength.

  Dave’s green aura flickered, wavering under the strain, but he gritted his teeth and managed to raise his shield just in time to deflect the next devastating blow. The impact rattled through his frame, his injured shoulder barely holding, but he refused to fall.

  Richter didn’t hesitate. He sprinted forward, weaving Mana Barriers into existence as he ran, each one forming a flickering shield between them and the beast. As he reached Dave’s side, his breath came in ragged gasps, but something deep within him surged to life.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  A faint green glow pulsed from his fingertips, instinct guiding his hands to Dave’s injured shoulder. The moment he made contact, he felt it—the raw damage beneath the armour, the fractured bone struggling to hold together. His mana flowed outward, threading through muscle and sinew, knitting the shattered fragments like an unseen force pulling the pieces into alignment. The sensation was strange, almost magnetic, as if the magic was not only healing but understanding the injury, working to restore what was broken.

  Dave sucked in a sharp breath, the tension in his posture easing slightly. The pain hadn’t vanished, but his arm no longer hung limp—it had stabilized. He gave Richter a quick nod, jaw tight with determination, before raising his shield once more to meet the next attack.

  Richter staggered back, putting distance between himself and the fight, his legs trembling beneath him. A wave of exhaustion crashed over him, his limbs heavy, his vision swimming at the edges. He felt hollow, drained—like something vital had been siphoned from within. That skill had taken more out of him than he had expected.

  His mind reeled, trying to make sense of it. Then, his eyes flickered toward the floating interface. Mana: 4%.

  A cold knot formed in his stomach.

  This wasn’t good. Not good at all.

  Richter remembered the pouch—the System had provided them with precious resources. His fingers fumbled inside, and he immediately noticed something strange. The inside was far larger than the outside, a spatial distortion that reminded him of the TARDIS. It felt like reaching into a deep backpack, far bigger than it should be.

  His fingers brushed against several small vials. How would he know which one was the mana potion? As the thought formed, the answer came instinctively—one vial shot into his grasp as if the pouch itself responded to his intent.

  Pulling the potion free, he uncorked it with a swift motion. The liquid inside was a vibrant, almost luminescent blue, swirling faintly like captured starlight. As he tipped it back, the bitter taste hit immediately, sharp and medicinal, making him scrunch his face in distaste. But the effect was instantaneous.

  A cool wave surged through his veins, washing over his exhaustion like a tide rolling back the shore. His muscles loosened, his vision steadied, and his mana bar blinked back to full. A cooldown timer appeared beneath his mana bar: 1 hour. Richter’s stomach tightened. That meant he couldn’t use another potion for a full sixty minutes. But what if he ignored the cooldown? Would there be consequences? Would the potions share a universal cooldown, or could different types be consumed in succession?

  His mind buzzed with questions, but this wasn’t the time for experimentation. The fight wasn’t over, and distractions could get them killed.

  Dave was clearly struggling, much like Richter had moments ago, as Sophie and Jason maintained their relentless assault. Recognizing his limit, he quickly disengaged, stepping back to create distance. His hand dove into his pouch, retrieving a small green vial—the same hue as the flickering aura surrounding him.

  Richter’s eyes narrowed. A stamina potion.

  Dave uncorked it in one swift motion and downed the contents in a single gulp. Almost instantly, his aura surged back to life, flaring with renewed intensity. The fatigue in his stance lessened, his posture straightened, and his grip on his shield tightened once more. Rejuvenated, he took a steadying breath and reentered the fight.

  Jason and Sophie’s relentless assault finally took its toll. The bear’s massive leg buckled under the accumulated damage, its immense weight shifting uncontrollably. With a deep, guttural groan, the beast collapsed like a tree being felled, the sheer force of its fall sending a shockwave through the ground. A dense cloud of dust and debris exploded into the air, momentarily obscuring everything in a gritty haze. The impact was thunderous, a deep, resounding crash that seemed to shake the very forest around them.

  The group stood frozen in that surreal moment; their breaths heavy as the dust slowly settled around them. Jason was the first to break the silence.

  "Yes!" he shouted, pumping his fist in triumph. "Did you see that? I'm awesome!"

  "Oh, absolutely," Sophie deadpanned, rolling her eyes. "None of us did anything at all. We bow before your almighty greatness, J." She smirked before giving him a firm punch to the upper arm, drawing a startled yelp from the taller boy.

  As the group moved forward, relief settling over them, Richter barely registered their banter. His focus was elsewhere. Something wasn’t right.

  Dave checked the others over, ensuring no one was seriously hurt, but an unease crawled up Richter’s spine. He scanned the fallen bear, his instincts screaming at him. They had missed something.

  And then—it happened.

  The ground beneath the beast fractured, deep cracks forming where its paws pressed into the earth. A primal, ear-splitting roar tore through the clearing, shaking the trees, sending birds screeching into the sky. Its eyes, once glowing green, now blazed crimson, its body pulsing with raw, violent power.

  An enrage skill. It must have triggered when it dropped below a certain health threshold.

  And Richter—was standing far too close.

  The heat radiating from the bear’s body was suffocating, waves of warmth rolling off its massive form like a furnace. The damp, mossy scent of earth and bark filled his nostrils, laced with something more primal—the thick, musky stench of a predator. Every breath he took felt heavy, his chest tightening as the sheer presence of the beast pressed down on him.

  The bear’s labored breaths came in deep, rumbling huffs, each exhale sending a rush of hot, damp air washing over him. Too close. Too close. The thought pounded in his skull, but his body wouldn’t move. The glow of its crimson eyes bore into him, unrelenting, an unspoken promise of the devastation about to unfold.

  A low, guttural snarl rumbled in the bear’s throat, vibrating through the ground beneath Richter’s feet. He could feel it—the sheer power coiling within its limbs, ready to be unleashed. His skin prickled, every hair on his body standing on end as terror wrapped itself around his spine.

  Move.

  But he couldn’t. He was frozen, locked in place by something far worse than the System’s taunt—a raw, instinctive fear, the kind buried deep in the marrow of every prey animal when faced with a predator far beyond its means.

  And then, the bear lunged.

  Richter braced for death, his breath frozen in his lungs. But before the fatal strike could land—something slammed into him with bone-rattling force. Dave.

  Richter was sent flying, tumbling across the dirt as the world blurred around him. Dazed, he barely had time to process what had happened before his vision cleared—just in time to witness the bear’s claws carve into Dave instead.

  The massive talons tore through metal like wet parchment, rending through armour and flesh with horrifying ease. Blood sprayed in a brutal arc, Dave’s body jerking from the sheer impact. His green aura flickered—then vanished.

  Richter’s heart pounded, his pulse a deafening drum in his ears. He wanted to scream, to move, to do something—but his body felt leaden, frozen in the weight of the moment. He could only watch, helpless, as Dave’s breath hitched, his chest rising in a final, shallow gasp. His fingers twitched, his grip loosening around the shield he had fought so hard to hold onto. His legs buckled beneath him, his body sagging as if the very essence of life was being drained away inch by inch.

  For a fleeting second, their eyes met—Dave’s gaze, clouded with pain but filled with an understanding far deeper than words. Then, the light faded. His body slumped, armour clanking dully against the dirt as he crumpled to the ground, unmoving.

  Time seemed to fracture, stretching the moment unbearably. The world blurred at the edges, but the image of Dave falling was seared into Richter’s mind, an irreversible reality.

  And Richter could do nothing but watch.

  Dave had saved him.

  But his sacrifice had been absolute.

  Jason’s scream tore through the clearing, raw and unfiltered, a sound that carried more than just pain—it was loss, grief, and disbelief all tangled together. Richter flinched at the sheer intensity of it. Jason wasn’t just crying out in horror. He was watching his world shatter before his eyes.

  His father was gone.

  Jason stumbled forward, his breaths ragged, his hands shaking at his sides as if unsure whether to reach out for Dave or lash out at the bear that had just taken him. His entire body trembled, locked between the desperate need to act and the crushing weight of helplessness. Richter could see it—the way reality was sinking in, carving itself into Jason’s mind in a way that would never leave.

  The Bear's red gaze locked onto Jason, its muscles tensing as if preparing to charge. But before it could move, Sophie launched herself forward in a frenzied assault. She had just witnessed her father die, but there were no tears—only rage, raw and untamed. Her blades danced, slashing and striking with a desperate, relentless fury. Each hit chipped away at the beast’s defences, forcing it back inch by inch.

  Richter barely registered Jason’s sobs—there was no time. He focused everything on the fight, summoning mana bolt after mana bolt, each one searing through the air, hammering into the beast’s hide. Sophie and Richter moved in perfect rhythm, their attacks synchronized, the bear’s red aura flickering and fading. They were going to do it.

  Then, it happened.

  Sophie’s foot caught on uneven ground, twisting at an unnatural angle. She faltered—just for a fraction of a second—but it was enough. The bear’s massive claw swung out in a brutal, sweeping arc.

  Her body staggered, her eyes flicking down to the bleeding stump where her arm had been. The realization hit her all at once—she had made a mistake. Her mouth opened, her breath shuddering, but the shock stole her voice. A strangled sound escaped her lips, somewhere between a gasp and a whimper, as her knees buckled beneath her. Pain hadn’t even fully set in yet—only the horror of what came next.

  Her gaze, wide with shock, lifted toward Richter. For the briefest moment, their eyes met—something unspoken, something desperate passing between them. A silent plea? A final regret? There was no time to know.

  The bear’s final strike came down.

  The world seemed to slow, but there was no stopping it. A blur of motion, a devastating impact—and then nothing.

  Her body collapsed beside her father, lifeless before she even hit the ground.

  Now, only three remained—the bear, Richter, and Jason. The fight had to end.

  Richter’s pulse thundered in his ears as he raised his hand, mana crackling at his fingertips. A Mana Bolt seared through the air, striking the bear’s head just as it took a sluggish step toward him. Its once-blazing red aura had faded to a flicker, a mere shadow of its former power.

  The beast let out a final, guttural grunt as two more Mana Bolts slammed into its skull. Its massive frame swayed, legs trembling under its own weight. One last step. One last breath. Then, with a slow, staggering collapse, the bear toppled backward, sending a deep thud through the clearing as it crashed into the earth.

  The world seemed to hold its breath.

  A notification flashed in Richter’s vision

  You have slain [Barkskin Bear – Level 6]

  The fight was over. The system confirmed it. The bear was dead. But as Richter stood there, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his brow, he couldn’t feel anything close to victory. Not with Dave and Sophie lying lifeless in the dirt. Not with Jason silent beside him, staring at the bodies as if refusing to believe what he saw. The fight was over.