Final Life Online-Chapter 248: Sun Island XVIII

As they climbed higher, the trees grew shorter and the air became cooler. Loose stones shifted under their boots, and the path narrowed until only one person could walk at a time.

Puddle floated ahead, pointing excitedly at anything that caught its attention. "Look! Rock shaped like fish! Look! Tiny lizard!"

Caria rolled her eyes but smiled. "At least someone’s having fun."

After another hour of walking, the group reached a small flat area overlooking a deep valley. Rhys paused, taking in the view. "We’re getting close to the first ridge."

Lyra crouched near a set of tracks in the dirt. "Something big passed through here. Recently."

Aria stepped beside her. "How big?"

Lyra pressed her fingers to the ground. "At least twice my size. Heavy steps. Maybe a beast... or something guarding this area."

Sophia looked nervous but steady. "Do we avoid it or check it out?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Rhys took a moment to think. "We’ll be careful. If it’s a threat, we handle it. If not, we stay out of its way."

Caria cracked her knuckles. "I vote we handle it."

"Of course you do," Lyra muttered.

They continued forward, following the tracks deeper into the mountains. The path curved around a large boulder, and Puddle suddenly stopped mid-air.

"Wait! Something ahead!"

The team froze.

A low rumbling sound echoed from behind the next ridge. Stones trembled under their feet. Rhys raised his sword.

Aria whispered, "Something’s coming."

The rumble grew louder—closer.

Then, from around the corner, a huge shape stepped into view.

A mountain beast, covered in thick stone-like armor, with glowing blue cracks running across its body. It stood taller than any of them, its breath misting in the cold air.

It stared at the group.

Sophia swallowed. "Okay... that’s big."

Caria grinned. "Finally."

Rhys lifted his blade. "Get ready. Stay together."

Puddle floated behind Rhys, eyes wide. "Very big... very shiny... Puddle scared but excited!"

The beast lowered its head, preparing to charge.

Rhys tightened his grip.

"Everyone—here we go."

The first challenge of their new journey had arrived.

The mountain beast scraped its heavy feet against the rocks, lowering its head even more. The glowing blue cracks along its body brightened like they were heating up.

Rhys stepped forward. "Stay calm. Watch its movements."

The beast snorted, sending small pebbles rolling down the path.

Then it charged.

"Move!" Rhys shouted.

The group split to both sides as the beast thundered past, smashing into the boulder behind them and cracking it in half.

Caria didn’t wait. She rushed in with her axe. "My turn!"

She swung, hitting the beast’s side—but the stone armor was tough. The impact left only a shallow mark.

Lyra slipped behind it and slashed at its legs. "Aim for the glowing cracks! That’s the weak spot!"

Aria raised her hands, sending a wave of wind that pushed the beast slightly off balance. "I’ll slow it!"

Sophia followed with a burst of light magic. The glowing cracks reacted, flickering from the hit.

Puddle floated nervously in circles. "Puddle help! Puddle help!"

Then it shot out a Water Jet at the beast’s face.

The beast roared and shook its head wildly.

Rhys used the opening. He rushed toward one of the large cracks across its shoulder and brought down his sword with all his strength.

A loud CRACK echoed through the ridge.

The beast stumbled, one of its stone plates breaking apart.

"It’s working!" Sophia said.

But the beast wasn’t done. It swung its massive tail, hitting the ground hard. The shockwave knocked Caria and Lyra back.

Aria pulled them up quickly. "Careful! Stay clear of its tail!"

The beast reared up and slammed both front legs down. The ground shook again.

Rhys steadied himself. "Focus the weak spots! We take it down together—now!"

Caria charged again, aiming for a leg crack. Lyra followed, striking the same spot. Aria and Sophia supported them with wind and light blasts.

Puddle floated behind Rhys. "Puddle do big help! Big help!"

A bright glow surrounded the little creature.

Then—

Gleaming Halo!

A soft golden ring appeared around the group, healing their small injuries and boosting their strength.

Rhys grinned. "Perfect timing!"

With the extra support, he jumped forward, blade ready. He aimed at the largest glowing crack on the beast’s chest.

The beast roared and tried to charge again, but Aria pushed against it with a strong blast of wind.

Lyra shouted, "Rhys—now!"

Rhys slammed his sword into the crack with everything he had.

The crack spread...

widened...

and then shattered.

The beast let out one last roar before collapsing onto the ground, its blue glow fading.

Silence followed.

Caria let out a breath. "That was amazing."

Lyra wiped her forehead. "And dangerous."

Sophia nodded. "But we won."

Aria smiled softly. "Together."

Puddle floated in circles, proud. "Puddle help! Puddle shiny support!"

Rhys put his sword away and looked at the fallen beast. "Good work, everyone. If this is the first challenge out here... the rest of the mountains will be tough."

Caria grinned. "Bring it on."

The team stepped past the fallen beast, continuing up the mountain path—stronger than before, and ready for whatever came next.

As the group walked farther up the trail, the air grew colder and thinner. The path became steeper, with jagged rocks on either side. The wind whistled through the cliffs, carrying the distant cries of unseen creatures.

Puddle floated close to Rhys now, still excited but more cautious. "Big monster down... maybe bigger one ahead?"

Caria laughed. "I hope so."

Lyra gave her a look. "No, we do not hope so."

After a short climb, they reached a narrow ridge where the ground flattened out just enough for them to rest. Rhys checked the surroundings. "This looks like a good spot to take a break."

They sat on the rocks, catching their breath. The huge valley below looked peaceful—completely different from the danger they had just faced.

Sophia rubbed her hands together. "That beast wasn’t normal. Those glowing cracks... maybe it was connected to the mountain somehow."

Aria nodded. "It felt like the magic inside it was unstable."

Rhys looked up the trail. "We should stay alert. There might be more creatures like it."