The dense jungle was alive.
Animals roamed freely, moving through the shadows of towering trees.
Sunlight pierced through the thick canopy, casting golden rays across the land.
Birds chirped, their voices echoing throughout the forest.
In the middle of it all…
Medusa and Sota walked side by side.
Sota clung tightly to Medusa's arm.
His hands trembled.
His eyes were shut.
Medusa spoke softly,
"Why are you afraid, Sota?"
Sota stuttered,
"N-no… I'm not scared… I'm just… cold."
Medusa glanced around.
"But it's hot here."
Suddenly—
A distant roar echoed through the jungle.
"Grrrr…!"
Sota immediately hugged Medusa tightly.
His heart pounded violently.
"T-there are lions here…?"
Medusa gently placed a hand on his head.
"You don't need to be afraid. I'm here."
Sota slowly opened his eyes and looked at him.
"But… there could be monsters too…"
Medusa's gaze shifted slightly.
His thoughts deepened.
Monsters… yes. But I need to test him.
Sota looked around nervously.
"H-how long before we leave this place…?"
"Not long," Medusa replied calmly.
Sota let out a shaky breath.
Please… no monsters…
Suddenly—
The wind turned cold.
The sounds of animals began to fade.
One by one… everything went silent.
A heavy pressure filled the air.
Then—
Tham… Tham…
Footsteps.
The ground trembled.
Leaves fell from the trees.
Sota froze completely.
His mind went blank.
Medusa glanced at him briefly… then back into the forest.
Without warning—
He grabbed Sota and leaped into the air.
A second later—
BOOM!
The ground where they stood shattered apart.
From beneath it…
A massive monster emerged.
Its flesh was torn.
Blood dripped endlessly.
Six glowing red eyes stared into the void.
Its mouth opened wide—filled with sharp, blood-covered teeth.
"KHHHAAA—!!!"
The roar shook the entire forest.
Sota covered his ears, trembling.
Medusa spoke coldly,
"Sota… don't close your eyes. Watch me."
"H-haa…"
Medusa placed him safely on a large rock.
"Just watch."
Sota nodded weakly.
Medusa turned toward the monster.
He raised his hand.
From the shadows…
Darkness gathered and formed a sword.
In an instant—
He disappeared.
Then—
SHHIIING!
He appeared before the monster.
The creature attacked with twisted flesh tendrils—
But Medusa moved effortlessly, slicing them apart.
The monster screamed in pain and lashed out again.
Then suddenly—
Pieces of its flesh scattered across the forest.
They landed on animals—
And began to consume them.
One by one…
Animals transformed into monsters.
The peaceful jungle turned into a nightmare.
Sota's eyes widened in horror.
"W-what… is happening…?"
From above, Medusa saw it clearly—
All the monsters were heading toward Sota.
He gently touched his sword.
"Sunless Flame."
Dark fire covered the blade.
In a blink—
He appeared before Sota.
SHUUU—!!
With a single motion—
All approaching monsters were cut down.
Silence.
Medusa glanced at Sota.
"In this situation… panic is useless. Use your mind."
Then he turned again—
And charged.
The monster attacked wildly—
But every strike missed.
In one swift movement—
Medusa severed its arm.
The test begins.
He whispered—
"Divine Exploit."
Darkness spread.
A single slash—
SHUUU—
The monster split in half.
Black flames consumed its body.
Silence returned.
Medusa looked at Sota—
And froze.
Sota… was glowing.
Energy from the monster flowed into him.
His body trembled—
Something inside him had awakened.
The two stared at each other from a distance.
The wind began to move again…
And in Sota's eyes—
A new power was born.