[Bonus chapter]Death, death, death.....

With blinding speed, I bolted towards the monster, my every movement a blur. My command over the elements fueled my attacks with untamed power.

Fire erupted from my fingertips, weaving into a pattern of swirling flames. The scorching heat engulfed the monster, searing its fur and sending tendrils of smoke into the frigid air. The beast howled in agony, its painful screams echoing through the forest.

I jumped away from the monster, readying myself for the next attack. Using the surroundings to my advantage, I formed tendrils of ice that ensnared the monster's limbs. The frozen restraints immobilized its movements, leaving it vulnerable to my onslaught.

With the power of my aura strengthening my body, I shot forward sword in hand, aiming for its hind legs. My sword struck down, undeterred by anything around it, slicing through the flesh like a hot knife through butter, prompting a loud howl from the monster.

Using the wind to propel my sword, my strikes hit with greater force, speed and precision than ever before. Each swing of my sword cleaved through the air with a ferocity that matched the beast's own savagery. The combined might of my swordplay and elemental magic unleashed a symphony of destruction upon the monster.

As the battle unfolded, it became apparent that the creature was no match for my relentless assault. Its roars of defiance were drowned out by its agonized screams. With each strike, I chipped away at its strength and resolve, wearing down its defenses until it could offer little resistance.

The monster's once-intimidating gaze began to waver, a flicker of fear replacing its initial ferocity. It realized that it was facing an adversary unlike any it had encountered before. It roared one final time, a desperate attempt to assert dominance, but it was a futile gesture.

With a final, decisive strike, I landed a blow that severed the beast's connection to its savage existence. It fell to the ground, its massive body crashing with a resounding thud.

The forest air was once again filled with silence, broken only by the sound of my labored breaths.

I stood before the fallen monster, my body marked with scratches and bruises, but triumphant. The battle had been fierce, but to me, it had felt almost effortless. The combined forces of fire, water, wind and my swordsmanship had proven too much for the creature to withstand.

As I wiped the sweat from my brow and cleaned my sword, the surrounding forest stood witness to my triumph. I breathed in the crisp air, but as I stood there, a lingering question tugged at the corners of my mind. How did so many wolves come rushing towards us with such bloodlust and without provocation?

Momentarily lost in thought, I was brought back to reality by Garreth, who finally descended from his tree-top abode.

"Good work," he acknowledged, his voice laced with a hint of grudging admiration.

"Thank you, but the job is not finished. We need to keep moving," I replied, my sense of urgency still intact.

"Hold on, kid. You just fought a big battle. Take some time to rest. Salvage what you can from the monsters you've killed and we'll break for an hour," Garreth suggested, his voice betraying a rare sense of concern.

"Salvage? I have nowhere to put them," I retorted, my skepticism clear.

"You can store them in my bracelet, for a fee of course," Garreth offered, a sly grin creeping across his face.

"Whatever," I responded dismissively, realizing that I had little choice in the matter.

With a brief pause to salvage the valuable parts from the fallen monsters and store them in Garreth's storage ring, we ventured further into the eerie woods. Hours passed and we encountered occasional monsters along the way, each one met with swift and decisive action. I dispatched them with calculated strikes, gathering valuable resources from their remains, which were promptly stored away.

As we trotted through the cold, moonlit forest, its very atmosphere seemed to pulse with hidden dangers. But we pressed on, undeterred by the lurking creatures that sought to challenge us.

Finally, as night fell and exhaustion started to weigh upon us, we decided to make camp in a secluded area. With a wave of my hand, I summoned earth magic to construct a simple fort, a structure that would provide us with the necessary amenities for the night. A bed made of compacted soil, a fireplace to ward off the chill and a makeshift cooking area.

With the fire crackling and the aroma of cooked rabbit filling the air, I savored my meager meal.

After bidding Garreth goodnight, I retired to my bed within the earthy shelter, ready to succumb to much-needed rest.

But as sleep began to claim me, my senses alerted me to a presence within a 50-meter radius. My eyes darted around, scanning the darkness for any signs of intrusion. Garreth lay motionless, seemingly lost in deep slumber.

Curiosity piqued, I cautiously stepped out of my makeshift structure and moved toward the source of the commotion in the nearby bushes. It was then that I saw a peculiar sight—an innocent snake being devoured by the petals of a mandrake, a sentient plant known for its dangerous nature.

My instinct urged me to turn back, recognizing that the situation posed no immediate threat. But as I took a step away, a sudden movement caught the corner of my eye. Something was lurking, cautiously waiting for me to let down my guard.

With reflexes honed by training and instinct, I summoned ice magic in my right hand and fire magic in my left. The two contrasting elements swirled and crackled with energy as I prepared for an imminent confrontation.

Without warning, a fire javelin propelled towards the lurking monster with blinding speed, catching it off guard and causing it to emit a shrill shriek of pain.

The monster emerged from the shadows, its menacing form revealing a creature that thrived in darkness. Its head, neck and tail mimicked that of a serpent, while its hands and feet resembled those of a tortoise. Spikes protruded from its back, ready to skewer its prey. It was a peluda.

My sword lay trapped in the makeshift hut and I needed it as soon as possible. Using wind magic, I blasted the doors open and wrapped the sword in a blanket of air and pulled it towards me. As my sword materialized in my hand, I turned to face the peluda.

Its malevolent gaze met mine, an unspoken challenge passing between us. Ready to deliver the ugly beast to the God of Death, I prepared for the battle that lay before me.

But before engaging in combat, I shot a glance at Garreth, who I knew was awake despite his earlier pretense. "I know you're awake," I stated with a firm resolve. "When I kill this thing, we're going to need to talk about you attracting monsters with your bloodlust."

Garreth said nothing in response, his smirk serving as an acknowledgment of my words. He found another tree to perch upon, settling in to enjoy the imminent battle that was about to unfold.

With sword in hand and magic at the ready, I focused my energy, preparing to face the peluda.