Let's Train Heroine

Chapter 236: Heroine's Love Rival Adventure 4

For a moment, the forest fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly as the demon's body lay still. Julia and Rina stood side by side, breathing heavily, their bodies tense with adrenaline. Hima lowered her staff, eyes wide with disbelief, while Olive remained vigilant, scanning the treeline for any signs of further danger.

"Did… did we really just kill it?" Hima asked, her voice shaky. "It was massive!"

"It's not dead until we make sure," Olive replied, her black eyes sharp and focused. She stepped cautiously toward the demon, moving with the practiced grace of a predator. She kept her knives ready, poised for any sudden movement.

Julia nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on the demon's still form. "Stay alert. This could be a trick."

Rina, still gripping her sword, leaned forward, studying the creature. "It looks defeated," she said, but her voice held an edge of uncertainty. "But we've seen things before that could come back from worse."

As they approached the demon, the forest seemed to thrum with energy, the shadows flickering as if responding to their presence. Julia felt a chill race down her spine. "We need to get away from here. I don't trust it, and I don't like how this feels."

Suddenly, the demon's body convulsed, and a low growl emanated from its throat. The sound reverberated through the air, sending a wave of fear coursing through Julia and her team.

"Back!" Rina shouted, stepping in front of Julia, her massive sword raised defensively.

But the demon's form began to shift. The black ooze pooling around it surged, coiling like smoke, and it rose back to its feet, its eyes glowing with a sickly light. The wounds they had inflicted now oozed a corrosive mist, and the creature let out a roar that shook the trees, echoing with a terrible hunger.

"Damn it!" Julia swore, gripping her sword tightly. "It's not finished!"

Hima quickly gathered her magic, channeling the elements around her. "I'll try to hold it back! Get ready!"

As the demon charged, Hima thrust her staff forward, summoning a wall of fire to block its path. The flames roared to life, engulfing the space between them and the creature. For a moment, it hesitated, the heat of the fire forcing it to retreat.

"Now, Julia!" Rina shouted, lunging toward the demon as Hima's fire created a temporary barrier. Julia followed closely behind, her heart racing as she prepared to strike.

"Olive, flank it!" Julia commanded, knowing the assassin's speed was crucial in this fight. Olive nodded and slipped into the shadows, her movements silent as she darted around the demon, searching for an opening.

The demon shrieked, thrashing against the flames, its elongated claws slashing wildly through the air. It seemed more enraged than before, its anger boiling over as it swiped at Rina, who barely managed to dodge the strike.

"Rina! Watch out!" Hima cried, launching shards of ice toward the demon, aiming for its legs. The ice struck true, but the demon merely howled in fury, shaking off the attack with a terrifying vigor.

Julia seized the opportunity, her magic sword glowing brighter as she leaped forward. She aimed for the demon's torso, hoping to land a decisive blow. The blade struck with a powerful clang, but the demon twisted, avoiding the full force of the attack.

"Keep it distracted!" Julia yelled, pushing herself to stay on her feet. The demon lunged at her, but Rina intercepted, blocking the claws with her sword. The force of the impact sent her staggering back, but she held her ground.

Olive re-emerged from the shadows, her knives glinting in the dim light. She darted forward, aiming for the demon's exposed flank. "This way, you ugly beast!" she taunted, her voice low and deadly.

The demon turned, its eyes locking onto Olive with a furious intensity. It lunged again, but this time, she was ready. With a swift movement, she ducked beneath its swipe, launching a series of precise strikes with her knives.

"Olive, look out!" Hima warned as the demon swung its massive arm in her direction.

But Olive was already rolling away, quick as a shadow, avoiding the blow. She sprang to her feet, but the demon was relentless, following her with a feral speed.

"Enough games!" Rina shouted, her patience waning. "We need to end this now!" With a fierce roar, she charged at the demon, her sword raised high.

"Rina, wait!" Julia called out, but it was too late. Rina collided with the demon, the two clashing in a frenzy of strikes and counterattacks. Rina's sword struck with powerful blows, but the demon's resilience was unnerving.

The demon, now enraged, retaliated with a clawed swipe that connected with Rina's side, knocking her to the ground. She gasped in pain, the impact causing her to momentarily lose her grip on her sword.

"Rina!" Hima shouted, casting another spell, the air crackling with energy. "Get back!"

As Rina struggled to regain her footing, Julia could feel the weight of fear pressing down on her. "We have to focus our attacks!" she shouted, rallying her team. "Hima, can you hold it?"

"Just give me a moment!" Hima replied, breathing heavily as she gathered her energy.

The demon, sensing their hesitation, roared and lunged at Julia. She barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the creature's claws sliced through the air where she had just been standing.

"Now, Olive!" Julia yelled, spotting an opening as the demon focused on her.

With swift determination, Olive darted in, throwing her knives with deadly accuracy. The blades struck the demon's eyes, causing it to howl in agony.

"Good shot!" Julia exclaimed, seizing the moment to strike. She rushed in, her sword glowing as she aimed for the exposed flesh beneath the demon's arm.

The blade sank deep, and for a moment, the creature seemed stunned.

"It's working! Keep going!" Rina encouraged, now back on her feet and swinging her sword with renewed vigor.

But as they pressed their advantage, the demon's body began to convulse again, the black ooze swirling violently around it.

"No! It's not done yet!" Hima shouted, panic creeping into her voice. She raised her staff, preparing to unleash a powerful spell.

"Get back!" Julia yelled, retreating as the demon let out a horrific roar.

The forest trembled with the force of the sound, and suddenly, the ground beneath them began to shake. Roots and branches surged upward, twisting like serpents, attempting to ensnare the girls.

"Rina! Help!" Hima cried, trying to stabilize her spell as she struggled against the writhing vines.

"Stay together!" Rina commanded, swinging her sword to sever the roots that lunged at them.

In the chaos, Olive moved swiftly, her knives flashing as she cut through the thick vines. "We can't let it take us!" she shouted, her voice steady amidst the turmoil.

Julia gritted her teeth, adrenaline fueling her movements. "Hima, focus! We need your magic to fight this thing!"

"I'm trying!" Hima grunted, her energy waning as she fought against the demon's power. "If it keeps this up, I won't be able to hold it!"

"Then let's end it now!" Julia urged, her heart pounding. "All of us together!"

They formed a tight circle, focusing their energies as Hima channeled her magic. "On three!" Julia instructed. "One… two… three!"

As one, they unleashed their combined might—their magic converging into a brilliant beam that shot toward the demon. The light illuminated the dark forest, pushing back the shadows that clung to the trees.

The demon roared, its body thrashing violently as the magic struck, engulfing it in blinding light. The force of the blast sent shockwaves through the air, causing the ground to quake beneath their feet.

"Hold your ground!" Rina shouted, her voice firm as they braced themselves against the backlash.

For a moment, it seemed as though the demon might break free. But then, the combined power of their magic overwhelmed it. The light exploded outward, the demon's form disintegrating into a mass of black mist and smoke.

As the smoke cleared, the forest fell silent once more. Julia blinked, her heart racing as she processed what had just happened.

"We… we did it?" Hima breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rina sheathed her sword, breathing heavily. "Let's not celebrate just yet. We need to ensure it's really gone."

Olive stood still, her expression unreadable as she scanned the area for any signs of danger. "We should move. There may be others."

Julia nodded, though the weight of what they had faced hung heavily on her shoulders. "Let's regroup and head back to the village. We need to tell others."