Canna's instincts proved correct as he summoned his sword just in time to meet the incoming threat. The village chief's perplexed expression shifted to one of shock as a hulking figure, wielding a massive greatsword, smashed into the hut. The force of the impact was explosive, causing Canna's feet to sink into the ground, leaving craters.
The unknown figure moved with incredible speed, sending a powerful kick to Canna's chest, propelling him out of the hut.
Canna's body crashed through the wall, but he landed on his feet, skidding to a stop in the open area outside. Dust and debris settled around him as he quickly assessed his opponent. The man, covered in tribal tattoos and with an imposing muscular build, emerged from the wreckage, his greatsword held effortlessly in one hand.
"You must be the intruder," the man said, his voice deep and resonant. "I'm Tiberius, the guardian of this village. You have a lot to answer for."
Canna raised his sword, a determined look in his eyes. "I'm Canna Yakane. I'm not here to cause trouble, but it seems we have a misunderstanding to clear up."
Tiberius grinned, a feral glint in his eyes. "We'll see about that."
Without warning, Tiberius lunged forward, his greatsword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Canna met the attack head-on, their swords clashing with a deafening ring. Sparks flew as the two warriors exchanged blows, their movements a blur of speed and power.
Tiberius swung his greatsword in a wide arc, aiming to cleave Canna in two. Canna ducked under the swing, countering with a swift upward slash. Tiberius blocked the strike with the flat of his blade, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the ground.
"You're skilled," Tiberius admitted, his eyes narrowing. "But can you handle this?"
With a guttural chant, Tiberius slammed his hand into the ground. The earth responded to his command, erupting in jagged spikes that shot towards Canna. Canna leaped into the air, his movements swift and agile, narrowly avoiding the deadly spikes. He landed gracefully, then summoned a gust of wind to clear the debris, revealing Tiberius preparing for another attack.
"You're not the only one with tricks," Canna said, his eyes focused.
He raised his hand, calling forth a concentrated blast of wind that surged towards Tiberius. The air howled as the powerful gust struck, forcing Tiberius to brace himself against the onslaught. The wind pushed him back, but he quickly regained his footing, his eyes blazing with determination.
The Shadow Bear, equal in size to a small truck, had fur that seemed to absorb light, giving it a shadowy appearance. Its claws were razor-sharp, capable of tearing through steel. Canna moved with effortless grace, evading the bear's attacks with ease. He studied its movements, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"You're a big one, aren't you?" Canna taunted, dodging another swipe. "Let's see how you handle this!"
Canna summoned a powerful gust of wind, directing it towards the bear. The force of the wind pushed the Shadow Bear back, but it quickly regained its footing, growling menacingly. Canna continued to toy with the creature, using his wind manipulation to keep it off balance.
The bear lunged at Canna, its massive jaws snapping shut inches from his face. Canna sidestepped and delivered a swift kick to its side, sending it stumbling. The Shadow Bear roared in frustration, but Canna's movements were too fast for it to land a decisive blow. Enjoy new adventures at m-v l-novelhall.net
"Is that all you've got?" Canna mocked, dodging another attack. "I expected more from you."
The bear's eyes glowed with fury as it charged once more. This time, Canna was ready. He waited until the last moment, then summoned a concentrated blast of wind that struck the bear square in the chest. The force of the impact sent the creature crashing to the ground, its body skidding across the dirt.
Canna approached the fallen bear, a small smile on his lips. "You've put up a good fight," he said, his voice calm. "Sorry for toying around with you, this is my first time seeing a creature like you after all." Canna then approached the bear and made a contract with it. It was a mid-calamity rank Shadow Bear.
Canna called for Mortem to heal up the bear and to put it in his domain. He wanted to learn more about it later on. He was interested in the fact that the bear's large body blended well in the shadows. He could understand how someone would have trouble trying to kill it. Its skills were suited for the night, and with enough time, it could even become an apex predator.
"Well, that was fun," Canna said, turning to face Tiberius and the others. "Got a pretty interesting bear now."
Tiberius, still in shock from the rapid turn of events, nodded slowly. "You're... really something, stranger."
Canna smiled, walking closely to them. "Thanks. Now, let's get back to that conversation we were having before we were so rudely interrupted."
The villagers, including Tiberius, were shocked at how Canna defeated the Shadow Bear with ease. It was one of the village's greatest threats, a monster capable of camouflaging itself within the dark.
The only reason Canna was able to see the Shadow Bear's attack was because he could see clearly with his dragon eyes. Without them, Canna would have needed to kill the bear due to its danger.