KiAera swiftly averted her gaze to Boggorc who croaked a sinister melody, his bulbous eyes gleaming with malevolent glee. "Impressive, Mearcritt KiAera… truly impressive. But while you were busy showing off, I've been making my own moves."

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Creature: Boggorc the Boarbogrunt

  Faux Nym: Boggorc

  Brief description: greater frog-boar monster.

  APeX: [13530 Units]

  Attributes: [Terra] [Brawl] [Aqua]

  Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)

  Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Boggorc's Parameters:

  STR Parameter: [4800]

  DEF Parameter: [4800]

  PWR Parameter: [50]

  WIL Parameter: [50]

  RES Parameter: [2000]

  SPD Parameter: [1830]

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  KiAera's ears twitched, and her heart sank as she turned toward her companions.

  Boggorc stood among them, grinning. He gestured a hoof toward Saptal and Sapshorla, who were frozen in place, their bodies bound by a strange, viscous substance.

  Before KiAera could react, Boggorc pressed a heavy, cloven hoof onto Big Osseod, pinning the squeaking creature to the ground. The Osseod let out a pained squeak as Boggorc's throat began to inflate like a frog's.

  "Boggorc..." KiAera flexed her claws. "Let them go."

  "Or what, little bunny? You'll try to stop me?" Boggorc sneered. "You might've bested Mina, but I've got the real prize."

  His gaze flicked to Mina's prone form. The Minokaurbo was unconscious, sprawled across the frozen ground.

  KiAera's flames surged, her body tensing as she glared at the Boarbogrunt again. "Let them go, Boggorc. Or else you'll suffer the same fate as her."

  "Oh, I will. But only after you've shown me what else you’re capable of. Or… you can surrender, and I'll let them walk free. Your choice, bunny."

  "Fine," KiAera lifted a hand as flames coiling around it. "You want a fight? Then come at me. But you're going to regret underestimating us."

  Boggorc's laughter was a guttural, bubbling sound as he removed his hoof from Big Osseod, sending the creature rolling aside like discarded rubble. "Very well. Show me what you've got, little hero."

  "KiAera be careful with that one," Saptal called out.

  KiAera didn't wait for an invitation, but kept Saptal's warning in mind. She shot forth, her wings propelling her like a missile. Her talons extended, glowing with icy flames as she aimed for Boggorc's inflated throat.

  Boggorc anticipated the attack. With a sharp croak, he leaped back, his powerful legs sending him soaring over her strike. Mid-air, his throat swelled further, and he spewed a volley of globules toward her.

  KiAera twisted, her wings snapping open to carry her above the onslaught. The globules she evaded splattered against the ground, spreading across the stone.

  "Cute little tricks you've got, rabbit. But let me show you what real power looks like."

  His legs twisted grotesquely, the sinews and muscles contorting as they coiled into spring-like shapes. With a sickening snap, he launched himself into the air, his tusks spinning like drills.

  "Shit!" KiAera dove to the side, her wings beating furiously to carry her out of his path. The air whistled as Boggorc's tusks grazed her. He landed with a thunderous crash, the impact sending debris flying.

  "He's… fast,” KiAera said, grimacing from the wound on her ear. She turned, only to see Boggorc coiling his legs once more.

  Her instincts screamed, and she spun just in time to witness him kick the air with explosive force, propelling himself toward her once again. His head was lowered, his tusks gleaming as they spun violently.

  KiAera twisted her body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the devastating head crash. The wind from his attack roared past her, cutting through the mist like a blade.

  She glanced at the faint shimmer around Boggorc's form. The strange aura radiating from him was unlike anything she'd seen before.

  ??. .?? ?? Danger ?? ??. .??

  Boggorc the Boarbogrunt's (Battle Bonus):

  ?? [Common] vs [Uncommon]:

  ★ 1.25x Power Boost

  APeX Power: [13530 Units] > [16913 Units]

  ??. .?? ?? Danger ?? ??. .??

  Boggorc the Boarbogrunt's (Battle Bonus):

  ?? [Faux Nym] Blessing:

  ★ 1.5x Power Boost

  APeX Power: [16913 Units] > [25369 Units]

  ??. .?? ?? Danger ?? ??. .??

  GamaGen's teachings echoed in her mind: "Faux Nyms are deceptive by nature. They, the false name, grant their bearer abilities far beyond their apparent limit… heed such bearers."

  "Think you've seen all I've got, critter?" Boggorc sneered, his legs snapping back into their spring-like form. "I'll grind you and your little friends into mulch."

  He launched himself into the air once again.

  KiAera braced herself. No choice but to take a risk.

  This time, as Boggorc lunged, KiAera didn't dodge. She held her ground, her wings spreading wide as her flames spiraled around her. At the last second, she launched herself upward, her talons blazing furiously with the icy-blue of her [Spectral Flame].

  Boggorc's tusks missed her by mere inches, his momentum carrying him forward uncontrollably.

  KiAera flipped in the air and struck Boggorc with a powerful kick, her [LeapLeap Kick] amplified by her [Spectral Flame]. The impact sent him hurtling backward, crashing into the remains of a shattered pillar.

  Next up! Her wings folded tightly as she dove straight down. Her talons struck the ground with seismic force, creating a fissure that raced toward Boggorc. The ground beneath him split open, throwing him off balance.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Taking advantage of his stumble, KiAera landed behind him, her claws crackling with frosty fire. She thrust her talons forward, freezing his spring-like legs in place with a surge of [Spectral Flame]. The frost crawled up his limbs, immobilizing him as he let out a pained bellow.

  Boggorc turned, his throat inflating slightly as he barked a guttural laugh. "You're all bark and no bite! Your puny attacks hit like feathers. You can't beat me as you are!"

  He's right, not as I am now. I can't even damage him much, but…

  ??. .??

  KiAera's Status

  ?? [Uncommon] Particles of the unconscious Minokaurbo gained…

  Siphoning from [Common] to [Uncommon]. Progress: 94% → 100%

  Evolution from [Common] to [Uncommon]. Prerequisite to ascend have been met. Confirm Evolution into an [Uncommon]?

  ??. .??

  A smile formed on KiAera's lips. "You're right, Boggorc. Not as I am now."

  She focused on the particles that danced around her body, willing them to merge. There was a sense of vertigo, and the world shifted for a brief moment. The sensation sent ripples within her as she could feel her Mearcritt form shift.

  She opened her eyes and flexed her claws—they were no longer ice-white, but a deeper hue. She felt stronger, her movements no longer weighed down by the limitations of her [Common] Mearcritt form.

  "You… you evolved into an [Uncommon] in the midst of battle," Boggorc's eyes bulged. "That's impossible."

  "You shouldn't underestimate me," KiAera said, a smug smirk playing on her lips. She flexed her talons. "Now, let's see how you deal with this."

  With a swift leap, she was airborne, her wings beating furiously as she rose.

  Boggorc watched her ascend, his throat inflating as he spat a volley of blobs toward her.

  KiAera extended a paw as the rings on her tail spun rapidly. The touch of her paw pads against the air created an orb of fire that transformed into water and then became a bubble of ice that shielded her from Boggorc's globules. The mucus splattered against her icy sphere, the foul substance running off harmlessly.

  KiAera continued to climb until the mist had fully obscured her. Then, she folded her wings and fell, her body becoming a blur as she plummeted toward the stunned Boggorc.

  "You're done, Boggorc!"

  Boggorc smirked. "Oh? Let's not get conceited now, Merecritt KiAera. You're still inferior." He lunged with tremendous force, his tusks spinning violently. KiAera moved as the centerpiece of the ice sphere and controlled it to meet the attack. The impact was deafening, sending a shockwave rippling through the ruins.

  As the dust settled, it was revealed that the sphere had survived unscathed, the surface bearing only a few cracks. Boggorc was caught in its center, plunged in flaming water.

  "Wh-what?! How?!" Boggorc's eyes widened in disbelief.

  KiAera appeared from outside the ice sphere. Her eyes glowed faintly, the tips of her ears flickering with flame. "You fell for the bait, Boggorc. I may not be able to deal damage, but I can immobilize you."

  "I-Impossible," Boggorc choked out. "You… You're not a common bunny, are you?"

  KiAera smirked as she ascended into the sky, rising higher and higher above, with the ice sphere floating close behind. Her flames were dimming, her reserves running low. "It doesn't matter who or what I am. I'm here to protect my companions."

  The sphere hovered above her. She touched the ice once more, the rings on her tail spinning as her flames ignited anew. She channeled her remaining firepower into the orb, the temperature rising rapidly as it began to melt.

  "If you won't listen to reason, then you leave me no choice." She was now above the troposphere. The air was thinning, but the sphere remained intact, its surface glowing red hot.

  Boggorc's eyes widened. "Wh-what are you doing, critter?"

  "I'm going to end this," KiAera said. "It's time for you to learn the meaning of regret."

  With a final burst of energy, she unleashed her attack, the searing-hot ice falling toward the frozen battlefield below. Boggorc roared as he descended at breakneck speed from the stratosphere, the icy meteor following him.

  He collided with the ground, the force of the impact shattering his icy prison. He was sent flying, the skin of his hide crumbling. He rolled several meters before coming to a halt.

  "Ugh..." Boggorc struggled to his feet, his body trembling from the pain.

  He looked up, only to see KiAera landed hard, her talons cracking the ground.

  She stumbled slightly, her knees buckling from exhaustion. Her wings and talons disintegrated from the lack of energy, leading her to revert to her dormant Mearcritt state.

  'I'm tuckered out… feeling faint,' she thought before shooting a side glance at Saptal and Sapshorla. Big Osseod, despite its form cracked and beaten, had freed the two Sapkins from their viscous prison.

  But her heart thundered as Boggorc pulled himself out from the crater with his heavily battered body, a twisted smile forming on his face. "Nice… try, critter. But I'm not… done yet." He took a step forward. "For… Lord Jalkra, I must… retrieve you. Come along with me…"

  Even after that, he's still standing? No, I won't let him take another step. KiAera forced herself to stand upright. Her muscles burned, screaming at her in the process. Not a chance. I'll stop you, even if I have to use everything I've got!

  "It's not over, Boggorc," KiAera's voice was hoarse. Her chest heaved as she pushed herself upright, her ears twitching with exhaustion.

  Boggorc's laughter boomed across the battlefield. "You think you've won because you’ve gotten a few lucky shots in?" His throat swelled grotesquely as his voice reverberated like a war drum. "Let me show you why they fear me in these lands!"

  KiAera gritted her teeth, the weight of fatigue pressing down on her limbs. Despite her fierce resistance, it was clear Boggorc had the upper hand.

  She was taken aback when Saptal and Sapshorla appeared beside her.

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Creature: Saptal the Sapkin

  Faux Nym: Awaiting Confirmation…

  Brief description: plant sapling monster.

  APeX: [3420 Units]

  Dominion: [Manifest]

  Attributes: [Plant]

  Evolution Stage: [Fledgling] (F)

  Current Variant Grade: [Common]

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  — — —

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Creature: Sapshorla the Sapkin

  Faux Nym: Awaiting Confirmation…

  Brief description: plant sapling monster.

  APeX: [3410 Units]

  Dominion: [Manifest] [Augment]

  Attributes: [Plant]

  Evolution Stage: [Fledgling] (F)

  Current Variant Grade: [Common]

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Boggorc snorted, his gaze shifting to the Sapkins. "More weeds to pluck? Fine by me." He flexed his legs again, preparing to launch another leap.

  Saptal's wooden sword gleaned faintly as he raised it. His hand could be seen trembling, but his three eyes gleamed with resolve. "Yer not taking her Boarbogrunt. Let's see where this soil takes us, then."

  Sapshorla nodded and tightened her grip on the battlehammer in her grasp. "This is the bare minimum we can do for you, Luna KiAera. It's our duty to protect our sunlight from blight."

  KiAera's felt her chest tighten at their words. "You two… You don't have to do this. You could escape—"

  "No, KiAera," Saptal interrupted. "Yer too important to us. If you fall, we fall. That is the way of things."

  Sapshorla added softly, "Do not deny us the chance to grow alongside you, KiAera."

  Boggorc chuckled, his throat inflating as his bulbous eyes narrowed. "If you're done chittering, let's finish this."

  Before anyone could react, his legs snapped, propelling him forward.

  His speed was incredible, the ground shaking beneath his thunderous footsteps. Saptal and Sapshorla were quick to respond, their lanky forms moving in perfect sync.

  Saptal held his blade aloft, its point angled toward Boggorc. At the same time, Sapshorla swung her battlehammer with tremendous force, striking the earth beneath her. The ground ruptured with roots and tree limbs, creating a deep fissure that extended toward the oncoming Boarbogrunt.

  The fissure swallowed him whole, but before it could close, his tusks emerged, the spinning weapons slicing through the dirt. His body followed soon after, erupting from the ground like a charging beast.

  KiAera could only watch as Boggorc closed in, the distance between them shrinking with each passing second.

  Damn it, we're not going to make it. She braced herself, ready to leap into the fray—but then, a familiar figure charged in front of her peripheral.

  "Big Osseod protects!"

  Boggorc was now seconds away, his tusks gleaming dangerously as they whirred. But the tackle from Big Osseod into one of the tusks shattered it with an earsplitting crack, throwing the Boarbogrunt off-balance.

  "Gah!" Boggorc roared, his tusk breaking into Big Osseod's crystal form. He skidded across the dirt, his momentum sending him tumbling end-over-end.

  The battle seemed over, but when the dust settled, Boggorc stood once again. His tongue wrapped around the heavily battered Big Osseod as he raised the creature above his head. "Stupid little thing! Now you've done it!"

  "Big Osseod!" KiAera cried out.

  "KiAera!" Big Osseod squeaked, its crystal body trembling.

  "Enough," Boggorc growled, his tongue tightening its grip. "I'm sick of your games."

  KiAera's heart sank, her mind reeling from the shock of Big Osseod's cries as Boggorc slammed him into the ground.

  "No! Stop!"

  Boggorc stopped, his breath coming in short, heavy bursts. He glared at KiAera, his gaze full of contempt.

  "You... I'm not going back empty-handed." He tossed Big Osseod upward before smashing his head into the shattered creature. Big Osseod hit the ground with a thud, remaining motionless.

  Something inside KiAera stirred, a deep, resonant pulse that seemed to echo with their words. The Chimera's Mark on her forehead began to glow faintly, its light spreading in blue and black across her body.

  "Saptal… Sapshorla…" her voice trembled in a whisper. "If we're doing this, we're doing it together."

  You're not sacrificing yourselves for me.

  Saptal's wooden sword lowered slightly as he turned to her. "What're ya suggesting?"

  As she kept her head down, KiAera's mark flared brighter, the ravenous energy within it begging for release. "It's time to synchronize. I don't know what's going to happen, but… trust me."

  The Sapkins exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison.

  The Sapkins turned to her with their forms fading into brilliant motes of green light. Saptal's voice echoed through her mind as he smiled. "It's not sacrifice, lass. It's trust. We share in your pain."

  Sapshorla's voice followed. "Together, we become greater than the sum of our roots."

  The moment they placed their hands on KiAera's shoulders, a surge of green light erupted, engulfing them in an intense glow. The ruins shook as the energy spiraled upward, forming a pillar of vibrant emerald light.