Chapter 88: Ayame's Inner Thoughts

The beast stumbles due to the sudden and unexpected force, and I seize the moment, dashing forward to unleash a [Vertical Slash] aimed at its neck. The creature instantly feels the danger and envelops itself in a thick casing of ice.

"Foolish," I think, readying to strike again. Preparing my sword for a mighty blow to cleave both ice and beast, I draw a breath. But before I can raise my weapon, the frozen Direwolf erupts like a fiery volcano. Flames spew outward, and I'm forced to [Flash Step] backward to avoid the explosive attack. The beast is relentless, its mastery of elemental magic evident in its cunning defensive strategy.