SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts

"Move, we need to cover a lot of ground today." The blistering heat of the First Layer of Hell had reached a new level of intensity as Miss Leana led Damon, Daveon, and Anaya into a terrain shrouded by thick, swirling steam.

It was unlike anything they'd encountered before. The dense fog obscured their vision to barely five meters, creating an eerie sense of vulnerability.

Every step was a gamble, with the steam distorting shapes and sounds. Damon wiped sweat off his brow, his eyes squinting to make sense of the ever-shifting landscape.

"This place is miserable," Anaya muttered, her voice tense.

"Stay alert," Miss Leana warned, her tone serious. "You're ready to face stronger demons, but this is where it gets real. Welcome to the Fog Realm."

Miss Leana explained as they trudged forward. "The Fog Realm isn't just hotter—it's deceptive. The steam cloaks the movements of the demons that dwell here. They know this place intimately. You don't."

Daveon glanced around, his usual confidence faltering. "How do we fight what we can't see?"

Leana smirked. "You'll learn. The key here is to rely less on your eyes and more on your instincts. Magic senses and vibrations—use everything at your disposal. And stay close to each other."

The group moved cautiously, their weapons drawn. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to press down on them, making every breath feel labored. The steam clung to their skin, intensifying the heat to unbearable levels.

"This place feels alive," Damon muttered, his voice low.

"It should," Leana replied. "The Fog Realm is where even the weakest demons become deadly because of the environment. Out here, Grade Seven and Six demons are still common, but the element of surprise makes them harder to fight. And if you're unlucky, you'll meet something far worse."

They continued deeper, the steam growing denser with every step. The silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional hiss of steam escaping the ground. Damon tightened his grip on his sword, his nerves on edge.

Suddenly, it happened.

A massive claw strike tore through the fog, heading straight for Daveon but wide enough to encompass the entire group.

The sheer force of the attack sent a shockwave rippling through the steam, blowing it away momentarily and revealing the true scope of their danger.

It was enormous—a shadowy figure moving with terrifying speed, its claws glowing with demonic energy.

"Move!" Leana barked, but the attack was too fast for any of them to react.

Leana stepped forward, her sword flashing in an arc as she intercepted the strike.

Boooooom!!

The clash of energies created a deafening explosion, sending tremors through the ground and pushing the steam back for half a mile.

In the brief clearing, they saw their attacker—a Grade Four demon.

The creature was unlike anything Damon, Daveon, or Anaya had faced before. Its hulking frame radiated power, its muscles taut and veins pulsing with dark energy.

Jagged horns curled from its head, and its glowing crimson eyes locked onto them with a predator's intensity.

"Grade Four," Leana said coldly, her sword raised. "One of the strongest demons you'll encounter here. And one you're not at all ready for."

The demon roared, the sound shaking the very ground they stood on. It launched forward again, its movements a blur.

Leana met it head-on, her blade clashing with its claws in a shower of sparks. The impact sent waves of force rippling outward, knocking the students off balance.

"Get out of here!" Leana yelled as she parried another strike. "This is beyond you. Head back, now!"

Damon hesitated, his pride warring with his instincts. But one look at the demon's overwhelming speed and power told him Leana was right. They had no chance against this creature.

"Let's go!" Anaya shouted, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the edge of the Fog Realm.

Daveon followed reluctantly, his gaze lingering on Leana as she continued to battle the demon. "She'll be okay, right?"

"She's Miss Leana," Damon replied, though the unease in his voice betrayed his confidence. "Her brother even claimed she could handle stronger demons."

The three of them sprinted through the steam, their breathing ragged. The fog seemed to close in on them, the oppressive heat making every step a struggle.

Behind them, the sounds of battle echoed—the clash of steel against claws, the roars of the demon, and Leana's fierce commands.

Bang!

Clang!

Bang!!

Leana was a blur of motion, her sword moving with precision and power as she fought the Grade Four demon.

It was relentless, its strikes coming faster and harder with each passing moment. But Leana held her ground, her years of experience keeping her one step ahead.

"You think you can corner me?" she taunted, her voice calm despite the ferocity of the battle. "I've faced worse than you."

The demon roared in frustration, its claws slashing through the air with enough force to split the ground. Leana dodged effortlessly, countering with a swift slash that left a deep gash across its chest.

The creature stumbled back, snarling in pain.

Leana used the moment to glance over her shoulder, ensuring her wards had made it out of the Fog Realm. Satisfied that they were safe, she focused her full attention on the demon.

"Let's finish this," she muttered, her grip tightening on her sword.

Damon, Daveon, and Anaya finally emerged from the Fog Realm, the oppressive heat and blinding steam giving way to the open barrenness of the First Layer of Hell. They stopped to catch their breath, their bodies drenched in sweat.

Anaya leaned on her knees, panting heavily. "She's still in there." Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire

"She told us to leave," Damon said, though his fists were clenched tightly. "We'd only get in the way."

Daveon paced nervously, his mind racing. "She's strong, but that thing… it's on a whole other level from us."

"We have to trust her," Damon said firmly, though his voice wavered slightly. "It's not like we've even seen her fight at her full strength either."

The three of them stood in silence, the sounds of battle still faintly audible in the distance. All they could do now was wait.

Back in the Fog Realm, Leana dodged another strike, her blade cutting through the demon's side. The creature roared in fury, its movements growing more erratic as its injuries piled up.

"You're strong," Leana admitted, her breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. "But strength alone won't save you."

With a powerful slash, she drove her sword into the demon's chest, piercing its heart.

Karr...

Pucck!

A shorter blade stabbed into the demon's throat before it had the chance to make any noise that would in any way affect their safety.

Leana watched the life drain from the demons complete before pulling out both blades from the demons insides.

Thud!

The demon collapsed to the floor like a log of wood but Leana didn't spare it another glance.

Leana sheathed her sword, her expression calm but her body slightly aching from the fight. "It's stronger than an average Grade Four." She whispered to herself.

She turned and began making her way out of the Fog Realm, her thoughts already on her wards.

"They'd better not have done anything stupid," she muttered, a small smile tugging at her lips.