Real Monster of Multiverse

—That's the same hunter I ran into two weeks ago, isn't it? —I throw the question into the air, knowing I won't get an answer, as I watch the duo of hunters pursue the monster.

I wanted to take advantage of the injured Anjanath to hunt it and speed up my plans, but it looks like they beat me to it.

I shake my head as I say —It doesn't matter, I just have to stick to the original plan… in this life, I'll plan better than in the last one— I stare at the horizon before catching the scent of blood. I look at my hands and notice that I've dug my claws into them. —No more unplanned mistakes.

…

A day has passed since I saw the two hunters. Since then, I've ventured deeper into the forest in search of my next prey. I've seen several large monsters, but either they're ones I've already hunted or they're Anjanaths, which I'd rather save for last.

But as they say, patience pays off, and after more than a day of searching, I finally found my target: a Tobi-Kadachi.

It seems to be looking for prey. If I'm reading its behavior correctly, it's perched on one of the giant tree's roots, scanning the area for a target.

I'm in the treetops, at a higher vantage point than the monster.

—Now the question is, how do I start this? —After an internal debate, I decide on a plan: use [Meteoric Fall] to initiate the fight.

The monster noticed my attack and jumped to the side to avoid my strike.

My fist hit the bark, shattering it like a fragmentation grenade. My punch went through part of the root, causing my hand to get stuck.

The monster didn't hesitate and, doing a front flip, struck me with its tail, slamming my face and chest against the tree.

—Rrhhha, shit!

I get up and use [Ram] to charge at it, dragging it for several meters until we both fell from the root. You might think the height wasn't much, but it was at least a four-meter drop.

Luckily, its body cushioned my fall. Taking advantage of its disorientation, I climb on top of it and activate [Strength Boost], causing a red aura to burst from me, then I start pummeling its face with my fists.

I also use [Coral Growths] to create spikes on my knuckles, making my punches even more effective.

I land almost a dozen hits on its face before it regains its senses and violently throws me to the ground. It gets back on its feet and bites down on my left arm, pressing me against the ground.

As it bites, it shakes its head like a dog playing with a toy, trying to tear off my arm, but it fails before I can create more spikes all over my arm.

It lets go, but not before breaking my arm, which now hangs limply at my side.

—Panting Damn, that hurt Panting I didn't want to do this, but you forced me.

Using [Cloud], I create a yellowish cloud of poison, forcing the Tobi-Kadachi to step back, now eyeing me with distrust.

—Come on, bastard, come at me if you dare.

And as if it understood my words… it turns around and starts running.

I stand frozen for a moment, processing what just happened.

—Get back here, coward!

…

POV Narrator

The Tobi-Kadachi didn't get far before being intercepted by an enraged Chryssia, who tackled it with [Ram], sending it rolling several times across the ground but not completely knocking it over.

In response, the monster bristled all the hairs on its body, roared, and began emitting electricity.

Chryssia stopped at the sight of this and raised her arms in an X in front of her to block an incoming attack—an attack that never came. Instead, the Tobi-Kadachi leapt onto a tree that could support its weight and started generating more electricity.

Chryssia knew it was a bad idea to let the monster do as it pleased, so she ran to stop it.

Seeing her approach unprotected, the monster quickly descended from the tree with a leap, landing on her right flank and sending her flying several meters with a powerful tail strike.

Chryssia crashed into a tree, momentarily stunned. The Tobi-Kadachi rushed at her and, without hesitation, bit into her torso and started shaking her like a dog with a bone.

Slowly, Chryssia began regaining consciousness. At first, she simply punched the monster in the face, but it didn't let go, and she could feel her ribs breaking and her flesh tearing.

So, she used [Coral Growths] to create spikes that pierced through the monster's jaws. Feeling the pain, it immediately released Chryssia, but in doing so, it only worsened the wounds in its mouth, making it growl in agony.

Seeing an opportunity, Chryssia used [Ram] to knock the Tobi-Kadachi down, but this time, she ended up on its back.

Without hesitation, she started pounding on the monster—right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch, right punch, left punch.

At some point, she wasn't even hitting its head anymore, just the pulp that remained of it.

Panting, she stopped, looking at her hands covered in blood, her knuckles torn apart. She looked up at the sky and noticed the sun had moved. Trembling, she stood up from the monster's corpse.

—Rrhhhaaaa!

And as if only now realizing she had already killed the monster, she roared—whether in pain or victory, she roared.

Sorry for the delay, but I had exam week, so I was busy. Also, if you can, let me know in the comments if you liked that I mentioned which abilities were being used during the fight. I felt that the previous battles were too simple, so I wanted this one to be more challenging for the protagonist.