True to its nature as a high-tier lightning beast, even after Thunder's vicious ambush left it severely wounded, the griffin instantly summoned surrounding lightning elements, forming a massive white sphere around itself.
Thunder felt his entire body convulse, his hands going numb.
This large-scale lightning spell was unique to griffins—something no mage could replicate. It was the same move that had caused Maria's magical backlash earlier.
Seizing the moment of Thunder's paralysis, the griffin spread its wings and unleashed a barrage of lightning arrows at point-blank range. At the same time, ignoring the razor-sharp leaves of *Dancing Leaves*, it thrust its talons into the swirling foliage, trying to drag Thunder out.
Amidst the crackling of lightning, Thunder twisted away with the *Celestial Master's Ethereal Steps*, barely escaping—but not before fresh wounds split open across his chest, layering over old injuries.
The protective leaves around him scattered, many obliterated by the griffin's lightning.
Sisi stared in shock. *This bastard is still acting tough?!* His movements were so fluid, so effortless—almost elegant.
She had no idea that was simply how the *Ethereal Steps* worked—graceful in form yet brutally practical. There might be flaws, but Thunder wasn't skilled enough yet to refine them.
Though forced back and his *Dancing Leaves* nearly depleted, Thunder grinned.
"Boom." He puckered his lips and mimicked an explosion.
"What?" Sisi clutched her chest beside him, still numb from being dragged earlier.
Before she could react, the griffin staggered. A muffled *thud* erupted from its belly, followed by blood spraying like a fountain—fireballs rocketing out as if launched from a tube.
"What just happened?" The trio gaped. None had seen Thunder activate a scroll. He'd just stood there, said one word, and suddenly—fireworks.
Only Thunder knew the truth. The moment his *Frostblade* pierced the griffin's belly, he'd tucked his last fire-attack scroll into its feathers.
Long-range talisman control was beyond him, but manipulating one within a dozen meters? Easy. Years of training at Dragon-Tiger Sect had honed his precision—even if he'd only mastered one offensive talisman.
That stab had been pure misdirection.
And it worked. Fire magic at point-blank range was the griffin's greatest weakness—something Thunder had confirmed after torching half its wing earlier.
The griffin's shrieks were still furious, but its vigor had clearly waned.
The flames raged for what felt like forever before finally subsiding. Sisi and Eric tensely watched the griffin, fearing it might rally.
At this point, their survival wasn't just luck—it was a testament to Thunder's skill.
The once-majestic griffin now looked nothing like a sky overlord. Its chest feathers were shredded like a mangled lawn, its left wing charred to raw meat, and its belly—completely bare—dripped blood, some feathers still smoldering.
*A plucked phoenix isn't even as good as a chicken—let alone a mere griffin.*
Thunder's emotions churned. Pride swelled in his chest. This fight had been won by *his* hands alone.
*An eighth-tier magical beast!*
Even a well-coordinated, full-fledged mercenary team might not have pulled this off.
Thunder wanted to tattoo *"Number One Under Heaven"* on his forehead.
"Thunder... it's done for, right?" Eric asked timidly. The griffin swayed but refused to collapse, though it clearly lacked the strength to attack.
"Wait. Let's be sure." Thunder stayed cautious. *A centipede dies but doesn't stiffen.* If the griffin had a final burst left, they'd be screwed.
Maria smiled faintly, clutching her chest as she leaned against a tree and slid down. Only now did her tension ease, letting the pain of magical backlash fully hit.
*We're alive.* All four of them.
After an agonizing wait, the griffin finally collapsed in a pool of its own blood, kicking up dust.
"WE WON!" Eric burst into laughter, as if he'd been the star of the battle.
"You did it, Thunder!" Sisi gazed at him, eyes sparkling with awe. *Solo-killing an eighth-tier beast?* This was legendary.
Thunder slumped to the ground, his *Frostblade* melting away, the last of his *Dancing Leaves* dissipating.
The cost had been brutal—but victory was theirs.
Maria was immobilized by backlash, Sisi had minor injuries, and Thunder? Multiple wounds, still bleeding. Only Eric had escaped unscathed—lucky bastard, tossed into the stream early.
They exchanged glances and laughed weakly.
"Sisi, bandage Thunder's wounds first!" Maria called.
His chest bore three gashes deep enough to glimpse bone, his shoulder and abdomen slashed open. His shirt was drenched crimson, even his pants soaked red.
Sisi's heart ached. She didn't know why she felt this pang, but seeing Thunder so battered nearly brought her to tears.
Before she could move—
The griffin, presumed dead, suddenly lurched up.
Not toward Thunder, but Maria—the farthest target.
Its ruby eyes burned with suicidal fury. That gaze alone crushed Maria's hope.
"TEACHER!" The three screamed.
Thunder had nothing left. Earlier, sheer willpower had driven him. Now, drained, he couldn't even twitch.
But then—
The griffin staggered barely ten steps before its head jerked sideways. It crashed mid-charge, momentum carrying its massive body to Maria's feet. A final twitch—then stillness.
**Is it truly over this time?**