Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Shinra and Kenji are attacked by a powerful A-Rank Demon.
Twelve years ⏳ melted into the fabric of the Glimmerwood. Shinra, now twelve, stood taller, his movements fluid, silent. 🤫 The black symbol 🌑 on his hand remained, a silent reminder of his unique burden.
One brisk morning, Kenji decided to take Shinra on a deeper hunt. 👨👦 They tracked and dispatched D-Rank demons 👾 with practiced ease.
The morning wore on. They had just cornered another D-Rank demon when the earth beneath them shuddered. 🌍
A deep, resonant thump-thump-thump vibrated through the ground. 👂 A guttural roar, deep and terrifying, ripped through the air. 📢
"What was that?" Shinra whispered, his hand instinctively going to the black symbol, which began to throb. 🖤
Kenji's face was etched with alarm. 😨 "Shinra, get back! This isn't a D-Rank!"
The trees parted with a deafening CRACK. A colossal shadow emerged, a monstrous ape-like creature 🦍, an A-Rank Demon. Its eyes glowed with malevolent intelligence 😈.
"Run, Shinra!" Kenji roared, fear lacing his tone. 😥 An arrow merely embedded itself in the demon's thick hide. 💨
A sickening CRUNCH 💔 echoed as the demon's claw slammed into Kenji's side. Kenji cried out, blood 🩸 blossoming rapidly across his tunic.