The Chimera slowly raised its massive head.
Its golden eyes remained locked onto Reiji.
For several long seconds, neither side moved.
The creature simply watched them.
Its slow breathing echoed throughout the enormous chamber.
Every exhale carried scorching heat while tiny embers drifted from the corners of its mouth before fading into the air.
Its lion-like forelegs slowly scraped against the stone floor.
*Roar...!*
The sound sent tiny fragments of rock sliding across the ground.
The elephant-like body beneath it was covered in old scars.
Some looked ancient. Others appeared surprisingly fresh.
Its folded crimson wings twitched once.
A single feather drifted downward before bursting into flames halfway to the ground.
Aoi unconsciously swallowed.
Even standing still the Chimera gave off the feeling of a predator that had ruled this floor for countless years.
The pressure coming from the creature was completely different from the monsters they had encountered before.
