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Their journey brought them closer to the heart of the forest's secret. The glow from the artifact in his pocket provided some warmth amid the cold atmosphere. But their spirits were uneasy, knowing that the greatest danger might be waiting ahead.
Suddenly, they stopped in a small clearing, where the air felt more tense than usual. There, behind the bushes and trees, a large shadow appeared, moving slowly and lurking from a distance.
Siu Jou raised his hand, signaling Lumi to stop. He stared at the shadow with sharp eyes. From a certain distance, a large creature with glowing red eyes emerged slowly—an extremely big and aggressive beast, twice the size of the largest tiger he had ever seen.
The beast showed its sharp fangs and terrifying claws. It looked hungry and highly aggressive. A deep growl came from its mouth, indicating that it wouldn't let anyone approach without a fight.
Siu Jou knew that if they weren't careful, this beast could become a deadly threat.
"This is a real test," Siu Jou whispered, ready with his staff. He understood that physical strength alone wouldn't be enough this time—they had to be clever and cautious.
The beast lunged at them with incredible speed, its fangs threatening and claws scraping the ground. Siu Jou quickly jumped to the side, avoiding the first attack. Lumi, small but brave, tried to distract the beast with a glowing light from his body.
"If I can't defeat you with strength, I'll distract you!" Lumi shouted.
Siu Jou saw an opportunity as the beast was distracted by Lumi's light. He swiftly swung his staff, planting it into the ground, then leapt toward the beast, using the power of the small artifact in his pocket. He fired a shimmering energy blast, attempting to scare and drive the creature away.
The beast growled loudly and charged at them with its claws and fangs. But Siu Jou, with courage and agility, dodged among the attacks. He knew that the greatest strength wasn't just physical power but also cleverness and calmness.
With a precise strike, Siu Jou hit the back of the beast's neck, causing the creature to howl in pain and retreat into the darkness.
After a tiring battle, the beast disappeared behind the bushes, leaving behind bloodstains and fear in their hearts.
Siu Jou and Lumi looked at each other, then smiled faintly. They knew they had passed one of the toughest tests in this forest. They continued their journey feeling relieved but alert to the ongoing dangers.
"This is just the beginning of what we will face," Siu Jou muttered. "We must stay vigilant, because great power awaits ahead."
With growing determination, they stepped forward toward the deepest secrets of this mysterious forest.