Chapter 28 – Shadow of the Land Crocodile

After defeating the Tie-Wearing Rat, Zareen returned to the small inn on the outskirts of town. That night, he sat alone at a wooden table, staring at the Quest Book Gifa had given him. On the next page, a new mission appeared:

> *Defeat the monster known as the “Land Crocodile.”*

> *Location: Black Marsh, south of the city.*

> *Note: This monster can create clay duplicates of itself. Beware its jaws. Weak point: the tail.*

Zareen tapped the page thoughtfully with his finger.

“Land Crocodile, huh… sounds nastier than that rat from yesterday.”

He shut the book and began preparing. He placed his black staff carefully beside his bed, organized his healing potions in his satchel, and tucked stamina draughts into the outer pockets for quick access. This time, he would not make the mistake of underestimating his enemy. Yesterday’s fight had taught him that a single moment of carelessness could cost him his life.

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### Into the Marsh

**The next morning**, Zareen set out toward Black Marsh. The journey took half a day, the road growing muddier with every step. The air reeked of rot and wet earth, and the sounds of croaking frogs and buzzing insects echoed ominously through the swampland.

The water was a dark, murky green, shrouded in a layer of mist. Dead trees jutted from the ground like skeletal hands reaching toward the sky. The atmosphere made the hair on Zareen’s neck stand on end, but he pressed forward.

At the center of the marsh, he found a patch of solid ground—a small island of earth—and there it was: the Land Crocodile.

Its body was humanoid yet hulking, its head that of a crocodile with a mouth full of gleaming, serrated teeth. Its scales were dark green, glistening under the foggy light. Its glowing eyes glared at Zareen with animal cunning. Around it stood several copies—muddy duplicates that looked like crude statues come to life.

Zareen exhaled slowly. *So that’s what Gifa’s note meant… but which one is real?*

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### The Battle Begins

The fight started before Zareen could even cast his first spell. One of the clay duplicates lunged forward, swinging its muddy claws.

“**Ignis Orb!**”

Zareen hurled a blazing fireball, striking the copy and reducing it to a puddle of mud. But there was no time to celebrate. Two more duplicates attacked from both flanks, forcing Zareen to spin his staff and summon a vortex of wind to push them back.

But he realized something crucial—if he kept wasting energy on the copies, he’d exhaust himself before ever touching the real one.

He focused on their movements. The copies moved stiffly, predictably. Only one figure—the one standing motionless in the middle with a cruel smirk—seemed to be watching him with intelligence.

*That one… that’s the real body.*

Zareen surged forward, ignoring the duplicates. He raised his staff high.

“**Ignis Lance!**”

A spear of fire shot toward the true Crocodile. But in the blink of an eye, its body shimmered like mist—and the spell passed harmlessly through.

“What—an illusion?!”

The ground behind him erupted. The real Crocodile burst from the mud with terrifying speed, its massive jaws snapping shut.

Zareen barely managed to dive aside, but not fast enough—its fangs grazed his shoulder, tearing through his robe.

“Arghhh!”

Pain shot through him as blood ran down his arm. He staggered back, quickly gulping down a healing potion. The blue liquid closed the wound gradually, but the throbbing pain still lingered.

The Land Crocodile let out a raspy laugh, its voice booming across the marsh.

“Pathetic! You think you can defeat me alone? Many like you have rotted in this swamp!”

Zareen gritted his teeth. “I’m not just ‘another adventurer.’ I am… Zareen!”

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### Turning the Tide

The fight dragged on. More duplicates kept forming, turning the battlefield into chaos. Zareen dodged and countered with fire and wind magic, but fatigue gnawed at his limbs.

*If this keeps up, I’ll run out of stamina before I can even touch him.*

He closed his eyes briefly, recalling Gifa’s words: *“Your power is not only your magic, but your mind. Never fight a monster on its terms—find its opening.”*

When he opened his eyes again, he saw it: the Crocodile’s tail. It lashed about wildly, smashing dead trees like twigs. Dangerous, yes—but also exposed.

---

Zareen formed a plan. He feigned weakness, staggering backward and gasping for breath. The Crocodile saw its chance and lunged, mouth opening wide to deliver the killing blow.

At the last second, Zareen rolled to the side and slammed his staff into the ground.

“**Aero Bind!**”

A gust of binding wind coiled around the Crocodile’s tail, yanking it into a tangle of swamp roots. The monster roared furiously, thrashing to break free.

“This is it!”

Zareen poured all of his remaining energy into his staff. Flames swirled around the crystal tip, coalescing into a blazing spear.

“**Final Ignis Lance!**”

The fiery lance shot forth, striking the Crocodile’s tail with explosive force. A massive detonation rocked the swamp, sending waves rippling through the murky waters.

The Land Crocodile let out a deafening, agonized roar before its body convulsed and finally collapsed. The duplicates around them melted back into sludge and sank into the swamp.

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### Aftermath

The marsh fell silent. Only the sound of rippling water remained.

Zareen fell to his knees, gasping for breath. His body was covered in sweat and mud, his robes torn and soaked. He stared at the fading remains of the monster as its form dissolved into the earth.

“I… I did it,” he muttered hoarsely.

He took his last potion, drinking deeply as strength returned to his limbs. Despite the exhaustion, a faint smile crossed his face.

The second mission was complete.

But deep down, Zareen knew this was just the beginning. The enemies to come would only grow stronger, more cunning. If this single monster had nearly claimed his life, what awaited him when he finally faced the Hero’s Dragon?

Gripping his staff tightly, he whispered, “I have to keep going. No matter how hard it gets…”

The mist of the marsh curled around him as he walked away, his silhouette fading into the haze—leaving behind the battleground where he had once again survived.