Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

Enara's smirk grew as dark energy pooled around her hand, merging with the fiery aura around Liria's. Their combined flames created a crackling sphere of molten shadow and flame, ready to blast the Direhound to bits. For the first time, a spark of confidence flickered in both girls' eyes. The beast snarled, clearly sensing the surge of power in front of it.

"Ready?" Liria grinned, tightening her grip.

"More than ready," Enara shot back. "Let's make this thing regret being born."

They unleashed their energy, sending a wave of fiery darkness surging toward the Direhound. The impact was explosive, rocking the ground and sending up a cloud of smoke and ash. For a moment, all was silent.

"Did we… actually do it?" Liria's voice held a note of disbelief. She took a tentative step forward, peering through the smoke.

Enara crossed her arms, looking insufferably pleased. "Of course we did. I mean, who could possibly survive that?"

But as the smoke cleared, a growl resonated from the haze. The Direhound emerged, looking charred but utterly unfazed. Worse, it seemed even angrier, its eyes glowing with a murderous red. The girls stared in stunned silence.

"You have to be kidding me," Liria muttered. "It didn't even flinch."

Enara blinked, her earlier smugness vanishing. "I—I don't understand. We hit it with everything we had!"

[Observation: Current attack level is insufficient for Direhound resilience. Probability of success: 4%]

Liria bit back a curse. "Thanks for the pep talk, System."

The Direhound lunged, moving faster than either of them expected. They barely dodged its snapping jaws, rolling to opposite sides of the arena. The beast let out a roar that shook the ground, clearly done playing.

Enara scrambled to her feet, looking slightly dazed. "Okay, so maybe this thing is tougher than it looks."

"No kidding, princess!" Liria shot back, dusting herself off. "We need a new plan, and fast. Any other brilliant ideas?"

Enara clenched her fists, her gaze flicking around for any advantage. "Maybe if we… I don't know, hit it harder?"

Liria snorted. "Great idea, except that's what we just tried."

The Direhound growled again, crouching low as it prepared to pounce. Both girls tensed, hearts pounding.

"Alright, no time to bicker. Follow my lead," Liria said, darting to the left to draw the creature's attention.

Enara, realizing she didn't have much choice, mirrored her movement, aiming for the Direhound's blind spot. Together, they darted in and out, launching quick bursts of flame and shadow to keep it off balance.

At first, it seemed like they might be gaining the upper hand. The Direhound staggered under the relentless barrage, snarling in frustration as it struggled to keep up with their movements.

"Ha! Look at it it's getting tired!" Liria called, a grin spreading across her face. She threw another Fireball, landing a solid hit on the Direhound's flank. "We've got this!"

Enara allowed herself a small smirk. "Maybe you're not as useless as you look, Silverthorn."

Liria rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You'd be toast without me, Valthorne."

They both laughed, feeling a rush of adrenaline as they continued their assault. But just as they were starting to think victory was within reach, the Direhound's eyes narrowed, a dark gleam flashing in them. It let out a low, guttural snarl, and a wave of dark energy radiated from its body, sending both girls sprawling backward.

Liria hit the ground hard, her breath knocked out of her. Enara was struggling to get up as well, her face pale as she clutched her side.

[Warning: Direhound's energy levels are rising. Defensive measures are advised.]

"Thanks, System," Liria muttered, wincing as she pushed herself up. "A little late on that one."

The Direhound began to advance, its massive claws gouging the earth as it prowled toward them. Liria's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out.

Enara groaned, pulling herself to her feet. "Okay, any more bright ideas, genius?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Liria glared at her. "I thought you were supposed to be the demon princess. Don't you have, I don't know, a secret demon power or something?"

Enara scowled. "I already used most of my magic! And unlike some people, I can't just spam Fireballs all day."

"Oh, really?" Liria shot back, her irritation mounting. "Because I could've sworn you were doing great a second ago."

The Direhound roared, cutting off their argument. Its massive claws dug into the earth as it prepared to charge, eyes fixed on them with terrifying intensity.

Liria's heart pounded. They had to work together—actually work together—or they were finished. Taking a deep breath, she looked over at Enara, her tone serious.

"Listen," she said. "We've got one shot here. We need to hit it with everything we've got. Together. No holding back, no snarky comments."

Enara's gaze softened slightly. "Fine. But if we get eaten, I'm blaming you."

"Deal." Liria nodded, a determined look in her eyes.

They squared off, focusing all their remaining energy as they prepared for one final assault. Liria summoned her Inferno Burst, channeling every ounce of strength she had into the fiery sphere. Enara called on her Darkfire Manipulation, the flames swirling around her like an aura of shadows.

The Direhound began its charge, each step shaking the ground beneath them.

"Now!" Liria shouted.

They unleashed their combined power in a torrent of fire and shadow, the flames roaring as they met the Direhound head-on. The impact was explosive, a blinding flash of light and heat that sent waves of energy rippling through the air. For a moment, it seemed as though they had actually won.

But as the smoke cleared, their faces fell. The Direhound was still standing, battered and charred, but very much alive. It let out a deafening roar, shaking off the last remnants of their attack.

Liria's heart sank. "You've got to be kidding me…"

Enara's face was a mix of shock and fear. "It… it didn't even flinch."

The Direhound took a step forward, its gaze locked on them with deadly intent. They were out of options, out of energy, and completely outmatched.

[Urgent Recommendation: Retreat is advised.]

Liria shook her head. "Yeah, not really an option, System…"

The Direhound let out another low growl, advancing with terrifying purpose. Liria and Enara exchanged a look, both realizing that, for once, they might actually be in over their heads.

In a rare moment of honesty, Enara murmured, "I… I think we're going to die."

Liria gave her a weak smile. "Hey, at least we went down swinging."

Just as the Direhound lunged, a blast of energy erupted from the edge of the clearing, slamming into the beast and sending it reeling backward. Liria and Enara blinked in shock, their heads whipping around to see the source of the attack.

Standing at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed and looking thoroughly unimpressed, was Daena, Liria's grandmother. Her eyes glinted with fierce determination as she stepped forward, a wry smile tugging at her lips.

"Getting into trouble, are we?" she called out, her tone exasperated but fond.

"Grandma!" Liria gasped, relief flooding her voice.

Daena raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed. "Honestly, Liria. Couldn't you go one day without picking a fight with something bigger than you?"

Liria managed a sheepish grin. "Well, it was kind of… a mutual decision?"

Daena sighed, rolling her eyes. She raised her hands, dark energy swirling around her as she prepared to engage the Direhound. "Stand back, both of you. Let me show you how it's done."

Enara watched in awe as Daena unleashed a torrent of magic, each wave of energy hitting the Direhound with unrelenting force. Within moments, the creature was forced to its knees, its once-ferocious growls reduced to pitiful whimpers.

Liria's eyes widened as she watched her grandmother in action. "Whoa… remind me never to make her mad."

Enara nodded, her usual smugness replaced by genuine awe. "Agreed."

Within minutes, Daena had subdued the Direhound, reducing it to a trembling, beaten mess. She dusted off her hands, turning back to the girls with an unimpressed look.

"Next time you decide to take on a monster," she said, "maybe make sure it's one you can actually handle?"

Liria and Enara both mumbled sheepish apologies, avoiding her gaze.

Daena shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Come on, let's get you two patched up. And Liria… we're going to have a long talk about picking your battles."