The "monster" that suddenly appeared and attacked the tavern was a black, half-human, half-beast phantom. It looked furry all over and radiated a dangerous savagery. Its face seemed to be covered by a white skull mask, making it appear even more ferocious and terrifying.
Among the patrons fleeing the tavern, one slower runner was pounced on from behind by the monster and screamed in terror. The beast-like creature slashed at him with its claws. In that split second, Karin yanked the unlucky passerby aside, though her own arm was grazed by the beast's claw.
Karin felt no pain, but her arm suddenly went weak. Looking closely, she saw that a mass of bodily energy had actually been torn from her flesh by that claw. Like a ball of energy, it was flicked into the phantom monster's mouth. Beneath the skull mask, it opened a maw of sharp fangs and swallowed it in one bite, drool spilling everywhere.
Having been nourished by the energy, the monster instead grew even more agitated. It let out another maddening shriek before pouncing at Karin even more viciously.
As Karin retreated, she rapidly formed hand seals. With a clap of her palms, a stone wall rose from the ground before her. Yet the monster passed straight through the wall without being hindered in the slightest, grabbing Karin as she leaped through the air.
Just as the monster was about to feast, it bit down on nothing. The Karin it had caught was replaced by a tavern stool.
"Idiot. I properly made up for the basics of being a ninja." Karin, having used the Substitution Technique, stood atop a table in the wrecked tavern and made a face at the monster's phantom.
The monster clearly did not have much intelligence. It turned around and roared as