There was a certain alienation when your eyes didn't match what your body felt. As Nikolai saw the incoming attack of the monster, he was prepared for the mind-breaking pain. Yet, it never came.
The monster threw its body at Nikolai, and the resulting current was what sent him flying. There was no pain, and his golden shield brightly glowed as it absorbed insane amounts of damage.
Nikolai crashed into the mossy rocks beside the cave, and there was no damage again. The sea serpent must have thought that its attack would crush the weak bug, but it would have never thought that underestimating Nikolai would be its biggest mistake.
Without hesitation, Nikolai kicked the rocks to dive toward the entrance. The serpent gave another roar as it tried to attack again because it didn't have the time to dive underwater.
