Riku skillfully evaded the guards of Arzotoc's village, determined to fulfill his quest and proceed with constructing the pipeline for the crops.
__
The creature before him matched the description of the aggressive monster known as Naga in his world. Observing its physique and the energy it radiated, he deduced that this beast typically inhabited a mid-level dungeon.
"Crap! I don't stand a chance against this creature!" Riku exclaimed, skidding across the damp ground.
In terms of its appearance, the monster possessed a humanoid body but featured the face and scales of a serpent.
It became clear that this kind of entity exceeded his abilities and fell far beyond his combat capabilities. With only one thought in his mind, Riku knew he had to flee this location.
However, escaping at the moment proved to be an impossible feat as the Naga relentlessly assaulted him with its robust tails.
*Boom!*
Fragments of the ground struck his face, a testament to the monster's sheer power capable of obliterating even sturdy objects like tall trees. Riku crossed his arms and fortified his lower body, anchoring himself to avoid being pushed back.
Tsk!
He clicked his tongue in frustration, acutely aware that employing his [Fly] skill in this circumstance would be problematic. With the Naga's proximity of roughly twelve meters, its swift reaction would undoubtedly intercept any attempt.
Swoosh!
He sprinted into the underbrush, seeking refuge from the creature, yet the Naga pursued him unfazed. While in motion, he pondered the Naga's abilities, intent on evading the worst outcome.
• [Camouflage] - enabling the monster to alter its scale color to mimic that of its surroundings.
Riku realized why he hadn't spotted the monster when he first landed near the lake. He couldn't fault himself; this type of creature's existence in the forest was entirely unforeseen.
• [Increase agility] - a skill enhancing the creature's flexibility and agility.
For now, Riku recognized he couldn't escape the Naga's assault and was left strategizing for a way out.
Riku sprinted toward the inundated trees, hopeful that the creature wouldn't employ its ability to narrow the distance between them, and reassuring himself that no more monsters would emerge in this area.
Though not the Naga's final skill, it was the most perilous one and the primary reason etched in his memory.
[Venomous fangs] - the monster's fangs harbored a deadly poison capable of killing a human or creature within five minutes.
Being a half-snake creature, the Naga naturally possessed a venomous aspect.
Anxiety gripped Riku, compelling him to glance over his shoulder repeatedly, anticipating the moment the monster would likely escalate its pace.
"If things deteriorate further, I'll have no choice but to unleash the [Fire claw] skill I mastered from the Tibber monster."
Confident in the skill's sharpness and intense fiery effect, Riku believed it could pierce the creature's robust scales. However, he acknowledged that taking on the monster head-on might result in his defeat due to its swiftness.
The monster now trailed him at a distance of exactly eight meters. "This treacherous forest won't permit me to run indefinitely, as I might attract other inhabitants."
Suddenly, he whirled around, crouching low as he sensed an impending attack. Riku's proficiency in perceiving danger originated from his training and combat experience, an ability he now possessed thanks to Haru's rigorous guidance.
*Swish!*
Naga's lethal claws slashed through the air, allowing Riku to deftly evade the strike. Seizing the opportunity, he lunged at the creature, toppling it to the ground. Aware of an imminent counterattack, he didn't linger but swiftly moved away, anticipating the monster's retaliation.
*Bam!*
Successfully pushing the creature back, Riku retreated to the lake, confident that no other monsters lurked there.
*Swish!*
"With that attack, I'll anticipate the monster chasing me!" Riku muttered under his breath.
Unfortunately, his maneuver seemed to heighten the creature's determination to eliminate him, evident as it invoked [Enhance agility]. In a swift motion, the monster vanished, replaced by the activated skill.
"This is dire! No matter how fast I run, this monster can easily narrow the gap."
*Clang!*
Deploying [Fire claw!] in response to the monster's fangs, Riku initiated his skill just as the creature lunged. It was his final recourse, for his mana reserves were too depleted to fuel any more spells.
Curses filled his mind as he felt the monster's force pulling him downwards upon collision, offering him a grim realization of the colossal strength the creature possessed. Fortunately, the monster's fangs only brushed against the edge of his claw.
*Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!*
Abruptly, the Naga monster's mouth ignited with flames, a look of terror crossing its features. It recoiled, stepping back, then abruptly bolted toward the underbrush. In a puzzling turn of events, the creature fled from Riku without any discernible cause.
*Bam!*
Collapsing to the ground, Riku's [Fire claw] dissipated, reaching the maximum duration of the skill. "What just happened?" he mused, his gaze fixed on the sky and the verdant leaves.
Fire? Was the Naga monster perhaps fearful of fire? Upon analyzing the scenario, that was the initial explanation that surfaced. The creature's retreat likely stemmed from its aversion to the fiery skill.
He chuckled, realizing how fortunate he was. "Hahaha! I thought I was done for. This marks the second time I've survived purely by luck."
...
Lying on the ground, the man experienced a wave of relief for narrowly escaping death's grasp. However, he promptly rose to his feet and departed from the area, ensuring he remained unseen by the Naga monster inhabiting the forest.
"Damn it!" Riku exclaimed, recollecting that he had exhausted his mana pool by casting the crow's skill, [Fly], and the borrowed skill [Fire claw].
Though the sun still illuminated the surroundings, Riku was well aware that navigating this forest alone was not a viable option. Instead, he needed to find a secure location. Why? Firstly, he aimed to dedicate time to replenish his mana pool, enabling him to utilize the [Fly] skill once more. Secondly, given that the forest was the dominion of these creatures, encountering more monsters seemed inevitable on any path he might choose.
Carefully navigating through the forest, Riku advanced from one tree to another, ensuring his path was devoid of monsters.
[Mana pool: 2]
Six more mana points were required to return to Arzotoc's village. The resolve to bring guards for assistance in dealing with the monster during his next visit lingered in his thoughts.
Presently, he stood amid a location veiled by dense vines, obstructing his view ahead. Undeterred, Riku pressed forward, convinced that no monsters lurked nearby.
As he swiped away the final vines, he was momentarily dazzled by the intense sunlight, which unveiled the area before him. Unfortunately, he also sustained an injury due to his actions.
"Sh*t!"
Rapidly rubbing his eyes to clear his vision, Riku scanned his surroundings. His attention was drawn to a makeshift arrangement of discarded wood, leading him to the spot. Lingering traces of smoke revealed that a fire had been ignited using these materials.
His eyes brightened with realization: it was evident that this was a man-made setup, a hopeful sign that Solomon was indeed alive.
"I can sense the warmth, which means Solomon is present..." His steps faltered as he sensed sharp objects aimed at him from a distance. "Oh, great... Are you a monster?"
"What's your name?"
A deep voice reached his ears, identifying the individual as the very Solomon he had been seeking. To avert any untoward actions, Riku cautiously raised his hands, signifying his lack of hostile intent.
"My name is Riku Hirota, and I come from Arzotoc village—" Riku's throat felt dry as the pointed object came into contact with his neck.
"Don't try to deceive me! You're one of the forest's monsters!" the man shouted, gripping Riku's arms tightly.
Riku discerned that this suspicion arose from his attire, which concealed him entirely. "I'm telling the truth! I'm really from Arzotoc village!"
*Swish!*
Suddenly, the brawny man delivered a forceful blow to Riku's neck, causing him to collapse easily.
"W-What are you doing? I'm here to rescue you..." Those words were all he managed to utter before slipping into unconsciousness once again.
"You won't trick me! Shape-shifter!"