After several near misses from the Ash Serpent's tail strikes, Oleg was left panting.
The 73-year-old branch chief had to admit that age was taking its toll.
Facing the Ash Serpent summoned by Splurt, he had yet to inflict any significant damage.
The serpent's body was covered in scales as tough as iron armor, and Oleg's iron fists and warhammer had failed to breach its defenses.
On the defensive end, Oleg's chainmail could not withstand the force of the serpent's tail strikes; a single hit would likely cause his organs to shut down.
Furthermore, the venomous fangs in the gaping maw of the Ash Serpent posed a lethal threat.
The two sturdy, razor-sharp fangs could easily pierce Oleg's chainmail.
A single injection of venom would spell the end of his life.
Unable to penetrate its defenses or withstand its attacks, Oleg's only option was to bypass the Ash Serpent and directly target Splurt, which had been his intention all along.
