'I don't have a choice but to fight,' Turpis thought, his determination steeling his resolve. He knew that running further would only prolong the inevitable confrontation. The passage he currently found himself in was narrower and more confined compared to the previous expansive tunnels he had traversed. It offered him a chance to stand his ground and face his pursuer one by one.
As he mentally prepared himself for the impending battle, Turpis surveyed his surroundings with a discerning eye. The confined space of the passage would restrict the movements of both him and his opponent, creating a more level playing field. Turpis recognized that the close battle demanded an approach that required agility, precision, and the ability to exploit any advantages he could find.
Knowing that komodo dragons were typically sluggish in their movements, Turpis saw an opportunity to capitalize on their inherent limitations. Their size and bulk might work against them in the tight confines of the passage. With their reduced mobility, Turpis could leverage his agility to swiftly evade their attacks and strike with calculated precision.
He carefully analyzed the terrain, searching for any elements that could provide him with an upper hand. Whether it was a protruding rock, a narrow crevice, or a sudden elevation change, Turpis knew that even the smallest advantage could make a significant difference in the battle. His mind raced, calculating potential strategies that would allow him to exploit the komodo dragons' weaknesses.
Turpis carefully scattered the glowing mushrooms around the area, their soft illumination casting flickering shadows on the walls. The dim light provided some much-needed visibility, allowing him to assess his surroundings and prepare himself mentally for the upcoming battle. He took a moment to catch his breath and collect his thoughts, knowing that he needed to be fully prepared for what lay ahead.
As time ticked by, the tremors grew in intensity, sending shivers down Turpis's spine. Each quake seemed to amplify the tension in the air, heightening his senses and stirring his nerves. But he refused to let fear consume him. With a deep breath, he steadied his racing heart and fortified his resolve, knowing that he had trained for a moments like these.
As Turpis fixed his gaze upon the passageway, his heart skipped a beat as a massive reptilian eye emerged from the darkness. The sheer size of the eye sent a shiver down his spine, its diameter measuring an astonishing 0.5 meters. Turpis felt his own eyes dilate in response, realizing the immense challenge that lay before him.
With determination etched on his face, Turpis gritted his teeth and steeled himself for what was to come. He couldn't afford to let fear overtake him now. As the glowing mushrooms illuminated the silhouette of his formidable opponent, Turpis's breath caught in his throat. Turpis knew that based on the sheer size of the creature, the strength of the creature would be overwhelming, and it was clear that this battle would be an uphill struggle.
The sheer size of the mandible was astounding. He knew that just its jaw alone could devour him in a single bite. As he surveyed the cave, he realized that the dragon's mouth, if fully opened, would be as wide as the cavern itself. This left him with little space to maneuver, making the situation even more disadvantageous for him.
Turpis clenched his fists, trying to steady his nerves. The odds were stacked against him, and he knew it. But he refused to succumb to despair. Deep within him, a flicker of determination ignited.
As Turpis stood face to face with the colossal dragon, his heart pounded in his chest. He knew that his only chance of survival was to fight with everything he had. Taking a calculated risk, Turpis dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding a thunderous swipe of the dragon's massive claw. He observed the creature's movements, noting its slower speed and the limited range of its attacks within the confined space of the cave. Determined to exploit this weakness, Turpis focused on agility and speed as his primary weapons.
With a sudden burst of energy, he lunged forward, avoiding the dragon's snapping jaws by mere inches. He knew that direct confrontation was not an option; he needed to strike swiftly and retreat before the beast could counterattack. Turpis danced around the cavern, darting in and out, landing his sword whenever he found an opening.
But it made no reaction to the lesser dragon, as it had a thick scale that looked like the armor of a crocodile. Turpis also notices this and he knew that even though he swing his sword harder it made no injury to the lesser dragon.
Undeterred, Turpis swiftly adapted his strategy. Instead of trying to penetrate the dragon's impenetrable armor, he focused on exploiting its vulnerabilities. Darting around the cavern with lightning speed, he aimed his strikes at the creature's exposed joints and sensitive areas, seeking to immobilize or weaken it.
With each blow, Turpis aimed for its softer underbelly, or the unprotected spaces between its scales. He used his agility and speed to his advantage, constantly moving and never staying in one spot for too long. The dragon roared in frustration, its massive claws and tail swinging in a wild attempt to catch Turpis.
Using the cave walls to his advantage, Turpis leaped off, propelling himself towards the dragon's back. With all his might, he plunged his sword into a vulnerable spot on the creature's scales, eliciting a roar of pain.
*Roaaaaaaaar*
Turpis's senses suddenly tingled with danger as he felt a presence behind him. Reacting swiftly, he instinctively covered his head with his left arm, bracing himself for the impact.
*Boom*
A powerful force slammed into Turpis's arm, sending a shockwave of pain through his body. The impact launched him across the narrow passageway, his body ricocheting off the rocky walls. The force was immense, threatening to overwhelm him as he struggled to regain his balance.
****
[Status Debuff Report:]
[Psychosis Debuff: 120 second]
....
****
Turpis didn't hear the voices in his head as his mind was flooded with many of familiar figures, their voices echoing in his head.
"Hey pig!"
"You might be a skilled doctor, but what can you do when your patients don't want to be treated?"
"I mean they can't be blamed, afterall you look like a orc from LOTR, pftt"
...
They called out to him, calling him many names, there was anger, condemnation, ridicule and jealousy in their voices.
But amidst the chaos, Turpis knew he couldn't afford to succumb to their illusions. He understood that danger still lurked in every shadow, and a single misstep could spell his doom.
Panic gripped his heart, his thoughts racing in a frantic frenzy. In the midst of this internal turmoil, one clear thought emerged, overriding all others—survival. It became the sole purpose driving his every action.
"With that face, you can't study in our university"
.....
Suppressing the distractions of the apparitions, Turpis refocused his attention on the present, his instincts taking over. He reminded himself that he was alone in this treacherous labyrinth, and he alone held the key to his escape.
'Run' Without looking back Turpis run, he even unconsciously used his footwork technique to dash backward and away from the group of lesser dragon.
The three lesser dragon immediately followed Turpis with vigour and anger in their eyes, they knew that Turpis just showed a sign of weakness, meaning he was no match to them.
"Why do we have a child like him"
"Does he really think that he is necessary in this house?"
"Just go in the attic, and dont ever come down you hear me!!?"
...
As Turpis raced through the winding passageways, his breath became labored, his vision become blurry as liquid formed in his eye and his body kepts trembling as he felt heavy with fatigue. The injuries he had sustained during the encounter with the lesser dragons were taking their toll. Pain throbbed through his limbs, slowing his movements and sapping his strength.
With each stride, Turpis could feel the weight of his injuries dragging him down. His once nimble footwork faltered, his steps becoming sluggish and unsteady. The pain intensified with every jarring impact on his battered body, threatening to overwhelm his determination.
Despite the agony, Turpis pressed on, refusing to yield to the physical limitations that now plagued him. Every fiber of his being urged him to keep moving, to find a way to escape the relentless pursuit. The echoes of the pursuing lesser dragons served as a constant reminder of the danger that loomed behind him.
"Why!"
"Why!"
"Why it couldn't be you!!??"
...
Turpis felt his foot catch on a protruding rock, sending him tumbling forward with a forceful impact. His body collided with the hard surface of the passageway, jarring his already injured frame. Pain shot through his limbs, intensifying the ache that had settled in his muscles.
Gasping for breath, Turpis fought against the disorienting sensation that swept over him. With sheer determination, he quickly pushed through the pain and forced himself to rise. His muscles protested every movement, but he refused to succumb to the agony that threatened to overwhelm him.
As he once again regain his balanced he couldn't help but get choked with sorrow, a strained whisper escaped his lips, "I'm so sorry..." His every breath felt heavy and labored, his trembling jaw struggling to hold back the flood of tears that cascaded down his face.
Turpis resumed his escape but this time he was just walking, as his body couldn't take a run anymore and a sense of giving up could be seen in Turpis eyes, 'Why don't I just end it here?' he thought as he was losing hope.