Adam braced himself, mentally preparing for the upcoming encounter. The colossal snake had just finished its poisonous spray, its malevolent gaze fixed on Adam. He cautiously closed the distance with a calculated approach, mirroring the snake's movements. As expected, the serpent lunged for a head attack, which Adam effortlessly evaded, skillfully sidestepping out of harm's way.
However, instead of his usual tactics of creating space or counterattacking, Adam decided to seize a risky opportunity. He patiently waited for the snake to rise back up, its colossal form towering before him. Swift as lightning, he darted forward, determined to get closer. Sensing his change in strategy, the snake retaliated with a powerful tail swipe, an attack that Adam cunningly welcomed.
Sheathing his sword, Adam leaped towards the incoming tail, gripping onto it with all his might. The force behind the strike proved more formidable than he had anticipated, causing his body to bear the brunt of the impact. Bones cracked, and agonizing pain coursed through his chest. He tasted blood as a rib jutted out, puncturing his lung. Despite the excruciating agony, his regenerative abilities kicked into overdrive, initiating the slow healing process. However, time was not on his side, and he knew it.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Adam pushed through the pain and fought his way onto the snake's tail. The serpent, bewildered by his sudden disappearance from sight, momentarily halted its movement, unable to locate its elusive prey.
Adam seized the opportunity and swiftly ascended the snake's body, each step careful and deliberate. The serpent's wide body provided a stable path for his progress, although the constant fear of the snake coiling around him and squeezing him to his demise lingered in his mind. With determination, Adam made his way past the halfway point, his confidence growing even as the snake became aware of its uninvited passenger.
As the snake began to move, the ascent became more challenging, the undulating body swaying beneath Adam's feet. He pressed on, undeterred, knowing that this would be the most challenging part of his journey. The snake's coiling movements confirmed his expectations, but to his surprise, it lowered its head, unwittingly aiding his climb by bringing it closer to its body. Adam continued, one-third of the way from reaching the snake's head; his progress slowed but steady.
Just as he reached the snake's head, poised near one of its eyes, the serpent buried its head within its coiled body, trapping Adam under the immense weight. His initial plan of puncturing the snake's brain through its eye became impossible, leaving him to devise an alternate, albeit repulsive, approach. With a mix of determination and disgust, Adam delivered a series of punches to the snake's eye, eliciting a shriek of agony from the creature.
"I never knew snakes could cry like that," he muttered to himself, his actions fueled by a combination of desperation and strategy. However, the snake relentlessly attempted to crush Adam with its coiled body. In a moment of inspiration, he summoned the owlbear's beak from his gauntlet, its sharpness and length perfectly suited for his purpose. With all his strength, Adam plunged the beak deep into the snake's eye, driving it through until his arm was buried up to the elbow, gripping the beak firmly.
The snake convulsed and gradually came to a halt, its life force extinguished. The notification of his kill appeared before Adam's eyes, confirming his triumph. Yet, his triumph was short-lived, as he now faced the daunting task of extricating himself from the snake's coiled body, lest he succumbs to suffocation within its confines.
Struggling against the weight of the serpent's coiled body, Adam knew that his escape was vital. With every gasp for air becoming more strained, he desperately searched for a way out. Despite his broken bones and battered body, he refused to yield.
Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Adam pushed against the crushing force surrounding him. His fingers clawed at the tight scales that encased him, his knuckles turning white from the effort. Inch by agonizing inch, he gradually maneuvered his way out from beneath the suffocating embrace of the serpent.
Finally free, Adam collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as pain coursed through his broken body. Every breath felt like shards of glass scraping against his bruised lungs. He gingerly touched the protruding rib, feeling the sharp sting of its presence. His vision blurred with the overwhelming agony, and the world around him seemed to fade into a haze.
Lying there, vulnerable and depleted, Adam knew he had given everything in this battle. The sweat-soaked strands of hair clung to his forehead, and his body trembled with fatigue. He could feel the warmth of his own blood seeping from the wounds, staining the ground beneath him.
As the realization of his triumph mingled with the searing pain, a bittersweet smile played on his lips. He had conquered the giant serpent, but not without paying a heavy price. In that moment of reflection, Adam allowed himself a moment of respite, letting the enormity of his accomplishment sink in.
------
After another quick nap and a bout of regeneration, Adam opens his eyes to the following system messages.
[You have slain (Verdantwood Serpent - Level 15 (Boss)) – You have gained bonus experience points for slaying a creature above your level.]
[Congratulations! Your class (warrior) has reached level 13. All stat point has been allocated + 1 free point]
[Congratulations, You have passed the fourth trial, "The Trial of Strength."
Reward: Key Fragment to The Verdant Sanctuary (4/4)]
[Congradulations! You have successfully completed the dungeon floor "The Floor of Trials"]
[Hidden quest completed: Complete all trials in under 10 hours.
Reward generating: The Viper's Fang]
As Adam finishes reading the system messages, a surge of triumph fills his chest. The fourth trial, "The Trial of Strength," conquered. He feels a thrill of anticipation coursing through him as the reward for his valiant efforts materializes before his eyes. A glimmering light takes shape on the palm of his right hand, gradually coalescing into a sheathed sword.
The sheathed sword in Adam's hand exudes an air of mystery and power. Its hilt, wrapped in supple black snake leather, bears intricate engravings that depict sinuous serpents entwined in a dance of elegance and menace. The guard, adorned with ornate patterns reminiscent of scales, glimmers with a subtle iridescence as if reflecting the serpents' shimmering scales.
Adam's fingers tighten around the grip, feeling the coolness of the metal beneath the leather. With a fluid motion, he pulls the sword from its sheath, revealing a blade that gleams with a polished silver hue. The slender and finely crafted weapon is honed to a razor-sharp edge, exuding an aura of deadly precision.
Adam stretches one of his fingers and cautiously presses it against the blade's edge. Instantly, a thin red line appears on his skin as the sword effortlessly cuts through his toughened flesh. A bead of crimson blood emerges, tracing a path down his finger.
A mix of awe and respect fills Adam's eyes as he witnesses the sheer sharpness of the sword. The sword's edge is so keen that even a gentle touch is enough to draw blood. It is a weapon of lethal beauty, capable of slicing through the toughest of defenses with unforgiving precision.
Adam's curiosity gets the better of him, and he decides to use his Identify skill on his newly acquired sword, eager to learn more about its origins and capabilities.
[System Description: The Viper's Fang - Uncommon - Level 10 - 30 This exceptional sword was crafted by a skilled blacksmith as a demonstration piece for one of their apprentices. The blade itself is forged from Gleamstone, a common but reliable low-level ore often used in the blacksmith's residing world. It possesses a balance of strength and sharpness, ideal for swift and accurate strikes.
What sets this weapon apart is its hilt and sheath, meticulously crafted from the hide of a level 85 variant of the Giant Snake. This high-level beast's scaled skin has been transformed into supple leather, showcasing the unparalleled talent and craftsmanship of the blacksmith. The intricate engravings of entwined serpents on the hilt testify to the deadly elegance and hidden power contained within the blade.]