Chapter 35: The Demons' Maze (2)
Under the pressure of the monster about to blow their cover, Hunter curved his lips up and racked his brain, thinking of the moves he could use to deal with the threat.
'No point cursing! Fate has given me a chance to fight the powerful enemy early on! I must seize it!'
He kept in mind his depleted strength and his high regeneration, busily patching the wounds from his battle against Seraphina and the fall.
On the other hand, his new teammate entirely cast aside the unexpected variables she had gotten herself into.
Which meant that she no longer paid attention to Hunter and reverted to her solo hunter style.
Rushing out of the cover, for staying in the cave's corner limited her movement too much, Seraphina turned off her hiding skill and instead drew out her white sword.
Since the monster had initiated the first move, its club was above its head, and its movements were severely limited for a few precious seconds… that Seraphina wouldn't waste.
Zooming at him with her high speed and Agility Origin throbbing from intense usage, Seraphina appeared to be a foolish woman wanting to fight the mass of strength and weight head-on.
Which was naturally a feint she drew the monster into.
When it was time to hurt its front, Seraphina changed the course and went around the monster, her eyes soon reflecting its long, thick tail wrapped in steel armor.
She inwardly clicked her tongue before testing the monster's defenses.
BANG!
The sword clashed with the armored steel piece, ringing and drawing sparks.
At the same time, the brown lizard's club descended onto the ground, shaking the entire cave and disturbing the rhythm of the crimson-haired woman. The force was so great that Seraphina could no longer focus on the tail, to say nothing of her safely staying close to the monster.
She was forced to leave her foe's side, losing obvious means of fighting against him.
But at that time, Seraphina's eyes widened, for a male human had somehow found his way above the brown lizard's head, floating like a bird.
Having his leg high, Hunter was about to drop like a meteor on the monster's visor.
-
A few seconds before Seraphina clashed with the monster…
'She's aiming for the tail! I see… and she's not using her flashbang skill yet! That's good, so she's aware that her first flashbang will be the most effective skill in this dim cave! Well, her main offensive skill should still be better,' Hunter inwardly analyzed Seraphina's moves before narrowing his eyes, 'That armor is tough! Let's assume the tail is the monster's weak point… I must help her get rid of it… or allow her to focus on it.'
At that time, the monster raised its club.
Hunter's mind produced a few ideas, thrusting him to taste new experiences!
Therefore, as the monster's weapon broke the footing, causing an ear-splitting sound, Hunter focused his Strength Origin on his leg and kicked the ground exactly when the cave shrieked in pain.
Which meant his going up to the ceiling was totally covered and even unexpected.
Soon, he was like a bird, hanging above the monster's helmet…
'Add more weight and blood!'
Hunter's skin paled as he felt a rush of his unnatural source of energy going to his foot. He then directed it toward the hardest point of it — his heel. As he loaded so much energy, Hunter soon felt heavier, unable to keep his high position.
A lot of strength brimmed in his leg!
At last, the natural forces extended their hands to bring Hunter down. Carried to the visor by nothing but the force of inertia and gravity, Hunter did his best to hit the monster straight in the middle of its visor!
And… he did that.
BOOM!
Tearing through the monster's steel armor, Hunter cracked the visor like an egg, and his strength went deeper, threatening to break the monster's skull. Although that much was impossible, that one blow was so profound that the lizard lost its ability to stay on its feet!
The entire cave once again cried, but for a different reason, as the monster was toppled forward!
That much didn't happen without any consequences, however.
As the monster fell, Hunter followed its fall and was soon thrown away onto the ground like a rag doll. He rolled for a while before stopping, locking his eyes on the vista of the fallen monster.
'I wanted to complain… about being… an initiator…' Hunter inwardly commented as his weary eyes focused on the beautiful picture in this perilous scene… 'But seeing you activating your strongest skill because of me… feels so rewarding as well! I can't hate this feeling.'
Yes… as Hunter sacrificed his right leg and a lot of his strength reserves, Seraphina was both touched and compelled by him. That much of a display of power told her more than enough and induced so many emotions and thoughts that she was a little late to react.
But she redeemed that by quickly activating her strongest skill!
The beautiful white blade instantly dimmed and shrouded itself in the ferocious black aura. It was like a shadow had been entirely cast on it, somehow mimicking the monster's long canine.
Sensing that skill, the brown lizard shivered and tried to raise its hulking body. Alas, pinned down to the ground by Hunter's blow and sacrifice, it could only pitifully strain its muscles.
Worse… its intelligence told it that… the woman was aiming at the gaping wound on his visor and cracks on the skull!
She wanted to finish this in one strike!
"I spent three months hunting you down… don't disappoint me, wolfie."
The woman lowered her sword, bringing down the black slash that swallowed the cave's darkness in its wake, tearing everything in front without asking any questions!
Such a display of might and power had stolen Hunter's attention!
And soon, he was pleasantly bewildered to see that the skull he had failed to crack… was broken asunder by Seraphina's black slash.
'She did it… there was no need to scheme more! The monster just fell like that!'
That much was nice… but as Hunter tried to stand up, his body refused.
Which meant that if another monster or demon appeared here… there was a high chance that he would look at Seraphina's dying with his immortal eyes.
The situation was far from good… but Hunter couldn't help but curve his lips and quietly call Seraphina to his side.
"Good job, beautiful!"
"...you too."