Carefully, Xavier retrieved the serpent's venomous fangs, wrapping them in a piece of cloth to keep the deadly toxins from contaminating other items in his bag. Next, he collected some of the snake's charred scales, as they were essential components for enhancing protective gear and crafting potent poisons.
As he finished gathering what he needed, Xavier couldn't help but feel the weight of his actions. The snake had been a predator in its own right, and their confrontation had been a battle for survival. Still, there was a solemnity to the act of looting the beast's lifeless form, a reminder of the harsh realities of this realm.
With his bag now holding the precious loot, Xavier cautiously moved away from the serpent's remains. His footsteps were light, and he maintained a vigilant watch on his surroundings, wary of any potential threats.
The rocky gorge had grown eerily silent in the aftermath of the battle, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hoot of an owl. It was in this stillness that Xavier's acute senses detected a subtle shift in the air, a change that sent a shiver down his spine. He could feel the vibrations of something massive approaching, and his heart quickened.
"You know what? I saw this coming" Xavier muttered under his breath. After spending most of the day with no misfortune, he was becoming suspicious.
Xavier knew the scent of the serpent's blood was likely the cause of this approaching threat. The smell had permeated the gorge, serving as a beacon to any nearby creatures. It was an unfortunate and unpredictable consequence of the battle that had unfolded.
The approaching beast revealed itself slowly, emerging from the shadows of the forest and into the gorge. It was a massive, rhino-like creature with two formidable horns jutting from its forehead. The massive beast moved with a heavy grace, its breaths creating plumes of mist in the cool night air.
Xavier's heart pounded as he recognized the beast. It was a Grade one Dihorn Rhinox, a powerful and territorial creature known for its imposing strength and fierce demeanor. It was a force of nature in its own right, and Xavier knew he was ill-equipped to face such a formidable foe.
"Fuck my life." He muttered, cursing his bad luck once more.
Xavier quickly assessed his situation. He was trapped in the narrow gorge, with steep cliffs on either side and the hulking beast blocking his only exit. The scent of the serpent's blood was an irresistible lure for the Dihorn Rhinox, which had undoubtedly detected it from a considerable distance.
With the approach of the massive beast, Xavier's options were limited. He knew he couldn't take on the creature in direct combat. His easy victory against the serpent was all due to the preparations he made for it and he was not prepared to face another formidable opponent so soon.
Desperation spurred him into action. He turned and began to scramble up the steep gorge wall, using the rocky terrain to his advantage. It was a risky maneuver, but it was the only chance he had to escape the impending threat.
The massive beast had now entered the gorge, its powerful form casting a shadow that seemed to engulf the entire space. Xavier moved with a swiftness born of desperation, his fingers grasping onto rocks and crevices as he pulled himself higher. The beast's heavy footsteps echoed through the gorge, growing louder with each passing moment.
As he neared the top of the gorge, Xavier couldn't help but glance down to check the approaching creature's progress. What he saw sent a fresh wave of dread coursing through him.
The Dihorn Rhinox had detected his movement and was now charging up the steep slope, its massive form barreling forward with surprising agility. Its thunderous footsteps created vibrations that shook the very ground beneath Xavier's feet, and he knew that he was running out of time.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Xavier cried out in disbelief.
With a final burst of strength, Xavier pulled himself over the edge of the gorge and tumbled into the forest floor above. The massive beast, its eyes fixed on its prey, charged relentlessly toward him. Xavier had narrowly avoided the deadly charge of the Dihorn Rhinox, but he knew he couldn't afford to stay and engage the creature.
He scrambled to his feet, his bag of loot still clutched tightly in his hand. With his heart racing and his breath coming in ragged gasps, Xavier sprinted into the forest. He could still hear the enraged bellowing of the Dihorn Rhinox behind him, and he knew that he was being relentlessly pursued.
The ground had trembled beneath his feet, its vibrations resonating through his bones as the massive beast charged. In that split-second decision, he had leaped aside and tumbled to the forest floor, narrowly escaping the beast's deadly horn.
As he quickly rose to his feet and scanned the scene, Xavier's breath caught in his throat. The Dihorn Rhinox had crashed into a sturdy tree, its colossal horn embedded deep within the trunk. The beast was snorting and huffing, its massive head and horn struggling to break free from the wooden prison it had impaled itself upon.
"You are big but you are also stupid. If you had my bad luck, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have survived this long in the wild." Xavier taunted the beast.
A triumphant grin spread across Xavier's face as he realized that his cunning move had paid off. He had successfully lured the beast into a trap, exploiting its reckless charge. The Dihorn Rhinox thrashed about, its frustrated bellowing echoing through the forest.
Cautiously, Xavier approached the struggling creature, his eyes fixed on the massive horn, which was now lodged firmly within the tree. He knew that this was his chance to strike back, to turn the tables and emerge victorious once more.
With a sense of grim determination, Xavier reached into his bag and retrieved the loot he had collected from the serpent's remains. Among the items was a small, vial-like container. He uncorked it and dipped a cloth into the venomous substance he had extracted from the serpent's fangs. The venom was a potent neurotoxin, capable of paralyzing even the most formidable of foes.
Approaching the beast with caution, Xavier dipped the cloth onto the exposed tip of the Dihorn Rhinox's horn. The venom-coated cloth made contact with the creature's horn, and a hiss of sizzling echoed through the air as the potent neurotoxin interacted with the material.
The Dihorn Rhinox let out a series of pained and enraged bellows, its struggles growing more desperate as the venom began to take effect. Xavier watched as the creature's massive limbs trembled, its movements slowing as paralysis crept through its colossal body.
Though the beast was still immensely powerful, it was now immobilized, its thrashing limited to weak and futile attempts. Xavier knew that he couldn't afford to waste this opportunity. The Dihorn Rhinox fate was sealed.