...
As the time ticks and Jin Hwa's attention shifts to the next statue resembling a jackal, he notes the addition of weapons—a spear, an axe, and a sledgehammer. Anticipating movement, he waits, but there's no response. Confused, he checks the countdown, which continues ticking.
"What's happening? It's not mov—" Jin Hwa's words falter as the jackal statue seemingly vanishes from his gaze in a fraction of a millisecond. Flustered, he scans his surroundings, trying to locate the elusive jackal. He senses that something is about to happen.
"From above!" Jin Hwa reacts just in time as the jackal teleports to strike from above. With swift reflexes, he defends himself using his glaive, narrowly avoiding the surprise attack.
Successfully evading the initial attack, Jin Hwa senses that something is amiss. "Aren't there... three of them?" he wonders aloud. As if in response, the two missing jackals reappear with teleporting movements, launching coordinated attacks on Jin Hwa.
Faced with this unexpected assault, Jin Hwa quickly assesses the situation and decides to use the Slumber skill, slowing down time to gain a momentary advantage.
...
As the Slumber skill takes effect, Jin Hwa seizes the opportunity to counterattack. His glaive leaves scratches on all three jackals, showing the effectiveness of his skill. As the Slumber skill ends, Jin Hwa quickly retreats, observing the jackals appearing out of breath.
"Looks like they're exhausted," he thinks. However, to his surprise, the jackals drop their weapons, and their eyes start glowing crimson red. Jin Hwa, bewildered, mutters, "What... What's happening?"
The jackals undergo a mysterious transformation, their forms melting and merging into a colossal three-headed jackal.
Witnessing the jackal's transformation into a colossal enemy, Jin Hwa reacts with frustration, exclaiming, "F***ing shit!" The jackal emits a deafening roar, its sound waves capable of shattering eardrums, but Jin Hwa remains unaffected.
As the jackal charges with newfound speed, surpassing anything akin to teleportation, Jin Hwa struggles to react in time. He receives a slashing blow to his body, and with a swift spin, the jackal kicks him, sending Jin Hwa flying to the ground.
...
As Jin Hwa loses consciousness, he finds himself submerged in an expansive and pitch-dark abyss, as if his thoughts and regrets have manifested into an endless void. Within this abyss, a mysterious voice echoes, condemning him for surrendering and expressing disappointment in Beelzebub's choice of vessel.
In response, Jin Hwa weakly queries, "Who... Are... You...?" The voice dismisses the question, stating that Jin Hwa doesn't need to know and hints at a future meeting.
"Miserable creature, pitiful vessel. Is this truly the extent of your resolve? Giving up so easily... Tsk, how disappointing. I can't believe Beelzebub chose such a feeble vessel. You don't need to know who I am. We will meet soon enough."
The voice serves as a catalyst for Jin Hwa to slowly regain consciousness, opening his eyes to witness the jackal frozen in its mid-attack, surrounded by an inverted and paused reality.
Realizing that he needs to make a move, Jin Hwa stands up, witnessing the altered surroundings. Determined, he retreats to a safe distance within the jackal's attack range. As he does, time resumes, and the jackal's halted attack resumes, destroying the ground. Jin Hwa, now prepared for the fight, readies himself to confront the formidable adversary once more.
To be continued...