Kane's arrow pierced the Psoglav, striking it in its thick fur-covered shoulder. But the massive beast, towering over twenty feet tall, barely reacted; to it, the wound seemed like a scratch. The poison only slowed it slightly, a faint haze of weakness settling into its movements, but Kane hadn't expected it to fall so easily.
The poison's effect, however minor, was all the Bauk needed. It charged forward, dark fur matted with blood and dust, its curved horns gleaming. With a low, guttural snarl, it drove its claws into the Psoglav's single eye. The creature let out a horrific scream as blood poured from the wound, staining the ground beneath them.
Not stopping, the Bauk raised its other claw and slammed it down into the Psoglav's chest, its sharp nails tearing through muscle and bone. In one brutal motion, it ripped out the Psoglav's heart, blood dripping from its claws. The Psoglav's body shuddered, and its head lolled to the side, but the Bauk wasn't done. Roaring with fury, it slammed its claws over and over , each blow a vicious reminder of its dominance.
Kane, hidden in the shadows, felt a chill. Something about the Bauk's eyes seemed wrong, almost haunted. They flickered with a restless gleam, as if it was driven by more than primal instinct. It seemed possessed.
The Bauk gave one final roar, echoing through the forest, and lumbered away, leaving the Psoglav's mangled body behind. Kane waited until the Bauk had disappeared from sight before creeping forward. He approached the corpse cautiously, hoping to confirm that the beast was truly dead.
As he drew closer, he noticed something strange—the Psoglav was still breathing. Kane froze, barely believing his eyes. Its heart had been torn out, yet it clung to life, a monstrous force still pulsing through it. Kane took a step back, wary, but the Psoglav sensed him and lashed out with its remaining strength, swinging a massive claw in his direction. Kane ducked just in time, feeling the wind of the blow as it crashed into a nearby tree, splintering the trunk with ease.
"Unbelievable !" Kane muttered, astonished by the Psoglav's endurance.
He steadied his breathing and whispered, "Rest now. Your power won't go to waste." With that, he drew his dagger, stepping closer. Kane raised his blade and plunged it into the beast's throat, driving it deep. Blood gushed over his hand, but he didn't stop, stabbing again and again until the creature's breathing finally ceased. Blood pooled on the forest floor, and his own clothes were soaked, the smell of iron thick around him.
Looking at the blood-soaked dagger, Kane realized he'd need a stronger weapon. His dagger had served him well, but he needed something bigger, something he could use against monsters like these. and as he looked down at his blood-stained clothing, he muttered, "I definitely need a sword !"
Just then, a flickering message from system appeared before his eyes, glowing faintly in the dim forest light. "Your vessel is not ready to harness Psoglav's full power," it read. "Access limited to 10% strength. 90% will be sealed."
Kane scowled. "What the hell !" he muttered, trying to dismiss the strange message, but the words lingered in his mind. He turned away from the Psoglav's body and began his trek back toward the kingdom. Dawn was breaking, casting a warm glow through the trees as he emerged from the forest, weary but determined.
Eventually, he came to a small lake where he could clean himself. He saw the same group of children by the water's edge, staring wide-eyed at him.they scared after seeing man ,who soaked in blood, but they recognised immediately.
Without a word, the boy began to remove his own shirt, offering it to Kane. Kane chuckled at the gesture, amused by the boy's eagerness. "It's all right," he said, waving a hand. "But I could use a place to wash up."
He knelt by the lake and began scrubbing the blood from his skin, when he heard a low, familiar rumble—a roar that shook the ground beneath him. Kane's eyes snapped up, and his heart sank.
Emerging from the shadows of the forest was the Bauk.Kane's muscles tensed.
The children screamed, frozen in terror. Kane knew he had to act fast. Gripping his dagger tightly, he stepped forward, bracing himself.