It kept staring at Kai for a few seconds before resting its head again, as if he wasn't even worth its attention.
Kai's eyes widened in shock—had the creature just ignored him?
But honestly, he was more than happy about it.
'Alright... Let's get out of here before it changes its mind and eats me for real.'
Summoning all his courage, Kai got up and prepared to leave.
He then began walking sideways, searching for an exit, only to find that it was right behind the massive creature.
To make matters worse, it wasn't just sitting near the exit—it was blocking it with its back.
'Shit!' Kai cursed in his mind as his thoughts began racing for a way to reach the exit.
Trrr! Trrr!
The sound of something breaking and falling echoed in his ears, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Slowly, he turned toward the source of the noise.
His breath hitched.
It was coming from the exact spot where he had entered the corridor.
He had hoped those creatures would give up and leave, but instead, they were smashing, biting, and doing whatever they could to break through the wall or widen the crack to fit their size.
'Great. Now those suckers will be joining us too...' he thought, his face turning pale as he glanced back at the massive creature blocking his only exit.
'What the hell am I supposed to do now?'
He stood frozen, torn between his options.
After a couple of minutes, he finally began creeping toward the massive creature.
He knew that if he stayed there, those three creatures would tear him apart. But if he went near the massive one… well, it might do the same.
Still, he had a better chance with the massive creature. It didn't see him as a threat and didn't even seem to care that he was in the corridor.
Holding his breath, he slowly walked closer to the massive creature.
Even though he now stood just a few meters away, it didn't even bother to look at him. It simply remained there, eyes closed, lost in sleep.
But just as he was about to move past it, his gaze caught something—something lodged deep inside one of its paws.
For a brief moment, Kai's expression softened. Then, he quickly shook off the feeling.
'Why the hell am I feeling pity for this monster?'
As he glanced toward the exit, his expression darkened.
'What the...'
There wasn't enough space for him to pass—the creature was blocking the entire way.
He couldn't get through unless it moved. But why the hell would it move when it hadn't even acknowledged his presence?
Gulp!
'Here goes nothing…'
Kai slowly stepped closer to its paw, reaching for the rod-like object lodged deep inside.
Grr!
The moment he touched it, the creature's eyes snapped open, and a low, warning growl rumbled from its throat.
'Shit… What now?'
Kai flinched, his breath turning ragged.
For a moment, he froze. Then, forcing himself to stay calm, he gently stroked its gigantic paw, hoping to reassure it that he meant no harm.
"I-It's okay, pal… I-I'll be gentle," he said with a forced smile, trying—and failing—to meet its gaze.
Luckily, as if sensing his goodwill, the creature didn't lash out. Instead, it simply watched, curious about what this tiny human was trying to do.
"Here we go…"
"Argh…!"
Kai groaned as he pulled with all his strength, yanking the rod free. The creature flinched, wincing in pain.
Now freed from the lodged object, it glanced at the rod in Kai's hand before shifting its gaze to the wound on its paw. Without hesitation, it began licking the injury.
Kai tossed the rod aside and reached into his pocket, pulling out some leaves he had plucked earlier.
Carefully, he applied the green leaves to the creature's wound.
It hesitated at first but soon allowed him to continue.
Once he was done, Kai stood up, brushing off his hands.
Crack! Crack!
Just as Kai was about to move, the sound of something cracking and shattering echoed through the corridor.
To his horror, the crack in the wall widened, and the three creatures that had been rampaging outside slipped through.
'Fuck!'
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
He instinctively stepped back.
The moment they sensed his presence, the three creatures lunged toward him.
But just as they took a few steps forward—
ROAR!
A deafening roar shook the corridor.
The massive creature had finally risen, its furious bellow freezing the three intruders in sheer terror.
Slowly, it stood up and began advancing toward the now-paralyzed beasts. But before doing so, it glanced at Kai one last time—
As if telling him, I'll handle these pests. Go.
Understanding the silent message, Kai gave a quick nod and bolted toward the next corridor.
But just as he stepped into the next corridor, the world around him froze.
'What's happening now?!'
The walls began to crack, breaking apart into glowing blue dust particles.
Above him, the ceiling fractured, revealing a breathtaking sky.
The entire labyrinth was collapsing.
As the last wall crumbled, Kai's vision blurred, and he felt himself being swallowed whole by the endless void.
Then—
Gasping for breath, he suddenly found himself kneeling in an endless open field, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
The sky shimmered with silver light, casting a surreal glow over the landscape.
The air was rich with the fragrance of otherworldly flowers blooming across the vast fields.
Towering trees stood in the distance, their majestic forms adding to the ethereal beauty of the place.
In the distance, a massive figure emerged.
A majestic, ethereal Kitsune spirit stood before him.
Its fur shimmered like woven moonlight, its nine tails drifting like flowing silk.
Golden eyes pierced through him.
Then, an otherworldly melodic voice echoed inside Kai's mind.
[You survived—without relying on strength or guidance, without begging for help. Only with your instincts and intellect…]
It paused for a moment, letting the words sink in.
[Now… your real—]
But before the Kitsune could finish, a deep, gravelly voice thundered through the space.
{That's enough!}
Thud!
Kai collapsed, unconscious.
The air shuddered.
Above, the silver sky cracked like glass splintering under immense force.
{You have done your job. Now leave.}
A massive figure—as large as the Kitsune—stepped forward.
It was a wolf-like creature, its body adorned with draconic scales.
Its piercing blue eyes locked onto the Kitsune's golden gaze.
The Kitsune's eyes widened in shock, as an invisible force yanked Kai backward, pulling him away.
His body blurred as the void swallowed him whole.
Seeing the scene unfold, the Kitsune finally spoke.
[You shouldn't do this. You're going to cripple his soul.]
The wolf-like creature replied in a cold, chilling tone.
{I don't care.}
[You're breaking the laws—]
{Only fools bind themselves by rules.}
The Kitsune's gaze hardened.
[You know the consequences, don't you?]
The wolf scoffed, eyes glinting with defiance.
{Yeah, yeah whatever.}
At those words, the Kitsune lost its patience, its voice rising.
[Enough of your arrogance. Stop this now.]
In response, the wolf-like creature took a slow step forward, its glowing blue eyes burning with menace.
{Make me.}
Seeing this, the Kitsune flinched for a moment but quickly regained its composure.
[Fine. Suit yourself.]
Without a moment's hesitation, the wolf-like creature vanished—as if it had never been there.
The Kitsune let out a sigh, shaking its head.
[You haven't changed one bit, Zerathaeis.]