Pulkit stood frozen in place, his eyes locked with the glowing yellow gaze of the white giant snake. A cold sweat ran down his spine, and he could feel his heart pounding furiously in his chest. Suddenly, a translucent notification appeared before him:
You have been affected by Paralyzing Eyes [A-rank].
Status Effect: Paralyzed.
Pulkit's body refused to obey his commands. He strained against the invisible chains holding him in place, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Is this the snake's doing? No… it's those eyes. It's paralyzing me so I can't even think about running away."
The snake lifted its head high into the air, hissing menacingly as its colossal form cast an enormous shadow over Pulkit. The corners of its mouth curled upward into a sinister smirk, mocking the helplessness of its prey.
Pulkit's thoughts swirled in despair as he tried to move, his arms trembling from the effort. "This can't be it," he thought. "I've fought so hard to get here. I can't let it end like this."
The snake's massive form lunged forward, its jaws wide open, ready to devour him whole. Pulkit's breath caught in his throat as the creature's shadow swallowed him. He braced himself for the end.
Then, in a blur of motion, feathers flashed before his eyes. Flappy had sprung into action, defying the paralysis that gripped Pulkit and Saber. The Skyhawk swooped down, gripping Pulkit and Saber with its powerful talons, and carried them into the air.
The snake's jaws snapped shut, missing its target by inches. Its momentum carried it forward, smashing through a nearby building, which crumbled and collapsed onto its head.
Pulkit, still in Flappy's grip, felt the tremors from the impact. As the dust settled below, he realized that he could move again. The paralysis had worn off.
He quickly glanced at Saber, who remained limp, still affected by the snake's Paralyzing Eyes. Pulkit muttered under his breath, "That was way too close." He patted Flappy's talons and said, "Thank you, Flappy. You saved us."
But the reprieve was short-lived. The snake recovered quickly, its massive body coiling and uncoiling as it prepared to strike again. Its yellow eyes glowed with fury, and it launched itself upward, jaws snapping at Flappy.
Pulkit felt the rush of wind as the snake's attack barely missed them. "This thing… it's relentless," Pulkit thought, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "It's bigger than before. Can it adjust its size at will?"
Pulkit activated his Appraisal skill, hoping for some insight into the monster's abilities. But a notification appeared:
Skill failed. The enemy's level and rank far exceed the skill's limitations.
"Of course," Pulkit muttered bitterly. "This thing isn't just out of my league—it's in a league of its own."
Flappy flapped its wings harder, dodging another attack. But the snake wasn't done. It reared its head back and spat a stream of venom into the air.
Pulkit's eyes widened as he saw the acidic substance sizzle through the ruins below, melting through stone and metal alike. The venom was a death sentence.
"Flappy, keep dodging! Don't let that stuff touch us!" Pulkit yelled. Flappy squawked in response, maneuvering desperately through the air. But the combined weight of Pulkit and Saber was too much. Flappy's ascent slowed, and Pulkit could feel their altitude decreasing.
Realizing the danger, Pulkit quickly called Saber back into the summoning space. With the wolf's weight gone, Flappy surged upward with newfound speed. Pulkit leaned over, looking down at the snake below.
His stomach churned as he saw its body growing even larger. The creature's sheer size defied logic. It loomed over the ruins, its head now towering above the tallest remnants of buildings.
The snake hissed, its yellow eyes glowing brighter as its body expanded. Pulkit watched in horror as it prepared to launch another attack. It coiled its massive form, muscles rippling beneath its scales. "It's like it's preparing for a final strike," Pulkit thought, panic gripping his chest. "How do I stop something this massive?"
As the snake uncoiled and launched itself upward, Pulkit felt a wave of hopelessness wash over him. Its size was monstrous—larger than anything he had ever imagined. "There's no way we can outrun that," he thought, his grip on Flappy tightening. For a brief moment, despair threatened to consume him.
But then, memories of Saber, Bloody, and the battles they had fought together flashed through his mind. He remembered the bonds he had formed and the sacrifices they had made to protect each other. And now, Flappy—a companion he had only recently met—was risking everything to keep him safe.
"I can't give up now," Pulkit whispered, his voice steadying. "Not after everything we've been through."
As the snake's massive jaws closed in, Pulkit's mind raced. He gathered every ounce of mana within him, focusing it into his hands. The air around him began to shimmer as his skill, Candlelight, activated.
A brilliant ball of light formed in his palm, growing larger and brighter with each passing second. The light was so intense that it illuminated the entire battlefield.
Pulkit hurled the orb of light toward the snake. The sudden brightness was blinding, forcing the snake to close its eyes and recoil. The attack missed, and the snake's massive body crashed back down to the ground, shaking the earth beneath it.
"Flappy, now!" Pulkit shouted. The Skyhawk seized the opportunity, putting all its strength into a powerful ascent. Its wings beat furiously, carrying them higher and higher until they broke through the clouds.
Above them stretched a serene expanse of sky, painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set. The chaotic battlefield below was nowhere to be seen.
Pulkit leaned back against Flappy, exhaustion overtaking him. His body felt heavy, drained from the intense use of mana. He looked at Flappy and smiled weakly. "If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. Thank you, Flappy."
Flappy let out a soft, reassuring cry, its powerful wings now gliding smoothly through the tranquil skies. Pulkit's eyes fluttered shut as exhaustion claimed him. The last thing he saw was the endless horizon and the warm glow of the setting sun. Flappy soared on, carrying him safely above the clouds.