*Thump…*
*Thump…*
*Thump…*
The Anogratch took heavy strides, closing the distance between us step by step, its thick footsteps slamming onto the ground as if hammering right onto my heart.
I used my left claw to support my broken right limb, kneeling on the ground with my head hanging low as blood-filled saliva dripped uncontrollably from my mouth, stretching into long strings before falling to the floor.
[Super-Thought Acceleration…]
I frantically simulated potential upcoming scenarios in my mind, trying to find a sliver of hope to survive.
My perception of time stretched out infinitely, and though only a few seconds passed in reality, it felt as excruciatingly long as a century.
Am I tired…?
No…
I can’t fall asleep…
I still have so many things left undone…
*Ha…*
*Ha…*
*Haaa…*
The agonizing, bone-tearing pain across my body forced me to split every breath into several fragmented rasps just to exhale.
It’s not over yet…
*Thud!*
Right then, the footsteps came to a halt.
That Anogratch monster…
was currently standing right in front of me…
…
…
…
The Anogratch suddenly exerted its strength, swinging its massive fist downward with a fierce roar of rushing wind!
*Whew…*
…
I was waiting for this exact moment!!
I threw my body backward without caring about stability, kicking off hard against the ground with my hind legs to spring back.
Right where I had been standing just a moment ago—revealed only after I pulled back—was a spell circle that had already been fully constructed!
The Anogratch let out a startled gasp, but it couldn’t pull its fist back in time, watching helplessly as its full-power strike smashed directly into the spell circle that was about to activate.
Take this!!!
“[Earth Spear]!”
Under my control, an earth spear thrust violently out from the ground, accompanied by a surge of gushing blood as it pierced straight through the entire fist right from the knuckles!
“ROAR ROAR ROAR!!!”
The Anogratch let out a series of deafening roars from its throat.
Damn it…
Instead of scaring it off, this injury thoroughly ignited the Anogratch’s bloodlust!
It ripped the earth lance lodged in its fist right out, swinging it violently in my direction!
I hastily dodged to the side, listening to the sharp sound of tearing air pass right by my ear, narrowly dodging the blow.
Wait, no…
Shoot!
I forgot to keep an eye on the Anogratch’s position!
I hurriedly whipped my head back to look in the direction from before, only to find that the Anogratch, which had still been some distance away, was now right in front of my face!
It raised its other arm once more, swinging its massive fist downward again!
…
Wait, huh?!
No, no, no, no!!
My tail!!
Because that dodge was pushed far past my limits, even though my main body avoided the attack, the tail that had been pinned underneath me was still stuck in place!
*SPLAT!*
Accompanied by a loud crash, the back half of my tail was smashed into a mushy clump of flesh and blood, crimson blood gushing continuously from the severed end.
*Gah…!*
I let out a shriek of agony as excruciating pain tore through every single nerve, and as I landed, my feet buckled, causing me to tumble directly to the ground.
I hurriedly pushed myself up with my left claw, stumbling and fleeing to the side.
Tsk!
What a nuisance…
Because the half-severed tail behind me was convulsing endlessly from the pain, I made up my mind to sever it completely right from the base, continuing to run forward while leaving the severed tail thrashing around wildly on the ground.
The Anogratch took two steps forward, raised its foot, and stomped it into utter mush.
…
*Huff…*
*Huff…*
*Huff…*
I panted heavily while that annoying brute kept up its relentless pursuit behind me.
My vision was starting to blur…
No…
I can’t!
I shook my little head.
Stay conscious!
How can I give up right here…
*Gahhh…!?*
A tremendous force suddenly struck my back, flipping my entire lizard body over and slamming me heavily onto the ground.
Wh…at…
Was I so focused on running that I got hit by a rock thrown by that guy…
I could clearly feel that my back was now a mangled mess, with blackish blood pooling all over the floor as a lethal chill spread across my entire body.
Do I really…
not have…
a single shred of strength left…
…
I struggled with all my might to reach out my only intact left claw, crawling toward the nearby labyrinth wall.
After a desperate struggle, I rested my head against the wall, both claws hanging down limply as I knelt there stiffly.
Behind me, the sound of the Anogratch moving echoed continuously in my ears like the deadly curse of the Grim Reaper.
*Huff…*
*Huff…*
*Ha…
aa…*
*Ha…
aa…*
My consciousness was on the brink of shattering.
It hurts…
It hurts so much…
*Ugh…
ah…*
…
Is it…
going to end…
just as it started…
No, no…
No…
There must…
still be a way…
Even though I tried my absolute hardest to keep my eyes from closing, it was all in vain.
The Anogratch had already arrived behind me, letting out continuous, piercing screeches—like the strong mocking the weak, or a victor declaring triumph.
It held off on delivering the final blow for a long time, merely venting its emotions right there.
After a long while, the commotion behind me gradually settled down.
The Anogratch raised its fist, preparing to end my life right then and there.
As the sound of rushing wind echoed behind me, its finishing blow was about to fall…
…
…
…
Heh heh…
You really…
never learn, do you…
In an instant, a gorgeous spell circle lit up in front of me once again, its blinding light illuminating the labyrinth!
The very moment the Anogratch’s fist slammed into my body with full force, a petrified earth spear shot violently out from the center of the magic array!
After obliterating half of my body, it completely pierced through the Anogratch standing behind me.
Having finished all of this, I slumped limply onto the ground, moving no more.
…
*Ha…*
*Ha…
ah…*
Did…
did I win…
…
…
«Experience points have reached a certain threshold.
Individual “Small Elroe Basilisk” leveled up from LV.7 to LV.8.»
«Experience points have reached a certain threshold.
Individual “Small Elroe Basilisk” leveled up from LV.8 to LV.9.»
«Experience points have reached a certain threshold.
Individual “Small Elroe Basilisk” leveled up from LV.9 to LV.10.»
«Experience points have reached a certain threshold.
Individual “Small Elroe Basilisk” is now eligible for evolution.»
«Please select from the following evolution paths.»