Chapter 173: Play the same game

"Rarrrrh!".

The tunnel, a dimly lit passage of ancient stone, reverberated with the monstrous roar of the troll, its echoes bouncing off the cold walls. 

The air seemed to thicken with tension as the colossal creature charged toward Ethan, a chaotic force of fury unleashed through the portal.

Ethan's instincts kicked in like lightning, causing his feet to skid to an abrupt halt. With a fluid grace, he executed a rapid backflip, narrowly evading the troll's thunderous fist that collided with the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the tunnel floor.

As the ground trembled beneath him, Ethan's heart raced, his adrenaline-fueled senses capturing every nuance of the impending battle. 

He twisted through the air, his body a dancer's silhouette against the muted glow of the tunnel's faint illumination, a fleeting dance with danger.