Capítulo 31: Pure Luck?
The situation escalated rapidly as the Naga monster materialized before Riku and Solomon. Solomon's actions indicated confusion, even as he sniffed at his own neck in search of an explanation.
"Riku, why did you lure the serpent monster? It used your scent to track us," Solomon explained with trepidation, uncertain how to navigate their predicament.
Riku had overlooked this crucial detail, although he reasoned that the expansive forest made it difficult for the monster to locate him solely through scent.
Chomp!
Acting on instinct, Riku seized Solomon's arms, his intention to escape the impending danger as quickly as possible.
Thud!
In contrast, Solomon used his strength to halt Riku's flight. Massive stones blocked their path, while the safety of the lake lay behind them. "We can't head that way, Riku. Even if we swim in the lake, the monster will catch up to us."
They pivoted to face the looming creature. A surge of potent energy emanated from the monster's form as it activated its various buffs. The situation was growing dire by the second.
Tsk!
Riku clicked his tongue and relieved Solomon of his sword. "Allow me to borrow your weapon, Solomon. I'll buy you some time to escape," he proposed with a solemn determination.
Solomon's brows knitted in bewilderment, questioning the wellspring of this man's audacity. Moreover, he recognized that Riku was physically weaker than him, evident from the slender mana pool enveloping his form.
"Eh? Are you certain about this, Riku? That monster could easily take your life. If I remain, we can confront the beast together," Solomon reasoned, his concern stemming from the awareness that Riku's presence in this forest was largely due to him.
Riku responded with a slow shake of his head, a faint smile gracing his lips. His demeanor conveyed an assurance that he would weather the situation unscathed, even without Solomon's support. Inwardly, he aimed to minimize the probability of Solomon getting harmed.
"No, I can't agree with your choice. There's someone who deserves to survive, and that's you, Solomon. Your wife and daughter are waiting for your return. Seize the chance to move now while you still can," Riku proclaimed with a cheerful tone, though his intention was clear—he was determined not to be defeated by the Naga monster.
Solomon's heart was deeply moved by Riku's words, his eyes moistening with tears. A stranger, masked and with no personal connection, was willing to make a sacrifice to rescue a humble farmer like himself.
Wiping away his tears, Solomon stood resolute beside Riku. With a nod of his head, he affirmed, "Don't die, Riku. Let's both return to the Arzotoc village."
Riku acknowledged that returning alone to the village was not an option due to the lingering [Astray spell]. Nevertheless, he found comfort in facing the monster alone, without the burden of worrying about anyone else's safety.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, the Naga monster surged forward at full speed, its charge catching Riku off guard. Reacting swiftly, he propelled his legs into action without a moment's hesitation.
"Now, Solomon, run!" Riku's urgent cry spurred Solomon into a sprint beside him.
Clang!
Riku's blade clashed against the monster's formidable tail. In that instant, he caught sight of Solomon, his gaze fixed on Riku as he fled the impending danger.
"Don't look back at me! Just keep running!" Riku commanded, aware of Solomon's inclination to return and help him.
With his eyes tightly shut, Solomon's expression held a hint of regret. "Riku Hirota, I'll never forget your name! Thank you, truly!"
Riku discerned from Solomon's words that the man believed he was on the brink of death facing the monster. "After I saved him from the edge, he still manages to utter such sentiments?" Riku mused silently to himself while he exerted force against the monster's thick tail.
Skeek!
As he tried to resist the monster's strength, he felt his footing slipping backward. Acknowledging his physical inferiority, Riku swiftly executed a maneuver—using his legs, he delivered a well-placed kick to the Naga's body, creating a gap between them.
Bam!
The most imminent threat in this confrontation was the lethal venom contained in the monster's fangs; even a minor scratch could be fatal. "I can't afford to be distracted here; one momentary lapse and the creature before me might disappear," Riku realized, maintaining his focus and vigilance.
The surroundings were a mix of thick vines, towering trees, and a marble surface, forming the backdrop to their battle. The serene sound of water colliding with stones could be heard by their ears.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Riku relentlessly swung his sword, while the monster defended itself primarily with its powerful tails. The texture of the creature's tails resembled solid metal, and Riku found himself being pushed back with each strike.
His footing was compromised, and he struggled against the monster's superior physical strength. In response, he utilized his legs to deliver forceful kicks to the Naga's body, creating distance between them once again.
Bam!
An internal alarm resounded within Riku's mind. "I can't remain in this situation for long. Solomon's sword can't possibly withstand the destructive force of this relentless monster," he calculated, not realizing that the formidable green tail was advancing toward his head.
Thud!
-20
[HP: 80/100]
A notification flashed on the screen before him, but the spinning position made it impossible for Riku to read its contents. In a dizzying turn of events, he was launched into the air and subjected to rapid rotations.
Thud!
-5
Upon impact with a tree, his health power plummeted by five points. The intense force of the collision left his vision tinged with crimson as he grappled with the aftermath.
"Argh! How did that tail end up right in front of me?" he grimaced, swiftly recovering his stance, well aware that remaining vulnerable in that position could spell his demise.
Boom!
Another strike was unleashed by the monster, mercifully connecting with the tree that Riku had been positioned on moments earlier. The sheer power of the blow sent the tree crashing to the ground.
Swoosh!
The collapsing tree generated a gust of wind, propelling dust particles into the air. Capitalizing on the monster's obscured presence amid the turmoil, Riku exploited the opportunity to escape.
"What the...? Is that the true might of that attack?" he exclaimed, his vision still blurred from the encounter.
Assuming it was safe to make his getaway, Riku sprinted away. However, his perception of safety shattered abruptly when he felt the excruciating pain of sharp nails piercing his stomach. A crimson-hued screen materialized before his eyes.
-28
[HP: 47/100]
A surge of shock widened his eyes as he grappled with the reality of being impaled. The sensation of a sharp blade piercing his flesh was cold, accompanied by the ominous darkening of his vision. His blood slowly stained his clothes, and numbness permeated his body, hindering his ability to think coherently.
Hovering at a critical juncture with only 47 health points remaining, the gravity of his situation was evident. In just two more stabs, the monster could potentially claim Riku's life. And Riku Hirota, weak in comparison to such a formidable opponent, faced an uphill battle for survival.
A strange chuckle escaped his lips, accompanied by a spatter of blood. "Hahaha! Luck has saved me twice, but it seems luck's message is clear: avoid danger. There won't be a third time; my demise is certain here," he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation.
What options did he have? His mana showed no signs of replenishing, rendering him unable to invoke the [Fire claw] skill. Engaging in direct combat with the monster was futile, especially since the Naga had augmented its speed and strength, rendering Riku outmatched.
It was a grim realization. His initial enthusiasm for returning to Earth had dimmed, replaced by a grim acceptance of his imminent fate. Despite his valiant attempts at resistance, the monster's overwhelming power proved insurmountable for his limited abilities.
Blag! Blag! Blag!
[HP: 12/100]
"I've never truly cherished my life as a mutant!"
Boom!
Out of nowhere, before his health plummeted to zero, a cascade of stones descended upon the monster.
Eh?
The heck?
Does someone attack the monster?!
Those were the words spits by his mouth, confused where that strong explosion came from. Liters of blood were lost to him while slowly regaining his footing.
"Shit?! What is this? The monster is stuck?"
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