บท 73: Arun's Resolve

Outside the mist, everyone anxiously eyed the poison, waiting for the snake to rush out like death incarnate and reap their lives like powerless wheat.

As the seconds trickled by, gradually morphing into minutes, they couldn't shake their curiosity gnawing at their hearts. What was the beast up to? Julius had been inside the mist for more than three minutes already. No one dared to dream about his survival...

No one but the praying Arun, who still hoped to see his friend return alive.

Soon, the wind blew the mist away, revealing a shocking scene to the travellers.

In the middle of the rotting and poisoned land, they saw, eyes bulging, the enormous serpent's body cleaved in two. Its scales, more resilient than steel, were cleanly cut by what seemed to be an extremely sharp and curved blade.

Every fighter in the group pondered the same question as a heavy silence lingered, their hearts drumming against their chest.