章節 130: A gaze into the past intermission Edward (4)

The gas is called sweet scent. It has a powerful effect on monsters that smell it. Wherever it's used, monsters will soon rush over and go into a killing frenzy.

Selling sweet scent is prohibited by the law but it's one of the most sought-after commodities in the black market.

Now that this entire cave is tainted by the sweet scent the best action would be to get out of here as fast as possible. However, I doubt that our pursuers would simply let us leave. And I can't protect Aisha in that kind of situation.

Quickly the first monsters rush into the cave. So far it's only dungeon lizards and a rock lizard. I easily take them all down with a few well-aimed bullets.

Then, the first problem arises. A blue glow akin to the crystals in the walls approaches the cave entrance. A luminous hermit crab, a creature that has a shell made up completely of that glowing blue crystal. Not only does this make looking directly at it a pain but it also provides the hermit crab with a formidable defense.

The only things that the hermit crab lacks are movement speed and attack range. Apart from that, it is very strong compared to monsters on the same level and is usually avoided. All my gunshots collide with its shell as it slowly inches forward having withdrawn most of its body into the shell.

Only a higher potency of destruction can help with this. I only brought four grenades with me and already used one...

I can certainly use the remaining three to finish off that dumb luminous hermit crab but after that, I won't have anything left to blast other monsters. The approaching hermit crab leaves me little time to hesitate. And in the first place, there are few luminous hermit crabs in dungeons like this one. The chances of another being in the vicinity are small.

I pull the pins of all three grenades and throw them at the luminous hermit crab. My luck is good as one of the grenades manages to slip under the hermit crab's shell. The explosion goes off rocking the cave and I can hear the shattering noise from the crab's shell.

With the scittering pest dealt with, I point my handguns back at the cave's entrance. I tense up as heavy steps approach and pray that it's not what I think it is.

The scariest, free-roaming monster in cave-type dungeons like this is the cave tyrant. A hulking bear with fur like steel plates and strength enough to terraform entire caves. The cave tyrant freely roams through all floors and encountering it is seen as very bad luck. Few people ever survived the attack of a cave tyrant and those that did all gave the same reason for their survival. They had been in a group and split up causing the cave tyrant to go after only a part of them while the rest made it out alive.

Knowing that does me little good now. There are only two of us here and I refuse to leave Aisha behind and Aisha can't get out of this place without me.

I guess fighting the beast is the only option available. Some small part of me hopes that I can keep it busy long enough for my team to get here. All of them together should be able to take the cave tyrant and save Aisha.

The heavy steps continue to approach sending tremors throughout the ground and walls. Aisha is sitting next to me trying to shrink herself and pressing against the wall in terror. I lovingly ruffle her hair in an attempt to calm her down.

"Aisha, a big monster is about to come into the cave. I'll have to fight it in here so you might be in danger. Go hide at the back of the cave and wait for people in military uniform to come to get you."

"But what about you, grampa? Aren't you going to come to get me?"

"I will but I might be late so you have to go with the guys in military uniform first, alright?"

"Okay."

Aisha sneaks towards the back of the cave and I look back at the cave entrance locking eyes with the creature that is about to wreck this cave.

The bear's eyes are that of an apex predator. It sees Aisha sneak away but attaches no importance to her. I am the threat and it will only deal with her after mauling me to death. But I won't go down easy.

Seeing that the bear is only slowly stepping into the cave I chance it and put my handguns back into their holsters. I grab the sniper rifle and take a shot without using the scope. I didn't have the time to properly brace myself so the recoil sends me falling onto my behind.

The bullet that I had roughly aimed at the bear's head hits the cave tyrant's shoulder. The fur is penetrated by the sniper rifle's powerful shot but I can tell that the bullet didn't manage to go far. The bear's muscles contracted like a fist literally catching the bullet.

I should have brought a shotgun or a few more grenades. Not even the sniper rifle managed to deeply wound it so how am I supposed to get anything done with the handguns or the assault rifle?

The cave tyrant realizes the same thing. I can't do much damage to it with my current arsenal. I should have invested in a skill that can boost my attack power. Not that I ever expected to be faced with such a monster. The military focuses on fighting rogue humans or humanoids that sneak into the world seeking refuge and prosperity.

The cave tyrant roars loud enough to make me tremble before charging over at me. One of its paws presses down on my chest and pins me to the ground as its wide-open maw descends to take my head.

"You may be stronger than me but you are way dumber than me."

In a quick movement both my hands enter its open maw and fire the Phantom Phoenixes right into the back of its throat. As long as this thing isn't completely brainless that kind of attack should kill it. With another roar, the cave tyrant smashes its other paw down on my head and everything stops.