Amon was currently standing still. His dark eyes looked in all directions cautiously. Everything was silent in the forest too silent, to the point it felt wrong. The cold wind flew through the forest, making a whistling sound.

It was slowly getting dark.

'It's already evening time right now.'

Though the sun was not visible, Amon could tell the time since his pager showed it. So he couldn't stay here for much longer.

He needed to find something fast to eat. Even if he didn't find any water, it wouldn't be a problem since he still had some water. But food? He had none.

And then he felt something.

A vibration ran through the ground.

It was silent, but he knew something was approaching.

Amon grabbed his sword and pulled out his hatchet with his left hand.

'Where is it coming from?' His black pupils moved from one side to another.

His heart beat faster with each second.

A single drop of sweat flowed down his forehead.

Gulp~

Just then, he heard a tree shaking.

Then something lunged from that tree to another, then from that to the next one with inhuman speed.

In just a few seconds, it was on the tree next to Amon.

His eyes widened in shock.

'Fuck–!'

A shadowy figure jumped at him from the tree.

"Roaarrrr!"

Amon kicked off the ground and lunged back a few meters in one go.

THUD!

The figure landed where he had been standing with a loud thud. The whole ground shook.

"Damn!" Amon felt like he had just experienced a small earthquake.

The smoke formed by the collision slowly subsided.

Then he saw it.

The creature stood roughly the height of a human taller than him, though– but its presence felt heavier, denser, like the air bent around it.

Its body was lean and unnaturally long-limbed, with arms that hung slightly too low, fingers almost brushing the ground.

The skin looked like cracked stone mixed with dried flesh, dark gray with faint veins of dull red glowing beneath, as if something inside was still burning.

Its head was narrow and tilted forward. It didn't have a visible nose, only two thin slits that flared when it breathed.

The mouth stretched wider than it should, lined with uneven, needle-like teeth stained black. Where its eyes should have been were two dim, pale lights not glowing brightly, but constantly watching, never blinking.

Its back was slightly hunched, the spine outlined sharply under the skin, forming small jagged ridges from neck to lower back.

A smell hit Amon's nose.

The monster smelled of damp earth and old blood, and wherever it lingered, the temperature dropped just enough to make human skin prickle.

"What's that thing? I've never heard about a monster like this before."

The monster didn't wait for long.

ROAAAARR!

It lunged at him in one stride. Fast. Too quick.

Amon's hands moved on their own instinctively.

His sword met against its two sharp claws on one hand.

Clang!

Bright sparks flew in the dark forest.

Amon gritted his teeth loudly. He spread his mana throughout his body, strengthening it.

He was pushed back a few steps.

The monster's other hand shot forward instantly.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue.

Amon ducked and rolled on the ground, standing up instantly. At the same time, the shadow beneath his feet moved up and wrapped itself around the hatchet. His left hand shot forward at blinding speed.

The abomination had already lunged at him.

The hatchet spun through the air, wrapped in writhing shadow.

Clang!

It struck the creature's shoulder, but instead of biting deep, the blade skidded across its hardened flesh. Sparks burst out as if metal had struck stone.

"Tch—!"

Amon's eyes narrowed.

The monster didn't even flinch.

Its pale eyes locked onto him, and then.

BAM!

Its knee slammed straight into Amon's chest.

"Ugh–!"

The air was knocked out of his lungs as his body flew backward. He crashed into a tree trunk, the impact rattling his bones.

Crack!

The bark split where his back hit.

Pain exploded through his ribs.

Amon coughed hard, barely managing to stay on his feet.

'Damn it… it's strong.'

The creature didn't give him time to recover.

Its claws dug into the ground, and in the next instant, it vanished from where it stood.

'Where—'

Amon's instincts screamed.

He twisted his body just as claws ripped through the air where his head had been a moment ago.

SHRRK!

The attack grazed his shoulder, tearing through cloth and skin. Blood splashed onto the black leaves below.

SPLASH!

"Ghh—!"

A painful groan escaped Amon's mouth.

Amon stumbled back, teeth clenched.

The monster landed behind him with inhuman grace, barely making a sound despite its size.

Too fast.

Way too fast.

Amon forced mana through his body, shadows thickening around his legs as he kicked off the ground and created distance.

THUD! THUD!

He landed roughly, boots skidding over roots.

His breathing grew heavier.

'I can't match it head-on.'

The creature tilted its head slightly, as if studying him. Its mouth stretched wider, teeth clicking softly against each other.

Then it charged again.

Amon raised his sword just in time.

CLANG! CLANG!

Claw after claw crashed against the blade, each impact sending shockwaves through his arms. His wrists screamed in pain as he was pushed back step by step.

The ground cracked beneath his heels.

"Grr—!"

His arms trembled.

The monster suddenly twisted its body and slammed its elbow into Amon's guard.

CRACK!

The force shattered his stance.

Amon flew sideways, rolling across the forest floor, dirt and dead leaves sticking to his clothes.

He barely stopped himself with his sword dug into the ground.

Blood dripped from his mouth.

'This thing… it's not just brute strength.'

Before he could fully stand, the creature leaped high into the air, its shadow blotting out what little light remained.

Amon looked up.

'Shit—!'

He tried to block it with his weapon instinctively. Already prepared to beat it. For his next move.

BOOM!

The monster crashed down on him like a falling boulder.

The impact flattened the ground, sending a shockwave outward. Trees trembled violently, leaves raining down like ash.

Amon was driven to one knee.

CRACK—CRACK!

Pain shot through his arms as his muscles screamed in protest. His vision blurred for a second. His eyes became teary.

"Damn it…!"

The creature leaned closer, its pale eyes staring directly into his.

Its breath was hot and foul.

Amon could feel it. He was losing. His legs shook. His grip weakened. But he won't give up so easily.

'If this keeps up… I'll die here.'

Shadows beneath him writhed violently, responding to his desperation.

Amon's teeth clenched as he forced himself to stand, even as blood ran down his arm.

"Not yet…" he growled softly.

The monster pulled its claw back, ready to strike again.

And Amon knew.

One more mistake…

Would be his last.

Amon rolled on the ground.

He lifted his left hand. His index finger drew forward.

A black sphere made of compressed darkness formed, pulsating with energy, radiating violent power.

[Eclipse Bolt]

It shot forward like a bolt.

It perfectly collided with the incoming monster.

The moment it hit.

BOOM!

A dark explosion occurred.

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