Chapter 37 Escaping

Dig!

Dig!

Dig!

Dig!

Ethoss dug into the dirt as fast as he could muster. He didn't like the thought of running, even less, from humans. However, his inability and weaknesses forced him to, if he wanted to survive this was what he had to do.

As he dug a hole big enough for him to fit into he could here the mumbles of the humans growing louder, this angered him even more than having to leave his cave.

Ethoss hissed viciously.

Internally he promised himself, when the time was right he would make them suffer. The only thing keeping them safe now was their overwhelming numbers.

As he pushed up through the soil that kept trying to get inside his ears he used his back legs and tail to close up the hole behind him.

As he dug underneath the humans, he could hear their footsteps above him. Small particles of dirt would fall onto his face before rolling off. In all honesty, he had no idea where he was going, he couldn't see through dirt, nevertheless, he continued to move underground.

[Dig has reached level 4]

The mechanical voice whispered in his mind but Ethoss ignored it. He focused on digging his way out of his situation. It had been around 13 minutes of digging and he could still hear remnants of the humans shouts and movement.

Brushing more dirt out of his way, he heard some rustling coming from the left of him. Turning his head to take a look, he noticed that the dirt was being pushed against from the inside, it looked as if something was trying to break through the soil.

Right, he had forgotten thats there were monsters living underground.

After a few seconds of watching a medium sized claw popped out. This was followed by another claw as well as a thick snout pushing against the topsoil. Observing this, Ethoss took a few step back within the long dirt tunnel he had created with all his digging.

As one claw came free another was able to push its way into sight. Ethoss flicked his tongue, noticing that the grotesque scent presence wasn't as strong underground. However, he focused on the wall full of dirt.

Whatever was coming out of the wall, Ethoss wouldn't wait for it to appear. Smoke rose slowly from the sides of his maw, escaping through the gaps of his teeth. The smoke rose up, clouding the tunnel a little.

Ethoss throat began to glow a dim red color, traveling up his esophagus, and Ethoss subconsciously drew his head back, as if he was prepping to pounce forward.

As soon as the the monster's face was revealed and it set one of its limbs inside of the tunnel, Ethoss threw his head forward, releasing crimson red flames. As the fire escaped his mouth, it went in all directions in until it reached the wall in front of him. The flames burnt through the fur that armored its leg and face, then ate at the skin underneath, turning its pink meaty limbs black and burnt.

"Argh..hugh!"

The monster let out a high pitched shriek as it retracted its crisp black claw and pushed itself back into the invading tunnel it came from.

Its cries didn't stop there, it loudly grunted and moaned in pain continuously. Seeing this opening, Ethoss's blue eyes glinted like blue fire as his muscles bulged outwards from underneath him, allowing him to move quickly toward the crying monster.

He zoomed through the tight tunnel, causing dust and dirt to fall on top his head and back, as he reached the invading tunnel he snapped his neck to peek inside. The monster was standing on its other three limbs as it leaned against the wall of dirt, it's burnt legs and face was covered in dried up and sticky blood caused from the flames. It had sharp claws and teeth, and it's back was hard and wide, resembling a shield. Ethoss noticed that it looked very similar to the armored hedgehogs. Perhaps it was an evolved version of it?

With a quick motion, Ethoss lunged forward, snapping his jaws on the monster's neck.

Lethal Venomous Bite!

Lethal Venomous Bite!

The strong venom rummaged its way through the monster's neck. Black veins bulged immediately after Ethoss inflicted his venom into the monster. With its free arms and legs, it's clawed at the cyan scales of Ethoss, however, no damage was being taken.

Ethoss lifted himself up then constricted the monster's movement with his own claws, holding it down while the venom did it's job. The monster slowly began to shudder as if it was dying painfully and horribly. A desperate choking sound came from the monster, which sounded almost like someone sucking air in for the last time.

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Moments later, there was no more movement from it. As Ethoss dropped it, it's body collapsed beneath it and its body fell to its knees and rolled over onto its side.

[You have defeated level 2 Adultus Armatae Ericius]

[You have gained XP]

Ethoss arrogantly looked down at the monster's corpse, then looked back at the tunnel he had dug. He still wanted to dig a little further, however, if he was to sit and eat this corpse for biomass wouldn't that also be good?

Waiting underground where the humans couldn't come and playing the waiting game, wouldn't this also help his escape as well?

Ethoss decided to eat the corpse.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Adultus Armatae Ericius, you are rewarded one Biomass]

[Basic profile of the Adultus Armatae Ericius unlocked]

Ethoss leisurely chewed and swallowed his prey. He wanted to waste as much time as he could while eating.

[You have gained one biomass]

***

Finished with his meal, it was time for Ethoss to continue moving along. He stepped back into the tunnel he had dug and resumed his digging. It took nearly ten minutes until he reached the surface but finally his head popped out into fresh air and natural lighting.

He had dug up and realized that he was now somewhere in the middle of the forest. Being in tight space underground for so long made the forest seem much more massive than before. He used his two thick legs to pull himself up and out of the hole.

Filled with glee now that he was finally unrestricted from the tight spaces of the dirt tunnel, he flicked his tongue. Upon tasting the air, Ethoss gagged horribly, so much so that he began gasping for air.

Additionally his vision began to get clouded by the huge waves of mana that was condensing around him. Ethoss heart began to drown in dread. This feeling that he was feeling, it was familiar, it was the same feeling he had felt when he ran for his life from the enormous amphibious reptile. This was fear, solid and pure fear.

He slowly turned around following where the mana was surging from until his eyes connected onto one solo figure. It was a human, one taller than the humans he was used to seeing, he was donned in jet-black armor, inside of his helmet Ethoss was sure he could see a red glowing eye looking coldly at him.

The human had his large sword lifted above his head, ready to drop the sharp blade upon Ethoss.

'Oh no, I'm in serious danger this time'

***

Monster Profile:

[Adultus Armatae Ericius: Adult Armored Hedgehog. The evolved version of the armored hedgehog. With its evolution it gained even more defense as it's back morphed into more of a shell or shield. Along with its defense it's offense also increased as it's sharp claws for attacking as well as digging elongated and sharpened. Watch out for sharp teeth. Only found in first Stratum of the Great Aeternus Labyrinth]