Chapter 263: Kekeke-!

Adrian's legs moved faster than his thoughts, propelling him through the dimly lit passages of the cave. The unconscious bodies of bandits lay strewn about, markers of the violence that had preceded their desperate flight with his teammates. Each one he passed was a grim reminder of the chaos behind them, but also a guiding path toward their escape. Sёarch* The NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

With Rhea securely in his arms, he darted through the labyrinthine cave, his sharp eyes catching glimpses of the second entrance ahead, illuminated faintly by the outside light. The chill of the cave was quickly replaced by the brisk mountain air as he burst through the exit, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

He continued moving, the adrenaline propelling him forward until he found a medium clearing in the mountain forest. It was a momentary sanctuary, a place where he could gather his thoughts and prepare for the next inevitable confrontation. Gently, he leaned Rhea against one of the trees, making sure she was as comfortable as possible given the circumstances.

The moment of respite was brief. A sinister chuckle echoed through the clearing, sending a shiver down Adrian's spine. He turned to see the snout-faced monster emerging from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with malevolent glee.

"Tired already?" the monster taunted, its voice a mocking hiss.

Adrian didn't waste his breath on a reply. Instead, he positioned himself away from Rhea and then took a subtle stance, his gaze fixed firmly on the approaching threat. His muscles tensed and relaxed, ready for the imminent battle.

"Now, we can fight," Adrian said, his voice steady and filled with determination.

The snout-faced monster's laughter grew louder, its amusement clear. "You are overestimating yourself," it sneered, its body tensing before it leaped towards Adrian with incredible speed. Green liquid shot from its mouth, sizzling as it splattered on the ground.

"This will be a bit tricky," Adrian muttered under his breath, his body blurring as he activated Phantom Step. He dodged the initial assault, the acidic liquid barely missing him as he reappeared several feet away.

The monster landed where Adrian had just been, its claws sinking into the ground. It looked up, snarling in frustration. "You think you can run forever?" it growled, its eyes locking onto Adrian's new position.

Adrian's mind was racing, calculating his next move. He knew he couldn't afford a prolonged fight; the monster's relentless attacks would eventually wear him down. He needed to find a way to end this quickly or endure till the others beat the second monster.

The monster lunged again, faster this time, its claws swiping through the air where Adrian stood moments before. Adrian's Phantom Step allowed him to evade, but the creature was adapting, its attacks becoming more precise.

Adrian glanced around, his eyes scanning the environment for anything that could give him an advantage. The trees, the rocky terrain, the very layout of the forest—everything was a potential tool in his fight.

His body moved with agility, but he could feel the strain growing. Each Phantom Step took more out of him, the toll evident in the burning of his muscles and the rapid beating of his heart.

The monster lunged again, its claw-like nails swiping through the air with deadly precision. Adrian managed to evade the first few strikes, but his fatigue slowed him just enough for the monster to land a glancing blow on his left arm. Pain shot through him as blood welled from the deep gash.

"Crap," Adrian cursed inwardly, his mind racing. 'Even with the silver Ruin artifact's help, I'm still weaker than this monster, huh.'

The snout-faced monster seized the momentum, pressing its advantage. It slashed at Adrian again, and this time, the claws found their mark, tearing through his side and leaving deep, painful wounds. Adrian gritted his teeth, trying to focus through the pain as he continued to evade, but another swipe caught his leg, sending him sprawling to the ground.

His thoughts were a whirlwind of desperation and calculation. This monster's prowess was equal to that of an early-stage Lunar Sage, which meant his chances of defeating it were close to zero. He needed a plan or a miracle, and he needed it fast.

Seeing an opening, Adrian quickly reached for the healing potions at his belt. He gulped down three in rapid succession, feeling the cool liquid flow through his body and begin to knit his wounds. The relief was immediate but temporary. He knew he couldn't rely on the potions alone to survive this battle. Heck, he mightn't have a chance to drink one again.

The monster watched him with a predatory gleam in its eyes, delighting in its prey's suffering. But when Adrian's expression remained resolute, the monster's irritation grew.

"You think you can just heal and escape?" the monster snarled, its voice dripping with venom, both literally and figuratively. It launched another attack, its claws flashing towards Adrian with deadly intent.

Adrian's mind cleared, his focus narrowing to a single point. He couldn't outrun the monster forever, but he could try to outthink it. As the monster closed in, he activated Phantom Step once more, dodging to the side and positioning himself near a cluster of trees.

The monster's claws raked through the air where he had been, but Adrian was already moving. He led the creature into the densest part of the forest, using the trees to hinder its movements and create opportunities for counterattacks.

Adrian's body protested with every step, the strain of the constant evasion taking its toll. But he pushed through the pain, his mind sharp and calculating. He needed to make the monster let its guard down, to find a moment of weakness he could exploit.

The monster, growing more frustrated by the second, charged at Adrian with reckless abandon. Its claws sliced through the trees, splintering wood and sending debris flying. Adrian used the chaos to his advantage, darting in and out of the shadows, landing quick, precise strikes whenever he could.

But the monster was relentless while the wounds it received healed faster than a potion could heal. It cornered Adrian near a large boulder, its eyes blazing with fury. "This ends now!" it roared, leaping at him with all its strength.

"!"

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Blood sprayed through the air.

"Kekeke!"

Adrian fell to his knees, the monster's laughter echoing through the clearing, a sinister chorus of victory.