Chapter 70

Chapter 70 I Next

What defines a miracle? Is it an outcome gifted during moments of desperate hope? Or perhaps its the unexpected hope found on the brink of despair, defying all odds.

Ding dong!

The sound resonated fiercely in Raciels head, accompanied by a breathless message that popped up before his eyes. But there was no time to read it.

Mooooo!

A scream echoed, an outcry of danger.

A gigantic fist came crashing down.

!

Was this the end?

Instinctively, Raciel tightly shut his eyes and raised his hands in a futile attempt to protect himself from the inevitable. And then something incredible happened he blocked the Minotaurs colossal fist.

Thump-!

Huh?

An immense shock surged through his arm. His shoulder joint nearly dislocated. It felt as though he had used his arm to stop a massive club, causing a painful sensation that could have easily resulted in a severe injury or, at the very least, a bruise.

But wait a second. Did he just block the descending fist of the Minotaur?

Am I already dead?

Was this a bewildering mix of sensations experienced in the moment of being punched to death? Or was he hallucinating as his life slipped away?

However, reality proved otherwise.

Huff?

The King Minotaur, Uruus, snorted loudly, and his hot breath hit Raciels cheek. Raciel winced in response and opened his eyes. What he saw astonished him.

Huh?

Uruuss massive face was right in front of his nose, glaring at him while snorting roughly. Again, the beasts breath enveloped him in its pungent odor.

Ugh, the smell.

An intense stench overwhelmed Raciel. There was no doubt about it this sensation was definitely not a hallucination or a misconception.

Huff! Huff!

Thud! Thud!

Uruus, panting heavily, pressed down with his fists.

Ugh!

The raised arms were straining under the tremendous weight. It felt as though a massive rock was bearing down on him. But what he was holding up with his arms was

Huh?

Uruuss fists. Raciel was indeed blocking Uruuss fists with his arms. However, something else seemed off.

Did this Minotaur shrink?

Uruuss fist had been as large as a rock before, unquestionably bigger than Raciels body. But now, it looked no bigger than a well-ripened melon.

Not only his fist. The massive figure standing over 7 meters tall? No, it was now just slightly taller than Raciel, with a back that wasnt significantly larger.

In other words

The size difference its gone.

What just happened? All Raciel did was struggle to survive and attempted something desperate consuming the red sunflower seed, exclusive to the Phantom Beasts.

But the Minotaur that was trying to kill me has shrunk to a size similar to mine? Does that make any sense?

The first thought that came to mind was that this event was strange and impossible. But at that moment, it became evident that Uruus was not pleased with Raciels stunned reaction.

Huff! Mooooo-!

Uruus unclenched his fists, swiftly extending his palm to grab Raciels collar. In an instant, he lifted him effortlessly and flung him around like a ragdoll.

Ugh!

Boom-!

The impact of Raciel hitting the ground resembled that of an overturned dump truck. Not only that, half of the previously intact ship hull was now completely crushed beneath his back!

What just happened?

Raciel was baffled by the sudden turn of events. Uruus now appeared to be of similar size to him, but when he fell, his back crushed the ships hull. This realization led him to an astonishing thought.

Did I grow?

With urgency, Raciel raised his head and gazed at the night sky with the fleeting moon, the approaching Uruus, and something in between a red warning message.

Recalling the earlier ding dong notification, Raciel quickly scanned the messages contents.

[WARNING!]

The sword in his hand shone coldly. He hit hard on the backside of the thorn Raciel was holding.

Crack!

The impact drove the thorn about 10 centimeters deep into Uruuss thick cowhide. Finally, it properly pierced the Minotaurs celestial artery.

Muooooo!

Uruuss writhing intensified. But Raciel had no intention of stopping the procedure. Because he had to survive. Because he had to stop Uruuss rampage. Therefore, he first had to calm this guy down.

I need to incapacitate him. Killing him? No. Thats impossible for me. Although the size is similar, I am still frail. Because this guy is stronger than me. Ive just managed to pierce the skin with the thorn.

So, killing him would be tough. Especially, its absolutely impossible to kill this guy in about 2 minutes left. So, the remaining method is?

I have to calm him down. Paralysis? No. Its impossible because he is so excited and running wild. I dont have the poison I used for the procedure on Anises tail. So, the best thing I can do now is to calm down his excited state and end the frenzy. Then I have a chance. Even if I faint, the remaining Demian and the rest of the guards will be able to stand up somehow.

He repeatedly made a cool calculation. In doing so, he saw the point. Demian and the guards, special duty guards, who are now watching him with shocked eyes on the other side. Thanks to him who bought time while wrestling with Uruus, they seemed to have somewhat recovered from the hit.

Thats enough.

If he calms the Uruus down, if he ends the frenzy, then they can take care of the rest.

I need to calm down the excitement of the nervous system. Lets reduce the excitability of the sympathetic nervous system and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

With a clear conclusion in mind, Raciel knew what he needed to do.

Kozumi! Thorn!

Holding onto Uruus, he called out, and Kozumi responded promptly.

Koooo!

Pop! Pop!

Kozumi pulled out thorns one after another and threw them one by one at Raciel. As he caught them, Raciel swiftly stuck them into Uruuss body.

Cheonlyo-hyeol ()!

The thorn was carefully placed into the hollow area at the highest point of the shoulder bone, near the superior angle of the scapula.

Demian!

Without hesitation, Demian leaped into action. He swung down his sword with force, striking the thorn like a hammer. Thanks to his swift action, the thorn penetrated through the tough cowhide.

Muooooo!

Uruuss wild rampage intensified, but Raciel didnt stop there.

Gye-maek-hyeol ()! Demian!

Crack!

Another thorn was mercilessly stuck in a point diagonally down from the back of the ear, where Gye-maek-hyeol was located. Raciel saw the acupoint briefly glow as he continued to stick the thorns following the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridians acupoint flow.

Yepung!

Boom!

The next thorn found its place a little below Gye-maek-hyeol, and the following one was placed just above the auricular apex.

Gakson!

Crack!

Muooooooo!

Did he feel that he was doing something? Uruuss rampage became even rougher. But Raciel also clung desperately. And he repeated to himself as if brainwashing himself.

This guy is a patient. A child patient who is throwing a tantrum because he doesnt want to get a shot. But the child is just a bit too robust. Thats all!

This mental reframe bolstered Raciels confidence, and a professional sense of duty emerged within him.

Stay still and Ill give you candy!

Thunk!

The last thorn was aimed at Imun-hyeol.

Following the direction from the ear to the face, Raciel fiercely stabbed the thorn into the hollow place right in front of the supratragic notch, where two ear creases meet to form a valley. With a strong strike from Demian, the thorn was firmly pushed in.

The effects were evident.

Muuo!

Uruuss rampage came to an abrupt halt. The bloodshot lines in his eyeballs faded, and his previously rapid breathing, muscular tension, and internal movements all became calm. His heart rate, too, slowed down.

Thump-! Thump! Thump.

As Uruuss cardiovascular system, previously partially blocked by a blood clot, began to undergo changes, its coronary artery dilated, and the stagnant myocardial blood flow improved. The myocardiums oxygen demand significantly decreased, and the excruciating pain that had gripped its heart vanished as if washed away. Uruuss once fiercely gleaming eyes transformed into a state of calm.

Mu, Muuuo?

The intense glare that Uruus had directed at Raciel, akin to that of an enemy, now slowly and surely softened into the gaze of gratitude, recognizing Raciel as its benefactor for treating its ailment.

(To be Continued)

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