Chapter 82 An Old Enemy

Exiting the cave I sighed in defeat.

' I'm not yet able to even half clear it '

Recalling the red scale Naga I slightly clenched my fists. It was an obstacle I planned to defeat next time I come here.

Since most people don't know about the cave or will not be able to defeat the monster I was sure that the Naga will survive until our next meeting.

Unequipping my Staff I felt that all of my shadow soldiers were dead.

Patting Fenrir's head I thanked him for giving me a ride and threw him some pork. While he was eating his meal I consumed a red Health potion.

Looking around I noticed a pair of yellow eyes spying me from the bushes.

" I haven't seen you in a while! "

After the first loss my emotional state was somewhat irritable and seeing an old enemy considerably improved my mood.

Soon the beast fully emerged from the forest revealing shiny red scales that covered all of its body. The creature had build that of the big Lizard, its red tongue was slightly protruded from the mouth revealing its forked appearance.

It was the Fire Salamander and a high level one!

Looking at the number on its Status screen I bitterly smiled.

' Why is his level above mine? '

Grumbling under my breath I sent Fenrir to take the front line while I casted a Lightning Bolt and held it in my hand, waiting for a perfect opportunity to strike.

Whoosh...

I saw a Fire projectile leave the Lizard's mouth and fly towards Fenrir. Luckily I was already prepared and quickly used my Mana to deploy Shadow Protection.

Boom...

A huge explosion shook the ground, but the shield managed to block the fireball.

Some smoke covered the area slightly obstructing my vision.

Fortunately I was smart enough to retreat waiting for the smoke to settle. I also instructed Fenrir to wait till he could fully see the beast.

Not even a second later two fireballs flew out of the smoke rapidly approaching me and Fenrir. Narrowing my eyes I tensed my muscles before jumping high in the air and evading both projectiles.

While still in the air I saw an entity leap towards me with its mouth full of razor sharp teeth aiming for my throat.

Whoosh...

I casted a Lightning Bolt and the projectile left my hand considerably fast allowing me to launch it before the monster could reach me.

With no way to evade Salamander decided to counter a spell with its own spell.

Boom...

A fireball and a Lightning Bolt collided creating shockwaves around them. I was even forced to cover my face due to the sheer strength of the after effects.

' One hard fight after another '

I sighed seeing the lizard still approaching my location.

Since I was still in the air I had no shadows around me, hence could not use my [ Shadow Friend ] skill.

' This is troublesome '

Quickly creating another two Lightning Bolts I threw them towards the Salamander, buying myself enough time to reach the ground.

Thump...

After managing to land I was immediately forced to retreat, because the Salamander's teeth were a meter away from my body.

Creating a Shadow Blast I lowered my body to avoid another fireball aimed at my face.

While the projectile was passing above me, I could feel the fireball's heat that seemed able to compete against Demonic Fame.

Throwing my Spell made with Shadow Energy I made sure it'd be aimed at the lizard's legs. If the monster managed to evade it, it would still hit the ground making an explosion with a possibility to damage a Salamander who was nearby.

Unfortunately, since Salamander was a high level one, his Spells were more versatile.

Whoosh...

A beam of fire left its mouth and collided with the Orb stopping it in its tracks and soon exploding it. Fire Salamander used an attack similar to that of an Ice Wyvern - Fire Breath. Of course lizard's skill was yet to become so powerful to rival that of a dragon's or Wyvern's, but it was commendable.

...

...

...

Looking at the monster I kind of wanted to test his flames against mine, the only issue was that I wasn't yet able to throw Demonic Flame and only use it to engulf my body or a weapon.

Clenching my Staff I let the White aura engulf its surface covering it whole.

Roar...

Seeing another source of fire I saw the Salamander roared while I saw flame climbing up its throat.

Quickly using my hands I started spinning my staff as fast as I could and held it in the direction of the monster.

Whoosh...

A torrent of flames left the Salamander's mouth rapidly approaching my location.

Bum...

My Demonic Flames clashed against the Fire Breath, I was profusely sweating due to the heat generated, but luckily my hands were not burnt due to [ Shadow Gloves ] made by Kilgros.

' I should thank him next time... '

Holding a straight posture I kept spinning the Staff until the Salamander finally stopped his Fire Breath.

Grrrr...

I heard a sound, similar to a growl, leave its mouth as the smoke was slowly rising from the top of its back.

' Overheating? '

Recalling that Fire Salamanders can overheat due to using too many Fire attribute spells I smiled seeing some signs of it already happening.

Since monsters like these are met all across the map no matter the level or place it wasn't rare to know all about them. Especially when information regarding them was dirt-cheap.

Whoosh...

Even though its body couldn't produce any more fire spells the monster could still use its Physical Strength or Skills/Spells that are not fire-related like [ Leap ]!

The Salamander's body reinforced by red scales leaped towards me trying to reach my chest and vitals. Unfortunately for the beast, midway its jump another monster hit it from the side dealing some heavy damage.

- 176 Physical Damage!

A black fur wolf was clawing and biting into the body of the Lizard aiming to reach underneath its sturdy scales.

Roar...

The Salamander feeling immense pain of its scales being forcefully detached from the body suddenly exploded in flames sending fire in all directions. The beast's body was now covered in fire and its previously damaged side was slowly regenerating.

Even though its wounds were now not that serious due to healing, the breathing of the monster was rough and uneven.

Grrrr...

Seeing Fenrir who was rolling on the ground to extinguish the flame Salamander almost leapt towards him, but its path was blocked by an almost transparent, grey barrier which previously blocked its Fireball spell.

Turning its gaze towards me, its eyes met with mine. I swear I could see the flames covering its body intensify as the speed of the smoke leaving its body rapidly accelerated.

Whoosh...

I barely managed to avoid a Fireball that was aimed at my chest by swinging my Staff covered in flames.

Boom...

I felt my hands go numb from the collision as I quickly unequipped my Staff to disperse the vibrations that happened due to my Weapon hitting a fast projectile. Of course it wasn't the smartest choice to block it with the staff since the Fireball still exploded, the only good thing was that the damage was minimal compared to what would've happened if the Spell reached my body.

' I should be more careful... '

Taking a few steps back I came in contact with the shadow of a nearby tree and soon 11 Soldiers appeared draining me of my Shadow Energy.

' You better be useful! '

I glanced towards the lizard who was glaring towards me while at the same time attacking Fenrir who was buying me some time.

Whoosh... Whoosh... Whoosh...

My soldiers ran through the battlefield rapidly approaching the Lizard.

Monster feeling a presence of another 11 enemies, turned its scaly head towards the fast approaching Shadows and threw a Fireball which travelled fast compared to its original speed.

Luckily all of my Soldiers managed to avoid it, if even a single one of them was hit the explosion would probably wipe out the entire group due to them having a Weakness against Fire and explosion having high damage.

All 11 Shadows approached the Lizard forcing it to shift its attention from the Black Fur to the quickly approaching enemies.

Whoosh...

Through its mouth a huge torrent of flames were launched at the shadows immediately killing 3 of them. The soldiers didn't even have a chance to react due to the sheer speed of the Lizard's Fire breath.

Unfortunately while the Lizard was occupied by shadows my Lightning Bolt managed to reach its previously injured side.

Chik...

The Bolt managed to pierce through a small gap in between the scales that were not yet fully healed. The bolt entered the body through one side and left through another meeting no resistance.

Thud...

The Lizard's eyes started becoming cloudy as its tensed up muscles started to relax making it slowly fall on the ground.

My Thrown Spell managed to pierce directly through the beast's Heart instantly killing it!