Chapter 115 Shrine Maiden
The shock of the scene lasted only for a moment.
I could feel an incredibly powerful energy.
Originally, the Beihj Bird was a creature where one is two, and two is one.
It was now complete.
…Though I wasn’t sure if I should still call that thing a Beihj Bird.
Since it flew with wings, it was probably close enough.
“Krrrk….”
Despite its ridiculous appearance, it was an extremely dangerous opponent.
I couldn’t let my guard down.
Especially since my current situation wasn’t looking too good either.
Voom.
The creature soared into the sky.
Normally, birds that fly during the day have poor night vision.
That was probably why the Imoogi Bird usually accompanied the Fiery Phoenix, which could manipulate fire.
But this creature fundamentally wasn’t a bird.
So, the disadvantage of darkness was meaningless to it.
Screeeeech!
I heard a deafening sound of the air being torn apart.
I twisted my body quickly, narrowly avoiding its attack.
Shaaack!
However, I couldn’t dodge it completely.
The creature had two crests.
It bent its body at a bizarre angle and managed to cut into mine.
Splurt!
My dragon scales were sliced open so effortlessly, and blood began to flow through the wound.
Drip.
Drip.
“Krrrreak!”
The Beihj Bird let out an unsettling roar.
I quickly tightened my scales to stop the bleeding and prevent more blood from escaping.
That creature was strong.
Astonishingly so.
Had I ever faced an opponent that could tear through my dragon scales this easily?
Had I ever encountered a foe faster than me?
No matter the enemy, I always had at least one advantage.
Even if the opponent was stronger, I could exploit that and eventually win.
But this Beihj Bird possessed a strength that rendered all of my previous experiences meaningless.
It was superior to me in every way, and even its unpredictability was a step ahead.
On top of that, it was effectively utilizing its underlings.
The sheer number of beasts gathered was disgusting.
It would use those creatures to divert my attention, then strike me down with its fastest attack, just like it had shown earlier.
Like being soaked by light rain, my stamina would gradually drain away.
In the end, I’d collapse.
I couldn’t see any scenario where I could defeat it.
Grit.
I clenched my teeth hard.
But giving up wasn’t an option.
I had sworn never to run away again.
…And it wasn’t like I could flee even if I wanted to.
Stay calm.
The more dire the situation, the more composed I needed to be.
I had to make the best move I could right now.
If I faltered even by an inch, I would die.
Thud!
I immediately moved backward, creating some distance between myself and the Beihj Bird.
However, this brought me closer to the horde of beasts charging at me.
“Kraaaargh!”
I let out a roar and hurled myself into the crowd of creatures.
Crash.
Thud!
Thwack!
I smashed heads with my forelegs and tore out throats with my teeth.
Slash!
I swung my tail, slicing an enemy in two.
The battlefield turned into a bloodbath.
Desperately, I bit down on the creatures to replenish my strength.
Boom!
Most of the enemies exploded under my attacks, but there was still something left to salvage.
Chomp.
Chomp.
Splat.
I chewed and swallowed a part of something, though I didn’t even know what it was.
This wouldn’t level me up.
The effects of Predation only manifested when my stomach was full.
But at least I could regain some of my strength.
I fought in the midst of the enemies, losing myself in the frenzy.
All the while, my eyes remained fixed on the Beihj Bird.
Voom.
The creature took flight once again.
Just as I predicted, the Beihj Bird was waiting for the moment when I became distracted by the battle with these beasts.
It was preparing to strike me again with its fastest attack.
But I wouldn’t fall for it twice.
Grrrind.
I braced myself, digging my feet into the ground.
Preparing to react to its incoming attack.
Screeeech!
Here it comes.
Its speed was hard to track even with my eyes, but I knew the attack was coming.
I had to burn through all the resources I had saved and settle this in one blow.
Thud.
I leaped off the head of a Terror Bird and into the air.
I dodged its blade-like crest and positioned myself to target its head.
I spun my body and swung my tail in a wide arc.
Swaaaaash!
My tail lashed out with incredible speed, like a whip.
No matter how strong the Beihj Bird was, it wouldn’t survive a direct hit from this attack.
Splurt!
Blood splattered.
But it wasn’t from the Beihj Bird—it was from me.
“Kreeeerk!”
“Kieeeh!”
What just happened?
I had clearly dodged its attack.
I opened my eyes wide and confirmed the Beihj Bird’s condition.
My attack hadn’t hit it.
It had released the limb it was holding onto to dodge my tail.
And at the same time, it had managed to slice me with its crest as it passed by.
“Gugh….”
I spat out blood.
The unpredictability of its attack left me speechless.
It was already absurd that a Dimetrodon could fly, but to attack like this?
There was no time to lament.
I had been hit by its attack and crashed to the ground, where the beasts immediately rushed at me.
“Kraaaaargh!”
I moved frantically, fighting them off.
I bit down on the enemies like a mad beast, desperately trying to consume as much energy as possible.
Crunch.
Slash!
Crack!
But the amount of blood I was losing was far greater.
The longer the battle dragged on, the more my mind became hazy.
I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even use Sprint, the skill that consumed the least energy.
Thunk.
Even when I swung my Dragon Claws, the enemies no longer burst apart in one strike.
It was because my strength had drained away.
Boom!
With every attack from the enemy, black scales scattered to the ground.
“Grrr….”
I swung my unresponsive arm, desperate to kill the enemy in front of me.
Thud.
My arm was easily blocked.
Crack!
I immediately bit down on the enemy’s neck with my teeth.
The Megatherium collapsed, blood spurting, and its body exploded naturally.
Even dealing with a mere minion was taking too long now.
My body kept growing weaker, and I saw no chance of reaching the Beihj Bird.
“Gah….”
I spat out a mouthful of black blood.
My legs were trembling.
“Kiiirrrk!”
In that hopeless moment, I heard the Beihj Bird’s cry again.
I tried to dodge its attack while limping, but it was no use.
Screeeeech!
The two crests crossed in a brutal attack, pinpointing a single spot.
If I tried to endure that attack, my body would be severed cleanly.
The only way I could survive was by taking the hit directly.
Thud!
The overwhelming force sent me flying dozens of meters backward.
Crash!
Crack.
Thud.
Boom!
“Guh….”
I finally came to a stop after slamming into a tree.
With trembling arms, I braced myself against the ground and barely managed to stand.
“Kieeeeek!”
Dozens of beasts charged at me, as if it were the natural thing to do.
The pain still hadn’t subsided, but I couldn’t just stand there doing nothing.
Thud.
Thunk.
My knee hit the ground.
My body wouldn’t listen.
My vision was failing.
My bones were shattered, and even my claws were broken.
“Grrr….”
I had fallen right into a trap.
By sealing off my level-up and pushing me through sheer numbers, I had no options left.
Even if they had only sent the Beihj Bird, it would’ve been hard to escape. But to lay such an elaborate trap…
They must really want me dead.
“Grrrr….”
Do they really think I’ll die so easily?
“Graaaagh!”
I swung my tail and let out the loudest roar I could muster.
I can’t die here.
There are those waiting for me.
If I die here, the Snake Queen will be in danger.
The same goes for Elder Hunhwi.
The former Bird King too, and even Chirp would be in danger.
Grind.
I clenched my teeth tightly.
I can’t die.
That would be a disgrace to my teacher.
And Shikshik wouldn’t want that.
[Your fourth follower, 【Ball Python lv25】 does not wish for your death.]
Tang So-yeong wouldn’t make it back home.
[Your third follower, 【Tang So-yeong】 is feeling uneasy for reasons she does not understand.]
Tus would be sad.
[Your second follower, 【Anthracomartus lv30】 believes your defeat is impossible.]
Pus wouldn’t believe it.
[Your first follower, 【Arthropleura lv30】 has faith in your victory.]
“Grrr….”
It had been a while since I’d seen these messages.
These were the words sent from those who had become one with me through Gecko Faith.
Even though I knew that the support from my cherished companions wouldn’t miraculously restore all my strength, it was still comforting.
If something like that happened, it would mean that gods truly existed.
[Some of the experience earned by your followers is shared with you.]
…I see.
In a way, spirit beasts could be considered gods.
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
Boom!
The beasts surrounding me were blown away all at once.
My mind became clear.
All the accumulated fatigue melted away like snow.
I had been given one more chance.
A chance to kill these beasts and the Beihj Bird and escape this place.
However, the fact that the situation was still dire hadn’t changed.
Dozens of beasts surrounded me.
And the Beihj Bird, which moved as if two creatures were one.
Though my body had returned to normal, escaping this labyrinth alone still seemed nearly impossible.
“Grrr….”
No.
I can do it.
[The Shrine Maiden, 【Nephila Jurassica lv30】 smiles at you.]
Nephila, showing the same smile I had seen before.
She placed her hand on her chest, as if trying to feel her pounding heart.
Of course, the Nephila I saw now wasn’t a physical being.
Like the Snake Queen had been, this was probably an avatar, a mere illusion.
After all, she hadn’t evolved into an Arachne yet.
Still, just the fact that someone was beside me brought comfort.
It wasn’t just Nephila standing by my side now.
Tus, Pus, Tang So-yeong, and Shikshik too.
They had all gathered, worried about their clumsy spirit beast, using all their saved-up divinity to send their support to me.
“Kiiiirrk!”
The Beihj Bird cried out, startled by the sudden turn of events.
In response to its cry, the beasts began to gather rapidly.
So many of them swarmed in that it looked like a black wave of ants.
The horde rushed toward me, and blocking their path were a single spider and a lone lizard.
Once again, the battle shifted.
Nephila Jurassica raised one hand and gently tapped me.
Even though no words were spoken, I could understand.
‘Are you ready, lizard?’
That’s probably the sort of obvious line she would’ve said.
I lifted one leg to respond to her.
There was only one thing I needed to say.
‘Of course, spider.’
