CHAPTER 37: FIGHT TO SURVIVE (2)

Inside the vast tunnel, the air reeked of blood and dust.

Arnold and Amon were barely standing, their bodies beaten close to death.

Across from them, Hector stepped forward, his hood shadowing his face. He leaned close, his twisted grin inches from Amon’s bloodied expression.

"Let’s see how long you can keep laughing," Hector sneered.

Hector with his dagger get more closed to Amon.

But before Hector could act, Amon suddenly lunged forward. His mouth opened wide and

Chomp!

His teeth sank into Hector’s neck with dangerous force. Flesh tore, blood gushed out in a fountain.

"AHHHHHH!" Hector screamed in agony, his howl echoing through the tunnel.

He shoved Amon back, clutching at the gaping wound on his neck.

Spitting out the bloody chunk of flesh, Amon grinned, his teeth crimson and bloodied teeth. "Heh."

"You bastard!" Hector roared. His body shook with rage as he prepared to charge.

But before he could, a sharp silver trajectory flashed through the air. Arnold, barely standing with his bloodied sword, slashed with everything he had.

Hector barely blocked with his dagger, but the force sent him crashing into the stone wall with a heavy thud.

Despite being a master rank Hector was not much strong physically.

Arnold glared at him coldly, blood dripping from his lips.

Then— clink.

A sound of pin dropping on ground can be heard.

A round metallic sphere rolled across the ground, stopping at Hector’s feet.

It was a grenade.

BOOM!

An explosion lit up the tunnel, shaking the ground. The blast burned through Hector’s robe, scorching his skin. He staggered, snarling in pain.

"DAMN YOU BASTARDS!" he roared, his voice thunderous.

Before he could recover, more glass bottles shattered against him. Liquid drenched his body, soaking into his robe. He sniffed—recognition dawning too late.

"Fuel..."

Click!

Amon hurled three grenades at Hector and bolted, dragging Arnold with him.

BOOOOM!

The explosion roared like thunder, the blastwave shaking dust and stone from the ceiling. Hector’s scream tore through the smoke.

Arnold and Amon didn’t look back. Their battered bodies stumbled through the tunnel, each breath ragged, each step drenched in pain. Blood streamed from their wounds, but they kept moving. It was matter of survival.

"Hahh... hahh..." Amon panted, barely keeping pace.

"FUCK YOU BASTARD! Stop right there, brats!" Hector’s voice boomed from behind, filled with fury.

He was still coming. The grenades were not enough to injured Hector gravely.

Amon cursed and dropped two smoke grenades. Thick white fog swallowed the tunnel. He dragged Arnold behind a boulder.

"What now? What should we do?" Amon whispered, chest heaving. His face was pale, soaked in blood.

Arnold leaned against the boulder, his sword trembling in his hand.

His breathing was shallow, his body broken. Bloodied. But his eyes burned with resolve.

"There’s... one way," Arnold rasped.

"I can use my strongest attack. But it takes time. Can you hold him off? Distract his attention from me for a while"

Amon froze, then nodded without hesitation.

"I’ll distract him. As long as it takes. Just... be ready."

Arnold gave a faint smile. "After I strike, I’ll collapse. You’ll have to carry me."

Amon nodded tiredly. He didn’t argue. If they have at least one chance to survive from this, then they need to try this or they both dies.

"Shit... fine. I’ll do it. Don’t worry about me."

Amon forced himself to his feet, sword in one hand, revolver in the other.

Hector’s footsteps echoed closer, his laughter cutting through the smoke.

"I’ll tear you apart!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with madness.

A crimson magic circle flared above him, massive and complex, its glow filling the cavern.

The mana it radiated was suffocating. It was an intermediate spell.

"An Intermediate spell..." Amon muttered, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

Without hesitation, he charged. He tossed two more smoke grenades, thickening the fog until nothing could be seen.

Hector sneered. "Tricks won’t save you, boy."

But Amon didn’t stop. He closed the distance, raising his sword high.

Through the fog, Hector’s silhouette flickered.

Slash!

The blade cut toward Hector’s neck. Hector sensed it and twisted away, breaking his own spell in the process.

The massive circle shattered into glowing fragments.

Amon fired blindly into the smoke.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

One shot hit Hector’s shoulder. The bullet didn’t pierce deeply, but the sting drew a grunt of pain.

"YOU DAMN RAT!"

The smoke thinned. Amon dashed forward, sword aimed straight at Hector.

But Hector was faster. His fist slammed into Amon’s chest.

"AHHHH!" Amon screamed, blood spraying from his mouth. His ribs cracked, his body shaking violently.

Hector’s fists rained down like hammers.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Each strike sent shockwaves through Amon’s body. Blood splattered on the ground, staining Hector’s robes red.

"Take it! Take it all!" Hector roared, laughing maniacally as he pummeled him.

Amon’s vision blurred. His body was nothing but pain. His flesh tore, his bones cracked, his breath rattled.

Hector grabbed his hair, yanking his head up.

"Where’s that smile now, boy? Show me your grin!"

Amon’s face was drenched in blood, his body broken. Yet through the haze of agony, his lips curved upward. He smiled. A creepy wide smile.

"You son of a—" Hector spat. He was very angry.

Amon’s knee shot up, slamming into Hector’s groin very hard.

"GAHHHH!" Hector screamed, staggering back, clutching himself.

Amon didn’t waste the chance. With the last of his strength, he punched Hector’s face. The blow barely moved him, but it bought a second.

When Hector turned back, fury burning in his eyes, Amon was no longer there.

Instead, far ahead, Arnold stood tall. His sword was raised high above his head, gleaming with silver light.

His entire body radiated mana, the air trembling with power.

The blade shone like a star, sparks of silver starlight dancing around it.

"Final Form..." Arnold whispered, his voice steady despite his broken body. His dark blue eyes were full of resolve.

"[Shattering Star]"

He brought the sword down.

A colossal slash of silver light tore through the tunnel. Silver starlight sparks emitted through the slash beautifully.

The attack roared like thunder, precise and unstoppable.

Hector’s eyes widened. He couldn’t move in time. The slash cut deep, from his shoulder down to his waist. Blood sprayed in a violent arc.

"ARGHHHH!" Hector screamed, his body collapsing to the ground.

At the same time,

Arnold crumpled, unconscious, his body completely spent.

The tunnel fell silent, save for the sound of Amon’s ragged breathing and Hector’s painful cries.