The worm-like creature lunged at Knox with startling speed, its body twisting and writhing as it closed in for the attack. Knox's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly sidestepped the creature's vicious assault, narrowly avoiding the torrent of acid that cascaded from its gaping maw.
As the creature recoiled from its failed attack, Knox assessed his opponent with a wary eye. Its elongated body was undulated like a serpent as it slithered across the forest floor, leaving a trail of corrosive acid in its wake. The sight of its four sets of razor-sharp teeth sent a shiver down Knox's spine, a grim reminder of the creature's deadly capabilities.
With a glance at Ethos, Knox knew that this would take a lot of work. The creature's acidic saliva posed a significant threat, and it was capable of eating through flesh and bone with ease. But Knox was determined not to let fear paralyze him. Summoning his Eternal Flame, he prepared to engage the creature in combat.
As the creature lunged once again, Knox met it head-on, his fists wreathed in flames as he unleashed a barrage of punches. The creature writhed and thrashed in pain as the searing heat of Knox's flames seared its flesh, sending plumes of acrid smoke billowing into the air.
But the creature was not so easily defeated. With a roar, it unleashed another torrent of acid, forcing Knox to leap backward to avoid being engulfed by the deadly substance. His heart pounding in his chest, Knox knew that he would need to use all of his skill and cunning to emerge victorious in this fatal encounter.
With a fierce battle cry, Knox launched himself back into the fray, his fists blazing with the power of his Eternal Flame. The creature reared back, its acid-drenched jaws snapping at the empty air as Knox danced around its attacks with lightning speed. With each punch, he felt the creature's strength wane, its once formidable defenses crumbling beneath the relentless assault of his flames.
Finally, with one last, decisive blow, Knox struck the creature's underbelly with all of his might, the force of his attack sending it crashing to the ground in a writhing heap. As the beast let out a final, keening wail, Knox knew that he had emerged victorious, his skill and determination proving stronger than even the most fearsome of adversaries.
Killed Acidic Serpent level 73. Experience Gained.
As Knox surveyed the aftermath of the fight, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment mixed with a tinge of weariness. The trees around him still smoked from the intense heat of his flames, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The once vibrant pink grass now lay trampled and stained with the acidic blood of the serpent, its verdant hue tainted by the violence of their encounter. Despite the destruction, Knox knew that he had emerged victorious. Still, he also realized that the challenges ahead in the level 9 zone would be even more significant than he had anticipated. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the trials to come, knowing that he would need to summon all of his strength and skill to survive in this unforgiving environment.
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Knox's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and concern as he addressed Ethos. "Is that really the weakest monster this zone has to offer?"
Ethos met Knox's gaze with a calm demeanor. "Indeed it is. Do you doubt your ability to face it?"
"It's not that," Knox hurriedly replied, his worry evident in his voice. "It's just that we encountered multiple serpents together before. Does that mean they sometimes attack in groups?"
"Occasionally, yes," Ethos confirmed. "But it's a rare occurrence. Besides, Acidic Serpents are not immune to the poison of their kind. Each species of monster possesses its unique poison."
He nodded, absorbing the information. The thought of facing multiple acidic serpents at once was daunting, but he knew he had to be prepared for anything in this dangerous new zone. As he continued on his journey, his senses heightened, alert for any signs of danger lurking in the pink-hued landscape. Each step forward brought him closer to the unknown challenges that awaited him, but Knox was determined to face them head-on, guided by his newfound strength and the unwavering presence of Ethos by his side.
*** *** ***
“You’re telling me the kid killed an elite!” Jake slammed his hand through the desk, shattering it into pieces.
“Y-yes, sir, some of his remains were found at the edge of the level 8 zone,” the messenger stammered, fear evident in his voice.
“Useless! Useless, all of you!” Jake's voice thundered through the room. “Not only did we lose one of our stronger fighters, but Knox still lives. How utterly useless can you be?” He seethed with rage, his frustration boiling over.
He fell silent for a moment. The room filled only with the sound of heavy breathing. Then, with a menacing tone, Jake declared, “If you useless bastards can’t kill him, then I will.”
“Sir!? You can’t do that! We need you here to command our forces against the Aetherians!” The messenger pleaded desperately.
“To hell with this place! If you’re unable to defend it until I'm back, then you all are better off dead anyway,” Jake growled, his eyes blazing with fury.
With a wave of his hand, Jake dismissed the messenger, who hurried away with a mix of fear and relief on his face. Alone in his chamber, Jake seethed with anger and frustration. His plans had been disrupted, his authority challenged, and his flesh and blood stood as a thorn in his side.
Fueled by a burning desire for murder, Jake began to devise a new strategy. He would hunt down Knox himself, no matter the cost. The thought of facing his son filled him with a mixture of rage and bitter satisfaction. He would show Knox the true extent of his power, and no one would stand in his way.
Leaving his chamber with purposeful strides, Jake prepared to embark on a journey of vengeance. He would track down Knox, confront him, and unleash his wrath upon him. The very thought of their inevitable encounter sent chills down his spine, but Jake welcomed the challenge.
As he stepped out into the cold embrace of the night, Jake's heart burned with a fierce determination. He would not rest until Knox lay broken and defeated at his feet, and nothing would stand in his way. With a grim resolve, he set out into the darkness, ready to face whatever trials awaited him in his pursuit of vengeance.