The (D) Rank Eldriyssal approached, its serpentine body undulated with deadly grace, scales glistening like shards of darkness in the faint light. Its eyes, a vibrant shade of malevolent yellow, pierced through our very souls, sending shivers of dread cascading down my spine. For some odd reason—I felt heavier as if a pressure weighed down upon me.

Right then… I came to recognize that the Venolisk exuded an aura of unparalleled power, suffocating the air around us with its very presence.

I turned and saw that Zest fidgeted, comparable to my own despair. Still, the eldritch deer's antlers crackled with electricity, casting an eerie glow that illuminated our frantic faces. "We can't let it break us," Zest growled, its voice wavering. "No matter the odds, we stand together."

The Plelepun, visibly trembling, struggled to find its voice. "W-we... we must stay strong," it stammered, its words choked with fear. "W-we… we have come too far... We can't falter now..." The eldritch elephant took several steps back only to hide behind me.

Ignoring its actions for the moment, I swallowed the lump in my throat, the ends of my ears tightening as I faced the imminent horror before us. Though terror coursed through my veins, I refused to succumb. We were mere F-Ranks, outmatched in every conceivable way, but we wouldn't go down without a fight.

I clenched my paws…

…there was no turning back now, no running away. I was determined to give it all I had, even if our chances were as slim as a sunbeam slipping through a keyhole. After all, when friends stick together, the night's horrors become nothing more than shadows in the moonlight.

Gathering the shards of my shattered bravery, I retrieved my spear from the ground, its crystal tip casting a faint, desperate glow.

Locking eyes with the Venolisk, I dared to challenge its superior might, my breathing steadied despite the quivering turmoil within. This couldn't be the end. There had to be a way, a ray of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. Curse you, Aion, for casting us into this nightmare!

"We may be outmatched," I declared, my voice trembling with equal parts conviction and terror. "But we will fight until our last breath. This... this cannot be the end."

Time seemed to slow to a painful crawl as the Venolisk continued its dawdling approach, its every movement laden with predatory intent.

The creature's hissing laughter rang out, mocking our feeble existence, relishing our torment. The truth of our insignificance became painfully evident as it towered over us, its dominance unchallenged. Was this the legendary Eldriyssal Zest spoke of? A being far beyond our comprehension? Would the [Unique] variant render us utterly helpless against its might? I dared not find out, praying only for survival, for a bit of hope against this serpentine terror.

With an unholy laugh that resumed to reverberate through our very souls…

…the Venolisk simply passed us by, dismissing our insignificant presence as if we were nothing more than ants in its path. The Venolisk's attention remained fixated on something else in the distance—its malevolent intent directed elsewhere.

At that harrowing moment, confusion mingled with the remnants of fear imploding within me.

We watched as the colossal creature continue on its path, as if we were unworthy of its attention. It showed no interest in our fragile existence, leaving us stunned and bewildered in its wake.

"Wh-Where is it going?" the Plelepun whispered, its voice trembling with uncertainty. "Did it... find something else more interesting?"

Zest's antlers crackled with residual energy, their glow wavering with equivalent concern. "I... I don't understand," Zest muttered, its voice laced with relief and confusion. "Why would it ignore us?”

Zest shot me a skeptical look. "Regardless, luck or not, we better make a run for it before that beast changes its mind."

And so, we turned our tails and fled, our hearts pounding like drums in a parade of panic. As we dashed toward the exit where the Venolisk had come, I couldn't help but feel relieved, yet insecure.

Had we truly escaped its grasp, or were we merely spared for some sinister purpose? The answers remained elusive, like whispers in the wind, leaving me to wonder what other horrors awaited us in the shadows of this twisted realm. But one thing was for sure—the dread of this encounter would linger in my memories like an ever-present specter.

I turned my head, my eyes darting back and shifting between the retreating form of the Venolisk and our potential exit, while remaining wary of the impending threat of the Burrow Scourge.

However… I came to notice something odd about the erratic movement of the Venolisk’s tail.

With a sudden burst of motion, the Venolisk's massive tail swung back, whipping through the air with terrifying velocity. Its tail, an insignificant portion of its destructive power, crashed against the cavern walls, causing the ground to quake extremely hard beneath our paws.

I tripped and cursed under my breath as the shockwave reverberated through the chamber, shaking loose chunks of rock and sending them cascading down.

In a horrifying realization, we watched as the exit we had desperately sought was obliterated by the Venolisk's devastating attack.

"No!" I cried out in despair, my heart sinking into a pit of hopelessness. We were trapped. Trapped in this desolate chamber, with no way out!

A wave of terror washed over me, gripping my very soul as I and the others stared at the destruction before us. The realization of our predicament settled like a heavy weight upon our shoulders, threatening to crush our spirits.

The Venolisk turned its attention back to us, its amber eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement. It knew. It knew that it had stripped away our last glimmer of hope, leaving us stranded in this labyrinth of darkness and despair. No, our only option was back across the river, however…

Stepping out of the darkness, a horde of chittering creatures emerged. The Burrow Scourges, with their razor-sharp mandibles clacking with relentless hunger, poured forth in a frenzied bout. Their beady eyes gleamed with a menacing crimson, and their chitinous bodies shimmered in the faint light.

G.A.I.A. Online!

> — Eldriyssals Detected!

>

> — Species: Sornakar

>

> — Sub-Name: "Burrow Scourge"

>

> — Rank: F+

>

> — Classification: Common, Uncommon

>

> — Type: Predator

>

> — AP/PUs: 530 Units to 840 Units

>

> — DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED!

>

> — DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED!

The air thickened further with tension as the Venolisk turned its attention to the river behind us. Its eyes, still aglow with a sinister gleam, surveyed the rushing waters with a calculating gaze. A malicious smile curled upon its scaled lips, sending a chill down my spine.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Without a word, the Venolisk slithered toward the water's edge. Its powerful tail whipped through the air, creating a resonating crack that echoed through the cavern. The reptilian creature's tail extended, elongating and twisting until it transformed into a sinewy, bridge-like structure.

The Burrow Scourge, their chittering still echoing in the distance, hesitated as they observed the Venolisk's actions. Fear mingled with their hunger, uncertainty clouding their insectoid eyes. They had witnessed the power and dominance of the Venolisk, and its mere presence commanded respect and apprehension.

As if sensing their hesitation, the Venolisk let out a low, rumbling hiss. Its malevolent amber eyes bore into the Burrow Scourge, and a single flick of its forked tongue sent a clear message—cross the bridge or face the consequences.

"Go," the Venolisk hissed, its voice dripping with venomous delight. "Cross the river and claim your prize. I promise you; the path is safe."

With trepidation, the Burrow Scourges tentatively stepped onto the bridge formed by the Venolisk's tail. Their movements were cautious, their chittering a chorus of unease. The Venolisk's presence loomed over them, an ominous reminder of their place in the hierarchy of this realm.

Meanwhile, realization dawned upon me and my companions as we watched this macabre spectacle unfold. The Venolisk had orchestrated this entire chain of events, leading us across the river only to offer the Burrow Scourge a way across. It had allowed them to catch up, herding them like hapless prey.

We watched in despair as the swarm of creatures made their way across the river, their chittering growing louder with each step. The realization of our impending doom settled like a heavy stone in my chest.

And then, with a low, guttural growl, the Venolisk unleashed a chilling laughter that echoed through the chamber, each sinister note crawling under our skin.

The Venolisk's laughter continued to reverberate through the chamber, a twisted melody of triumph and sadism. "Consider this my farewell gift," it sneered, its voice dripping with delirium. "Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. The depths of Zeldritch shall be your eternal prison."

As the last of the Burrow Scourge scurried across the bridge, the Venolisk gaze continued to fixate its attention on us. Its eyes narrowed, a sadistic glimmer dancing within them.

The Venolisk, seeming satisfied with its malevolent act, turned and stepped away, leaving us alone in the desolate chamber. But we were not broken. We would find a way to escape the clutches of this wretched creature and continue our quest to return to the rainforest's surface.

With a swift motion, I unsheathed my spear, its crystal tip gleaming with anticipation. The energy within me crackled, seeking release. I focused my gaze on the approaching horde of Burrow Scourges.

Without an inkling of doubt, I propelled myself forward, my elongated ears stretching to their full length, transforming into lethal appendages, cleaving through the air with razor-sharp precision and unfaltering might. The strikes, infused with the crackling might of [Lightning], found their mark on the Burrow Scourge, unleashing electric torrents that sparked through their chitinous frames.

The creatures screeched in agony, and I pivoted gracefully, using my stretchable ears to snatch incoming pincers and slam the Burrow Scourge into one another, akin to a dance of destruction. The sheer force of impact sent shockwaves throughout the chamber, disorienting the advancing horde as if they were caught in a tempest.

Zest joined the fray, their antlers crackling with crimson electricity. Together, we moved in perfect sync, our lightning-infused attacks merging into a dazzling display of power and skill. Bolts of energy and thunderous strikes filled the air, fiercely driving back the Burrow Scourge.

It was a sight to behold, even the Plelepun seemed impressed by our combined might. It scurried around the edges of the battle, cleverly using its trap-making abilities to hinder and ensnare the advancing Burrow Scourge. Burrowing underground first, it darted between their legs. The Plelepun laid traps with meticulous precision, ensnaring the unsuspecting creatures and leaving them vulnerable to our relentless assault.

I must admit, the Plelepun's resourcefulness and quick thinking gave us some much-needed moments of rest and strategize, allowing us to regroup and unleash an even greater ferocity upon our foes.

But the Burrow Scourge were no pushovers.

Clattering forward with their superior numbers, they showed resilience and fury. As the incapacitated insectoids shook off the [Doom Zap]s' shock, they came at us with a vengeance, their pincers snapping and slashing in our direction.

Zest and I dashed through the dimly lit cavern, dodging and weaving, using every bit of our strength and agility to keep the horde at bay.

The battle raged on, the tunnel transforming into a wild, unhinged battleground, illuminated brighter by bursts of lightning and the spectral flame at the end of my tail. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning ozone and the sickening odor of the Burrow Scourge's exoskeletons.

With each passing moment, fatigue seeped into my muscles, the relentless strain taking its toll. But yielding wasn't in my vocabulary, not today!

With every strike, every surge of electricity, and every roar that echoed through the chaos, I channeled my fear into an unwavering resolve to see this through! Overcome them with [DoomZap]!

And then, just when it seemed like the odds were against us, the Plelepun made its grand entrance, once again bursting from the ground. It put its shield-like head and tusks to work, serving up both defense and offense on a silver platter. Charging at the Burrow Scourge with the force of a speeding train, it delivered a resounding impact, leaving those creatures stunned and bewildered.

As if on cue, Zest's antlers crackled with renewed energy, and with a dazzling blast of crimson lightning, its [DoomBolt:Beam] sliced through the Burrow Scourges.

A momentary respite was gifted to us, allowing us to regroup and catch our breath.

"Keep fighting, Aera," Zest urged. "We cannot let them overwhelm us! Our lives hang in the balance."

Zest's words struck a chord within me, reigniting the dwindling fire in my heart. With renewed certainty, I readied myself for the next onslaught, my crystal-tipped spear glinting with resolve. The battle against the Burrow Scourge had only just begun, and we'd fight tooth and nail to emerge victorious from this subterranean nightmare.

Suddenly, an (UnCommon) (F+) Burrow Scourge burst forth from the ground, its distinctive chitinous exoskeleton glistening in the dim light.

It was a grotesque creature, larger than I had anticipated, with razor-sharp pincers that clacked together menacingly. Its compound eyes glowed with a sickly green hue, exuding a sense of malevolence that sent shivers down my spine. Its multiple eyes glinted as thin beams were fired from them, grazing me as I leapt and twisted in the air—I grimaced as I landed.

The (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge rushed toward me with blinding speed, its chitinous legs carrying it effortlessly across the uneven ground. I barely had time to react, but instinct kicked in, propelling me into a desperate evasive maneuver as its pincers poised to tear through flesh and bone. I barely had time to react, relying on instinct and adrenaline to guide my movements.

With a swift sidestep, I narrowly evaded another lethal strike, feeling the gust of air as its pincers whizzed past me.

My heart pounded in my chest as I narrowly avoided the (UnC) Burrow Scourge's successive snapping jaws, its foul breath wafting past me like a noxious cloud.

Its mandibles clamped down on empty air, a mere hair's breadth away from tearing into my flesh. Fear and adrenaline surged through my veins, heightening my senses and sharpening my reflexes.

Gritting my teeth, I seized the opportunity and lunged forward, thrusting my spear with all my might, enhancing it with the [Regal Ram] and [Doom Zap] techniques. The electrified crystal tip penetrated the (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge's exoskeleton, eliciting a guttural screech of pain. But the creature was far from defeated. It retaliated with a frenzied barrage of strikes, its pincers lashing out in a whirlwind of deadly precision.

I danced and weaved, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of razor-sharp limbs. The Burrow Scourge was relentless, its determination matched only by its insidious hunger. Its foul saliva dripped from its mandibles, sizzling upon contact with the ground, a chilling reminder of the fate that awaited me if I faltered.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I gathered the residual electricity coursing through my body, channeling it into my spear. The crystal tip crackled with an intensified glow, an azure electricity radiating from pole to blade as an aura of raw power. With a primal roar, I unleashed a devastating thrust, a bolt of lightning, surging through the (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge's pierced body.

The creature convulsed, its chitinous armor crackling and smoking with the aftermath of the electrifying assault. But stubbornly, it clung to life, driven by an instinctual desire to tear and devour. It lunged at me with renewed ferocity, its pincers closing in with terrifying speed.

In that fleeting moment, time seemed to slow down. The (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge's pincers were a hair's breadth away from tearing into my flesh when Zest swooped in to the rescue. With a burst of lightning-infused energy, Zest collided with the Burrow Scourge, their antlers entwining with monstrous limbs.

Together, we fought in a desperate struggle, our combined strength pushing back against the relentless assault of the (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge. [Lightning] crackled and clashed, illuminating the chamber with brilliant flashes. Yet each strike was met with fierce resistance, the (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge refusing to yield even in the face of overwhelming odds.

But we weren't about to let ourselves get beaten. No way! With tenacity that only desperation can fuel, determination outweighed the fatigue that threatened to swallow us whole.

In a final, coordinated effort, Zest unleashed a torrential surge of [Doom Zaps+], while I seized the opportunity to deliver a decisive blow with an electrified [MereEar:TwistPierce].

My spear pierced through the (UnCommon) (F+) Burrow Scourge's weakened defenses, impaling it with a force that sent tremors rippling through its body. A chilling screech pierced the air, filling the chamber with a symphony of agony. With one final convulsion, the creature slumped and crashed to the ground—bursting into particles that speckled the air, absorbed by Zest and I.

As the abyssal particles of the defeated Burrow Scourge swirled around me, an intense, tingling sensation coursed through my being. The surge of power I knew so well took on a new dimension, more fervent and profound, bearing an electrifying intensity that left me both awed and invigorated! Was I… evolving?