Pain.
That was the first thing I felt.
My right hand was gripping the sword tightly, but every movement sent pain through my arm.
My left hand was bleeding from the arrow wound.
The shield was badly damaged as well.
One more arrow at this point...
And it would probably break.
If that happened, the next arrow would pierce straight through and hit my arm.
But I still had my sword.
And I would cut him down.
The lizardman seemed to understand that as well.
He lowered his bow.
He didn't fire.
He simply stared at me.
Waiting.
Waiting for me to make a mistake.
I stared back.
Neither of us moved.
More than five minutes passed.
The swamp around us was strangely quiet.
The lizardman slowly moved backward on his water lizard.
The water lizard took one step back.
Then another.
I immediately followed, pushing Rusty forward one step at a time.
I kept my eyes locked on the lizardman.
Was he retreating?
Or was he trying to lure me into making the first move?
I couldn't tell.
My thoughts were becoming slower.
The blood loss was beginning to affect me.
Then—
Something caught my attention.
Rusty.
When I had fallen into the swamp, Rusty hadn't stayed in our original position.
He had disappeared.
For a moment, panic flashed through me.
But then I noticed movement behind the trees.
Rusty.
He had circled around.
He was hiding behind the trees, waiting for the right moment.
A small smile appeared on my face.
Good boy.
Now...
Let's see who makes the first mistake.
Rusty suddenly burst from the trees.
He charged toward the water lizard at full speed.
His hooves struck the shallow water as he rushed forward.
The lizardman immediately realized what was happening.
His eyes widened.
He wanted to see what is causing that sound.
The sound grew louder.
His fear took over as now pointed the arrow towards me but no he looked backwards to see the source of the sound
He knew I would attack the moment his attention shifted.
I threw my sword toward him.
The blade flew straight toward his shoulder.
Sword handle hit him.
The lizardman instinctively released the bowstring.
The arrow flew toward Rusty.
But the shot went wide.
It struck the swamp beside him.
At that exact moment, I moved.
I charged forward with everything I had left.
My entire body went low behind the shield.
I slammed into the lizardman.
Both of us crashed into the shallow water.
The impact knocked the air from his lungs.
Before he could recover, I grabbed the shield and pinned his arms beneath my knees.
Then I raised the shield.
And brought it down.
BANG!
The edge of the shield smashed into his face.
Blood burst from his nose.
He tried to move.
I struck again.
BANG!
His head snapped sideways.
I struck him again.
And again.
I didn't stop.
My breathing became heavier with every strike.
Blood covered the front of the shield.
The lizardman's movements became weaker.
Then—
They stopped.
His body went limp.
I remained there for several seconds, breathing heavily.
Then I pulled a butterfly knife from my belt.
I drove it into his throat.
Just to make sure.
I fell backward into the shallow water beside him.
For nearly two minutes, I simply sat there.
Breathing.
Trying to calm my body.
My hands were shaking.
My entire body hurt.
Then I heard movement.
Rusty had already taken care of the water lizard.
He stood nearby, watching me.
I slowly pushed myself to my feet.
My left arm throbbed.
My ribs hurt.
My shoulder burned.
I checked my weapons.
My sword was still usable.
The butterfly knives were still there.
Then I looked toward my spear.
The spear is still stuck in the tree.
The axe blade attached to it was badly damaged.
I touched the broken edge.
"Sorry."
I sighed.
"I should've used you properly."
I gathered what I could and walked toward Rusty.
He came closer and lowered his body slightly.
I climbed onto his back.
For a moment, I simply sat there.
I had no idea where to go.
My strength was running low.
And if another enemy appeared now...
I wasn't sure I could survive another fight.
Then—
I felt something.
My Sensory Field suddenly detected a presence.
Above me.
I slowly raised my head.
Someone was standing on top of the tree.
I froze.
A figure was watching me from the branches.
And I immediately tightened my grip on my sword.
I wasn't alone.