My blade had already cut through the serpent's chest. Warm blood splashed into the air. I had just turned around when suddenly my instincts screamed — danger was right behind me.
I quickly turned.
The serpent was standing behind me, its sharp claws aiming straight for my neck.
But my reflexes were faster.
I instantly stepped back.
Its attack barely touched me, only tearing my clothes. The fabric ripped apart, but my skin remained unharmed.
The serpent let out a slow laugh. Its eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"Kid…" it said in a cold voice.
"You fight well. But in the end… you're still just a child."
The next moment, it opened its mouth.
Hissssss—
A thick cloud of poison gas poured out and slowly spread across the entire cave. Within seconds, the cave was filled with a toxic fog.
I quickly covered my mouth with my clothes, trying to breathe through the cloth. Even then, every breath felt heavy.
My chest began to tighten.
I moved to the side of the cave, trying to locate the serpent through the dark poisonous mist.
Then I heard a sound.
Hissss…
I immediately looked up.
The serpent was clinging to the ceiling of the cave, its long body wrapped around the rough stone. Its glowing eyes were staring directly at me.
I quickly stepped back.
The serpent spoke again.
"Kid… you're smart. But not smart enough to defeat me."
It released its aura.
A dark energy flowed from its body and gathered into its claws. In the next moment, it lunged toward me.
Its claws sliced through the air.
I barely managed to dodge the attack by moving to the side.
The poison gas was slowing my body down. Breathing was becoming harder every second.
The serpent kept attacking without stopping
Each time, its claws passed just inches away from my body.
It laughed.
"Let's see… how long you can keep dodging."
I stepped back again to avoid another strike. My vision was starting to blur.
"If this keeps going… I'll die here…" I thought.
Then my eyes landed on something.
The teleportation crystal.
If I broke it, I could return to Steven.
But at that moment the serpent was already charging toward me again.
This time, I decided not to run.
I decided to fight.
I drew my blade.
And released my red aura.
In an instant, a blazing energy burst out of my body. The entire cave filled with an intense, burning pressure.
The serpent immediately stepped back.
My blade ignited with red energy. It glowed as if flames were burning around it.
I moved forward.
In a single moment, I slashed.
Slash!
One of the serpent's ears flew through the air.
A painful scream echoed across the cave.
"AAAGHHHH!"
I stared straight into its eyes.
This time, there was no arrogance in them.
There was fear.
I spoke slowly.
"You're making me angry."
I stepped forward again.
Another flash of steel cut through the air.
The serpent's second ear was severed.
Now it could no longer react to sound.
That was my advantage.
I didn't stop.
My blade moved like lightning through the air.
One slash across its chest.
Another across its back.
Another across its arm.
Deep wounds opened across its body. Blood dripped onto the cave floor.
The serpent was growing weaker.
Now it was time for my final attack.
I poured more than half of my remaining energy into my blade.
The red aura burned even brighter. The sword shone like a blazing flame.
I dashed forward at lightning speed.
"Swift Slash."
My blade tore through the air.
The serpent also lunged forward to attack me.
But my speed… my power… was greater.
In the next moment, a heavy sound echoed through the cave.
Thud.
Something rolled across the stone floor.
It was the serpent's head.
Its body collapsed soon after.
For a few seconds, the only sound left in the cave was my heavy breathing.
I stood there silently.
Then I flicked my blade, shaking the blood off it.
I sheathed the sword.
But I didn't have much time.
The poison gas had already entered my body. My vision was becoming darker and darker.
I quickly began collecting the crystals scattered across the cave
I grabbed as many as I could and stuffed them into my bag.
Then I took out the teleportation crystal.
And broke it.
A flash of light appeared.
In the next moment, I was standing in front of Steven.
Steven was there… along with my little sister Rim.
But the moment I arrived, my body gave up.
I collapsed right in front of them.
Steven immediately understood what had happened. He used regeneration magic on me.
My wounds slowly healed.
But I remained unconscious.
Steven then noticed the large number of crystals I had brought back.
By then, evening had arrived.
When I finally woke up, I saw my little sister Rim sitting beside me, staring at my face.
Rim was now five years old.
The moment she saw me open my eyes, her face lit up.
"Brother! You woke up!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"What happened to you? Why were you sleeping so long?"
Then she said in a soft, innocent voice,
"Brother… come play with me."
At that moment, Steven walked in from behind.
He gently placed his hand on Rim's head.
"Not right now, kid. He's still not feeling well."
Rim made a small pout and slowly walked away.
Steven then came over to me.
He gave my back a strong pat.
"Good job," he said.
"You did well."
Then he placed a bowl of soup beside me.
"Drink it before it gets cold."
I lay back down on the bed.
I picked up my sword and looked at it.
It was the same sword Steven had given me for this mission.
For a while, I simply stared at the blade in silence.