The shadow that had pounced on Zich was not a monster as he had initially thought, but another race. To be specific, a Keth!
This Keth had clearly also been deployed nearby, and he moved with great ease through the swamp terrain. He had waited until Zich was engaged with the monsters before approaching from beneath the water, intending to launch a surprise attack.
His judgment wasn't bad.
Unfortunately, Zich had been waiting all along.
"Silk Barrier."
A translucent white barrier instantly unfolded behind him.
CLANG!
The harpoon struck the barrier with a dull metallic clang.
Zich turned around, a Blood Arc already formed in his palm.
The Keth candidate reacted extremely quickly. He shrank back and dropped into the water again. The Blood Arc grazed his shoulder, slicing away only a strip of wet flesh without keeping him there.
"Nice reaction."
The Keth candidate surfaced from another patch of black water, staring at him warily.
