Chapter 24: Fierce Battle in the Cave

In that instant, Raine's dark pupils contracted sharply as he finally saw the behemoth's true form.

The first thing to burst into view was a rolling wave of dirt kicked up by thick hooves. Immediately after came the massive Shadow itself.

It was a gigantic, hideous boar-like Magical Beast. Its massive body, covered in steel-needle-like black bristles and bulging with rock-hard muscles, resembled a moving hill as it crushed forward with overwhelming momentum! Its huge head looked as though it were carved from a single block of granite, and its small crimson eyes brimmed with brutality and murderous intent.

The most terrifying feature was the pair of massive fangs jutting from its lower jaw. Curving slightly upward, the Sen Bai Fangs were over three feet long and as thick as an adult's arm. Under the torchlight, they gleamed with a chilling, cold light.

This was clearly the shiny "treasure" David had mentioned.

From the back of its neck, a row of dagger-sharp keratin spikes extended all the way down its spine, confirming its identity. That Sloppy Ranger had once described it with lingering fear, recounting how he had nearly died at the hands of this kind of Demon in his youth.

"It's a Razor Beast!" Raine's roar momentarily overpowered the thundering hooves. "Fall back to the corner as planned!"

He and Kaelin reacted with lightning speed. Almost the moment he spoke, their figures were already rapidly retreating. Matthew and David, on the other hand, didn't snap out of their immense terror until they heard the warning, scrambling backward on their hands and knees.

Just as the two battered men retreated, the massive body of the Magical Beast came howling forward. In its Frenzy, the giant beast looked exactly like an out-of-control Siege Hammer. If anyone were hit head-on, the outcome would be unimaginable.

Fortunately, the cave's nearly ninety-degree corner proved to be the group's greatest advantage. Seeing it was about to slam into the cave wall, the Razor Beast snorted out a foul, hot breath. It had no choice but to violently swing its body to change direction, its heavy hooves instantly carving deep gouges into the mud.

"Good chance!" Kaelin kept Raine's plan in mind and seized the momentary pause of her opponent's massive body. Her Longsword turned into a streak of silver light, stabbing fiercely at the side of its neck, which was covered in black bristles.

But the sensation from the tip of her sword felt like piercing thick, oil-soaked leather. She only managed to slice a shallow gash. The moment dark red blood began to seep out, the rolled-back flesh astonishingly started to contract and heal at a visible rate.

As a Magical Beast capable of easily driving away a pack of Kobolds, the Razor Beast not only possessed astonishing offensive Power but also boasted formidable regenerative abilities. It was no surprise that this happened.

ROAR!

Enraged by the attack, the opponent swung its head violently. Its gigantic fangs, like Curved Sabers, swept horizontally toward her, kicking up a vicious wind.

Kaelin hastily raised her sword to block. With a crisp CLANG and the ear-piercing screech of metal striking metal, the tremendous force sent her sliding backward. Her feet dragged two deep trenches in the dirt before she barely managed to stop.

During this exchange, the opponent's massive fangs happened to scrape against the adjacent cave wall. Like a hot knife through butter, they instantly shattered a large chunk of rock, terrifying Matthew and David so much that they slumped to the ground. However, remembering the Basement Rat that had been dragged away by the Razor Beast, the two men forced themselves to rally, huddling in the corner and trying their best to hold up the torches.

Taking advantage of the gap left by Kaelin's retreat, Raine activated his Eagle Vision. The Arrows in his hand shot out like a string of pearls, aiming for the Razor Beast's vulnerable spots—its crimson eyes and ear canals.

But the opponent was extremely cunning. It always managed to shake its head at the critical moment or use the hard bone covering its eyelids to deflect the Arrows. The iron tips struck its hard cranial bone plates, mostly just leaving white marks or barely scratching the tough hide, failing to inflict any effective damage.

Using the window provided by Raine's supporting fire, Kaelin adjusted her stance and charged in again with her sword!

However, relying on its mighty defense, regenerative Power, and the row of razors on its back, the Razor Beast easily repelled her once more. In fact, every swing of the Sen Bai Fangs forced Kaelin into a frantic scramble, making the entire situation incredibly perilous.

Meanwhile, to conserve his Arrows, Raine had no choice but to use the lower-quality Goblin Arrows, which made it even harder to deal effective damage. Yet, the two coordinated with superb tacit understanding. The moment the sword blade was knocked away, an Arrow would fly right into the beast's face. Before long, they managed to leave the Razor Beast somewhat battered and overwhelmed.

Finally, the beast let out an impatient roar. Its hind hooves violently kicked the ground in an attempt to open up the distance and launch another deadly charge.

"Don't even think about it!" Kaelin shouted. Her Longsword thrust at the opponent's face in a continuous torrential rain, forcing it to constantly toss its head in defense and preventing it from smoothly retreating.

Raine also seized the opportunity to fire an Arrow, pinning it precisely at the joint of the beast's hind leg. Though it didn't pierce completely through, it caused a slight hesitation in the creature's movements.

In the split second when the Razor Beast, driven into a Frenzy by their seamless teamwork, let out another maddened roar, a cold glint gathered in Kaelin's eyes. She channeled all her strength into the sword, and the blade condensed a layer of silvery-white radiance.

"Curved Slash!" she shouted softly. Her body spun at breakneck speed, and the Longsword hummed as it traced a sharp, perfect arc of light.

The arc struck with unparalleled precision at the exact same spot they had attacked repeatedly—the side of the opponent's neck!

SQUELCH!

The muffled sound of a sharp blade biting into flesh was exceptionally clear. The arcing radiance seemed to possess some sort of Armor-Breaking trait. It instantly tore through the tough hide and muscle, carving a deep wound. Scalding blood sprayed out immediately.

AWOO!

Severely wounded, the Razor Beast let out a shrill, miserable howl. Completely ignoring Raine's Arrows, it wildly rammed toward Kaelin. The latter was clearly still in the stiff recovery phase after executing her Combat Techniques. She could only barely hold her sword horizontally to block.

BAM!

The massive impact slammed into her blade, sending her flying backward. She crashed heavily against the rock wall before tumbling into a pathetic heap on the ground.

Seeing this, Matthew and David's hearts nearly stopped beating.

Armless had just clearly unleashed one of her powerful Combat Techniques, yet she still failed to defeat the beast and was instead sent flying. Who else could possibly stop such a terrifying opponent? As if already foreseeing the gruesome scene of themselves being skewered into meat kebabs by those sharp fangs, they began to tremble uncontrollably.

Seeing the vicious, frenzied Magical Beast preparing to lunge at Kaelin again, Raine's heart sank, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay calm.

He told himself, "Calm down. This is a perfect opportunity. Driven by intense pain and Frenzy, a gap has appeared in this brute's defense!"

He pulled the last Iron-Tipped Arrow from his Quiver and activated Eagle Vision without hesitation. The world instantly slowed down in his eyes.

He clearly saw the massive head thrashing in a Frenzy, the wide, round crimson eyes, and the gaping wound on its neck that hadn't had time to heal. Without the protection of the tough outer hide, nothing remained there but curled, exposed flesh.

The Bowstring was abruptly drawn to its absolute limit.

SWISH!

In just an instant, the Arrow plunged deeply into the exposed flesh, sinking in almost to the fletching!

AWOO!

An even more piercing wail rang out. This Arrow seemed to have struck the Razor Beast's central nervous system, driving it into complete madness. It turned around, its crimson eyes dead-set on Raine, who had inflicted this agonizing pain. Its four hooves pawed the ground frantically as thick saliva mixed with bloody froth dripped from its gaping maw.

The charge began once more!

"Oh no!" Seeing this, Kaelin struggled to get to her feet, but the massive body had already left her far behind.

In the blink of an eye, those incredibly sharp fangs were inches away from Raine!

Facing the giant beast rushing at him like an out-of-control chariot, Raine had no time to think of anything else. He decisively discarded his Longbow and, at the very last second before the massive Shadow enveloped him, threw himself desperately to the side.

Carrying immense momentum, the Razor Beast brushed past him and crashed thunderously into the cave wall. Its fangs became firmly wedged in the stone, leaving it temporarily immobilized.

He thought, "Now's the time!"

Raine stabilized himself out of his roll and smoothly drew the Short Sword from his waist. With an explosive burst of Power from his legs, he charged straight ahead, aiming his Short Sword directly at his opponent's neck.

"It's over!" Raine roared. Putting all his Power and body weight behind the Short Sword, he stabbed viciously into the wound where the Arrow was still lodged!