Rushed footsteps echoed through the thick mist.
The Little Nepenthes was still chasing.
Though not particularly fast, it was terrifyingly persistent. Its tangled roots gripped the ground tightly, keeping it well-balanced, each step steady and resistant to being knocked back.
However, in exchange, its movement speed and natural armor were not particularly strong, weaknesses that Yuna could exploit.
A sharp swoosh tore through the air.
Yuna instinctively tilted her body, feeling the plant-like whip graze past her ear, so close that it sent strands of her hair flying. Just a little more, and it would have hit!
Her heart clenched. She had dodged this time…
But she couldn't keep dodging forever.
The frantic rhythm of her heartbeat pounded in her ears, each breath heavy and labored. She had been running for a long distance, yet the Little Nepenthes remained close behind, its relentless movements creating an eerie rustling sound.
Thin, vine-like roots slithered across the ground like bony fingers, constantly reaching toward her.
She scanned her surroundings, but her vision was hindered by the dense fog that shrouded the forest.
Ahead, only faint silhouettes of trees flickered in and out of sight, no clear path to escape. Behind, the rustling grew closer.
She couldn't keep running forever.
She knew that. But what should she do?
Yuna bit down on her lip, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword until they went numb. Her body was growing tired, her legs heavy, as if dragged down by an invisible force.
If she kept going like this, sooner or later, she would trip, fall, and then…
A sharp whip-like sound sliced through the air.
Instinct made Yuna dodge again, but this time, the monster's attack wasn't as simple as before.
The plant whip twisted mid-air, striking like a living snake, coiling tightly around her calf.
'Damn it!'
A sharp pain shot up her leg as she was yanked backward. She lost her balance, collapsing onto her knees with a harsh impact against the rough ground. A chunk of her HP bar immediately dropped.
She tried to brace herself, but the pull only grew stronger, dragging her inch by inch toward the monster.
If I get any closer, I won't have a chance to escape!
Without thinking, Yuna gritted her teeth and yanked her sword free, swinging it down with all her strength.
The blade gleamed silver, slicing clean through the root.
A piercing screech rang out.
The Little Nepenthes convulsed, its distorted body writhing in agony. The remaining roots recoiled, making its entire frame wobble.
Seizing the opportunity, Yuna rolled to the side, scrambling back onto her feet and raising her sword in a defensive stance.
She could run. She could turn away and continue fleeing.
But this time, she didn't want to.
The Little Nepenthes wasn't down yet, but it had been wounded. If she let this chance slip, she wouldn't have the strength to keep running if it chased her again.
So…
Yuna took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her breathing. Her hands were still trembling, but she refused to let herself hesitate any longer.
I can't keep being a burden.
This time, she would fight.
Yuna quickly regained her footing, pushing herself to stay calm despite her chaotic breaths.
She focused on what she had learned, the feeling of gripping a sword, the weight of each swing, the way Ren moved, dodged, and countered.
Hold your stance. Read your opponent's movements. Don't panic.
But before she could fully adjust her breathing, the Little Nepenthes seized its chance.
It lunged forward, the razor-sharp leaves along its body extending like blades, reflecting a cold silver light through the misty air.
A chilling gust swept past as the leaves slashed down, aiming straight for her at terrifying speed.
Yuna clenched her teeth, eyes wide, her body reacting on instinct before she could even think.
She twisted, slipping past by mere inches.
The razor-sharp leaf scraped against the edge of her cloak, slicing off a piece of fabric that fluttered away in the cold air.
For a split second, her heart stopped, if she had been even slightly slower, that slash would have cut straight into her flesh.
But there was no time for fear.
Yuna ducked low, her legs pushing off the ground. The short sword in her grip slashed forward, cutting through the air in a clean arc.
The blade plunged deep into the monster's slimy body.
A shrill, ghastly screech echoed as the Little Nepenthes convulsed. A bright red number popped up from the impact point, floating above it like a glaring sign of damage.
Its HP bar dropped significantly.
I did it!
For a moment, adrenaline surged through Yuna, a rush of excitement mixed with newfound confidence.
This was the first time she had inflicted real damage on a monster, not just a clumsy swing, not just a meaningless attack.
But that moment of joy lasted only a heartbeat before reality struck.
The Little Nepenthes, though wounded, was far from defeated.
Instead, it twisted violently in rage, its sharp leaves spreading out like weapons, sweeping forward in a deadly arc.
It was counterattacking!
Yuna's breath hitched as she instinctively tried to pull back, but her body hadn't fully reset into a defensive stance, and the monster left her no opening to retreat.
Her entire body tensed as a wave of danger washed over her. She tried to back away, but it was already too late.
The monster's bladed leaf slashed through the air at terrifying speed, carving a deadly arc straight toward her.
I won't make it in time!
In that instant, a thought flashed through Yuna's mind, if she couldn't dodge, then she had to block!
With all her might, she twisted her short sword up, raising it to intercept the lethal strike.
CLANG!
The clash of metal rang out sharply. The sheer force of the attack crashed down on her, forcing her to drop to one knee from the impact.
A numbing shock shot through her arms, as if her fingers were about to shatter under the pressure.
Her HP bar dropped slightly. A faint red stain spread across her sleeve, a small wound, but still real damage.
I blocked it!
But before she could catch her breath, she saw the monster's vine-like whip lash out once more, this time, aiming straight for her leg.
Yuna barely had time to bite her lip before pushing off with all her strength, leaping backward. The whip-like vine slammed into the ground just inches from her toes, leaving a small crack in the damp earth.
It kept attacking relentlessly…!
Her heart pounded wildly as she watched the monster writhe, preparing its next strike. A sliver of fear crept into her chest.
She had managed to block the first attack, but could she withstand the next ones?
She needed a way to counterattack.
She had to find its weakness.
Clenching her teeth, she forced herself to stay calm. Observe. Look for an opening.
The Little Nepenthes wasn't fast, but its attacks were relentless and unpredictable. One moment of carelessness, and it would crush her instantly.
'But if I can use that slowness against it…'
Yuna's eyes lit up. She tightened her grip on her dagger, slightly bending her knees in preparation for a burst of speed.
She wouldn't just defend anymore.
This time, she would strike first.
Her speed shot up as she dashed out of the writhing vines, moving like a sleek cat. She slipped past the monster's side and landed right behind it.
"Streak!"
Her dagger flashed green, delivering a swift and precise slash across the creature's back.
A decent amount of damage appeared above its head.
Its HP bar dropped to half.
The Little Nepenthes jerked violently, its slimy body spasming as the blade tore through its outer shell.
A streak of red pixel fragments scattered into the air, vanishing upon hitting the ground.
'Got it!'
Yuna bit her lip, unwilling to waste this opportunity. Twisting her body, she kicked off the ground again, using her momentum to launch another strike.
"Streak!"
Her dagger glowed once more, this time aiming directly at the base of its body, where the tangled roots held it steady.
'If I hit that, I can throw it off balance!'
Her blade carved a sharp arc through the air. But just then...
Whoosh!
A vine whip lashed out from the side.
'Damn it! It can counterattack that fast?!'
Yuna didn't have time to stop. She had two choices: take the hit to land her attack or cancel her strike and dodge to avoid damage.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
Risk it or play it safe?
She gripped her dagger tighter, determination flashing in her eyes.
Risk it!
No time for hesitation.
She threw herself forward at full speed. The whip lashed through the air, slicing toward her, but instead of dodging, Yuna twisted her torso mid-motion, reducing the impact.
A searing pain shot through her shoulder as the vine smacked across it, but her dagger remained steady.
She was close enough now.
"Streak!"
Her blade gleamed brilliantly.
With a sharp, decisive slash, she cut through the monster's root system, severing the tangled vines anchoring it to the ground.
The Little Nepenthes convulsed violently. It let out a shrill, distorted cry as its body curled inward, twisting like a withering flower. Red pixelated fragments burst apart, scattering into the air.
Its HP bar dropped to zero.
A familiar ting! echoed.
[You have defeated Little Nepenthes lv.2]
Yuna panted heavily, her whole body trembling from the lingering adrenaline. She watched as the monster disintegrated into tiny specks of light, then it hit her.
'I did it.'
She had just defeated a monster on her own.
Even though her hand was still numb from the force of her final strike, a faint smile crept onto her lips.
But her joy was short-lived.
The thick mist remained as dense as before.
And she… still hadn't found a way out.
Yuna steadied her breathing, scanning her surroundings through the suffocating fog. She bit her lip, inhaled deeply, then called out:
"Ren! Nautilus!"
No response.
Only the echo of her own voice bouncing back through the silent forest.
She tightened her grip on her dagger, a cold chill creeping into her fingertips. For the first time since the fight began, Yuna felt real fear.
No one beside her.
No one to rely on.
No clue where to go or what to do next.
She bit her lip, forcing down the trembling in her chest. She couldn't panic now.
What had Ren said before they entered this place?
"If we get separated and have to fight alone, then survive first. Don't panic."
Yuna took a deep breath, clenching her fists.
"It's okay… I'll find them."
She forced herself to step forward, venturing deeper into the endless fog.