"Oh, God…."
I stared up in wonder at the monster before me. Compared to Vilthar, leader of the Bloodroot Stranglers, this boss was on a whole different level when it came to being grotesque and unnerving.
It looked like an ordinary Worm, if you ignored the fact that it reached atleast 20 meters in height, towering over me like some skyscraper—albeit a smaller one, but still! The most distinguishable feature being the ten limbs that grew from the sides of the Worm like it was some miniature centipede. The thing itself also had two pairs of large eyes like a fly—with millions of them hidden within. The horns were equally massive, protruding out like obsidian roots, looking much sharper and menacing compared to the ordinary ones.
Then, there was the skin. Ignoring how tall it was, the skin was spiky. Even I could tell from this distance that there was spikes littered all across it's skin and that they were sharp, trying to cleave through that skin would be nearly impossible. I felt despair growing the more I looked at it.
"Do I run away?"
I immediately thought to myself, but that was impossible. It would be a miracle if I could outrun this monstrosity, but something was telling me that it wasn't afraid of the water. Like come on, it was AA class! Why would it be afraid of some little poison? Not to mention, to make things even worse, it was being enhanced by the crimson moon.
How is it even fair placing these bosses inside a mission like this? It's too high-level for me. It's too high-level for Nico. Just what the hell was he thinking bringing me along to this? No, what the hell was Movarathos thinking trying to bribe me into freeing him by promising a spirit bind? This is too advanced for me. Movarathos better be worth all this trouble….
As all these thoughts flashed across my mind, I heard a voice. It was thunderous and booming, coming from somewhere above.
"Human, what is you're name?"
I blinked in surprise, looking around for who just talked to me. The voice quickly clarified.
"I'm infront of you."
'Huh?'
I turned towards the giant Sun-Cursed Worm. I didn't see any other being besides it in front of me. There is no way that this giant worm was talking to me, right?
"You….you're talking to me? You?"
I blurted out in disbelief, staring up at the towering Worm. I swear I heard a chuckle towards my disbelief. I did not expect a Sun-Cursed Worm to have this much intelligence, to be able to hold conversation—well, Isabella did mention something about this with wild animals….I did witness some of them learning speech. But monsters who have been locked up inside a mission?
It's strange. Who could of they learnt English from?
"I asked you're name."
The Worm repeated, before adding.
"I'm Velsharath, but you might already know that from the system, hmm? Unfortunately, I don't have something that convenient."
I took a deep breath, composing myself. I still didn't trust Velsharath, but this was better than trying to fight a losing battle. I don't know why it was talking to me instead of attacking, but this could be an opportunity for me to run away….
"My name is Morgan."
I answered, keeping my voice loud and steady so that the giant Sun-Cursed Worm could hear me clearly. I didn't want to sound weak or timid in front of it, not because of pride, but because that would mean willingly giving up control towards the Worm. I didn't want to do that.
The giant worm shifted slightly, lowering it's head towards me and getting a close look at me with those thousands of eyes of his. For some reason, my heart started thumping widely at how close it got. Velsharath smelt of death. It felt like I was staring at death itself.
Then, Velsharath spoke.
"Morgan? Sounds like a feminine name. You aren't a women."
My eyebrow twitched.
"It's a gender neutral name."
Velsharath chuckled, or atleast sounded like one.
"I see, I see. Gender neutral, huh? It is a very nice name. I like it."
I felt uneasy at those words, but I didn't show it on my face. Folding my arms, I gave the most serious look I possibly could.
"Why are you talking to me?"
Velsharath remained silent for awhile, simply staring at me. Before he answered.
"Do I need a reason to?"
I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress my frustration at the giant worm playing coy.
"Of course, you do. Why the hell wou—"
Velsharath cut in.
"Because i can kill you whenever I want. It would be boring if I did it right way, wouldn't it? I atleast like getting to know the ones I kill."
I felt a chill run down my spine, involuntarily gulping at those words. Velsharath wasn't wrong. He could kill me whenever he wanted. There wasn't much I could do about it. Is this bastard just toying with me? The very thought infuriated me so much that it felt like something inside me was about to break.
But I suppressed this anger, as I answered, my voice dripping with obvious sacarsm.
"How noble of you. What's next? You're gonna tell me that you enjoy remembering the names of those whom you killed as a way of honoring their deaths? You know, something cliché like that."
Velsharath, unbothered by her biting tone and sacarsm, simply laughed.
"The fact that it's cliché is what makes it so good, you know?"
I scoffed.
"Well, let me tell you something. I won't die here. You can toy with me all you want, but you'll definitely come to regret it later."
Velsharath went silent, then answered in a chilling tone.
"Are you sure?"
I gave a nod without any hesitation.
"I don't give up that easily."
Velsharath let out a sigh, or a sound similar to one.
"Then you'll have to die. I thought we could have become friends, Morgan…."
My eyes shot open, as I saw the giant mouth of the Worm open, but something about it was strange. Velsharath didn't rush forward towards me, because the moment his mouth opended, a powerful suction force was created.
I was the one being pulled towards him.
His mouth was like a vacuum!
My eyes widened, as I desperately tried resisting, but it was futile. I felt my body growing weaker, my legs failing to stick to the ground, as i was being pulled by the powerful suction created by the vacuum.
"Shit!"
But all wasn't bad. It wasn't like I was simply listening without making plans. I couldn't have predicted this, even with [Probability Pryer] on, it couldn't give much more of a detailed description of what would happen, leaving me mostly guessing. So, I prepared beforehand. I knew something bad would happen the moment he opended his mouth.
From the ground beneath, another Sun-Cursed Worm peeked out from the sand. Opened it's mouth and began devouring the corpse i was on—yes, it wasnt dead before. I was avoiding killing, but when pushed to it, I had no choice but to make it.
'You guys just can't resist, huh?'
I knew a Sun-Cursed Worm would come and devour this corpse. It seems to be something they can't resist, for them to do it even during a battle or with their damn sovereign nearby. So, I had stabbed the still alive Sun-Cursed Worm i was standing on, then poured the poison [The Cleave] absorbed earlier, gradually killing it during my conversation with Velsharath.
This attracted one of them Sun-Cursed Worms as planned. Still, I didn't expect Velsharath to have such a powerful suction. It was getting a little dangerous now, but I was sure that….
"You fool! What are you doing?! This human is my prey!"
Velsharath suddenly shouted, closing his mouth, making the Sun-Cursed Worm flinch and halt for a moment, just as it was about to devour the corpse, along with me. I grunted, displeased with the sudden change in the situation.
But I didn't waste a second. With all my blessing abilities still active and my innate spirit on overdrive, as I dashed towards the blood river with all the speed I could muster.
Velsharath gave the lower Sun-Cursed Worm a seething look, before the massive Worm turned towards where I was headed, the eldrich horror diving back down into the sun, following suite.
I looked over my shoulder and saw it all happen, my heart racing. I was so close to the river! I couldn't be caught now! I just couldn't! From the way they reacted, I knew now that even Velsharath was afraid of the blood river. It's my only salvation in this situation. There was no way I could fight the boss and win—maybe if it wasn't the crimson moon I could win, but definitely not during the crimson moon.
I didn't look back and continued running, pouring all my innate spirit into my legs. Since [The Zone] had been active for a fairly long time now, I didn't hesitate on thinking much about pouring all my fury into my legs, for one single leap towards the blood river. That single leap could very well be enough for me to reach the blood river.
Taking a deep breath, I felt the fury pouring right inside it. I didn't want to be impatient and waited for the right moment—one single mistake could lead me to being captured and devoured by Velsharath. That would not be a pleasant experience, getting sucked into there could very well end my life before I even see what's inside as well.
Looking back over my shoulder one last, I noticed that Velsharath was gaining distance on me, getting closer and closer. Even with the headstart I recieved, it was useless when faced with someone with enhanced physical capabilities during the crimson moon. Once again, this has been questioning the fairness of this mission altogether.
Turning back towards the river which wasn't too far from me now, atleast 5 to 7 meters away. Taking a deep breath, I clenched on my calves and then, just before Velsharath's tendril could wrap around an ankle—I had burst forward with unimaginable speed, sending sand flying behind me in my wake.
A triumphant began forming, but it suddenly froze as I felt my body slowing down just as I got close to the Blood River. Looking back in panic, I saw that Velsharath had opended his mouth, using the powerful suction force to pull me towards him.
"Dammit!"
I let him get too close! I was too focused on reaching the blood river, that I didn't even focus on any other probability, this one mistake could very well cost me my life.
My eyes widened as I felt myself being pulled unwillingly, the strength of the suction growing as I drew closer. I attempted resisting, but was futile. I couldn't do anything to myself, as I was being pulled towards Velsharath.
"Good boy, Morgan. You'll make a great delicacy…."
I heard the twisted voice praising me like I was some prize meant to be won, it made my heart squirm in absolute disgust and strong repulsion towards Velsharath. Despite this, the despair was much stronger. I continued resisting even harder, but as the suction grew even stronger…..
There was nothing I could do.
My head fell forward in despair, my body going limp. I'll just have to try out surviving whatever happens inside the stomach, I guess….
[The Sandstorm has arrived….]
'Huh?'
The suction suddenly halted, making me fall on my ass.
"Ahhh! Not the fucking sandstorm!"
From the corner of my eye, I saw Velsharath thrashing around, as if in pure pain. But then it was obstructed by the sudden rain of yellow sand blocking my vision, making me gasp, as some of them entered my eye.
'What the….'
It was similar to The Storm from the first level, but the winds here were much stronger. It was like i was inside a tornado, but it seemed like Velsharath is suffering much more from this—I could tell by the fact that he was preparing to go underground.
This can be my chance to run towards the blood river!
"Thank you, Mr. Sandstorm…."