As the muddy ground cracked under the weight of the Boslame, the
creature stepped closer and closer toward the center of the pit. When it
reached the middle, Edward tossed a small rock toward the side where
he and Jim were hiding.
The creature's long, pointed ears twitched.
Slowly, it turned its head, rising first on two legs—then dropping down
onto all fours, creeping forward like a hunting beast.
Its nostrils flared violently as it sniffed the air, trying to detect the
unfamiliar scent.
It crept closer…
closer…
until it stood right in front of the source of the noise.
Suddenly—an arrow shot out from behind the creature.
It whistled through the air at incredible speed and pierced straight into
the Boslame's right leg.
The monster roared in agony and dropped to one knee, its dark red blood
splattering across the stone floor as it ripped the arrow out with its
claws.
Jim seized the opportunity. With a grin, he hurled his right short sword
at the creature's arm.
The blade struck deep into its right forearm.
Jim's hands lit with glowing sigils.
A magical chain shot out from his palm, linking his sword to his arm.
Then he reinforced his muscles with magic—bracing himself against the
monster's strength.
"Get on it! Now!" Jim shouted.
The soldiers rushed from different sides.
One soldier thrust his spear at the monster's left arm—but the Boslame
swung its massive claw, smashing into the man's lower arm.
The soldier was thrown backward, crashing into another who had been
running beside him.
Edward dashed in from the right, where Jim was restraining the creature.
The monster tried to strike him, but Edward dodged sharply to the side.
With a swift movement of his blade, he sliced through the Boslame's
right lower leg, forcing it down onto both knees.
The monster roared again, slashing at Edward with its remaining arm.
Edward quickly switched his sword to his other hand and raised the
blade to block.
Steel crashed against claw.
Edward held the attack back—barely.
The sheer force drove him to his knees and pushed him several inches
across the stone floor.
At the same moment, the Bolsame mustered its strength and tore free
from Jim's magical chain.
The released energy sent Jim flying into the wall on the right side of the
chamber.
A soldier behind the creature charged with his shield raised.
He slammed his sword into the monster's back, but the blade failed to
pierce its tough skin.
The monster instantly spun around and struck him with its right claw—
shattering his shield, cutting through his plate armor, and sending him
crashing to the ground with a deep wound across his chest.
Edward finally recovered his balance.
He pulled out his final potion and downed it in a single swallow.
He dashed forward.
The monster turned and swung at him again, but this time Edward slid
beneath the strike, the mud smearing across his armor.
As he slid under the creature, he slashed upward—
A critical blow.
His blade carved through the Boslame's left knee, forcing the creature to
collapse onto both legs once more.