That old beast was furious, and the hatred in its eyes looked as though it wanted to tear me apart.
The moment it finished speaking, it continued pressing toward me.
Mountain rocks surrounded me on both sides and behind me. My only escape route had been blocked.
The opponent's aura was powerful, and the pressure it radiated made it impossible for me to breathe.
Charging in and fighting it head-on would not work in my favor.
I could only back away bit by bit.
"Master, save me!"
I shouted, my voice echoing through the forest.
I hoped to catch my master's attention and make him come help me.
But the old beast laughed angrily.
"Even if you scream your throat raw tonight, you'll still die."
With that, it kicked off with both legs and pounced at me.
My eyes widened. I raised the Fish Bone Sword and instinctively blocked.
Then, with a bang, I felt an immense force crash into me.
That single claw strike sent the Fish Bone Sword flying from my hand.
The monstrous strength also knocked me to the ground.
My palm and arm throbbed painfully from the impact, trembling uncontrollably.
It stood before me, looking utterly vicious.
"You little brat, why couldn't you just answer properly?
Why? Why..."
As it spoke that final "why,"
the old beast opened its mouth, raised both claws, and pounced at me with a howl.
I had already been forced into a dead end. There was no way to dodge.
This is bad. It's too fast—I can't avoid it anymore.
The old beast glared at me and continued roaring.
"Why..."
But at that critical moment, an angry shout rang out.
"Because fuck you!"
Before the words had even faded, a shadow leaped down from the rocks behind me.
It was my