Chapter 99 - Pandemonium (4) (1/2)

*Clang!*

A metallic noise resounded underground.

Making use of the rebound of the clash between the sword and the claw, Aleen retreated from the crawler.

But the crawler moved faster. Before Aleen could get a stable footing, the crawler was already attacking from the right side.

Without more options, Aleen could only use his sword to block the attack again.

While his sword was busy defending, the crawler attacked again with his leg. Helplessly, Aleen used his armguard to defend and took a few steps back due to the impact of the kick.

As if waiting for that opportunity, the crawler crouched down and used all its body to pounce against Aleen before he could recover his footing.

However, Aleen was also waiting for an opportunity. When the crawler body left the ground, Aleen used his left foot to forcibly stop his retreat and twist his body, avoiding the attack and slashing the belly of the creature with his sword.

Unfortunately, the crawler was able to twist its body in the air and used its right leg to kick Aleen from an unexpected direction, forcing him to change the direction of his attack and use the sword to defend against the kick.

Both of them retreated and observed each other carefully.

'Just five seconds more…' Aleen thought in his mind while calculating the time left before the activation of his skill.

Though Aleen could see the situation of the other group, there was nothing he could do. The crawler he was facing was stronger than he expected, and the only reason he was still uninjured was his new gear.

Crawlers were fast, and their movements were unpredictable. They were faster than Aleen without using his skill, and because they could step on the walls and the roof, and attack from there, they had more maneuverability.

Fortunately, Aleen was stronger and his sword was much sharper than its claws. Besides, though Aleen's swordsmanship wasn't first class, it was enough to overwhelm the crawler when they clashed, so it could only use its strange movements to try to kill Aleen.

And to be honest, it almost succeeded.

In its first attack, the crawler used its two claws to hold Aleen's sword while it used its legs to grapple Aleen's lower body. When Aleen noticed it, he retreated frantically, but the monster took advantage of it to deflect its sword and attack his chest.

Aleen only survived because his protective gear blocked the monster's attacks.

But his cuirass was unable to stop the impact behind the attack, so he ended slightly injured.

Fortunately, Aleen's wariness was higher from then, so the monster was unable to find another opportunity to hit him.

But if he would've been using the gear he wore one game ago, he probably would be dead for now.

While Aleen was observing the crawler, something happened.

Aleen heard the crawler fighting against the others crying in pain.

When he turned his head to look at there, he saw Aya's cat taking a chunk of meat from the creature's side.

At the same time, Aya used her short spear to pin its leg against the ground.

'What…!?" Aleen made a startled expression; but before he could comprehend what was happening, the crawler that was fighting against him moved.

But instead of jumping towards Aleen, it ran towards the others.

"Careful!" Aleen alerted them from the attack and chased after the crawler, but the beast ignored him and jumped towards the group.

The others finally reacted and one of the bodyguards used his body to block the attack. He used the axe he was wielding to protect his body and received the creature's charge.

The beast clashed against the axe and deflected it easily. But before the claws could bisect the man, Lily attacked the creature, cutting one of its legs with her claws.

"Screeeeeeechhhh!!!" The creature screamed in pain and jumped back, but Aleen was waiting behind it and didn't hesitate to swing his sword.

'Sharp Blade!'