Vale tightened the grip on his sword, his fingers wrapped so tightly around the hilt that his knuckles turned white. He gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched as he watched the monstrous centipede get closer with every passing moment.
The ground trembled beneath its many legs, each step producing a faint, unsettling chitter. Its segmented body undulated in a sickening rhythm, the thick chitinous plates clicking together as it advanced toward him.
The enormous centipede was now just inches away. Its mandibles, glistening with venom, snapped in anticipation—ready to tear into him. With no time to think and no chance to counter, Vale activated his armour's enchantment—Stealth.
In an instant, his form vanished. The world around him remained unchanged, but to the creature's many eyes, he had ceased to exist.
The centipede faltered mid-lunge, its attack slowing as confusion overtook instinct. It slithered past the spot where Vale had last stood, its antennae whipping through the air as it searched for the lost prey.
The creature lingered, its head twisting from side to side, sensing and listening.
But before it could locate him, Vale's blade struck.
Reappearing in a flash, he landed atop the centipede's broad, armoured back. With a fierce cry, he drove his sword between the thick, overlapping plates of its exoskeleton—forcing the blade deep into the creature's flesh.
The monster let out a deafening shriek, its entire body convulsing beneath him. A sickly green liquid gushed from the wound, seeping around the blade of his sword, its acrid scent burning Vale's nose. The centipede twisted in agony, its segments thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off.
Vale gritted his teeth and held on, his muscles straining as he tightened his grip on the sword, refusing to be thrown off.
The centipede dove down, its massive body twisting as it aimed to go underground once again. The earth cracked and crumbled beneath its weight, the monster vanishing into the depths.
A rain of arrows fell in pursuit, whistling through the air before clattering uselessly against its thick exoskeleton. Each projectile bounced off harmlessly, failing to pierce through the hardened chitin.
Just before the creature's body disappeared, Vale leaped off its back, tumbling through the air before hitting the ground hard. He rolled across the dirt, his body thrashing as he struggled to regain control, finally skidding to a halt on the sloping edge of the hole.
The ground trembled violently as the centipede burrowed deeper, its presence unseen but unmistakable present. Vale's muscles tensed, every nerve in his body on high alert. He knew it wouldn't stay hidden for long.
His instincts were correct.
In the next instant, the earth erupted with a deafening roar, chunks of stone and dirt flying in all directions. The enormous centipede burst from below, its monstrous form re-emerged—but this time, right next to Klein.
"Damn it!" Vale shouted, his heart hammering as he rushed forward, desperate to reach his teammate in time.
Klein's eyes widened in shock. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body already protesting under the strain of shooting countless arrows. But there was no time to hesitate.
With one final effort, he threw himself forward, his body rolling down the sloped wall of the crater.
The impact sent pain lancing through his limbs, but he forced himself to move, tumbling down until he landed with a heavy thud atop a pile of bones.
The centipede followed. Its massive head loomed just above the fallen student, its mandibles clicking hungrily as it prepared to strike.
But before it could reach him, thick vines erupted from the ground, twisting and coiling around the monster's segmented body. The tendrils wrapped tightly, locking onto its armored plates and pulling it back with incredible force.
The beast thrashed violently, letting out a screech of frustration as the vines held firm.
Unsure if it would work, Vale decided to take a risk. He activated Vine Bind once again, but this time, he channeled it directly through the palm of his hand. Stretching his arm toward the thrashing centipede, he used what little essence he had left and activated the ability again.
Three dark vines shot out from his palm, surging toward the monster like a trio of striking serpents. They coiled around the centipede's massive head, tightening harder with each passing moment. The creature screeched and writhed, its body convulsing as it fought against the growing restraint.
Vale gritted his teeth as exhaustion clawed at his body. He could feel his essence draining rapidly, a numbing fatigue creeping into his limbs. His vision wavered, his breath came in ragged gasps, but he refused to let go. The vines, as if responding to his desperation, twisted even tighter around the centipede's skull.
A sharp, sickening crack echoed through the battlefield.
"Now!" He screamed, desperation clear in his voice.
Seizing the opportunity, Klein drew his bow one last time. His arms trembled from exhaustion, his fingers barely able to hold the string taut, but his aim remained steady. He inhaled sharply, calming his racing heart and sent his arrow flying.
The projectile whistled through the air, cutting through the chaos of battle before finding its mark. It struck the centipede's head, piercing through the fractured chitin. The cracked exoskeleton gave way, offering no resistance as the arrow drove deep into the creature's skull.
The centipede lurched.
For a moment, it remained eerily still, its enormous body lingering in the air as if caught between life and death. Then, with a final, shuddering twitch, it collapsed.
The ground trembled beneath its massive weight as it crashed lifelessly. Dust and debris scattered outward in a choking cloud.
The battle was over.
The vines had already vanished, disintegrating the moment Vale's essence was fully drained. He staggered, his body barely able to remain upright as exhaustion overtook him.
Then, as if waiting for this very moment, a familiar voice resounded in his head.
[ You have slain an A-Rank, Awakened Monster, Grand Centipede ]
[ You have received an Artifact: Hellfire ]