Odyssey Of Survival

Djer, who had been closely observing the creature's sheer size and weight, exhaled deeply before speaking. His voice, though calm, carried a sense of finality that left no room for debate.

"We're not carrying this one back," he stated, his eyes scanning the massive body of the beast sprawled across them. "It's too damn heavy. We'll take the crystal after killing it and leave the rest."

The others didn't hesitate to agree. A few nods, a couple of exchanged glances, and just like that, the decision was made.

Nate, however, couldn't help the flicker of shock that crossed his features, though he kept his mouth shut. They knew about the crystals. Did that mean they understood what the crystals were actually for? Did they know about their attributes and potential power? His mind was racing with questions, but he knew now wasn't the time to ask. There was something more pressing at hand.

His eyes shifted toward the enormous beast ahead, and a single thought pressed heavily against his mind.

How the hell are they planning to fight something this strong?

From what he had observed so far, none of these men had any magical abilities—not even an ounce of supernatural strength, speed, or durability. So how exactly did they intend to take down a creature that looked like it could flatten them with a single step?

Before he could dwell on it any longer, Meni took charge, stepping forward with a confident, almost reckless smirk as he reached for the club secured around his waist. The massive weapon was covered in scratches and cracks from repeated use, but Meni handled it like an extension of himself. He swung it once, letting the weight settle in his grip before shifting his stance.

The beast, which had been still for a moment, suddenly snapped its head upward, locking eyes with them. Its nostrils flared, its body tensed, and before anyone could even blink, it charged.

Djer's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Tiaa, move back! You're not built for this fight! Stick to ranged attacks!"

It wasn't an insult, just a fact. Tiaa wasn't like them—she didn't have brute strength, she wasn't trained in close combat. Her expertise lay in precision, in striking from a distance where her arrows were most effective.

Tiaa, though visibly irritated, didn't argue. She knew her place in battle. She stepped back swiftly, already reaching for her quiver as she positioned herself a safe distance away from the immediate clash.

Meni, on the other hand, turned toward Nate, his expression a mix of arrogance and authority.

"You, stay out of this."

Nate arched a brow but remained silent.

"You'll only get in our way," Meni continued. "We have a formation, and if you jump in cluelessly, you'll just ruin it. Stay back with the girl and don't make this harder than it needs to be."

Tiaa's fists clenched slightly at the way Meni casually dismissed Nate, but once again, she said nothing.

And just like that, the fight began.

Meni rushed forward first, his movements surprisingly quick for someone of his build. The others followed closely behind, their steps synchronized, their attack strategy clear.

The beast didn't slow—it was coming at them like a force of nature, its sheer weight and momentum making the ground tremble beneath its powerful strides.

Meni saw an opportunity. Just ahead, a small uneven bump in the dirt. He used it as leverage, pushing off with all his strength, leaping high into the air, his club raised overhead. With all the power he could muster, he swung down, aiming directly for the beast's skull.

But what happened next left him utterly stunned.

Instead of dodging or flinching, the beast lowered its head and rammed directly into the club.

The impact was devastating—not for the beast, but for Meni's weapon.

The moment club met skull, a sickening crack rang through the air, but it wasn't the sound of bones breaking—it was the sound of Meni's club shattering to pieces.

Meni barely had time to register what had happened. His weapon—his best weapon—was now nothing more than splinters scattered across the battlefield.

And the beast?

Completely unfazed.

Meni's body tensed—he was completely exposed now. With no weapon, no defense, and the beast still lunging forward, he was wide open.

But before the creature could strike him down, Nefer moved.

With expert timing, he surged forward, swinging his heavy axe in a precise arc aimed straight at the beast's legs. His movements were fast, efficient, and brutal—everything a seasoned fighter should be.

But the beast was faster.

The moment the axe came down, the creature lifted its leg, dodging the attack effortlessly.

That single action, that perfect evasion, was all the opening Hapu needed.

Using Nefer's attack as a distraction, Hapu slid underneath the beast, his long sword gleaming as he aimed directly for its underbelly.

He slashed.

But what followed was not the sound of tearing flesh.

Instead—

A sharp, grating scrape.

As if his sword had struck solid stone.

Hapu's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

His blade—his razor-sharp steel blade—had barely scratched the beast's underside.

They were in trouble.

And the worst part?

The beast knew it.

The beast's eyes burned with a violent hunger as it surveyed them, its nostrils flaring as if tasting their fear in the air.

The group had already retreated to a safer distance, catching their breaths, weapons gripped tightly in their hands. Djer, wielding his two swords earlier, had already passed one of them to Meni, who clenched it so tightly his knuckles were white.

Then, suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade slicing through flesh.

"It's the neck!"

Heads turned, eyes darting toward Tiaa, who had shouted with such urgency that for a moment, the entire battlefield seemed to pause.

Confusion flickered across Meni's face, as well as the others'. What was she talking about?

"What?" Nefer barked out, glancing at her.

"The neck is weak"

Tiaa's eyes shifted toward Nate, who was standing beside her, his arms crossed over his chest, looking completely unbothered by the chaos unfolding before them.

She had heard him murmur it just moments ago—soft, almost as if he hadn't meant to say it out loud. That's why she called it out.

Her gaze locked onto him, searching his face.

"You knew?" she demanded, her tone somewhere between surprise and irritation.

Nate, unfazed, simply shrugged, stretching his hands out helplessly.

"They told me to stay out of it," he replied, voice casual, almost amused. "Which means they can handle it on their own."

Tiaa blinked.

For a moment, she was speechless.

He really, truly had no intention of joining in.

Even when he clearly had the information that could turn the battle in their favor, he had held back—not because he was cruel, but because they had made it clear that they didn't need his help.

Tiaa wasn't sure whether to be impressed, frustrated, or both.

But there was no time to dwell on that.

On the battlefield, Meni took charge immediately.

"Nefer, Hapu—flank it! Djer, with me—we're going for the neck!"

Nefer gritted his teeth, gripping his massive axe as he rushed in from the side. Hapu followed closely behind, his longsword gleaming under the dim light. Meanwhile, Meni and Djer dashed forward, aiming straight for the weak spot—its neck.

The beast reacted instantly.

With a snarl, it twisted its massive body, its muscular tail swinging in a deadly arc.

Nefer barely had time to raise his axe before the impact sent him crashing backward, skidding against the rough ground. Hapu, seeing an opening, swung his longsword at the creature's exposed side—but the beast was faster.

With a sickening crunch, it snapped its powerful jaws shut around Hapu's left forearm.

"AHHHHHHH!!"

Hapu's scream tore through the air.

The sound was raw—a mix of agony and rage—as the creature's fangs sank into his flesh, nearly ripping his arm apart. Blood sprayed out in thick droplets, staining the dirt beneath him as he desperately tried to wrench himself free.

Djer, seeing Hapu in danger, pivoted and swung his sword with all his strength toward the beast's head.

But the creature jerked back at the last second, causing the blade to slice through empty air.

It wasn't just fast.

It was toying with them.

Meni, gritting his teeth, seized the moment of distraction. He surged forward, bringing his sword down toward the beast's exposed neck.

But before his blade could make contact, the creature's massive clawed foot shot out—slamming directly into his chest.

The impact was brutal.

Meni's body lifted off the ground, crashing into the dirt several feet away with a harsh thud. He groaned, trying to push himself up, but the wind had been completely knocked out of him.

The beast turned on him instantly.

With a deep snarl, it lunged forward, its fangs gleaming, its claws extended, seconds away from ripping Meni apart.

The others were too slow to react.

Nefer, still regaining his footing.

Hapu, writhing in pain, clutching his bleeding arm.

Djer, too far to intervene in time.

Tiaa's eyes widened in horror.

And Nate… Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire

Nate still hadn't moved.

The beast's jaws parted wide—a second away from ending Meni's life.

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