Chapter 31: At Death’s Door
Vlad’s inhuman instincts warned him of the incoming danger. In that split second, with death rushing toward him in the form of an open jaw lined with razor-sharp teeth, time seemed to stretch.
His body tensed. His mind honed through years of battle experience took over, instantly picking the best available option.
Still bound and hanging upside down, Vlad pushed his body backward as he took out an explosive potion vial from his inventory, a small crimson vial appearing in his bound hands.
He crushed the vial without a second thought, and with inches separating him from the creature’s razor-sharp teeth from digging into his neck, an explosion went off.
The blast shot Vlad forward, and with his chin tucked, he crashed headfirst into the charging beast with a sickening crack, the sound of crushed bone lost beneath the echo of the impact.
The creature’s neck snapped back violently. Its balance shattered mid-flight, and while his massive wings flared in reflex, trying to stabilize, the momentum was too much.
It flipped midair, twisting as it shifted off-course, a streak of bone-white vanishing past Vlad in a blur of rage and wind.
"MASTERRRR?" Vel roared in panic as the explosion flung her away.
{System Notice: Due to the player engaging in battle against a creature two ranks higher, The Lone Calamity effect ’Solo Scaling’ has activated. All stats increased by 14%.}
"Grrrrrrr," Vlad gritted his teeth, not from the pain of the destroyed flesh and bones but because he knew this encounter was not what he had been expecting.
He took out a Greater grade healing potion and crushed it before he swiftly equipped his gauntlets, making more than half of the potion stay on his broken hands.