Chapter 10: Jaedan River
He gulped down a potion, his trembling hands spilling half the liquid. The burn in his throat was unbearable, but the wound stopped bleeding, the flesh slowly knitting together.
He drank another vial, a concoction to boost his strength, speed, and endurance. His muscles tensed, his heart pounding in his chest. Each beat echoed in his temples. He wiped the blood from his face and moved toward the cave at the edge of the village.
The entrance gaped open, carved into black rock, emitting a stench of mold and rotting meat. Daemon slipped inside, dagger at the ready. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the drip of water on stone.
"That was... easier than I thought. I figured—"
*Boom*
A violent shock slammed him against the wall.
"Aaarrhh fuck—"
His ribs cracked, and he spat a mouthful of blood, splattering the ground. His vision blurred, black spots dancing before his eyes. A three-meter-tall ogre emerged from the darkness, its spiked, rusted club raised to strike. Its fur was caked with dried blood, its tiny eyes gleaming with rage.
Daemon bit his lip until it bled to stay conscious. The pain in his chest was excruciating, every breath like a knife stabbing his lungs. His ribs had likely pierced his insides.