Chapter 215: Claws in the Dark
The dark forest was silent save for the heavy panting of the ape-like monsters. Its claws glistened red in the starlight, dripping with the blood of the deer at its feet. Shadows pooled around its muscled body, drawn toward it as though attracted by its ferocious killing intent. I took a sharp breath as it took a step forward, its ten-foot bulk shaking the ground. My tail stiffened in fear, but retreat was impossible. I could still make out the faint rustling of small feet in the forest behind me, accompanied by Sari’s occasional sob. Every second I delayed was another second closer to their freedom. Perhaps here, at the very end, my life would have some meaning.
Even as it loomed over me, the monster tilted its head, as though wondering why I didn’t run. It seemed to shrug and reached out a claw, the tip slowly drawing toward my heart. I watched it, mesmerized by the cruel reality of the beast until it was mere inches from my chest.
Breaking my eyes free of the dreadful visage, I waved my staff. "Aegis."
At the first sign of magic, the monster’s claw jumped forward, plunging toward my breast. At that moment, regardless of chanting speed or magical finesse, even a ninth-level mage would have died. But the barrier formed even as the claw touched my dress, freezing it in place. No matter how the beast grunted and strained, it failed to do more than a small, triangular tear in the fabric, leaving my skin untouched.
Drawing back, it growled, sizing me up once more. Then, without warning, it struck again. The claws bore the full might of a third-circle attack, whistling through the air with blinding speed. I hadn’t time to flinch before they stuck the Aegis, filling the air with a flurry of star-like sparks.
But when the light dimmed, the monster’s eyes narrowed. Despite the overwhelming difference in power, the Aegis bore not a scratch, a shimmering golden aura as strong as the moment it was cast.
"So weak?" I murmured, staring at the monster. Third-level supposedly granted power far beyond anything an Aegis could handle. Even scions could damage it, not to mention empowered creatures like infernal monsters.
When a demon fought, almost all of its magical power was concentrated on the very tip of its attack, giving it the greatest strength possible. But this monster’s attacks were amateurish, pathetic, even. While it released lots of power, very little of it actually focused in the attack itself. And that’s not to mention it never even hit the exact same spot twice, placing its blows on a wide surface area that allowed the Aegis to disperse the energy throughout the entire shield.