Chapter 59.2
The neck. The neck that was cut with the first strike and still bleeding. Bash sought the opportunity to land another blow there amidst the attacks and defense. The scales on its neck were already shattered. If he struck another blow with all his strength, it would pierce the flesh, sever the blood vessels, or even shatter the bone. The dragon would be decapitated. Bash was on the verge of recreating his previous victory over a dragon.
But the encounter was not yet decided. The dragon must have realized it. The blow to the neck was the deepest it had ever received. Another slash in the same spot would be fatal. Therefore, it continued to protect its neck. The dragon may not have known how Bash fought, but it sensed Bash’s aim and took the right action. It must have been instinct. Dragons were strong and powerful creatures, after all. They were born to fight. If it were any other creature, the battle would have been decided long ago.
But that would not be the case for much longer. With each movement, the dragon’s strength diminished. Its beautiful scales fell off, and its body was stained with blood. It was already unable to exhale its fiery breath and was panting heavily with its tongue out. Bash, on the other hand, struggled to breathe, but he still had strength left.
“…”
The dragon and Bash paused for a few seconds. During those brief seconds, they locked eyes with each other. Zell realized it. It was time to end the battle.
At the same time, however, there was a hint of unease. Dragons were superior creatures. It wouldn’t be surprising if it had some kind of secret plan. As exceptional as Bash was as a warrior, there was no guarantee that he could evade tricks on the first try. Zell prayed that please, please, please Bash had seen through any plan it might have had from their previous battle. She had never heard of a dragon’s trump card in the Battle of the Lemium Highlands, but still, please, she hoped it was something that Bash already knew.
They both started moving.
The upper body of the dragon slid to the left. Bash, on the other hand, began moving to the right, its blind spot. While maintaining a distance that allowed him to avoid the dragon’s breath, he exerted all his strength to counter any attack that might come. The dragon bared its fangs ferociously, and steam emanated from its body as it looked at him, filled with spirit. Even if it were any other veteran orc warrior, they would be wetting their pants and begging for their life. Zell saw this and convinced herself that Bash would win. Bash was going to win. With his next strike, he would sever the dragon’s head.
And perhaps even the dragon knew it. Therefore, it turned the upper part of its body and came to a complete halt…