Chapter 99: Training with monsters
The Schattler charged again, this time swinging its claw in a wide arc, trying to slice from the side. Axelius bent backward just enough to dodge it, the claws barely missing his nose. Then he rolled to the side and came up behind the monster.
The Schattler twisted fast, trying to catch him, but Axelius ducked and cut low, slicing across its leg. The monster screeched in pain and stumbled.
Axelius took that moment—he stepped on the Schattler’s foot, locking it in place. As the monster tried to pull back, Axelius threw his weight into his shoulder and slammed into its chest, knocking it off balance again.
Before it could recover, Axelius flipped the katana in his hand, gripped it backward, and stabbed at the base of its ribs. The blade hit but didn’t go deep, the monster twisting just in time.
The Schattler snarled and jumped high, spinning midair and aiming both claws down like spears. Axelius rolled backward, then stabbed upward while lying on the ground. The tip of his katana scratched its belly, and black mist-like blood flew out.
Axelius stood fast, brushing the dirt from his clothes. "Still not enough," he whispered, eyes cold.
The Schattler stood too, swaying a little now. It growled and opened its mouth again, that horrible screech building in its throat But Axelius just smiled.
Axelius grinned, eyes sharp with excitement as he held the katana loosely in his hand, the blade catching a faint shimmer of sunlight through the trees.
"Come on," he said, slowly walking toward the Schattler. "Don’t tell me your creepy face is just for show. That’s it? That’s all you got?" He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "At least entertain me more."
The Schattler hissed, its glowing owl eyes widening, and it dropped to all fours like a wild beast. Its long claws dug into the dirt, tail twitching unnaturally behind its back. The miasma around it thickened for a moment, giving its outline a twisted blur. Then—it lunged.
Its claws slashed in a zigzag, fast and sharp, trying to confuse Axelius. One claw swept low while the other curved high like a sickle.