But then suddenly, it stopped dead in its tracks.
Its glowing eyes locked onto something a few feet away.
A rat.
Well, something close to a rat.
This creature's body was almost as big as a deer, with patchy furs that revealed scarred, leathery flesh beneath. Its teeth were curved like a bull's horns, glistening with thick, venomous saliva that dripped onto the forest floor.
kekeke
The tree-like creature had found its prey.
Its centipede-like legs wriggled faster, carrying it forward with eerie silence despite its massive size. As it reached close, it slowly raised its arms and seemed ready to impale the giant rat.
But before it could strike —
The air split before it.
A powerful slash of mana hurtled toward its neck, cutting through the darkness like a silver blade of moonlight. The attack was precise and carried an overwhelming authority that made the surrounding trees tremble.
"KRRRIIIIIEEEEEEK—!!"
