The cavern darkened further as the massive form stepped into the flickering light. Kieran instinctively backed up, his battered body already struggling to stay upright.
The creature was at least three meters tall—hunched, sinewy, plated in natural armor that pulsed faintly with Abyssal energy. Two burning eyes fixed on him with animalistic hatred. But there was something more behind them. Intelligence.
Kieran's system flared.
[Warning: Unknown Apex-class lifeform detected.]
[Tactical scan... failed.]
[Initiating Emergency Survival Protocol.]
"Not good," Kieran muttered, sweat dripping down his temple.
Elias didn't move. "Adapt or die."
With a roar, the Apex lunged.
Kieran rolled—barely. Pain lit up his ribs, his arm almost gave out. But he moved, dodging another crushing blow that cracked the stone beneath him.
I can't win like this. Not head-on.
His eyes flicked around the cavern. Narrow ledges. Weak rock formations. A half-buried column.
Think. Like a predator.
The Apex charged again. Kieran darted toward a slope of unstable stone and leapt, using momentum to lure the creature beneath the weakened archway. As the beast roared and followed, Kieran slammed his foot down on the last support.
The rock fell.
Dust erupted as the apex was buried beneath the collapse.
Kieran collapsed too, gasping.
But the silence didn't last.
From the rubble, a growl rose.
Elias sighed. "Well… you bought yourself ten seconds. Use them wisely."