Gale

<Well, it isn't an official rank, host. But this one— Be careful from this one. It's much better if you avoid confronting it now.>

He clamped his mouth.

Hearing the trader's repeated warning only made him more nervous towards the beast. He could certainly feel it. The suffocating pressure that the beast was releasing towards him.

The trader was right. Jem knew that he had no chance of winning against it. The better thing to do was to escape from this place. There's no point in fighting an opponent you cannot win. He must save his life.

However, where would he go?! It even mystified him to find himself in this unfamiliar place. The last thing he remembered, he was trudging the cold dark path in search of the exit. But suddenly, he found himself here!? It was too weird.

He made a quick scan around him; he noticed he was sitting with his butt in a circular area where grass did not grow.

If he made an estimation, the deserted area was about 40-50 in diameter. There were four big pillars about 8-10 meters tall in four directions.

On each top of the pillars, there were head statues of a feral-looking beast.

Jem had a strong feeling that it meant something.

In some segments of the pillars, algae stuck on them. It made the carving marks on it more vivid as they didn't stick on them as though they were avoiding the carves. They were profound lines that Jem was not familiar with what kind of design they were representing. However, they looked ancient. Also, vines were sticking up to the middle part of the pillars.

Nonetheless, why on this part only that grass isn't growing? It was already suspicious. Perhaps, this area was the beast's territory! Jem surmised in a brief moment.

However, his eyes shook.

While he was clutching his chest, he noticed a tingling and throbbing sensation on it. Also, his hand that was clutching his chest seemed wet from something.

When he glanced at it, "B-blood?!" He froze on the spot upon seeing his hand was bloody. But where did he get it?

Jem's face turned white. On the chest, he saw three wounds on his chest. Just then, he felt more pain.

"Ugh!" He groaned. More pain suddenly attacked him after knowing he had wounds.

Looking at the pattern of the wounds, it seemed like the cause of them was an attack using claws.

Wait, he remembered he dodge the beast attack a while ago, so how come he got wounded? Jem wondered.

<I think it's the gale.>

"G-gale?" While frowning, he repeated the trader's words.

<Yes, host. It is an invisible force. It seemed like the enemy's attack can generate it.>

*Gulp!*

He could not help but swallow back what was blocking his throat after hearing the trader's explanation.

It was lucky that the wounds weren't so deep. He remembered he instinctively used his fortification ability. Thanks to it. He avoided getting his chest skewered by the beast.

"!!"

Soon his heart wavered.

At the corner of his eyes, "Wha--! Where did it go?!" The beast suddenly disappeared from his position.

<Above!>

Just as the trader says, the beast was in the air. About 10 meters above the ground, and was rapidly coming closer towards him. Of course, with the addition of gleaming eyes and oozing with a dark bluish aura that also looked like purple.

Jem did not waste more time. He attempted to roll away. "!!" But, he noticed a problem. He could not summon strength on his legs. His legs felt numb!

"Holy sh*t! I'm so dead!" Jem muttered in panic.

<Don't worry, it is a temporary numbness only.>

Although it was relieving to hear, it didn't change his situation.

If he didn't find a way, he would definitely become a squashed melon the next moment.

'Right.'

Fortunately, in his crisis, something came up in his mind.

He summoned his Ex-energy on his left arm then used his ability. His arm stretched to the nearest pillar and grabbed the vines on it.

However, "Wah!" A yelp came out from Jem Hansen's mouth.

*Bang!* A loud crashing noise trembled the ground blanketed the area with rising dust.