The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster

Chapter 27 Bat Dome II

It wasn't long they entered deep into the cave before they encountered their first challenge. The light that came in through the entrance had faded, and the silence had stretched for what felt like an eternity, broken only by the steady rhythm of their footsteps.

Buji's grip on his short sword remained tense, his eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Although, the environment was dim lighted. Feeling the small bag that was handed over to him by Kirex was going to be a burden, he dropped it by one corner and continued moving with Kirex.

"Stay close, Buji," Kirex muttered without turning his head. "Anything can happen, enemies can appear from anywhere."

As if detecting his words, they were greeted by glinting eyes in the dim light, which emerged from the shadows ahead.

Seeing this, Buji swallowed hard and nodded, his heart racing in his chest. His earlier nervousness hadn't faded, and now, they are faced with another... brrr.

He looked at Kirex who was in his front. His composed demeanor gave him something to hold on to, he was a leader, no doubt. But is he alone enough to handle what might turn out inside that cave.

He didn't even want to think about others. If he were going to rate their strengths, he would leave them at 40 & 60 at most, but for him and Kirex, He would say 10 & 60 or 10 & 70 would do. Of course, Kirex was still a second-year student and is not yet 100% assured to be strong.

Buji was awoken from his thought of fear. The ground beneath them suddenly rumbled faintly. The eyes that glinted at them had suddenly disappeared.

Kirex halted immediately, shifting his spear into a ready stance. Buji clutched onto his sword, searching to and fro with both his eyes and body.

He was afraid.

The rumble grew stronger, accompanied by the sound of scraping and clicking. The sound like claws scratching against stone. From the darkness ahead, two pairs of glowing red eyes emerged.

'First, it was much, now they are just two pairs?'

"What is that?" Buji whispered with a trembling voice.

A low growl answered him from the darkness as two monstrous figures stepped into view. Their forms were grotesque with their bodies made of jagged rock and covered in sharp, stone-like scales. They were massive, each standing as tall as a man, with wings that scraped the walls as they spread open. Their crimson eyes locked onto Buji and Kirex, dripping with bloodlust.

"Hey! Be careful, I'm over here," Buji lamented.

'But this guy fights like a demon...' Buji thought in awe, his breath catching as he watched Kirex's swift moves while he fought.

Buji's admiration was cut short. The flood of bats returned, locking him again. And it seemed they would be spending a longer time. He tightened his grip on his sword and muttered to himself, "Calm down. You can't keep dodging."

Just then, a bat flew past him. This time, he was not fast enough, so, the claws of the bat scratched his forehead and he shouted in pain.

Before any more attacks could come, he managed to stand his ground. Just before impact, he ducked low to dodge the approaching bats. As he came out the other side, he slashed upward with a massive force, his blade cutting through a few bats. Taking them down with his horizontal sword swing.

It seemed the bats were persistent this time. Many others flooded towards Buji, and just in time, Kirex swooped them down with a fan turn of his long spear.

He locked his legs to the ground to stop his sliding. He was bleeding from his left hand. Finally, he stopped next to Buji and had taken down the remaining flying bats.

Ahead, Buji could see the blood-lusting Stone Bats approach with much battle enthusiasm.

"They're tough," Kirex muttered.

Buji didn't know what happened. He guessed Kirex had been hit on his left arm by one of the Stone Bats. And then, one more thing—the Stone Bats.

The wings of one of them which Buji was sure Kirex had cut down before he was attacked by the cue of bats had healed up. Seeing as the creatures steadily closed the distance between them, he muttered.

"Will the others be okay?"

Following was the female articulate voice from before.

[04:00:00 remaining to complete the dungeon raid].