Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 342. A deep wound of no return

The beast let out another deafening screech and lunged forward, thrusting its claws toward Theo, forcing him to defend himself.

He barely managed to do so by raising his sword just in time.

CLANG!

The curved claws, as hard as iron, crashed against the sword, letting out a metallic clang.

Theo poured all his strength into holding them back, fighting to keep himself from being torn apart by the beast.

He glanced upward for a split second, realizing that he had no escape route at all. The only option was to somehow run smartly and get out of its territory.

But the beast had already shifted all its body weight onto the blade while Theo was straining with everything he had just to keep the blade steady.

Piercing pain shot through his left hand as the blade dug into his hand while he continued holding it that way. He cursed himself and regretted not wearing any gloves. He had avoided them because they hindered his grip on the sword’s hilt.

But now, the pain coursing through his hand made him realize why he needed to wear them; if it took extra training, then so be it.

The unfortunate part about Theo’s situation was that the beast wasn’t an ordinary Whispering Woods beast. This one had lived in this gate long enough and had also reached the level of strength one would need to take care of the underground beasts while maintaining its territory.

Not to mention it being level 13 only confirmed things Theo already knew about the beast.

So he wasn’t surprised when the beast lifted one of its hind legs and slammed it straight into his abdomen.

"KUGH!"

It felt like something burst inside him. Fueled by the adrenaline coursing through his body, Theo pushed the blade further upward, making the beast do the same thing.

It got another hit once more, but it also hit Theo right at the same spot.

"ARGHH YOU MOTHERF-" Theo was going to cuss but instinctively refrained himself, not knowing why.

When he met the beast’s eyes again, he froze.

Theo’s body stopped completely as he realized that the beast had a completely calm expression on its face.

As if this struggle was very normal for it and meant nothing at all.

That was when something clicked inside Theo and he poured more and more strength into lifting the sword.

His hand had started bleeding heavily, but the adrenaline dangerously dulled the pain. He didn’t realize it until the sword and the claws were forced high enough and a few drops of his own blood splashed onto his face.

The realization hit him, but it was as if he didn’t care.

He took a deep breath and pushed forward. When the beast was entirely focused on forcing the sword down again, Theo finally managed to move his legs.

He twisted his body to the side. The sword came down blade-first into the ground, piercing the beast in the process.

Pain exploded through him as Theo felt a bone in his abdomen move as he twisted his body, making his eyes widen.

"AAAGHHHHH!!!"

A raw, broken roar tore from his throat as he felt the bone grind against another.

’My ribs are broken,’ he realized as the adrenaline finally began to fade.

With what he thought was the last ounce of strength he had, Theo slammed his body into the beast, forcing it a step back.

Then, he dragged himself toward the edge of the pit’s center. There wasn’t much distance between the beast and him even now, but enough to let him have a breath.

Theo pressed one hand against his broken ribs while the other still clutched the sword. It felt useless to hold onto the sword at this point. The blade could do nothing against the beast’s tough hide.

The beast simply stared at him. Unlike Theo, its body bore no injuries; nothing was broken, nothing damaged.

It took a step forward, making Theo subconsciously tighten his grip around the sword’s hilt.

When it was close enough, Theo slashed forward. But just then, a surge of intense pain ripped through his abdomen, as if something that shouldn’t move was shifting within him along with the muscles.

He glanced at the blade in anger and gritted his teeth.

"WORK, YOU DAMN THING!" Theo roared out loud in frustration when he saw nothing on the sword, still.

The beast kept its distance as Theo slashed toward it again.

But the moment the sword pulled back, it darted forward.

At that moment, Theo felt the world around him freeze.

The beast’s claws shot toward him, and Theo instinctively raised his arms to protect his neck, but the trajectory was unmistakable. The claws were aimed at the same spot where its hind legs had struck him twice before.

Theo knew that if the lesser dragon armor were to be pierced now, those curved claws would puncture him.

And despite realizing all that, Theo couldn’t move in time.

The beast’s claws approached Theo while he waited for a miracle.

For the baron’s flying beast to arrive to help him or the baron himself.

For Elias to shoot an arrow at the beast, or for Clara to strike with her daggers.

For the pup to dash toward him and slash the beast to distract it, or for the boar to ram its tusks into the beast to save him.

And lastly, for the mantis to descend and behead the creature in a single strike with its ability.

But none of that happened.

The beast’s claw touched his armor and pierced it within seconds. He might as well not have worn it.

Theo felt the claw slide in around his ribs, followed immediately by a warmth covering his chest.

It was his blood gushing out of the wound.

At that time, all Theo could do was stare into the beast’s feral eyes.

He cried out loud from the fact that he was stabbed for the first time; it didn’t seem to hurt that much, but to know the fact that he got stabbed was good enough.

Theo grabbed the beast’s claw, desperately trying to not let it move any deeper than it already was.

And in that moment, Theo truly understood something.

He was all alone.