The Smiling Death-Chapter 295: The Journey Still Continues!

In the vast dark forest stretching endlessly in every direction, the sky above remained a dull grey, heavy and oppressive.

In one part of the forest, something moved.

A shadow leapt from one tree branch to another with inhuman speed. His figure blurred with each movement, barely visible even in daylight. A young man was running– no, he was rather flying through the canopy.

His black hair was slightly long and messy, whipping wildly in the wind. Dirt smeared his pale skin, dulling it from days of travel. He wore a black outfit, fitted and flexible, made for movement.

The hood attached to his suit flapped violently behind him as he lunged from tree to tree without slowing down.

He was Amon.

His boots barely touched the branches. Each step was precise. Each jump is calculated. Darkness clung faintly to his feet, shadows bending to support his movements.

Behind him something was coming.

ROOOOAR—!

The forest trembled.

Two massive bear-like monsters burst through the trees in pursuit.

They were enormous, far larger than any normal beast. Their bodies were covered in thick black fur, matted and rough. Each step they took shattered branches and crushed trunks beneath their weight. Red eyes burned with rage and hunger as they charged forward.

Rank three beasts. They were really stronger than Amon.

Their claws tore into bark as they climbed unnaturally fast for creatures of their size. One of them leapt, smashing through branches, narrowly missing Amon’s heels.

"Damn it..." Amon muttered under his breath, glancing back briefly.

He had underestimated them. He pushed harder.

Darkness gathered around his legs as he accelerated, his speed increasing sharply. He shot forward, leaping across a wide gap between trees.

Crack!

One branch snapped under the weight of the bears. One monster slipped slightly but quickly recovered, roaring in fury.

ROOOAAARRR!

The sound echoed through the forest like thunder. The trees trembled at their roars.

Amon clenched his teeth.

"Persistent bastards..."

He had no intention of fighting them head-on...not yet. He cannot fight them in this terrain. He doesn’t know their exact ranks. But for now he assumes them as rank three.

He twisted his body mid-air, landing on a thinner branch, then immediately kicked off, dropping downward.

The forest floor rushed up toward him. Just before impact, shadows surged.

Amon landed silently, knees bending as darkness cushioned the fall. Without stopping, he sprinted forward between the trees.

Behind him the chaos still followed.

BOOM!

One of the bears landed heavily, shaking the ground. The second followed moments later, ripping apart bushes and roots as they charged.

Amon weaved through the forest, his movements sharp and efficient. Trees blurred past him as he ran, his breathing steady despite the chase.

’If this keeps up... I’ll be forced to fight,’ he thought.

His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.

The forest ahead grew denser. Roots rose from the ground like walls. Shadows thickened.

Amon’s eyes sharpened.

’Fine,’ he thought coldly. ’If you want to chase... then I’ll choose where we fight.’

And with that, he vanished deeper into the darkness of the forest, leading the monsters straight toward it.

Then shadow dashed towards the incoming two monsters. Darkness appeared out of nowhere alongside the moving shadow.

Just when those bear monsters came the monsters.

Multiple dark spikes shot upward from the ground.

Splash!

One of the spikes tore through the front legs of one of the beasts. They were sharp and solid enough to harm the beast.

While another monster got those Spikes tips slashed at the belly. Making a huge cut.

"Rooaaaa!"

"Rooaaaa!"

Both of them roared loudly. But not in hunger. They were roaring in pain.

They stopped running after Amon.

Just then something flew in the direction of the.

A black line formed in the forest. As a hatchet with black blade spun in the air viciously.

It perfectly crushed the skull of the first monster.

Crushed!

Splashed.

Blood spilled in the surroundings.

Roarrrr!

Then Amon instantly appeared beside another beast from the other side.

His sword held tightly in both hands. Blade covered with pitched black darkness. Black smoky trails left from it.

Amon swung his sword horizontally.

[Umbral Veil Sword Art: First form – Crescent Of Dusk]

A wide horizontal arc shot forward fiercely, carrying undeniable darkness.

Slash!

It collided against the master’s neck. A deep cut appeared on its naked body.

Amon didn’t waste any time. He lunged at the monster.

The hatchet that was dug on the skull of another monster moved toward Amon.

He catched it with left hand and brought it down on the monster’s head.

It was already in pain and wounds done by Amon. Before it could turn and use its hands at Amon who was in midair above him.

The hatchet came down.

Crushed.

A crunching sound came the moment Amon crushed the second bear’s skull.

Everything happened too fast. As the both monsters fell down on ground with thud.

THUD

THUD

The Spikes already dissolved.

Amon stands there with a small smile.

"They were really strong. But their skin was not too tough. It was easier to cut. Also their speed was not too fast because of their size" Amon muttered to himself.

"Well I am lucky that they were not ranked four or five beasts." Amon’s body was covered slightly in dust.

Some scratches were on his hands and neck.

It’s been more than a month since he started his journey. After leaving that Dead Celestial Tree.

And by no means it was easy. He still can’t believe how he was still alive.

The reason why Amon didn’t try to fight them from the start was simple.

In this whole month, during his journey Amon had seen really strong monsters. Beyond what he could face.

Though he never faced any monster stronger than rank five.

Though running away from them was a real challenge.

At this point Amon could kill rank three monsters without much problem. But four...he could not think about that.

The difference between rank three and four was huge.

So Amon used the easiest way. He traveled at night. When it comes to running, The darkness was his best comrade.

Today as well he was trying to find something to eat. Then rest on a tree until night comes. But guess what? He was chased by these huge monsters.

He smiled widely. " Well they got too much mass. Good for me."