Not knowing what I’m gonna fight I took four things with me. A hammer just in case that monster has armor, a shield for defense, a sword for a close fight, and a spear for keeping a distance. I can always use Skyge’s help since everyone thinks that he is one of my spells. I’m still not in the best shape but probably a lot better than Lokth thinks I am. I’d love to see his face after the battle. The monster would be released after I get to the middle of the arena. The whole area was covered in chains so the monster couldn’t escape in any way.

[Announcer]

“Thirteen in the ranking! A newcomer that came out of nowhere with a bang! Sponsored by Verser! Eric! Will fight against a monster found in lands far away. Further than Pure Sun! It was the first time we’ve seen this kind of monster! It’s Eric against a monster from the depths!”

All the gates were shut down and one of them was left wide open. I was prepared for anything but this. Humanoid monster with an octopus head and tentacles on its back. It was the same kind of monster that I fought in Dalir Village last year. This one was a bit different. He was only two and a half meters tall and this one was grey. There also was a mark on his chest. The mark that I remember very well. The same mark that Tae has on his ankle.

[ Eric ]

“So there were more monsters like you. At least I’m fighting something that I want to kill.”

He looks different but is he weaker? The last one was a bit smart. Learning my patterns and reading my movement. Will he do the same? Also, there was his regenerative skill. One way to find out! I picked up the hammer and with a spin threw it at him. It ripped off his whole arm. He picked it up and reattached it. It wasn’t fully healed, more like he sewed it with smaller tentacles. This was the only good news but this one didn’t scream at all. The last one definitely reacted to anything I did but this one is numb.

It was observing me. I even walked around a bit to find out. He was tracking me this whole time. At first, there was no movement but when I chose to get closer he reached for his tentacle and ripped it off. It changed shape into another smaller version of him. The small guy was watching me while the monster picked up the hammer and observed it.

Is it smart or not? He observed me but right now it looks like a curious child playing with a toy. What’s the purpose of the smaller one? Right now this one is watching me. When I took another step forward the monster threw the hammer at me aiming right for my arm. It did the same move as me. I was able to take a step to the right to avoid it.

The smaller one jumped on him and changed back into the tentacle. At first, there were only four of them but two more grew out of him. If the hammer was enough then his skin isn’t as hard as the last one. I had to end it before he learns more. I threw the spear aiming right for his head. He grabbed it without much effort and broke it. I think I didn’t hide my bloodlust this time. The monster’s primal instincts kicked in. It had a lot of strength since he barely used his strength to throw the hammer. With the help of the tentacles, it dashed toward me. I defended myself with a shield and got the sword in front of me. It went right through him.

I wanted to pull out the sword but it didn’t budge. The monster watched me struggle. When it leaned closer to me I had a chance to punch it. I don’t know if he felt it but it made him take a step back. It froze in place with a sword still in its stomach. Now I only had a shield in my hand.

The monster reached for the handle of the sword and pulled it out. Some of its green blood poured out but stopped in a matter of seconds. It stood there with a sword in front just like I was a second ago. It dropped it and punched the air. He is mimicking me.

The crowd didn’t like how calm the monster was. Someone from the crowd threw a lit torch down to the arena. When the monster noticed the fire it began screaming falling to its knees and shaking its head around. The tentacles went wild and hit the area around him randomly. It got worse when it hit the torch. The scream was even louder and movements more chaotic. Now it was running around.

The crowd finally had something interesting to watch. While It was running around I defended myself with a shield. After the first hit I bearly stood my ground. It was weaker but slightly faster than the monster from the island. One of the tentacles went straight at me. I blocked the attack with my shield. It broke down after the attack.

[ Eric ]

“Shit! SHIT! SHIT!!!” I screamed as I ran around, dodging all the attacks without any weapons.

Do I need Skyge’s help? Will he be able to stand his ground against that monster? Those tentacles look sharp at the end. It’s like he is wielding six spears. I tried looking for the hammer he threw. It was completely broken. The sword and the spear were right under him. The monster noticed the spear under him. He began mimicking my movements again and threw the spear at me. I had to grab it mid-air otherwise it would brake once it hits the wall.

If not for my Expert Proprioception I wouldn’t even try it but with that, I was able to grab it. I wonder if I can evolve this ability too. Right now I had a weapon on me. The monster calmed down a bit and picked up the sword and began swinging it around. It was still angered but didn’t panic anymore. I hope I don’t need to sacrifice a limb like a last time.

This one is different but if it’s the same monster as the last one there is something inside it that controls the body. If I hit it I’ll win but the problem is where in its body is it? This one is smaller but it doesn’t help that much. If only I could steal Gregor’s ability for a second to find that bug.