Ability: Physical Strengthening (Lv.2), Beast Perception (Lv.1)
The information above was Hexia's assessment based on what she had learned. Though not precise and comprehensive, it was currently sufficient.
Her strength was not considered powerful, and now, without a suitable weapon or means of attack, the girl felt a touch of bitterness in her heart.
However, she did not have much time left. The nearly beast-like creature had almost completely chewed her personal terminal, and once it finished, it would be time to attack.
Come on, think of something, Hexia. A bead of sweat slowly made its way down her forehead; she felt her back was both cold and hot, and her right hand's nerves were still twitching from time to time, sending waves of pain.
In moments of intense stress, adrenaline began to secrete. She breathed shakily, her body slightly crouched, ready to react at any moment.
Currently unable to find a suitable weapon, the only means of attack was the close-range use of the Withering Sequence's initial Spirit Purifying Formula. It utilized the high lethality of the Withering Sequence against the Soul Form, dispersing and annihilating the enemy's spirit, or incapacitating them to the point of self-helplessness.
But this process would take at least 5-7 seconds, and it would probably require her to hold the enemy's head with her hand. Moreover, her body was certainly not as powerful as that of the enemy who had mastered the Dragon Sequence. Furthermore, the enemy possessed fangs and claws...
Before Hexia could decide on a strategy, the enemy had finished its meal and charged at her again.
In the pitch-black surroundings, claws scraped against the metal floor, emitting a sharp, ear-piercing noise. Hot, panting breath grew steadily closer with movement. Even if she couldn't see at this moment, the madness of the beast still caused her heart to race.
With a push of her toes, Hexia moved to the side, hoping to draw the enemy's attention and spare the children behind her from harm. At the same time, she sought an opportunity in her movements.
However, her plan was quickly dashed.
As soon as she made a noise with her movements, the enemy, as if finally finding its target, suddenly increased its speed. Hexia had no chance to react before being struck directly.
In the impact, her right arm broke with a snap, and then the intense pain nearly knocked her unconscious. Her body was flung backward, hitting the cold, damp tunnel wall, and the recoil felt as if it would eject her heart.
Her vision filled with stars, she slid down the wall, while the enemy, close at hand, panted hot breath. A claw pressed down on Hexia's left shoulder with a heavy weight, carving a bloody groove, while the other opened its jaws wide, biting directly into her right shoulder.
The sound of shattering bones erupted like firecrackers, followed by the noise of flesh being chewed.
The severe pain nearly drained all of Hexia's consciousness, causing her to convulse involuntarily.
That sense of impending doom descended instantaneously, so close that it caused Hexia to hallucinate; pleasant childhood memories, the sister she admired, the parents who played with her, and so on...
Is it all going to end here?
No, not yet, there are still so many things I haven't done yet—
In the pitch-black curtain of rain, a tombstone adorned with black flowers, a disheartened man walking away with his back turned, the mocking and cursing she endured, the ideals hidden in her heart, her longing for the future...
An agonizing creaking emitted from her throat, as if her hyoid bone and vocal cords were being wrenched apart; blood flowed ceaselessly from Hexia's body. Her only functioning left hand flailed wildly, clawing a slim gap away from the pressing talons, her fingers reaching with difficulty towards the enemy's neck, smeared in blood.
It's not working, still not enough. The distance was not close enough. The knowledge taught in class emerged in her mind like a branding iron.
'The Spirit Purifying Formula is a universal formula that can be used with the Withering Sequence 2 to cleanse lingering ghosts and fragmented consciousness. To confront living creatures, one must approach within 2.7cm of the opponent's brain. Otherwise, the Spirit Purifying Magic Power generated by the formula will rapidly decay and cannot effectively harm living beings.'
Human skulls have thickness, and she was not close enough!
Hexia's legs kicked frantically against the ground, creating friction as she struggled to lift her waist, trying to extend her hand higher.
Just a little more, just a little closer and she could reach it. She could even touch the hair on the back of the enemy's head, along with a few scales and debris.
However, the enemy had finished chewing Hexia's right shoulder, and then its head reared up again, fiercely biting at Hexia's neck.
The sharp fangs pierced her windpipe and throat, darkening her vision as blood began to backflow into her windpipe. Then her left hand also fell powerlessly, landing on the back of the enemy's head.
As her neck was bitten through, Hexia's life entered its final countdown, but the enemy's motion finally enabled her to touch the back of its head.
In the midst of a beast-like tearing, a faint blue glow lit up in the pitch blackness of the underground, so tiny and weak.
Slowly, the glow gradually faded away.
The tunnel once again plunged into darkness, and the beast-like roars that had been there previously also disappeared, leaving utter silence.