Shinobi From Hell

Chapter 51 - Muscle Memories

*poof*

The shining light turned to sparkles as those sparkles majestically fell to the floor. They disappeared as soon as they collided with the black floor as if eaten by a black hole. As always it was a beautiful sight. 

But it was a horrifying one for Dant and his group as at the centre of the room stood a tiger on its four legs. It seemed like a sabre-toothed tiger just that its teeth were much longer than anything they had seen on prehistoric books. Its size too was about 1.5 times larger than the normal sabertooth. It had black stripes on an otherwise golden body. Its body fleshy and full of vigour.

"Roar!" Its roar was enough to make them shake in their pants. It wasn't anything like the beasts that they had fought until now. The other beasts especially the TurtTree were dangerous but they were not as scary at first sight like this. It was as if the beast being a king had dominated their hearts consuming them with fear.

"Are we supposed to fight that?" Verona asked. But even though she felt conflicted she pulled her bowstring as she readied her arrows.

"Seems like it," Dant replied. He didn't care anymore. Klautz would come and kill it anyway. All he wanted to find a way for Bret to die.

Meanwhile, Klautz who was hidden in the black cloak couldn't help but curse his luck. Who would have thought that they would encounter such an unusual beast? It might look like just a tiger with long and sharp teeth but it was much more than that. Sabertooth was not much powerful than the other beasts they had fought so far, but something about it made it very annoying compared to the other beasts.

"Let's see what happens for now. I might have to jump in if the matter gets worse. I still have one more stage after this so I better not get any injuries."

Dant readied his sword, so did Bret while Verona pulled her bow.

*Swish*

The bowstring rippled as the arrow left her arsenal. It went straight cutting the air but alas. The beast dodged it as it leapt high into the air. It charged at them at high speed. Before they could even realize the beast was onto them. It swings its paw that was endowed with sharp claws on them. A beast's natural weapon! Luckily though they were able to dodge it. Bret received a light cut in his stomach ripping his clothes in the process while Dant remained uninjured.

"Roar!" The beast roared again cursing itself for missing its mark. Its pupils reflected Dant as it took its target on the poor man. It leapt toward him as it planned to dismantle him at one swoop.

Dant who had just got his balance back after dodging the last attack couldn't help it as the shadow of the beasts loomed over his head. Was it the shadow of his death? He wanted to dodge but alas it was too late. The beast was big enough to slam him even if he were to squirm a bit. But did he calculate that?

He tried to escape but it was all for nought, death was looming on top of his head.

***

*poof*

Klautz's head shifted back as he realized what kind of beast he is going to mess with.

"Sabertooth," he whispered.

Due to the beast's canines, it was named so, but those were the least of his problems. So far Klautz was of clearing these stages involved sacrificing one of the teammates and then killing the beast at its most weakened or unarmed state. But if things were so easy why would Klautz be always on his toes? This was hell, lots of variables to consider. And just now one of them had but to come in Klautz's way.

"This cat is fast"

That's the problem. This beast decapitates and kills its prey in seconds, far before Klautz would even get the chance to get close.

"I guess this time, I have to butt in." He whispered.

It was then. The Beast had already come in close with the group as it pounced towards Dant. At that point, as if something within Klautz mind clicked. He didn't know what happened but he took out his E ranked weapon from his inventory. The 'Ninjato of Styx' which he got as a starter weapon.

*swish*

With a swing of his hand, the sword went cutting through the air and it didn't stop until it met the beast mid-air. It was just an E ranked weapon and couldn't pierce the beast's defence but created enough force to make the beast change its course as it landed on its four feet instead of pouncing on Dant.

Dant breathed a sigh of relief. His chest went up and down as he took quick breaths. His body had even forgotten to breathe when death was upon it.

"Roar!" the beast roared in anger, now it knew klautz location and it had a hell of anger for him for coming between him and his prey. The beast was the king of its area… the top of the food chain. How can it bear it if someone snatched its prey? 

Meanwhile, Klautz hands shook as he stared at his palm.

"Why… why did I save him?" Klautz had moved on reflex and he didn't even know why he did what he did. It was as if someone else was controlling his hand... it was like his hands didn't work according to his brain but based on his muscle memory instead.

Klautz sighed. His head dropped as his shoulders slumped.

"I guess old habits die hard."

Klautz shook his head.

"It's not time for this" Klautz whispered as he saw the sabertooth approaching him. 

***

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