The force of the crab-fiend's pincer strike sent a jolt of pain up Hope's arms, his grip tightening on the daggers as he dug his feet into the ground to stop himself from being thrown backward.
Damn… it's strong.
His mind worked frantically, calculating his options as he took in the creature's massive form.
This wasn't like fighting a human opponent.
He couldn't afford to trade blows—a single, clean hit from those massive pincers would be enough to cripple or kill him.
But at the same time—
He had to get close.
His daggers were short-range weapons.
Unlike the students who wielded spears or greatswords, Hope couldn't rely on reach to land attacks from a safe distance.
Which meant—
He had to find a way in.
The fiend didn't stop.
As soon as Hope blocked its first attack, the creature pressed forward, bringing its other pincer around in a crushing arc.
Hope's eyes narrowed, and he dropped low, letting pure instinct guide him.
The razor-sharp edge of the pincer sliced through the air just inches above his head, narrowly missing him.
But he wasn't safe yet.
The fiend was already moving, its grotesque humanoid legs scuttling forward, pressing its advantage.
Hope rolled to the side, barely avoiding a downward stab from one of its grotesquely jointed legs.
It was trying to trap him.
The cave's cramped space worked against him.
If he let it corner him, he was dead.
Move!
He pushed off the ground mid-roll, his boots skidding slightly against the dirt as he tried to create space—but the fiend's leg whipped out, clipping his side as he moved.
Shit!
A sharp sting spread through his ribs, the impact knocking him off-balance for just a moment.
It wasn't deep, but the hit left him breathless, a thin gash forming beneath his combat suit.
The creature clicked its mandibles, as if taunting him.
It knew it was faster, stronger, and far more durable.
And worse—
It wasn't mindless.
This thing wasn't just attacking wildly—it was predicting his movements, adapting to his attempts to escape.
Which meant—
Hope couldn't afford to stay on the defensive.
He had to turn the tables.
His breathing steadied.
Hope's daggers were useless unless he got in close.
But rushing blindly would be suicidal.
The fiend had already reacted to his first attack, meaning it was aware of him now.
He had to outthink it.
Hope adjusted his grip, flipping one of his daggers into a reverse hold.
Then—
He charged forward.
The fiend reacted immediately, its pincer lunging toward him in a direct, crushing arc.
Perfect.
Hope didn't stop.
Instead, he angled his body sideways, twisting just enough to let the massive claw rush past him—inches away from his torso.
But he didn't just dodge.
As the pincer shot past, Hope kicked off the ground, using the momentum to leap onto the fiend's extended limb.
The hard chitin beneath his boots was slick with a strange, black secretion, but he steadied himself, kicking off once more to launch himself toward the creature's exposed side.
His dagger slashed downward in a brutal, practiced arc—
And this time—
He struck true.
Drawing Blood
The blade sank deep, slicing through a gap in the creature's armor plating just beneath its jointed leg.
A thick, putrid-smelling fluid sprayed from the wound, splattering across Hope's forearm.
The fiend let out a shrill, piercing screech, its body jerking violently as it tried to shake him off.
Hope barely had time to react before the creature's entire form twisted, its massive pincer swiping back toward him in a desperate counterattack.
He saw it too late.
The edge of the claw caught his shoulder, not enough to crush but enough to tear through fabric and scrape flesh.
Pain flared through his arm, hot and sharp, as he was sent flying backward.
His back slammed against the cave wall, knocking the air from his lungs.
Blood dripped from his shoulder wound, staining his sleeve a deep, crimson red.
Damn it…
He forced himself to push past the pain, eyes locked on the wounded creature.
It was bleeding, its movements slower, more erratic.
But it wasn't done yet.
Neither was he.
Hope tightened his grip on his daggers—ready for round two.