Classless King: I Absorb Anything I Kill

Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE 

The beast charged at him again, increasing its pace as it roared, ready to devour him at all costs.

Aleric took a deep breath, and then he ran toward the beast as well, ignoring the thought that was trying to dissuade him from doing so.

His heart was beating really fast, but he didn’t give in to the fear that was buried inside, lifting his sword and ready to take a strike.

Jumping up, Aleric landed his sword perfectly on the head of the beast, but his efforts to cut through proved abortive at that moment.

The sword bounced on the metal skin of the beast and almost fell from his hand, vibrating in the air.

Aleric was forced to hold onto it with both hands, but before he could return his eyes to the bear, it had already kicked him down, causing him to grunt at the feeling of the pain he felt around his waist.

His weapon fell from his hand, and it seemed as though part of his valor was gone as well.

“Are you okay?!” Gareth’s voice towered down toward him, but he couldn’t even look up, crawling backward while he held onto his waist with both hands.

Aleric looked at the sword that lay several meters away from him, but before he could get up to grab it, he was distracted by the sound of the beat thudding toward him again, ready to finish him off.

“Shit!” Aleric pushed himself up, but it seemed like he needed more than getting back on his feet to escape what was coming after him.

Quickly, he made a run for his life, causing the beast to increase its speed as well.

Aleric moved his hands as fast as he could, looking back only when he knew it was safe to do so.

It appeared as though all his efforts to increase the gap between him and the beast were all in vain, his heart sinking deeper into his stomach.

“How fast are you?!” He asked in panic, but the beast was never going to give him any response, even if he was expecting one.

Aleric continued running, amidst the roar and thudding behind him.

He paid no attention to his fear, and seeing the rock ahead of him, he ran toward it at once, taking a glance backward to see if the beast was close enough.

Luckily, the beast was a few meters away, but it was certain to get closer at any moment.

Aleric returned his gaze to the rock, and with what seemed like his last strength, he stepped on it, pushing himself up with it.

This caused the beast to crash into the rock while attempting to swallow Aleric, slamming itself into it.

The rock was smashed into pieces, and the beast fell to the ground, dropping with a heavy thud.

Aleric sighed in relief as he sat on the ground, staring at the creature that lay still on the ground, tongue sticking out through the side of its mouth.

“That was close…” He muttered, taking another deep breath. “Very close…”

“Sworne?!” Gareth called out, his tone worrisome and curious at the same time. 

“Are you still alive?!” he asked, causing Aleric to chuckle softly.

“Yes, I am!” He tried to make his voice as loud as possible, but it was still hard for Gareth to locate him.

“I can see you!” Aleric said loudly, getting back on his feet.

He returned his gaze to the beast, and after staring for a few seconds, he nodded with a smug smile all over his face.

“That’s for trying to kill me…” He muttered, and then he moved to grab his sword from where it fell.

As soon as he picked it up, he looked around him, filled with the thoughts that crashed into his mind.

“Greet!” he grunted, shaking his head in annoyance.

“How the hell am I supposed to go up?” he looked around, but it seemed as though he had suddenly forgotten how he ended up down the hill.

“This way!” Gareth’s voice resounded again, causing him to look toward his left, the exact place he pointed.

Aleric sighed in relief the moment he saw the path that could lead him back to the normal ground.

He wasted no time in making a move toward that direction, increasing his pace as he was in a hurry to join Gareth.

He could see the disappointment that was etched on the faces of some of the others who were standing nearby.

It was obvious that they would have been happy if the beast had killed him, but he didn’t mind.

He cared less about the glower that he saw on their faces, increasing his pace with a staggering speed.

Then he heard a low growl behind him, causing him to freeze, his heart skipping several beats.

“I hope that’s not what I am thinking…” He thought to himself, pushing saliva down his throat