utz had already disappeared or more urately camouged in the room.


    But no one noticed his disappearance except for Dant. The others were too fixated on being on high alert and being ready for the beast that was about to appear.


    Dant had noticed utz backing off but he wasn''t able to follow him with his naked eye for much longer. It was as if utz disappeared into thin air!


    Dant sighed.


    He shook his head.


    ''What I have to do doesn''t change!''


    He has to sacrifice one of the team members as the beast''s food so that utz can kill it. If utz doesn''t do it then there is no other option for him to do it himself. He would try his best to kill the beast that was about to appear in the room.


    At first, he wasn''t sure what lied in wait for them at the second stage. But, utz seemed quite confident to him when he imed that there will be a beast just like the first stage. So Dant chose to buy that.


    He cusped his hands into a fist as he made his resolve.


    A second speck of light appeared in the room. It grew like before forming into arge ball of light that blinded everyone else. But they didn''t dare close their eyes for fear that their life was in danger.


    When a human''s life is in danger their bodies began to act differently. It Is as if new possibilities open up for their bodies. Feats that would have been impossible before be possible. This is the miracle that being on death''s door can make a reality!


    The ball of light grew more and more as it covered the entire room.


    *poof*


    It popped into sparkles. What is left behind was a dog-shaped beast but its size 5 times that of an average dog. With horns on its head, a ck body and white fur it gave it a kind of demonic appearance. It was sitting on the floor. It stood up and then opened its eyes.


    Dant and co. entered its view. All of them readied their weapons gripping the hilt more tightly as they gritted their teeth.


    It wasn''t a serpent this time but a giant demonic dog instead. The white strips in the body made it distinguishable in the ck room but it looked he strong. At least it looked stronger than the ck serpent they had fought on stage 1.


    Verona pulled her bowstring as she released her arrow.


    *swish*


    The arrow went cutting through the air as it struck the beast at its jaw. But s the arrow only bounced off with a light scratch where it touched.


    "Tch," Verona clicked her tongue. The beast had a thick hide. That wasn''t being pierced by her arrows.


    It wasn''t ack of archery skills on Verona''s part. But her equipment was too low tired! It was the beginner E rank equipment she had received from the trial ground. It failed to hurt the beast which was much stronger than the beasts she had fought till now.


    "Roar!" The beast gave off a mighty roar that kept ringing in their ears. It nted fear in their hearts.


    *Gulp*


    Verona''s neck formed ripples as she gulped in fright. Her face had gone pale. She can not help but ept that she was useless against this beast. The others had simr expressions as her.


    ''What kind of beast it is to not even be fazed by Verona''s arrow!''


    Verona was the best when ites to archery in their group. Having her always gave them an edge against the beasts, but now that same Verona was rendered useless.


    All of them had only one question in their mind.


    If Verona''s arrow failed to do any damage. How would there be do?


    They didn''t know that they had to look for a piece of higher rank equipment before participating in this trial and now they had to reap what they sowed.


    ir looked around trying to find utz. To his horror, he was nowhere to be found. His face turned pale as it lost all colour.


    He was having rasping breaths as his whole body tremoured. He was hoping utz to help them since two of their members including himself had already lost the ability to fight. They could only somewhat fight the first stage when they were at their best.


    ir was already injured to the point of not being able to do anything. In thest battle against the serpant he had lost his dominant arm. Now with him not fighting their fighting strength was reduced significantly!


    So without utz how were they going to fend off this beast? He was theirst hope and now that very hope was missing leaving them hopeless.


    It wasn''t long until the other members also realized that utz was missing. They were panic stricken unable to adapt to their current situation and dangers. This is what happens when you put too much trust in someone. They disappear exactly when you need them the most.


    Dant realized this. He could feel that the absence of utz was causing the team to lose the little bit of confidence they had. But can he let that happen so easily? He was still the leader of the group!


    "Guys focus on the beast in front! Kristie, Brete with me. Verona and BLair fall back!"


    Dant shouted on top of his voice as he ran towards the beast. The blood that was flowing from his forehead had stopped forming a big ck clot there.


    Kristie and Bret who were confused and stood in a daze till now shook back to reality with Dant''s roar. They took hold of their weapons and ran back behind him.


    "Ha!"


    The beast charged at them too.


    ******


    Author: Like it? Add it to your library.


    Creation is hard. Cheer me up with your stones!


    Let me know your thought in thements!