Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill

Chapter 23: 23:Clash In The Mine

Even though Ethan had trained for years and fought in small skirmishes, his real battle experience was still shallow. It was like people who boasted loudly of achievements but spent their days lying in bed.

He was strong, but he lacked the instinct that came only from countless life-and-death fights.

That was why he didn’t sense the danger.

Randall, however, was different. The old man was a veteran of many battles. The moment he felt mana gathering in the darkness, his instincts screamed. His warning shout gave Ethan the precious second he needed.

“Behind me!” Ethan roared. He lifted the huge shield in his hands, planting his feet firmly.

The shield was massive, almost half his height, yet it was light and sturdy, made for moments like this.

BOOOOM!

The beam struck, but instead of fire, it burst into an icy explosion. A wave of frost swept out, freezing the stone walls and floor in seconds.

The air turned sharp and painful to breathe. Ethan’s teeth clenched as the cold bit into his skin, but he forced mana through his body to keep himself warm.

The impact threw them back, scraping their boots across the frozen ground. When the mist cleared, Ethan stood half buried under a thick layer of ice that had formed over his shield and armor. It was like a wall of frost trying to swallow him whole.

Thankfully,Ethan managed to shield everyone else behind keeping them safe.

“My Lord are you alright..”

“YESSS!”Ethan spar then shook his head to sway the ice and summoned his strength.

“HAAAA!”

With a war cry, Ethan swung his sword against the frozen shield. The strike cracked the ice and shattered it in a burst of shards that scattered across the ground.

Behind him, the torches flickered violently from the blast before going out, leaving only faint glows in the darkness.

“Light the torches!” Randall shouted, rushing forward. He stood beside Ethan to support and then drew his blade preparing for battle.

Then a sound came that shook them.

GRRRRRR…

A low, guttural roar echoed through the tunnel. The air shook, and dust fell from the ceiling. Two faint blue lights appeared in the dark, glowing like cold flames. The sound of heavy steps followed, each one making the ground tremble.

Randall’s face tensed. He prepared to rush ahead, but Ethan grabbed his arm sharply.

“Let’s run! The passage is too narrow. We will drag it outside to the outer zone!”

“RUNNNN!”

The men turned and began retreating quickly, boots thudding against stone. Ethan stayed back, eyes fixed on the approaching glow. As he moved, he grabbed a loose rock from the ground and hurled it into the darkness.

BANG!

The stone struck, and the beast’s roar grew louder, angrier. The provocation worked.

The group burst out of the tunnel into the clearing near the mine’s entrance. Torches lit on the walls and stands burned bright, casting sharp shadows on the ground. The men spread out, weapons shaking slightly in their hands, but no one backed away.

QUAKE. QUAKE.

The ground rumbled as a huge beast inside came out.

QUANG!

It squeezed out cracking through the walls.

A massive shape forced its way out of the passage, shaking loose rocks from the walls. Its body was huge, covered in thick, snowy fur. A crystal-like hump jutted from its back, glowing faintly with icy light. Its breath poured into the air in white clouds, filling the clearing with mist.

A Ice Bear..

GRRRRRR!

The Ice Bear roared, sending chills crawling through the men’s skin. Before it could charge, a volley of arrows shot forward, striking its fur.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The arrows stuck on its body but didn’t pierce deep but left swallow wounds. The beast’s fur was too thick, the shafts too weak.

With a roar blast,the arrows snapped off like twigs.

The Ice Bear’s blue eyes locked on the two archers who had fired. With another roar, it dropped to all fours and charged. The ground shook as it surged forward, faster than such a massive body should have been able to move.

SWISH! SWISH!

The archers froze for a second, terror flashing in their eyes.

BOOOOOOM!

At that moment, Ethan burst from behind a wall with his shield raised high. He slammed into the beast’s shoulder with all his might. The impact echoed like thunder.

BANG!

The Ice Bear was shoved sideways, its body slamming against the rock wall. Dust and chips of stone rained down from the impact.

“Now!” Ethan roared. He swung his sword at its exposed side. But the beast snapped its head around and released another icy blast from its maw.

Ethan barely raised his shield in time. Frost spread instantly, coating the steel in a thick sheet of ice.Before Ethan could break free, the Ice Bear’s massive paw swung.

BANG!

The blow landed square against his shield, the force rippling through his body. The ground cracked beneath his boots. Pain shot up his arms, but Ethan gritted his teeth and held firm.

The beast roared again and attacked, but Ethan sidestepped at the last moment. His movements were sharp and agile weaving around the heavy blows.

Randall seized the opportunity to sneak attack Getting the signal from Ethan, he leapt onto the beast’s back. His sword plunged deep into the fur and flesh.

“GRRRRAAAAAHHH!”

The Ice Bear screamed, thrashing wildly. Randall tightened his grip, aiming for the neck.

He wanted to finish this in one blow but he missed.

“Hold still,you damn bastard” he cursed, swinging his blade.

Ethan drew its attention, striking from the front, but the beast suddenly jumped back.

Randall’s heart jolted and he jumped away.

With a violent leap, it smashed its back against the mine wall.

CRACK!

The wall splintered as Randall was thrown off with shock, hitting the ground hard. He rolled across the dirt before stopping, gasping for breath.

Ethan wiped blood from his lip, glaring at the beast. “Damn it… It’s only at the early intermediate rank, but its strength… it’s monstrous.”

Randall stood shakily, voice low and tense.”Coupled with its size and elemental power, this thing is closer to a late-stage beast. Monsters will always be stronger than men… unless we too can wield elements like they do or have superior skills.”

“Let’s not lose hope.As long as we can wear it down,we will win.”