Chapter Two: The Hunter and the Prey

Due to his lack of technical proficiency and incomplete physical development, he was unable to maintain the demon transformation steadily. After all, a one-handed sword is not a pair of dual blades; it’s inherently unsuitable for such techniques. Managing to sustain it for even a few seconds was already extraordinary.

Under the intense burst of energy, his stamina depleted rapidly, and Oran’s breathing grew heavy.

At that moment, the two yellow velociraptors, having recovered their senses, launched their attack. One leapt up, its powerful hind legs aiming straight for the hunter’s chest.

If that strike landed, even with armor, a few ribs would likely break.

Oran quickly curled his body tightly and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the dangerous kick.

Meanwhile, the other yellow velociraptor circled around to his side, preparing to strike in the moment he rose.

Anticipating this, Oran used the momentum of his roll to powerfully thrust his waist and spring upward.

Instead of following the “standard move” of rising while swinging his sword in a standing slash, he suddenly swung the shield fixed to his right arm.

As a conventional “right-hander,” his right arm was stronger than the left, and wielding the relatively heavy shield allowed him a larger attack surface and better stopping power.

The shield strike upon rising hit the circling velociraptor squarely in the face. It was like a heavy hammer blow; the creature staggered back with a pained cry, several of its sharp teeth shattered and fell out.

Oran naturally seized the opportunity, closing in with a quick step and delivering two consecutive shield strikes that left the beast dizzy and disoriented.

Just as he prepared to press the advantage and finish off the velociraptor, a gust of fetid wind swept past his ear.

Without time to look back, Oran immediately rolled sideways.

“Crack!”

A large, blood-scented mouth snapped shut beside his ear; he could even feel a fang slicing across his cheek and earlobe.

The paralytic toxin took effect swiftly, rendering the entire side of his face and neck numb, the numbness creeping down toward his shoulder.

Cold sweat broke out over Oran.

Like many hunters raised in the desert, he disliked wearing a helmet.

In the scorching sun and swirling sandstorms, a headscarf and veil were essential for filtering sunlight and dust, but the veil was awkward to wear either inside or over a helmet, so many preferred to forgo helmets altogether.

His teacher had scolded him repeatedly about this, but Oran never took it to heart, thinking the old woman was just too nagging.

Now, it seemed his teacher had been right...

He rolled repeatedly to evade the velociraptor’s low biting attacks and rose up at top speed.

Seeing the beast open its bloodied jaws again and charge, Oran knew he couldn’t retreat any further.

The other velociraptor, stunned by his shield blows, was shaking its head and about to recover, while the paralysis toxin stiffened the muscles around his shoulder and neck.

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