Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Confronting the Red Snake

Shadowblade, stood before the entrance to the lair of his next challenge. The scorching desert wind whipped around him as he prepared himself for the battle ahead. His first victory against the Flame Elemental had bolstered his confidence, but he knew that the Red Snake would be an even tougher opponent.

**Red Snake (Named Elite Monster)**

- Level: 12

- HP: 5000

- Attack: 250

- Defense: 200

- Skills: Venomous Bite, Constrict, Flame Breath

Shadowblade took a deep breath, gripping his Damascus Blade in his right hand and the basic blade in his left. He knew this battle would test his limits, but he was ready for it.

As he entered the Red Snake's domain, he was struck by the sheer size of the creature. The Red Snake was enormous, easily over twenty feet long, its scales glistening like molten lava. Its eyes glowed with a menacing red hue, and its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air.

Shadowblade felt a shiver of apprehension but pushed it aside. He had come this far, and he wasn't about to back down now.

The Red Snake hissed, its massive body coiling and uncoiling with terrifying speed. Shadowblade braced himself, ready for the first attack. The snake lunged at him, its jaws snapping shut with a loud crack as Shadowblade barely dodged to the side.

"Fast... too fast for something that big," Shadowblade muttered to himself, his heart racing. He had expected the snake to be slow and cumbersome, but it was incredibly quick despite its size.

He dashed forward, aiming a strike at the snake's side. His Damascus Blade connected, but the impact felt like hitting a rock. His hands vibrated from the force, and the blade barely made a scratch on the Red Snake's tough scales.

- 60 HP

HP: 4940/5000

The snake retaliated with a swift Constrict attack, its massive body wrapping around Shadowblade with surprising speed. He struggled to break free, feeling the pressure building as the snake tightened its grip. With a burst of strength, he managed to slice at the coils, causing the snake to recoil in pain.

Shadowblade rolled away, breathing heavily. He needed a new strategy. His current approach wasn't working, and he was rapidly running out of stamina. He watched the snake carefully, looking for any signs of weakness.

"The scales... maybe they're thinner near the head," he thought. "And if I can get it to bleed, I can wear it down over time."

He circled the Red Snake, keeping a close eye on its movements. The snake hissed and lunged at him again, but this time, Shadowblade was ready. He dodged to the side, slashing at the snake's neck as it passed. His blades connected, drawing a thin line of blood.

- 40 HP

HP: 4900/5000

The snake hissed in anger, but Shadowblade pressed the advantage. He moved with precision, striking at the same spot repeatedly. His hands ached from the impact, but he focused on the task at hand. Each hit caused a little more damage, and soon, the bleeding effect took hold.

Shadowblade felt a surge of hope. The bleeding would help wear the snake down over time. He just needed to stay focused and avoid getting caught in its deadly attacks.

The Red Snake reared back, its mouth opening wide as it prepared to unleash its Flame Breath. Shadowblade dove behind a rock, narrowly avoiding the torrent of flames that scorched the ground where he had been standing. He could feel the heat even from his cover, but he forced himself to stay calm.

He emerged from his hiding spot, launching a flurry of attacks at the snake's neck. His Damascus Blade struck true, causing the bleeding to worsen. The Red Snake thrashed in pain, its movements growing more erratic.

- 120 HP (Critical)

HP: 4800/5000

Shadowblade knew he couldn't keep this up forever. He needed to end the fight quickly before his own stamina ran out. He formulated a plan, thinking through each step carefully.

"All right, here's the plan," he muttered to himself. "I'll bait it into using its Flame Breath again. When it does, I'll dodge to the side and strike at its neck with everything I've got. If I can land a critical hit with Death Cross, that should be enough to finish it off."

He put his plan into action, taunting the Red Snake and drawing its ire. The snake lunged at him, but he was ready. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its venomous bite. The snake reared back, preparing to unleash its Flame Breath.

"Now!" Shadowblade shouted, diving to the side as the flames erupted from the snake's mouth. He rolled to his feet, his blades glowing with the power of Death Cross. He charged at the snake, aiming for the vulnerable spot on its neck.

"Death Cross!" he yelled, pouring all his strength into the attack. His blades struck true, piercing through the snake's tough scales and causing a massive wound.

- 120 HP (Critical)

HP: 4780 /5000

Bleeding Effect: -20 HP per second

The Red Snake thrashed in agony, its body writhing as the bleeding took its toll. Shadowblade kept his distance, watching as the snake's movements grew weaker. He knew he just needed to hold out a little longer.

Finally, after an hour of battling the Red Snake with one last desperate lunge, the Red Snake collapsed to the ground. Its body convulsed a few times before lying still.

**Ding!**

**You have defeated the Red Snake!**

**+1000 Experience**

**+100 Gold**

**Loot: Iron Katana (Green Rank)**

Shadowblade knelt beside the fallen snake, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He had done it. The second part of his quest was complete. He inspected the Iron Katana, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Iron Katana (Green Rank)

- Attack: + 50

- Effect: Sharpness (Increases damage dealt by 10%)

- Passive Effect: Armor Piercing (Ignores 5% of enemy defense)

He equipped the Iron Katana, feeling its weight in his hand. It was a significant upgrade from his basic blade, and the passive effect would be invaluable in future battles. He also felt a surge of experience, knowing he was growing stronger with each victory.

Shadowblade saved the recording of his battle, already thinking about how he would edit and upload it to his NewTube account. He knew his audience would appreciate the tips and strategies he had shared during the fight. This was more than just a game for him—it was a way to connect with others and share his passion.

He checked his character status, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

Character Status: Shadowblade

- Level: 13

HP: 450/450

- MP: 150/150

- Attack: 120

- Defense: 100

- Skills: Double Slash, Triple Slash, Death Cross

With two of the three monsters defeated, Shadowblade felt a growing sense of confidence. He knew the final challenge would be the toughest yet, but he was ready for it. The road to becoming a Force Blader was long and arduous, but he was determined to see it through.

He set his sights on the final challenge, knowing that with each victory, he was one step closer to his goal. The battle ahead would test his skills and resolve, but he was ready to face whatever came his way.