Guardian of the Snakes

The scream of a massive creature caused a huge earthquake in the distance, the sound of its scream sent bone chilling fear in the hearts of the adventurers. With their eyes already tired from what could be seen an endless struggle that hasn't had a proper rest for a very long period of time. 

Their eyes grew even more desperate after they could see the glimpse of the creature after a loud thunder roar from the clouds. The massive creature was actually a huge centipede with sharp teeth like forcipules, and dozens of large limbs with sharp spikes all over. 

Soon, they came across a huge cave entrance. At first, Audrey, the green-haired girl, was skeptical about going in, but the yellow-haired Cornelius didn't waste any time and headed straight for the cave before she could even have second thoughts.

All the rest followed him. The giant centipede was still chasing them, but the deeper they went, the more narrow the passage became. Apprielle, the purple-haired girl, lit a fire in her hands as the place grew darker. Soon enough, the centipede gave up the chase, but it was still trying to dig through. The cave, however, was extremely sturdy, filled with an overflow of rich mana.

Carter, the brown-haired guy, takes out a map from the huge bag he was carrying and sits down on the ground, staring at it with serious focus, only for Audrey to snatch it from him.

"This must be the northwest of the Keverin mountain." 

"Heyyy," Carter says, staring at Audrey with an annoyed expression.

"Can we make it?" Katie asks with great anticipation, clearly eager to explore the place.

"This is a serious matter, Katie," Cornelius says, looking annoyed and giving her a serious gaze.

They began going deeper into the cave. There were a couple of snakes in the corner, but it wasn't a serious threat.

Audrey looked at the potion she was carrying at her waist. 'This much antidote should be more than enough to keep us safe from the snakes.'

Apprielle lights her flame brighter to cover more distance as the place slowly starts to open up inside.

They continued walking for the past 20 minutes, but to their relief, there were hardly any snakes in the surroundings.

At first, they thought the deeper regions might be too harsh for the snakes to survive, but how wrong they were.

Soon, a snake bites off Audrey's leg, followed by another snake biting Cornelius's neck. One after another, they start attacking the adventurers.

Katie rushes to heal them but suddenly panics when a green snake, exuding a strong aura, attacks her arms.

"Ahhhh!" she screams in pain, blood flowing from her eyes. The snake was extremely venomous, just one bite melted her willpower.

"Vepansa Memorius" Aprille summons a huge fire storm in the vicinity, her eyes leaking of fire. Having to summon such a strong spell in a small amount of time strained the body, her nerves were very tight from the strain.

Cornelius holds Katie in her waist and starts to run towards Aprille. Audrey follows along, covering Cornelius. 

Carter meanwhile was extremely fast, despite poison all over his body, he stood calm and was killing the snakes with great speed and precision, almost like an assassin.

Slowly regrouping, Aprille summons more fire, making a small barrier protecting all of them in one place.

They began moving to a corner of the cave, where they started treating their minor wounds. Unfortunately, Katie's poison was too strong, and all they could do was try their best to cure her.

Three days had passed, and their eyes were extremely tired, especially Apprielle, who had to use fire continuously. Carter was carefully feeding a teaspoon of antidote to the unconscious Katie, whose body had turned deep purple. Empty potions were scattered everywhere.

Cornelius sat on the ground with a frustrated expression, knowing they were in a tight spot. 'We barely have any food left. We must do something before it gets worse.' 

Cornelius takes a deep breath. 'It all happened because of my decision to come to this place.' He stared at the unconscious Katie, tired Apprielle, stressed Audrey, who was making a map, and worried Carter, who was looking after Katie, before finally looking at the group of snakes.

Cornelius takes out his golden sword and stands up.

"What are you up to?" Audrey asks, confused.

"It seems we have no other choice."

"Don't tell me you want to sacrifice yourself?" Audrey says, concerned in her voice.

Cornelius ignores her and begins chanting ancient words. Soon, his body starts to glow white, as if emitting light.

Suddenly, they hear a noise in the distance. The cave is so silent that even the slightest sound can be heard clearly. It's the sound of footsteps.

A mysterious man is cutting down the poisonous snakes as if they were ropes moving around.

"Is he a demon?"

As Alex got closer to them, the adventurers could see him more clearly, unlike Alex, who had to focus on cutting the snakes and preventing himself from getting bitten in vital areas like eyes, throat, heart, lungs, joints, and internal organs. One minor hit could deal a fatal blow.

Even the blood of the snakes couldn't fully cover Alex's body, not as much as the poison did. Poison was everywhere.

[You have been affected by poison]

[You have been affected by poison]

[The poison is too weak, all debuffs nullified]

[Your poison resistance has increased]

Alex lets out a deep breath as he stares at the countless snakes.

Despite my stamina being worn out, why do I feel more power in my attacks?

Suddenly, he's cutting the snakes twice as fast with more depth and accuracy.

While Alex is slaughtering the snakes with his newfound strength and speed, a huge tail lashes out, striking him with powerful force.

Boom.

Alex is sent crashing into the cave wall, almost causing an earthquake. He ends up 9 feet deep inside the stone.

"If it weren't for this armor, I would most definitely have died here." The collision was so strong that Alex was coughing up blood.

Dammit.

As the dust clears, a giant snake, about 12 feet long, stands tall, looking down at Alex with disgust.

As Alex lies against the wall, spitting blood, the giant snake lashes its tail toward him.

In an instant, the entire place is engulfed in dust. As the dust begins to settle, Alex is nowhere to be seen.

Right, left, down, up-he was right at the snake's back. He jumps into the air, aiming to deal the final blow. 

But to his surprise, the snake twists its head 180 degrees, locking eyes with Alex, and instantly pulls its tail toward him. Alex is sent flying into the wall once again, blood splattering across his face. 

Blood slowly drips from his head, down to his fingertips, as he lies on the ground, his body weak.

The giant snake was now walking towards Alex, with its tongue flicking out creepily.

[Warning : Your vitality is extremely low]

Alex barely moves his fingertips. Slowly, his hands begin to respond, and in less than 10 seconds, he manages to stand back up.

Somehow gripping his sword, he stares at the snake, pointing the blade at it.

"Bring it on!" Alex uses all his strength, running beyond his capacity, shifting left and right, dodging the snake's whip and poison while searching for an opening.

After what felt like forever, two minutes of constant movement and checking from both sides, Alex finally finds an opening on the snake's left. Using a nearby stone to assist his jump, he strikes with his sword.

With his sword just an inch away from cutting down the snake's neck, another snake mysteriously appears and easily strikes the distracted Alex.

Its sharp tail punches Alex's arm, lifting him up.

"Looks like another reckless fool dared to attack the master's den."

"Ayesha, why did you interfere in the fight?" The giant snake looks pissed as it stares at Ayesha, who is now giggling strangely at its anger.

"Did you really think I, the great Medusa, would ever lose to a mere human?"

"If not for me, you would have died. You should be glad I saved you."

His face visibly pissed, he bites his lips and heads toward Alex, who is now almost unconscious. A strong aura radiates from beneath his arms, filled with vicious intent directed at Alex.

Barely conscious, Alex can see the giant snake walking toward him.

With blood dripping all over Alex's face, he still tries to exert all the strength he had in his body, biting his teeth with desperation, his eyes all widened up, Alex was dead set on making his body move. 

But his body had already reached the limit. He knows he's going to die right here and now if he doesn't move. Yet, despite knowing this, he still can't make a single movement.

"Am I really gonna die?"

A huge wave of fire started to surround the place right before Medusa could get his hold on Alex.