Chapter 927: A Black Armadillo Monster Chapter 927: A Black Armadillo Monster From the MC’s Perspective: After erasing any traces of the battle, I stood still for a moment, taking a final glance around.
Satisfied that no evidence remained, I turned and began my journey back to Alpha City.
The path ahead was long, but I preferred solitude-especially after such a confrontation.
A few minutes passed when I felt the faint tremor beneath my feet.
My instincts flared.
As I slowed my pace, I spotted something small emerging from the shadows.
At first glance, it appeared to be a Class-6 monster, but as I focused on its aura and the energy radiating from it, I realized this monster was more formidable-a Class-7 monster, one that lives underground.
I activated my perceptual ability, sharpening my senses as I took in every detail of the monster.
Its pointed nose gleamed in the dim light, and its hairless back reflected a dull sheen.
It moved on four short, clawed legs, its body covered in thick, dark armor-like scales.
A sharp, whip-like tail trailed behind it, twitching as it moved.
I studied it carefully until its identity clicked into place.
“A Black Armadillo,” I muttered inwardly, recognizing the creature.
Class-7 monsters were rare, and despite their relatively small size, they were known for their burrowing abilities and dangerous encounters underground.
I wasn’t interested in provoking a fight, especially after the battle I had just fought.
Deciding it was best to avoid unnecessary conflict, I turned to take a different route, hoping the Armadillo would lose interest in me.
But the moment I changed direction, the monster moved.
With a surprising burst of speed, it circled around and blocked my path.
I frowned, raising an eyebrow at its unexpected behavior.
The Black Armadillo stood in front of me, its eyes locked onto mine.
There was no aggression in its stance, no signs of hostility.
Instead, its dark, beady eyes seemed almost…
pleading.
What is this?
I thought, studying the creature more closely.
It wagged its tail slightly and began walking in a different direction, glancing back to make sure I was watching.
“This…?” I muttered, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Was it trying to lead me somewhere?
Monsters typically didn’t act this way unless they were being territorial, but there was no aggression here.
Should I follow it?
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Logic told me to leave; after all, I had completed my mission and had no time for distractions.
Delaying could risk an encounter with one of the local hunting teams, and that wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.
Not when I didn’t know if they’d be friend or foe.
Suddenly, the Black Armadillo let out a small, pitiful cry, drawing my attention once more.
Its sound was soft, almost imploring.
I sighed, shaking off the hesitation.
The monster was clearly trying to communicate something.
“Alright, I’m coming,” I said aloud, whether the monster could understand or not.
Whatever this was, I would follow.
At the very least, it would lead me away from any unwanted encounters.
…
The Black Armadillo noticed the human warrior was following closely, and with a determined gait, it led the way along a narrow, overgrown path, weaving through dense green weeds and thick bushes.
The terrain was far from easy.
I glanced at the tangled mess of plants and raised an eyebrow in mild annoyance.
This was going to slow us down.
With a resigned sigh, I reached into my storage ring and pulled out my black sword.
Its blade gleamed sharply in the faint light filtering through the trees.
I began hacking through the dense foliage, cutting a clear path as we moved deeper into the forest.
The monster would turn back every so often, its dark eyes checking to make sure I was still behind it.
After confirming I hadn’t fallen behind, it pressed onward.
Time passed, and we traversed a few hundred meters, though it felt like much more.
The thick vegetation, combined with the narrow, winding route, made the journey tedious.
Sweat trickled down my brow as I continued clearing the path.
My eyes flicked toward the Black Armadillo again.
It had taken me deep into the forest, far off the main trails, along an unusual and seemingly hidden route.
My steps slowed, hesitation creeping into my mind.
What is this monster’s purpose?
I wondered.
This wasn’t random.
It was leading me somewhere deliberately.
Minutes later, the monster came to a halt.
I immediately sensed something was different.
My curiosity piqued, I quickened my pace and approached the spot where it had stopped.
But just as I caught up, the Black Armadillo resumed moving, heading toward a large, moss-covered rock.
The rock was massive, nearly obscured by the layers of weeds and vines that had grown over it.
As I neared the boulder, my enhanced hearing picked up faint sounds-footsteps, accompanied by low murmurs of conversation.
My heart skipped a beat.
“There are warriors nearby,” I muttered under my breath, quickly scanning the area.
The presence of others here, so deep in the forest, was unexpected.
I turned my gaze to the Black Armadillo, suddenly aware that it had stopped once again, just ahead of me.
It let out a soft sound, almost a low growl, before turning to face me with its eyes glowing in the dim light.
The monster seemed intent, its gaze focused and purposeful.
It was then I understood-this monster had led me here for a reason.
The noise I had just heard, the voices-they were tied to the reason this creature had sought me out.
The Black Armadillo shifted its gaze toward the rock, and I realized what it was doing.
It wasn’t fleeing; it was leading me toward the enemies.
These intruders were likely ruining its home, disrupting the underground domain where it lived.
With a final glance in my direction, the Black Armadillo made its decision.
It headed for the other side of the rock, where the voices grew louder, and the intruders awaited.
….
Through my perceptual ability, I detected the presence of three warriors on the other side of the rock.
They were busy with something, but I couldn’t make out the details from my vantage point.
Curious, I followed the Black Armadillo, gripping my black sword tightly in case things took a turn.
When I rounded the rock and reached the other side, I saw what they were up to.
At the base of the rock, there was a narrow crevice, barely wide enough for a small monster to fit through.
The Black Armadillo was frantically trying to squeeze into it, but the three warriors were working to widen the crevice, using tools to dig it out.
Their movements were precise and deliberate-they weren’t just digging randomly.
They had a clear goal in mind.
For a moment, I didn’t fully grasp what was happening, but then the Black Armadillo made a plaintive sound.
Instantly, several similar noises echoed from deep within the crevice.
A chorus of soft cries, unmistakably coming from more of its kind.
Realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.
These warriors were after the Black Armadillo monsters.
They weren’t here by chance-they were trying to capture the creatures, likely for profit or some underground trafficking ring.
The small sounds from the crevice were its family, trapped inside, while this one had escaped to seek help.
The warriors were so engrossed in their task that they hadn’t even noticed my arrival.
I remained silent, observing their movements, my mind racing through possible scenarios.
This wasn’t a simple matter anymore.
The Black Armadillo turned to look at me, its eyes filled with desperation as it let out another sound-a plea for help.
My grip tightened around the hilt of my sword.
I could feel the weight of the moment settling over me.
The monster had led me here for a reason, and I couldn’t ignore its call for help.
Just as I was about to make a decision, the warriors finally sensed my presence.
They paused, straightening up, eyes narrowing as they turned toward me, their expressions shifting from surprise to wary caution.
The tension in the air thickened.
They knew they had been discovered.
“Who are you?” one of the black-clothed warriors demanded, his voice cold and filled with suspicion.
His eyes narrowed as he tried to assess whether I was friend or foe.
I didn’t bother answering.
Instead, my grip tightened on the hilt of my black sword, and in one fluid motion, I raised it, pointing the blade directly at him.
My silence was answer enough.
“Sword Divide,” I muttered under my breath, the words barely audible as I infused the blade with lightning energy.
In an instant, the black sword crackled to life, the dark steel gleaming as purple lightning coiled around it, illuminating the air with an ominous glow.
Before the warrior could react, I discharged the built-up power, unleashing a purple beam of lightning that shot forth in a straight, deadly line.
The beam crackled as it split the air, moving with impossible speed toward its target.
The warrior’s eyes widened in shock, but it was too late.
He had no time to raise a defense.
The purple beam struck him square in the chest, and the sheer force of the attack sent him flying backward.
His body twisted in midair before crashing to the ground with a sickening thud.
He lay there, motionless, the smoke rising from his armor a clear sign of the damage the lightning had done.
The other two warriors froze, their faces drained of color as they stared in disbelief at their fallen comrade.
They had not expected such a swift and brutal attack, and now, the reality of the situation hit them with full force.
Shock rippled through the air as they exchanged frantic glances.
They had been prepared for a simple capture mission, but now they found themselves facing a much deadlier adversary.
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