"You...?" Jessica asked, her voice trembling with disbelief as she recognized her savior.
"Wow, that packed a punch," Brian said with a strained smile. His face wore a brave mask, but within the smile was the subtle twitch of someone barely holding on.
"Roooarrr!" The TAINTED bellowed, its monstrous voice vibrating through the ruined battlefield. It was enraged—its kill had been interrupted.
With a growl, it forced more strength into its downward swing, hoping to crush Brian completely. But Brian's arms moved fluidly, deflecting the sword just enough to redirect it into the dirt, the impact causing a tremor beneath their feet.
Brian's eyes never left the grotesque creature before him. He knew the truth—he was outmatched. The TAINTED was superior in every physical aspect: strength, speed, constitution, and stamina. Fighting it head-on like equals would be foolish, so he chose a different path.
