With a sneer, Kael spoke to the monster, half mocking and half surprised, "So, now you can regenerate too, huh?"
The monster ignored him and attacked again with another tentacle. Kael quickly jumped to the side, dodging the strike.
But then, the creature's tentacles whipped around wildly, trying to hit him from all directions.
He swung his Titan Slayer and slashed one of the tentacles, making the monster roar in pain. However, just as he was about to strike again, the severed tentacle suddenly grew back within seconds, as if it had never been cut.
Kael narrowed his eyes at the monster's head. The regrown tentacle twisted in an odd way, almost as if mocking him.
He clicked his tongue and stepped back slightly, his mind racing. He realized that simply cutting the tentacles wouldn't be enough.
This creature didn't just have regeneration, it was also learning from every attack Kael made. The monster was getting smarter as the fight went on.
Not giving Kael time to think, the monster attacked again, this time even faster.
One tentacle shot toward his head, another clawed at his chest, and its mouth opened wide as if trying to bite him.
Kael quickly ducked, dodging the tentacle, then spun to the side just as the monster's claws scraped against the stone floor, sending sparks flying.
Kneeling down, he gripped his Titan Slayer even tighter.
"Alright, if cutting won't work, let's see what happens if I completely destroy your body," he muttered with a growl.
Just as the monster bent its legs to leap and attack him again, Kael jumped first, shooting toward it at high speed, channeling mana into his legs.
Then, he shifted the flow of mana to his arms and swung his Titan Slayer downward with full force. He wasn't just aiming to cut the monster's arm, but to crush its joint completely.
The sound of the sword striking against the monster's hard shell and bone echoed loudly through the cave. The creature let out a furious roar, its entire body trembling from the brutal blow that had shattered one of its arms.
Seeing that his tactic had worked, Kael grinned. "Looks like you can't heal yourself if a part of your body is completely destroyed."
The monster recoiled a few steps, then all six of its eyes locked onto Kael, burning with rage.
The tentacles on its head, each tipped with sharp points, writhed wildly before suddenly extending and shooting toward Kael all at once.
Kael felt his heartbeat quicken at the sight of the attack. He had anticipated that the monster would retaliate, but he hadn't expected it to strike this way.
He swiftly twisted his body and stepped back as fast as he could, dodging several tentacles. But one managed to slash his shoulder.
A burning sensation spread through his arm instantly.
Kael jumped backward, glaring furiously at the monster.
The wound wasn't just painful—it carried a slight paralysis effect, slowing his movements.
The monster knew it had managed to wound Kael, and it let out a deep, rumbling laugh. Its massive jaws spread wide, revealing a secondary set of fangs deep in its throat, shifting as it laughed.
"Damn it."
Kael knew he couldn't let this fight drag on.
The longer they battled, the more the monster would learn and adapt to his attacks.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself.
Then, suddenly, he dashed forward—faster than before.
The monster attempted to anticipate Kael's move, preparing its tentacles and its remaining arm to counter him. But Kael leapt high, twisting his body mid-air, then swung his Titan Slayer straight at the monster's head.
The massive sword sliced through several of its tentacles, pierced its soft head, and drove even deeper into its skull.
The monster let out a deafening roar as its remaining arm lashed toward Kael in a desperate attempt to strike him mid-air.
But its cry was abruptly cut short as its body collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Kael landed lightly beside it, his breath slightly uneven.
From the wrecked remains of the creature, a gemstone with a moss-green hue emerged.
Kael picked it up, examining it for a moment before crushing it. The green light's mist seeped into his body.
The view before him now displayed:
[Green Gemstone: Regenerative skill.]
"Nice. I need this," he muttered, letting out a deep breath before stepping out of the chamber, passing by the monster's lifeless body with its shattered head.
***
Kael left the dungeon without looking back. He felt exhausted, not physically, but mentally.
Days had passed since he returned to the past, yet he hadn't had the chance to properly rest. His mind was consumed with thoughts of how to grow stronger quickly, especially after discovering corrupted monsters far earlier than expected.
With a grim expression, he walked along the mining rail tracks, then followed the intercity highway until he finally reached a bus stop.
He sat there for a moment, eating his rationed food. His frown deepened as he realized his supply was running low. He was tired of instant meals and rat meat.
He kept walking, pushing through the forest by the roadside, until he finally spotted a small restaurant and motel tucked away along the highway, isolated from other places.
The building looked mostly intact, showing little damage. Hopeful, he made his way toward the restaurant. Right now, he needed at least a cup of coffee to help him relax.
He spotted the glint of solar panels on the restaurant and motel roof, raising his hopes that the place still had electricity.
Kael pushed open the restaurant door, triggering the bell that signaled a new customer's arrival. The air inside was slightly stale, but the place remained clean.
A broom and mop lay abandoned in the middle of the restaurant, as if the owner had been in the middle of cleaning before suddenly leaving.
He headed straight behind the counter, where he found a coffee machine. He checked it over and tried to turn it on.
It powered up.
Grinning with satisfaction, he brewed himself a cup, then settled into one of the customer seats, savoring the taste as he took his first sip.