Master Of Astral Summoner-Chapter 164: Cave Dweller

Shaan scanned his surroundings, trying to locate the dark creature hiding nearby, but he found nothing. He couldn't see anything at all. Just as Dr. Marshal had said before, this creature truly excelled at hiding.

"Robin Hood, I'll try meditating to find this creature," Shaan said as he sat down on the ground, preparing himself.

[Here?] Robin Hood frowned. [This place is quite dark. Are you sure this method will work?]

"I can't guarantee it, but at least I'll try," Shaan replied. "Protect me while I meditate."

[Alright.]

Shaan drew in a slow, deep breath. He shut his eyes and centered his thoughts. Mana flowed from his core, spreading through his body before intertwining with Robin Hood's presence. The world sharpened. Sounds softened. Every sensation grew clearer.

'There must be something around here, I just have to find it. But what?'

A strange sound suddenly echoed not far from where Shaan meditated. Shaan opened his eyes at once, and for a brief instant, he caught sight of a bizarre silhouette crawling rapidly above his head.

"That's it, that must be the creature."

[Shaan, are you—]

"Up there!" Shaan shouted, pointing. "Swift Quiver! Stop it before it escapes!"

Robin Hood reacted instantly. Arrows streaked upward in rapid succession, slicing through the air with deadly precision. The silhouette twisted. It dodged every single arrow.

[Damn it!] Robin Hood growled in frustration. [That bastard actually dodged all of my attacks.]

"Robin Hood, come on. We can't lose track of it," said Shaan, standing up quickly. "We have to chase that creature before it's too late."

He sprinted after the moving shadow, chasing it through the tunnel until the space opened into a wider chamber. Massive stone slabs littered the area, and old, dust-covered drums stood scattered along the walls. The silhouette vanished.

'Damn it… where did that thing go?'

Shaan moved forward cautiously, his eyes darting in every direction, determined not to miss the silhouette again. However, he found nothing. No suspicious movement at all. The room held nothing except several old, empty drums covered in thick layers of dust.

Shaan clenched his jaw. He considered meditating again, then dismissed the idea at once. The first attempt had already drained too much mana. If he pushed himself now, he'd leave himself wide open.

[Shaan, stay alert.] Robin Hood gripped his bow tightly, ready to fire at the slightest sign of danger. [This creature… we need to be careful. We don't know when that bastard will strike.]

"I understand." Shaan clenched both of his dual short swords and scanned his surroundings with caution. "We can't let our guard down."

His eyes shifted slowly from side to side, searching for any hint of where the mysterious creature might hide. Yet nothing appeared. No signs, no movement—nothing at all. Strange. Shaan felt certain the creature still lurked nearby.

[Do you see anything?]

"No." Shaan shook his head. "I don't see anything at all—"

[Behind you!]

Shaan spun around. His blood ran cold. A cluster of long, jagged spikes shot toward him, tearing through the air like spears.

Where did those come from?!

[Shaan, get down!]

Shaan dropped to the ground in an instant. A small explosion erupted just above his head, and shattered spikes rained down like a deadly storm. His eyes widened as he watched the fragments crash around him.

'That was close… Robin Hood saved me in time.'

[Hey, are you okay?]

"Y-yes, thank you. Robin Hood." Shaan nodded quickly. "That creature will definitely come back to attack, and we have to find a temporary hiding place while we think of a way to defeat it."

[Where?]

"Behind that pile of drums." Shaan pointed to the side. "But we have to move. Now!"

Shaan burst into motion and sprinted toward the cluster of drums with all his strength. The creature, however, refused to let him escape so easily. Several sharp spikes erupted from nowhere and shot toward him, aiming to pin him down.

"Damn it!"

Shaan leapt, twisted midair, and narrowly dodged each attack. He landed hard and slid behind the pile of drums, breathing heavily. Good. At least he saves for a while.

[Enough!] Robin Hood growled. Robin Hood deflected the creature's attacks one after another. [Now, take this!]

Robin Hood immediately launched a counterattack on the creature. However, the effort achieved nothing. The mysterious creature slipped past every strike with ease—and even stranger, it vanished from sight entirely, as if it had melted into the darkness itself.

"I'm sure that creature is still around here somewhere." Shaan tightened his grip on his dual short swords. "Stay focused."

[That's true, but where is that damn creature now?] Robin Hood clenched his jaw and swiftly drew his bow. [This thing disgusts me. I'll just fire my arrows, and I'm sure I can finish that bastard right now.]

"Robin Hood, calm down," Shaan said firmly. "Remember, that mysterious creature excels at concealment. If you attack blindly without a plan, you'll only waste your energy."

[…Then what's our plan, Shaan?] Robin Hood sounded irritated. [If we don't attack it, that damn creature will attack us again.]

"Give me some time. I'll figure out a way to reveal its position."

[I understand.]

Shaan quickly scanned his surroundings again, searching for any clue that might expose the creature's hiding place. However, he found nothing—nothing except the same massive stone blocks he had noticed earlier.

There has to be a way—

'Boom!'

A loud explosion echoed from the front, forcing Shaan to snap his head toward the sound. A cloud of dust burst into the air, blurring his vision and obscuring the area.

Damn it—what just happened?!

[Argh! All my attacks did was destroy that rock!] Robin Hood rubbed his eyes, trying to clear away the dust swirling around them. [Damn it. Now everything looks blurry. I can only see silhouettes.]

'Jeez—that's it,' Shaan snapped his fingers, excitement lighting up his face. 'I'm sure this will let us find that creature.'

"Robin Hood, listen to me," Shaan said quickly. "I think I know how to deal with this thing."