"You won't be able to beat me… unless you catch me."
The whisper slid across Tyler's ears like a cold blade. Instinct took over. He spun, drawing his sword in one fluid motion, and unleashed a crescent slash behind him. The air screamed as the blade cut through space—
—but it struck nothing.
A cluster of spiders scattered midair, splitting apart just before the slash reached them.
"Isn't that the leg from my shed skin?" Gailo's voice echoed mockingly. "Hahahaha!"
The swarm converged, twisting and stretching until dozens of spiders fused into a single humanoid form. Gailo stood there, smiling lazily, as though this were a game.
Tyler narrowed his eyes.
Suddenly, he sensed killing intent to his left. He shifted his stance and slashed again without hesitation.
Gailo blurred.
The blade tore apart afterimages.
