After the monster's creepy words ended, Leon didn't even try to respond. It was futile, and he also needed to wait for his mana to recover and cross one thousand, so he could possibly escape. Before that threshold, attempting to open the dimensional portal wasn't worth the risk.
But he was not given that chance.
SWOOOOSH!
In the next moment, the monster appeared directly in front of him—so fast it seemed to materialize from nothing.
With its large hand, it gripped Leon's throat and lifted him up effortlessly, his feet dangling above the ground.
GHKK—!
A crushing heat radiated from the monster's palm, the texture like molten stone—rough, unyielding.
Leon's windpipe spasmed, each breath scraping his throat like rusted wire.
Leon struggled to breathe, his windpipe compressed under the crushing pressure. His hands clawed desperately at the monster's arm, trying to pry it loose.
Ssssss... prick... prick...
