The serpent's hiss rolled across the arena like a storm wind, sending dust spiraling into the air. Its emerald scales shimmered under the sunlight, each one edged like a tiny blade.
Shunya stared up at it and thought, I really should have stayed in bed today.
"Alright, rookie," Naomi called from across the field, her eyes never leaving the beast. "You're going to want to avoid anything with teeth, tail, or breathing holes."
"Breathing holes?!" Shunya repeated. "How is that a normal warning?!"
The serpent's head swung low, scanning the field. The cultivators scattered, some sprinting toward the swamp terrain, others diving behind rocks. Shunya wasn't sure where to go—every direction felt equally bad.
> *[System Tip: The beast's attention is drawn to movement in its peripheral vision. Standing still may prevent detection.]
"Great," Shunya muttered. "I just have to stand here like a garden ornament while everyone else runs."
