With the Forbidden skill active, Ethan's body was no longer his own. Even if he had been able to move, he doubted he could have dodged the Infernal Hound's colossal jaws. Now, completely immobilized for six agonizing seconds, he was nothing more than prey waiting to be devoured. His claws, driven by the skill's power, slashed mindlessly at the ancient creature. He could only watch as the monstrous maw closed in, the world vanishing into darkness.
'I've really done it this time,' he thought, panic rising in his chest. 'This beast is going to swallow me whole!'
"You fool! Hit him!"
The Infernal Hound's voice thundered in his ears, so loud it nearly shattered them. Ethan froze, startled—not by the insult, but by the realization that the beast had spoken. If it wanted him dead, why would it yell? At the same time, he noticed the blood mist no longer seeping in. Deprived of its constant aura of vitality, the old monster's decaying body began to collapse again.
