This really doesn’t feel good at all...

Li struggled to his feet on the rock. It wasn’t that high, but he’d still slammed down onto it. That really didn’t feel good at all!

Still...

He’d at least won a gamble for once.

The Underworld Griffin was still howling in pain, and the rest of them were slowly closing in on him. This was bad. Really bad. If he couldn’t come up with a good plan, he’d die here...

This wasn’t a joke. The Underworld Griffins were absolutely going to kill him—especially the one whose eye he’d stabbed. It was glaring at him with pure malice. The others were no different. Then, over by the two white wolves, they suddenly charged out and stood in front of one of the Underworld Griffins.

Li’s mouth twitched. Shouldn’t they be trying to run in a situation like this? Were these two white wolves planning to fight to the bitter end?

It was an utterly irrational thing to do. Then again, what he was doing right now wasn’t rational either. One careless move, and there’d be nothing left of him!

“Haha...”

【Master, how can you still laugh at a time like this?】

“What, should I be crying instead?”

【No, but at this point, Master, you should be thinking of a way to escape. You’ll have to leave Phoebe behind.】

Even if he wanted to escape, there was nowhere to go now. Underworld Griffins surrounded him, in front and behind. This had to be what they meant by being caught between a rock and a hard place.

If only he had a sword or something. Then he wouldn’t be quite so helpless. Given the situation, what were his chances of getting away?

At a time like this... seriously...

“Should I take a little gamble, Norton?”

【Master! What are you doing joking around at a time like this? You’ll die here!】

“I’ll die here whether I gamble or not. So I’m going to bet on whether my Pal can drive these Underworld Griffins back. It’s not like a Pal has no power. If it’s strong enough, it can do it.”

【Even with a powerful Pal, look at the state of your body! And don’t forget, your Authority is temporarily unusable. Master, don’t do anything reckless right now!】

“Sorry! I don’t want to either, but I’m taking the gamble!”

Take a gamble! Would he die before his Pal ran out, or would he get a chance to turn the tables?

There was no point thinking about escape. Now, calm down. Observe his enemies. Observe his own situation. Do the right thing. Choose the best possible course of action. He’d brought this on himself, so he had to see it through—even if he really did die here.

Li glanced at Phoebe in the distance, and his eyes turned fierce.

Even if he died here, he’d tear her to pieces first!

“Huff...”

His Pal began to gather around him. A Pal only had the power to attack when its Authority was in use. With his Authority unusable, all it could do was protect him at close range—within about a meter. Get the distance right. Get the timing right!

Roar!!!

The Underworld Griffin with one eye gouged out lunged at Li! It was completely enraged! Its roar was filled with fury!

A terrifying curve lifted the corner of Li’s mouth. He thrust out his hand and let the Underworld Griffin sink its teeth into his shoulder!

【Master!】

“Norton, watch closely!”

Boom!!!

His Pal burst out! A point-blank Pal shockwave! Even an Underworld Griffin—!

“It’s true I can’t use my Authority, but... I’ve still reached a pretty high level. My Pal isn’t like an ordinary person’s!”

【Master!】