Struggling to Survive in Hell Difficulty

Chapter 72.

When I heard the explosion, I quickly ran towards anything that could be construed as a cover. After reaching it and hiding behind it, I glanced over the source of the explosion.

Aside from the usual crater caused by the monster's crushing arms, there was a somewhat dark smoke coming out from the center. Considering the distance and circumstances, that area seemed to be the source of the loud explosion from just now.

And just when I was getting curious as to where the large and unseen monster was...

*CRAASSHHHH!!*

...it had landed somewhere in the distance, sprawled on the ground unmoving as if it had lost consciousness.

What captured my attention, more than its appearance, was the sight of its injured arms. Somewhat similar to the tentacles that got pulled out or cut off from before, these 'arms' were unnaturally flaccid, uncannily dry as they flopped to the sides. Black blood could be seen splattered all over its sprawled body, which might have happened when the explosion occurred.

...should I get closer to check? Or should I maintain my distance to it?

[You have defeated Be-Li's Apostle]

Fortunately, it seemed like I did not have to do anything as the system already-

"...get away from this place! NOW!!"

"...huh?"

I was completely confused as to why she shouted that, but I soon understood the reason why.

The body of the fallen monster that had laid immobile had suddenly inflated, as if someone pumped air into it like a balloon. Its size continued to grow, its deformed body continued to stretch and expand outwards to abnormal proportion.

And when the body began to tremble on the spot... it was obvious what would happen next.

"Shit-!"

*BOOOOOOOOMMM!!*

The cover I was hiding behind was pretty small, but I was able to hunker down behind its shadow. While the cover was unrealistically able to withstand the force of the explosion, the heat from the explosion was hot enough to scald my somewhat exposed skin.

When the shockwave and rising heat finally died down, I felt a bit relieved that I was still alive.

"...I did not expect you to stay alive."

From the sky, Be-Li could be seen descending to the ground. His distorted body left behind trails of blurred lines and glitches for a moment before disappearing, as if accentuating the fact that he was not a normal being.

"Your effort is commendable." His voice was much clearer than before, as if he was speaking right next to me. "I am surprised to know that this is your first time playing this game. Your actions and behavior are not that much different from a veteran."

"......do you know the thing called Beginner's Luck? Maybe it's just that."

Although Be-Li had spoken with a somewhat amiable tone, there was this feeling that he was laughing derisively at me behind his distorted appearance. Then again, there was no way for me to find out whether that was the case or not.

"Luck, huh... I wonder how much of all that is your luck."

Suddenly, Be-Li's distorted body began to let out an unexpected luminescent glow that seemed to illuminate the whole area. Blinded by the dazzling spectacle, I instinctively closed my eyes shut and shielded them with my hand as an extra measure.