Marcus checked the Iceflame Black Serpent Man's HP: 240,000 remaining.
Thank God the ambush had worked. It had stripped 360,000 HP from the serpent right from the start, and without that opening advantage, Marcus doubted he would have lasted long. His ordinary damage was pitiful compared to the monster's defenses, while the serpent's attacks were powerful enough to tear through his health in only a handful of hits. If he hadn't caught it off guard, running for his life might have been his only option.
"Go!" Marcus barked the command, urging Blackie toward the serpent as he loosed another Mountain Fang Shot. At the same time, he began changing his equipment.
The Iceflame Black Serpent Man hit far too hard. Marcus had three choices: kill it before it could kill him, switch to the Adamant Shield and try to survive, or give up and run.
