I suddenly changed direction and rushed toward the remaining spear lizardman.
From the corner of my eye, I could still see the massive lizardman limping after me despite its injured legs and bleeding arms.
Behind it—
the rapier lizardman followed calmly.
Now I understood their roles clearly.
The massive one existed to protect.
The rapier user existed to kill.
The spear lizardman stomped firmly into the muddy ground and thrust perfectly toward my chest.
I didn't stop moving.
At the very last second, I pushed sideways with my left leg.
Pain exploded through my injured shoulder from the sudden movement—
but I forced through it.
The spear barely missed my ribs.
I didn't waste movement with a large swing.
That would only create openings for the others.
Instead, while still running forward, I lifted my sword horizontally at eye level—
and slashed once.
Cleanly.
The blade split through the lizardman's mouth and continued into the back of its skull.
Before the body even fell—
the injured lizardman at the rear fired another dart.
This time—
I was too late.
The dart pierced directly into my leg.
Poison.
I knew instantly.
But there was no time to react.
Ignoring the pain, I rushed toward the injured dart user before it could reload.
The moment it tried reaching for another dart—
my sword pierced straight through its heart.
At the same time—
the massive lizardman closed the distance.
Even with its injuries, it swung one enormous arm toward me like a club.
I ducked beneath it—
But the rapier lizardman immediately followed behind the attack.
Its blade flashed toward my head.
I twisted my sword sideways and blocked with the flat of the blade.
Sparks exploded from the impact.
The rapier user instantly retreated after the clash.
Careful.
Disciplined.
Then the massive lizardman attacked again from above.
I bent my knees and kicked backward off the muddy ground.
Its claws barely missed my face.
While retreating, I managed to slash across several fingers, drawing more blood.
I landed badly and rolled through the swamp water.
The dart still remained lodged in my leg.
I ripped it out violently.
Blood spilled from my nose the moment I stood again.
The poison was already spreading.
My vision blurred slightly.
My breathing grew heavier.
There were healing potions attached to Rusty's saddle—
but Rusty was too far away now.
"Rusty…" I muttered under my breath.
I clenched my teeth hard.
If this dragged on any longer—
I would collapse first.
Time wasn't on my side anymore.
I had to finish this quickly.
But the massive lizardman constantly shielded the rapier user with its own body.
And the moment even the smallest opening appeared—
the rapier attacked instantly.
A terrifying combination.
Still—
one of them is injured now.
That was my only advantage.
I activated Beast Footwork again and rushed forward at full speed.
The massive lizardman threw another heavy punch toward me.
I lowered my body beneath the swing and sliced across the side of its stomach while moving past.
At the same moment—
the rapier lizardman slashed toward my face.
I reacted immediately and pulled my sword upward.
Steel collided against steel.
Sparks scattered across the swamp darkness.
The rapier's speed was terrifyingly fast.
I immediately tried following with another slash—
but the massive lizardman launched a kick toward my side.
I changed direction instantly and barely avoided it.
My breathing was worsening.
Blood continued dripping from my nose.
The poison was spreading faster now.
Even my vision had started clouding at the edges.
I wiped the blood away roughly and forced myself to stay focused.
Then—
I saw it.
My spear.
Lying several meters away in the swamp mud.
An idea formed instantly.
I changed tactics completely.
Instead of attacking directly, I began shifting positions constantly during the fight—
making smaller attacks while slowly moving closer toward where the spear had fallen.
The poison kept worsening.
My legs felt heavier.
My eyesight blurred again.
No more time.
"Rusty!" I shouted while rushing forward once more.
The massive lizardman reacted immediately and tried catching my sword with both hands.
Exactly what I wanted.
I raised my blade vertically and cut deep into the creature's armpit region.
The massive lizardman roared in pain—
And at that same moment—
the rapier lizardman lunged straight toward my head.
Right then—
I let go of my sword.