Page 50 of On a Barbarian World

His sharp blade barely penetrated the tough skin. A few cuts here and there opened up, a dark-black slime oozing out. The naga snarled and shook, trying to dislodge him.

He rode it out, until a large, violent heave tossed him off.

As he hit the rocky ground, he rolled, and was back on his feet in an instant.

He turned…just in time to see Viken attack the beast. The warrior was hacking at the naga with his war axe, but a second later, the creature swiped out with a giant claw, clipping Viken in the side.

The warrior flew through the air and slammed into the rocky ground. He tried to get back up, but collapsed.

Kavon’s jaw tightened. He marched forward.

Orange fire flew again, this time targeting the creature’s face. The naga shook its head, showing a flash of its giant fangs.

Aurina wasn’t giving up. Kavon’s jaw tightened. Of course, she wouldn’t.

He yelled. “Evil beast, this way.”

The naga swung its head, its line of red eyes landing on him. He moved away from Aurina and the others, waving his arm in the air.

“Come on, you brute.”

It moved in his direction. Far faster than he’d anticipated. Its steps hammered into the ground, and then it lifted its head and let out a huge roar.

Kavon caught the stench of death on its breath.

He also watched as slime oozed from some of its wounds, dripping onto the ground. It sizzled as it ate into the rock.

The naga lunged at Kavon. He leaped back, lifting his sword again, and analyzing how to best bring the beast down.

Suddenly, a body barreled in between him and the animal. Aurina fired her laser, her face set.

Kavon’s heart knocked against his ribs. It was damn hard to protect a woman when she was fearless and kept running into danger.

As the naga rounded on her, he knew he had to make his move. Now.

He sprinted forward, using all his speed.

He ran right between the naga’s front legs and under its belly. He slid feet first across the rocky ground. Here, the creature’s underbelly was a lighter gray color, and as he’d hoped, looked far softer than the tough hide on its back. He lifted his sword, rammed it in.

This time, the noise the beast made was deafening. It reared up, and Kavon had a clear view of a shocked Aurina.

“Run,” he bellowed.

Then Colm was there, dragging her back.

As slime broke out of the naga, Kavon rolled away. It let out another awful roar and Kavon turned…just in time to watch the beast fall, slamming into the ground.

He lowered his sword and released a breath.

But then he saw the belly of the creature was still moving. Writhing. He frowned.

Smaller naga beasts suddenly burst free of the larger creature, loping toward him like Drog’s hunting dogs.

Kavon swung his sword, taking down the lead creatures. Darroch appeared, attacking the next wave. Another swing of Tanir and two more lay dead in the dirt. Damn. There were more of them. They were fast and vicious. He took down another two.

The last one leaped into the air and slammed into his chest.

He flew backward, losing his grip on his sword. It tumbled from his hand.