Master Of Astral Summoner-Chapter 180: Guardian beasts

Shaan swallowed hard when he saw three creatures that looked like ordinary black dogs at first glance. However, these beasts had massive bodies and long, razor-sharp fangs. With fangs like that, they could tear through anything as easily as ripping a sheet of paper.

'D-don't let them wake up.'

Shaan slowly stepped backward with extreme caution. His heartbeat pounded faster with every step. He kept his eyes locked on the creatures, carefully watching their movements to make sure they didn't notice him.

'Slowly. Don't make a sound.'

For a moment, Shaan considered attacking them. Since they were asleep, he could strike first and possibly defeat them quickly. But after thinking it through, he realized that the idea could turn into a disaster. If he attacked, the noise would alert the guards and expose their presence immediately.

'I need to find Theo and get out of here as fast as possible.' 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Unfortunately, Shaan focused too much on the creatures and failed to notice the rack standing right behind him. He bumped into it hard, and the entire shelf shook. Worse, one object rolled off the edge and began to fall.

"Oh, crap. Crap."

Shaan dashed forward, trying to catch it before it hit the floor. He jumped with all his strength and grabbed the object just inches above the ground.

'Phew… that was close. This crystal ball almost shattered.' He let out a long breath and gave a nervous chuckle. 'If this thing had fallen, everything would have—'

'Crash!'

Shaan's face turned pale. He snapped his head around, and his eyes widened at the sight of shattered crystal scattered across the floor. Damn it. He hadn't realized that another object had fallen from the rack.

'This is bad… if that noise wakes them—'

A low growl echoed through the room. Too late. The creatures had awakened. Without hesitation, Shaan slipped behind the nearest rack and crouched down, hoping the beasts wouldn't notice him.

'Don't make a sound.' He slowly leaned his head to the side and watched the creatures begin to move. 'I need to find Theo and get out of here. Fast.'

After the creatures disappeared between the racks, Shaan hurried to search for Theo. But the task proved harder than he expected. The room stretched far wider than it had looked from the entrance. Tall shelves formed narrow pathways and blocked his view in every direction. He had to find Theo quickly—before those beasts found him first.

"Theo… where are you?" he whispered.

He called Theo's name again and again while moving through each aisle, scanning both sides carefully. Nothing. He didn't hear footsteps, movement, or even a shadow of himself.

' Wait… don't tell me Theo already left this place.' Shaan paused for a moment, then shook his head. 'No. That's impossible. Even if Theo annoys me, he wouldn't abandon me like that. I'm sure he wouldn't.'

He turned into another aisle and stopped immediately. Several large crates stood stacked on top of each other near the back wall. On top of them stood Theo, stretching upward as he tried to grab something from the highest rack.

"Theo, what are you doing?" Shaan whispered as he approached Theo.

"Holy shissh." Theo rubbed his chest, looking at Shaan with a cynical expression. "Damn it. What were you thinking?"

"I should be the one asking you that, Theo?" Shaan folded his arms, looking at Theo. "What were you doing up there?"

"I just want to take my sword," Theo said as he stretched his arm upward. "Argh, damn it. Why did they put my sword all the way up—ah, there it is." He pulled the blade free from between the stacked items. "Finally." He quickly inspected the surface of the sword. "Good. It's intact. At least they didn't break it."

"Psst, Theo. Lower your voice." Shaan waved his hand repeatedly. "Theo!"

"Huh?" Theo raised an eyebrow and stared down at him. "What's wrong with that weak guy? I can't understand a word he's saying." He shook his head. "Hey, weakling, you sound like a dwarf from down there. What did you say? I can't hear you clearly."

Shaan cleared his throat. "Lower your voice."

"Huh?"

"Lower your voice, you idiot," Shaan said, raising his voice slightly, his face beginning to look annoyed. "There's something here. Hurry up and come down."

"W-what? You just called me an idiot?" Theo let out a mocking laugh. "Hey, what exactly are you talking about—"

A strange growl came from behind Theo, silencing him. Without hesitation, he immediately turned around and saw a mysterious figure jumping towards him.

"Holy sh—!"

Before Theo could swing his sword, the creature managed to pin Theo's body down. Theo immediately lost his balance and fell. His sword was knocked out of his hand, leaving him helpless.

"Argh, damn it!" Theo grumbled irritably. "Keep your damn sharp claws away from me."

"Theo, hang in there. I'll try to..." Shaan paused for a moment, seeing a pair of identical creatures appear in front of him. "Oh, damn it."

The two creatures immediately ran very fast towards Shaan, showing their long fangs. Shaan immediately used his dash skill, trying to avoid the attacks from the two creatures.

"Damn, if this is how it is, I'm completely—"

"Cling!"

Shaan instantly blocked the creatures' attack with a swift move. This was bad. He had to think of a way to escape this situation quickly. The longer he stayed here, the worse the situation would get, and of course, the officers could find them.

"Come on, Shaan. There must be a way..."

Shaan's eyes immediately fell on several crystal balls scattered randomly right next to him. Without thinking twice, Shaan immediately threw the crystal balls with all his might at the two creatures that were moving quickly towards him.

"Take this, you damn creatures."

The crystal balls landed directly on the two creatures and shattered, temporarily halting their movement. Seeing the opportunity, Shaan immediately used his dash skill. He sped forward, launching a swift counterattack toward the two creatures.

'Slash'

Shaan's slash wounded both creatures, causing them to moan in pain. The two creatures quickly ran away and disappeared without a trace. Good, it seemed that Shaan now had the opportunity to focus on helping Theo. Now, he had to act quickly before Theo became a delicious meal for that terrifying creature.