Terry decided to take a momentary respite. He halted his movements, lowered his head, and closed his eyes, giving the impression that he was resting or perhaps even sleeping. It was a calculated move, a way to appear vulnerable and unthreatening to any potential adversaries lurking nearby.

Yet, despite his outward appearance of relaxation, Terry remained alert, his senses finely tuned to detect any subtle changes in his surroundings. He knew that in a place as unpredictable and dangerous as this world, even the smallest lapse in vigilance could prove fatal.

As Terry maintained his feigned vulnerability, he utilized his earth manipulation abilities to connect with the surrounding sand. Feeling the vibrations in the city, he gradually dampened and controlled them, ensuring that his presence went unnoticed.

It was a clever tactic, allowing him to mask his movements and presence while also gaining valuable insights into his environment. The enemy, bewildered by his seemingly passive stance, remained unaware of Terry’s subtle manipulations, creating the perfect opportunity for him to strike when the time was right.

After a considerable amount of time focusing on the vibrations and subtle sounds around him, Terry finally discerned an unusual movement amidst the ever-present wind. It seemed like someone was approaching him from behind.

Sharply attuned to this subtle disturbance, he swiftly pivoted in the same direction and summoned all his strength, unleashing a powerful kick into the ground with all his might. This sudden action created a shockwave, and a massive blast that propelled Terry, making him cross five hundred meters in a single moment and after two more hits he found the enemy suddenly moving through the sand using a brown cloak.

As Terry’s powerful kick disrupted the shroud of invisibility, the enemy, unable to conceal themselves any longer, flung their brown cloak aside. Revealed before him was a striking sight - a slender, humanoid figure with a peculiar blend of characteristics. Standing at human height, the creature bore a long, sinuous reptilian tail that coiled behind it.

Its arms, legs, and back were adorned with iridescent scales that shimmered with an otherworldly beauty. The hybrid nature of this entity, part human and part reptile, left Terry intrigued and wary of its intentions.

As Terry raised his sword, ready to strike, the enigmatic creature reacted swiftly. It emitted a strange hissing sound and spat something from its mouth. In the blink of an eye, Terry was pelted by supersonic projectiles, each striking his arms and legs with pinpoint accuracy. The small bullets pierced his flesh, causing immense pain, and halted his charge in its tracks. Before he could regain his composure, the creature scuttled away on all fours, retreating into the distance.

With the creature trying to dig into a nearby sand dune, Terry seized the opportunity. He swiftly transformed his weapon into the bow and unleashed a Meteor Arrow, aiming directly at the elusive foe. The creature, though quick to react, fired off several bullets from its mouth in a desperate attempt to intercept the incoming projectile. However, it couldn’t prevent the inevitable collision.

The Meteor Arrow struck the bullets with incredible force, creating a spectacular explosion of energy. The impact sent shockwaves through the area, causing a massive upheaval of sand as it scattered in all directions. Terry watched as the ensuing chaos obscured his enemy from view, leaving a swirling vortex of sand and debris in its wake.

The force of the explosion propelled the enemy creature high into the air and sent it hurtling backward. It soared through the desert landscape, tumbling and spiraling as it struggled to regain control. The powerful impact of Terry’s Meteor Arrow had taken a toll on the creature, leaving it disoriented and battered, and for a brief moment, it was at the mercy of the chaotic winds and sands of the barren world.

The overlord, still disoriented from the previous explosion, desperately attempted to halt its tumbling across the sandy dunes. As it managed to regain some semblance of control, it caught sight of Terry suspended in the air, readying another Meteor Arrow. The creature reacted instinctively, spewing forth a barrage of small supersonic bullets from its mouth.

However, Terry had foreseen this counterattack. He channeled his mana into the Meteor Arrow, imbuing it with added power. The arrow tore through the onslaught of bullets, obliterating them with ease, and then pierced through the overlord’s chest. The ensuing explosion created a perfectly round hole in the enemy’s torso, and when the projectile struck the ground, it sent shockwaves of force radiating outward, displacing sand in a five hundred-meter radius and penetrating fifty meters deep into the true bedrock beneath the desert terrain.

The overlord’s lifeless body tumbled to the sandy ground, a testament to Terry’s triumph. As the dust settled, Terry became aware of a subtle shift within his weapon, a telltale sign that it had leveled up once more, confirming his hard-earned victory over his formidable foe.

Terry carefully removed the small pebbles embedded in his wounds, wincing slightly at the discomfort. With the foreign objects now out of the way, he allowed his weapon’s magic to work its mending power, slowly but surely healing his injuries.

"Where did you get this?" Terry thought while looking around.

Terry couldn’t help but wonder about the origins of the meteor stones used as projectiles by the overlord. It seemed plausible that the creature had brought them along, possibly from another world, considering the suddenness of its appearance. The idea of finding a meteorite for himself still intrigued him, but it appeared that the overlord had beaten him to it this time.

Upon inspecting the overlord’s body, Terry found only a small group of pebbles inside. It seemed that the creature had a limited supply of those meteor stones, which made sense given their apparent rarity and power. It was a small consolation, but at least he had managed to acquire a few of them.

Terry looked for the cloak of the enemy and while he could feel some magic in it, it wasn’t that much... it should offer some protection, though. Terry, with a sigh, returned to the center of the city and found another portal waiting for him. Knowing he had little choice, he crossed it, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Terry landed in the middle of a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees and the unmistakable sounds of wildlife. As he scanned his surroundings, he noticed something shining in the distance, catching his attention. The air was heavy with humidity, making each breath feel like a struggle in the stifling atmosphere.

"Hey, Louis. For how long are you planning to keep me waiting?" Terry asked. "Your beating will only get worse if you make me run out of patience."

"I can’t tell much, it would spoil the even for the audience," Louis said. "What I can say is that you will be rewarded if you keep showing us interesting fights."

"I will trust your shitty words if you let me see where Rebecca and her siblings are," Terry said. "Perhaps I will add a bonus and spare your life for a few hours."

"Hahaha, too bad, but I don’t fear death," Louis said. "As someone who knows the future, death is something that I know very well."

Someone who knows the future might not fear death because they possess knowledge of their own fate. Knowing the future implies a high degree of certainty about what will happen. If someone is certain about the timing and circumstances of their death, they might come to terms with it, accepting it as an inevitable part of their life’s journey.

With knowledge of the future, individuals can make preparations for their death. They might arrange their affairs, say their goodbyes, and ensure that their loved ones are taken care of. This preparation can provide a sense of control and reduce anxiety. Knowledge of one’s own death might lead to acceptance. When people know it’s coming and understand the circumstances, they may psychologically prepare themselves for the event, making it less terrifying.

If someone knows their death is inevitable, they may choose to focus on other aspects of life, such as achieving goals, making meaningful contributions, and cherishing their remaining time. This focus can overshadow the fear of death.

In the end, Terry assumed that Louis had seen his death so many times that he probably didn’t care anymore... there was another possibility, but Terry didn’t want to believe it since it would be too troublesome for him.

Terry sighed once more, the weight of his strange journey pressing upon him. He decided to move toward the shining area in the distance. The forest, shrouded in a thick, humid atmosphere, concealed many mysteries. While he couldn’t change the circumstances of his predicament, he was determined to make the most of it.

Terry had learned the value of patience and resourcefulness on his journey. He understood that sometimes, waiting for the right moment was as crucial as acting swiftly. As he walked, his weapon absorbed energy from the surroundings, leveling up with each new challenge he faced.