"Skreee!"
The Giant Rat charged straight at him.
"Shit!"
Jayson stepped forward and swung his sword instinctively, but the blade struck the low stone ceiling above him instead.
"Clang!"
Sparks flew as the impact jarred his arms and ruined the attack before it could properly begin.
The Giant Rat immediately took advantage of the opening and lunged at his leg.
"Argh!"
Jayson jumped backwards just in time and nearly slammed into the narrow tunnel wall. His heart pounded wildly as he stared at the creature.
'The ceiling!'
Only now did he properly notice how cramped the side tunnel actually was. It was much smaller than the main canal passage, with a curved stone ceiling hanging barely above his head. There simply wasn't enough room for large swings.
'Idiot.'
The Giant Rat circled while letting out an aggressive chitter. Its red eyes never left him.
Jayson tightened his grip on the sword and adjusted his stance.
No overhead strikes.
No wide swings.
Only short movements.
The Giant Rat suddenly rushed forward again.
This time Jayson didn't panic. He lowered his sword slightly and focused on the creature's body rather than its teeth.
'Come on.'
'This time I'm ready.'
The Giant Rat leapt.
Jayson stepped sideways and thrust his sword forward instead of swinging.
"Schtk!"
The tip pierced into the creature's shoulder.
"Skreee!"
The Giant Rat twisted violently and nearly ripped the weapon from his hands.
Jayson stumbled but managed to keep his grip.
The wounded monster immediately turned and charged again.
Its speed surprised him.
But this time he was already moving.
Remembering Franklin's lessons, Jayson stepped into the attack instead of backing away. His sword shot forward in a short, efficient thrust.
"Thk!"
The blade entered through the Giant Rat's eye and buried itself deep into its skull.
The creature collapsed almost instantly.
Jayson stood frozen for a few moments before pulling the sword free.
"Huff…"
His breathing was heavy, but a small smile appeared on his face.
'Second one.'
It wasn't pretty.
It wasn't clean.
But he had won again.
After wiping some of the blood off his blade, Jayson continued deeper into the tunnel.
The side passage gradually became wider before eventually opening into another section of the canal system.
The smell hit him immediately.
Rotting flesh.
Waste.
Old blood.
The stench was so strong that he nearly gagged.
'This has to be it.'
Jayson carefully stepped forward and looked around.
The canal chamber was much larger than the narrow side tunnel behind him. A slow stream of filthy water flowed through the middle while piles of debris had accumulated against the walls over many years.
Broken wood.
Animal bones.
Rotting refuse.
And among it all—
Movement.
His eyes narrowed.
Two large Giant Rats immediately became visible.
One was gnawing on something in the corner while the other lifted its head and stared directly at him.
Then Jayson noticed something else.
Several much smaller shapes scattered between the debris.
Tiny red eyes.
Small bodies.
Baby Giant Rats.
Franklin's words immediately surfaced in his mind.
"Kill the entire nest."
"Leave nothing behind."
Jayson slowly tightened his grip on the sword.
The two adult Giant Rats were already turning towards him.
"Skreee!"
One immediately charged while the other stayed back for a brief moment.
Jayson didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward and met the first one head-on.
This time there was no cramped tunnel restricting him.
His sword swung in a clean horizontal arc.
"Schtk!"
The blade tore across the Giant Rat's side and sent it tumbling across the filthy ground.
But before he could finish it—
The second Giant Rat lunged.
"Shit!"
Jayson barely twisted away in time.
Its claws scraped across his leather armor and left shallow marks behind.
The first Giant Rat was already getting back up.
'Two at once really is different.'
The wounded rat charged again while the other circled toward his side.
Jayson quickly backed away to stop them from surrounding him.
His heart was racing, but his mind remained clear.
Franklin's words surfaced in his head.
"Don't fight two enemies separately."
"Force them into your rhythm."
Jayson adjusted his position and moved toward one side of the chamber.
The debris and broken wood limited the angle from which the rats could approach.
Immediately, the second Giant Rat became blocked by the first.
'There.'
The wounded Giant Rat rushed him again.
Jayson stepped forward instead of retreating.
His sword descended in a powerful diagonal slash.
"Schtk!"
The blade bit deep into its neck.
Blood sprayed across the debris.
The Giant Rat collapsed and twitched briefly before becoming still.
One down.
The remaining rat immediately became more cautious.
It circled while letting out aggressive chittering sounds.
Jayson didn't give it time.
He pushed forward.
The Giant Rat tried to retreat before suddenly jumping toward him.
But Jayson was already prepared.
His sword thrust forward.
"Thk!"
The point entered through the creature's open mouth and drove into its skull.
The Giant Rat's body jerked violently before going limp.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Jayson remained still for several moments.
"Huff…"
"Huff…"
His breathing echoed through the tunnel.
Then a grin slowly appeared on his face.
'That wasn't so bad.'
Only after the fight ended did he notice the baby Giant Rats.
There were more than he initially thought.
Tiny bodies huddled between scraps of wood and old refuse.
Some froze.
Others tried to scatter deeper into the debris.
Jayson's expression hardened.
He remembered Franklin's instructions.
A nest left unfinished simply became a future problem.
Slowly raising his bloodstained sword, he stepped toward them.