### 24

The Pit Agarashi gives a deafening howl as your killing blow ruptures its black heart. Its powerful body stiffens and its red eyes become opaque, like two orbs of frosted crimson glass. For a moment it remains fixed and immobile; then its claws release their grip upon the rock wall and the beast plummets backwards to crash heavily upon the hard pit floor.

Breathless with exertion, you sheathe your weapon and force yourself towards the surface, eager to escape lest someone, or something, should come to investigate the creature’s death-cry.

Turn to 87.