Prison to Pinnacle: Ex-wife's Eternal Lament

The burly young man, with Nicholas in his arms, somersaulted clear of the monstrous python, landing them both safely out of reach.

Gently, he lowered Nicholas to the ground.

The python, however, was relentless in its pursuit.

"Right on time for a taste of my fist. You're messing with the wrong man. Who do you know who I am? Remember, I'm Edward," the young man taunted.

He dodged the python's tail as if it were a child's swing.

Next to the colossal beast, Edward seemed like a tiny Lilliputian, and his fists even smaller.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, his punches were harder than diamonds.

The python's body, which had shrugged off bullets, now bore two massive holes from his strikes.

Blood spurted out, and its swift, ruby eyes blazed even redder with fury.

"Back off now, or I'll take your life," Edward warned, his voice steely.

But the python, driven by rage, was deaf to his words.

It opened its jaws wide and lunged with lightning speed.

"You're quick, but I'm quicker!"

"Since you want it the hard way, I'll skin you alive," declared Edward, his resolve firm.

With a swift motion, he unsheathed a belt from his waist, crafted from fish bones.

A flick of his wrist, and it became a lightweight rapier.

At the sight of Edward armed, the python's rage knew no bounds, and it spat a stream of black venom.

It seemed the beast intended to poison Edward to death.

"Such petty tricks, showing off in front of a master of poison," Edward scoffed.

He swung the fishbone sword in a blur, creating a whirlwind of steel with martial glory.

The venom couldn't penetrate his defences and was deflected back.

It splashed onto the python, seeping into the wounds Edward had inflicted.

The python was instantly poisoned by its own venom, letting out a miserable cry.

"How pitiful! It's my turn now," Edward said, his voice filled with disdain.

He leapt up, channelling his inner energy, and with a single stroke of his fishbone sword, he carved a massive gash in the python.

Edward slid down, determined to flay the beast.

"Perfect for making a coat for my tiger," he said with a confident smirk.

The python writhed in pain, its massive tail sweeping the ground, kicking up dust.

"I despise creatures that dirty my clothes. Enough playing," Edward said, his patience worn thin.

He hurled his sword. The fishbone sword split into two in mid-air, each targeting the python's ruby eyes.

The python's head swayed, trying to dodge.

But the swords, as if guided by a homing device, pursued their targets relentlessly.

"Swish."

Both swords plunged deep into the python's eyes.

The python's head reared up in a final, painful struggle.

With a thunderous crash, the head fell to the ground, and within seconds, the beast was still.

"That's what you get for not heeding my warning," Edward said coldly, "Now, it's time to skin you. My fishbone sword, return."

The sword seemed to recognize its master's voice and swiftly flew out of the python's eyes.

Edward leapt into the air, catching the two swords and merging them back into one.

He danced around the python, expertly peeling off a complete snake skin.

"Hold on, its belly is swollen. There must be something inside," Edward said.

He slashed open the python's belly with his fishbone sword, and out tumbled a bloodied figure—Ray, who had been swallowed earlier.

Edward glanced at him, "You're lucky to have crossed paths with me. There's still hope. Time's a-wasting."

Edward kicked a stone towards the tactical vehicle with force.

Miraculously, upon impact, the vehicle flipped over.

Then, with swift efficiency, Edward loaded everyone into the vehicle.

After that, he jumped into the driver's seat, and then floored the gas, speeding towards his cave.

"Seems I can't take a bath first. Saving lives comes first," he muttered, his sense of urgency clear.