### 97

Carefully you slip the tip of your dagger beneath the creature's body and wrench the blade back, cutting it clean in half. The tentacles release their grip, and the two halves drop from your nerveless hand. Hurriedly you pluck the needle-like spines from your palm and the feeling gradually returns--lose 1 ENDURANCE point.

If you wish to bathe your stinging hand in the pool of clear water, turn to 315.

If you decide not to bathe it, turn to 177.

Text copyright © 1987 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1987 Gary Chalk.