Chapter 249 There are things more dangerous and deadly than Beasts... You don't want to know
Unknown to Marco and his men, the dreadful danger was approaching them slowly and it was already getting too late to escape if they wanted to.
"Do you believe what the Goddess said about the incoming danger?" a young man asked Marco.
He was one of the ardent followers of Marco since he saved him.
"Bull shit! The world is already dangerous as it is... What could be possibly more dangerous than those damn beasts"
Before Marco could respond, another man spat hatefully.
Most people that followed Marco were men that chose to protect the group previously against any incoming threat from beasts.
Thus, to them, the beast was the most dangerous thing they'd encountered so far since the zombies mysteriously disappeared.
Marco looked at his men and the group of women that chose to stay behind.
He knew these women stayed behind because they could feel a sense of safety from him not because they trusted him like the goddess.
But to him, that's enough.
"I don't know what type of danger the goddess is talking about... But I believe if we stay together like we used to do, we can handle anything."
He had just completed his confident speech when a lady discovered a black thread of smoke in the distance.
"W-What's that!" Her voice quivered.
What!
At once, everyone turned their head in the direction where the lady was pointing at.
In the distance, they noticed a thin thread of black smoke rising against the horizon. It twisted and curled ominously, carrying with it an eerie aura that made even the bravest among them uneasy.
The smoke seemed to be a manifestation of malevolence, an unsettling sign of danger that beckoned them closer
Marco's brow furrowed with concern as he exchanged glances with his companions.
The unease that gripped them was mutual, and their shared silence spoke volumes.
No one dared speak aloud their fears.
The forest itself seemed to react to the discovery, the trees swaying with a mournful creak as if echoing the disquiet that permeated the air.
The vibrant colors of the flora seemed to dim, and the canopy above cast deeper shadows, amplifying the ominous atmosphere.
Suddenly, the thin black thread of smoke that once lazily spiraled in the distance suddenly expanded, its malevolent energy surging forth with a life-devouring hunger.
It seemed as though the darkness itself was alive, seeking to consume everything in its path.
Astonished and paralyzed by fear, Marco and his companions watched in horror as the expanding smoke enveloped the surrounding forest with malefic intent.
Trees shuddered and withered under its touch, leaves turning to ash as the life force was siphoned away.
The once vibrant flora now crumbled into desolation, as if the very essence of nature recoiled in the presence of this malevolent force.
The air grew thick with an oppressive aura, and a deafening silence fell upon the forest as if nature itself held its breath in terror.
Even the creatures of the forest seemed to have retreated into the shadows, sensing the danger that loomed.
The black smoke surged forward with a sudden rush, moving with a sinister swiftness that left Marco and his companions with no time to escape.
It was as though the darkness had a mind of its own, and it had set its sights on them.
"Run!" Marco recovered quickly and shouted.
Without waiting for the others to recover from their stupor, he turned and dashed toward the direction where Eira and the others went.
'Is this what the Goddess meant by evil force!' He cried in his heart.
Ah! Ah!
Miserable screams came from behind, sending shivers down the spine of everyone.
Sweats gathered on their forehead and their breath was erratic.
"Someone save me!" A woman cried as she was swallowed by the black smoke.
In a couple of seconds, the middle-aged woman turned into a skeleton.
Marco, filled with dread, looked over his shoulder and saw their group reduced by half.
Panic and fear were etched on the faces of everyone as they ran with all their might.
Now, this was the moment they wished they had four legs.
Ke. ke. ke.
Just as the group was escaping with all their might, they heard an eerily from behind.
"Ke. This is what I love about hunting humans. Their expression gives me joy"
Hearing the malevolent voice from the black smoke, Marco and his escapee were drawn into a pit of fear.
Regret clutches their heart with the voice of Eira reverberating in their mind.
Those that supported Marco looked at the man in the lead, running with all his strength and regretting their decision.
Eira had been keeping them safe all this while but why did they follow an ungrateful bastard?
If time could be rewind, they would have made the better choice.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, tens of black scythes came out of the thick black smoke and moved at a breathtaking speed toward the escapee.
Blood splashed everywhere and both man and woman fell like pieces of log.
Even though the escapee was running with all their might, the black smoke and the men inside were catching on them quickly.
Under the heavy massacre, the hundreds of people were reduced to less than fifty people.
"Marco! Save us!" A man shouted.
He could perceive the incoming danger and all his hope of survival depends on Marco, their commander.
He still had little hope Marco could still save them if they called to him since he was part of his men.
Unfortunately, Marco was not going to be Marco this time around.
Without turning his head, Marco increased his speed like his life depended on it.
Perhaps, his life depends on it.
The next round of scythe approached those at the back like the devil claw, ready to reap out their lives.
"Curse you to eternal damnation Marco." The man shouted when he realized Marco wouldn't come to his aid.
Heads flew to the sky with unwillingness and regret written all over their faces.
Subsequently, they turned into skeletons before they landed on the ground.
Now, it was Marco and a few less than ten.
Each of them was pushing their body to the limit. Tears hung at the corner of their eyes with unwillingness.
Just then, a man stopped and took a deep breath. He looked at the incoming black smoke with determination.
"Since you are going to kill me anyway. I will rather take one of you down with me" He shouted and raised his ax, rushing toward the black smoke.
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