Chapter 33: hook, line, and sinker!
"What the hell are those things?" Kevin whispered to himself, taking slow and silent steps backward. His eyes were filled with fear as he gazed at green insect-like creatures, about the same height as him, feasting on a human corpse.
But they were no ordinary insects; Kevin had never seen anything like them before. These creatures had shiny, long wings, like precious gems catching the light. Their big, marble-like eyes glowed a sinister red, oozing with an insatiable hunger. It sent shivers down Kevin's spine just to look into those eerie orbs.
Their needle-like legs delicately poked into the corpse, tearing it apart with ease, as if they were skilled butchers preparing a feast. Their mouths were a sight to behold – toothless, yet they seemed to be designed for maximum efficiency in devouring meat.
But the one they were gnawing on, to his shock, wasn't dead! Kevin noticed the faint twitching of the hand, and a chill ran down his spine. As much as he wanted to investigate further, his survival instincts kicked in, and he quietly retreated.
"Please, don't look this way," Kevin pleaded silently, trying not to draw any attention to himself as he continued to step away cautiously. The last thing he wanted was to become the next meal for those nightmarish creatures.
He cursed his luck for stumbling upon such a creepy and dangerous scene. The misty mountains never failed to surprise him, and this was one surprise he wished he could unsee.
"Ahhh." Kevin managed to put some distance between himself and the gruesome human corpse, finally allowing himself a moment to catch his breath. He walked back silently, hoping to leave this disturbing sight behind, but as fate would have it, luck was never on Kevin's side. His feet landed on something soft and to make matters worse, it felt like it was moving! The sudden surprise terrified him, and Kevin let out a blood-curdling scream, tumbling backward and landing on his butt.
Frightened but determined, Kevin quickly scrambled to his feet and cautiously peered at the mysterious object that had startled him so. His wide eyes locked onto something soft and gooey, and he couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle. "Oh, great, just what I needed – a surprise encounter with some slimy, unidentified... wait, is that a human heart?!" he stammered, his voice quivering with disbelief.
But as he tried to gather himself and walk away from the eerie scene, a sudden stumble caused Kevin to fall clumsily on the ground, making a noisy ruckus. His heart sank as he realized that he had disturbed the unsettling creatures that were now looking his way.
As the toothless monsters fixed their beady eyes on him, Kevin's mind raced with a mix of fear and regret. 'Oh, fantastic, just what every monster hunter dreams of – attracting the attention of a group of ghoulish creatures during their mealtime,' he thought sarcastically.
His earlier bravado was now replaced with nervous energy. Kevin tried to ease the tension with a weak grin. "Hey there, buddies, mind if I, uh, leave you to your, uh... feast? I'll just, uh, be on my way," he stuttered, trying to sound as unthreatening as possible.
Saying this, Kevin fastly took steps back, still looking at the buzzing monsters. The monster watched as he walked back with steady and slow steps.
A bead of sweat trickled down Kevin's forehead, his nerves on edge. "Keep calm, Kevin. They're just a bunch of overgrown gnats, right? Right?" he muttered to himself, trying to muster some courage to face the situation head-on.
But before he could regain his composure, the eerie creatures had different plans. With an abrupt surge of movement, they scurried forward, their buzzing now sounding like a malevolent symphony of doom. Kevin's heart raced as he realized they were chasing him, and they were not just out for a casual stroll.
"Oh, great! Just what I needed – a bunch of mutant hummingbirds on steroids," Kevin quipped with a nervous laugh, the humor a flimsy shield against the growing panic.
As his leisurely retreat transformed into a full-blown sprint, Kevin's mind raced with possibilities. He needed to find a way to outwit these creatures, and fast. His eyes scanned the surroundings, seeking any potential escape routes or hiding spots.
Before he could fully contemplate his next move, he heard a sudden rustle from the corner of his eye, and one of the relentless toothless monsters shot towards him with ferocious speed.
Reacting on pure instinct, Kevin tried to dodge the attack, but the creature was too swift. Its razor-sharp claws cut through the air and sliced across Kevin's arm, leaving a deep, stinging gash in its wake. "Aargh!" he yelped in pain, gritting his teeth as the adrenaline masked the full extent of the injury.
The monsters weren't going to let him escape that easily. They seemed to have a vendetta against the intruder who dared to disturb their grotesque feast. The buzzing grew louder, echoing through the misty mountains, and Kevin knew he had to act fast.
And there it was, a faint glimmer of hope. Through the haze, he spotted a group of people resting near a campfire, their expressions relaxed and unaware of the eerie danger lurking nearby.
Without a second thought, Kevin seized the opportunity. "Help! Monsters! Incoming!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping to catch the attention of the unsuspecting group.
Kevin's heart pounded as he glanced at the group of hunters who had appeared on the scene. They seemed more seasoned than him, their gear gleaming with proficiency. Perhaps they could handle these relentless monsters, he thought optimistically. But, if worst came to worst, Kevin knew he could seek help in the nearby city while the other hunters fended off the creatures.
As the adrenaline-fueled chase continued, Kevin weighed his options. He didn't want to leave these skilled hunters to face the monsters alone, but his injured arm reminded him of his vulnerability. 'I'll give them a chance,' he decided, hoping they could rise to the challenge.
As Kevin spoke, a mischievous glint danced in his eyes, contrasting with the scared expression he wore. He couldn't resist the temptation of using the cultivators as his means of escape. "Help! Monsters!" he shouted again, his voice echoing through the misty mountains.
The bald man among them turned his head to the source of the shouting and spotted Kevin leading a horde of monsters straight toward their group. Anger flared in his eyes, and he cursed under his breath, "Damn it! Some idiot is luring monsters to us! This weak fool comes to the misty mountains just to get chased by monsters and now drags us into trouble!"
Another burly man beside him frowned at Kevin, his face contorted with frustration. "I'm going to teach that bastard a lesson!" he growled, itching for a fight.
The rest of the party shared their sentiment, angry at Kevin for his reckless actions. They readied their weapons, preparing for the impending battle. Kevin, now approaching them with a sheepish smile, muttered, "Thanks for the help."
Before he could utter another word, a vicious swing of an axe came hurtling towards him. Reacting quickly, Kevin squatted and dodged the deadly slash, feeling the rush of air as the axe passed just inches above him. Without looking back, he continued to run, casting a quick glance at the lanky man who had missed his strike. The man's eyes burned with fury, but Kevin had no time to linger and risk another attack.
"Don't worry, Bryan, we'll deal with him later. Right now, focus on these toothless pests," the bald man commanded, his frustration palpable as they redirected their attention to the monsters.
Kevin's heart raced as he sprinted away, chuckling to himself, "They fell for it hook, line, and sinker!" Despite the danger, the thrill of pulling off his escape plan exhilarated him.
As he distanced himself from the cultivators and the monsters, Kevin couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and relief. "Just a little more and I'll be out of their sight," he thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction at outsmarting his would-be captors.
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