Life and death

Chapter 8

…

The long black giant reptilian animal is an anaconda-like snake. But to Xin Wei's surprise, the supposed to be a nonvenomous creature actually has two long razor-sharp fangs that look like death scythes in front of his eyes.

The gigantic snake slowly exited the small cave as its huge body rises high up in the air.

The daunting scene made the hair all over Xin Wei's body feel like they are standing on end. He could feel his breathing becoming faster as his heart started to beat rapidly. This is a real danger that he is going to be facing for the first time in his life and it made his body stiffen in fear.

Though he knew of his strength and abilities, he still could not help but feel terrified of the beast that is in front of his eyes.

A look of horror was immediately shown in his eyes yet his gaze did not leave the powerful predator in front of him.

Though he is afraid, that his body even begins to shake. Yet for some unknown reason, his will to fight was also heightened. He did not know if the shaking of his body is because of fear or because of his excitement.

Yet one thing is for sure, he can feel the adrenaline inside his whole body is pumping like crazy.

Suddenly, the horrifying creature in front of his eyes opened its large mouth and without warning attacked Xin Wei.

The snake's head was really fast even for its size. Xin Wei barely made it as he jumps to the side dodging the deadly strike from the gigantic creature.

The tree behind him was the unlucky victim as the large head crushes on its trunk and made the tree shatter into pieces. Though the tree trunk is not that thick, it is still a tree. Yet it fell down in just one strike from the gigantic snake.

This only tells how powerful the snake is and how strong that attack was.

Xin Wei could not help but gasp in disbelief. This time, mixed feelings came over him and he decided that the best way is for him to run to survive. In his mind, he is rationalizing and asking, how could he kill such a monster with his bare hand?

"I… I need to run faster… No… I need a weapon." He muttered as he dashed through the shrubberies and bushes of the forest.

Behind him, follows the snake which slithers towards Xin Wei's direction. The snake's speed is also not normal as it was able to move fast following behind Xin Wei.

However, Xin Wei's speed is faster as he soon disappears from the beast's sight.

Not long later, Xin Wei was able to shake off the snake and his figure could be seen deep inside the forest sitting above a tall tree.

Xin Wei is trying to catch his breath after running that much.

…

"Damn it! That was close." I said as I breathe hard while watching my surroundings.

I did not know if that snake would be able to catch up to me, but from its movement speed, I could tell that it can only move at around 10 to 15 km per hour. It is not that fast, yet could be considered fast enough for its size. Plus its attacking speed are not the same as its movement. Its attacking speed is faster.

I could barely see its head at that time. I could only guess that its striking speed is about 80 to 100 kph.

Upon thinking up to this point, I could feel my body shivering in fright. That was really dangerous back then.

I needed a weapon to fight against that thing. Because if it hunted me, then I have no choice but to fight it.

Without a choice, I have to look for a suitable place to rest first. So, I look around and found a taller tree. Judging from its height, it is tall enough for that snake to not easily reach me.

So I nestled myself near the highest branch and rested for a while. After determining my camping spot, I began to gather some materials and food.

I have a deep hunch that the snake would not give up and would continue hunting me. If that happens then escaping is not my option anymore. In this vast forest, I don't know if I can hide from it forever. Plus, I did not want it to go to the outside world. It might cause too much commotion and attract or even kill people.

As I rested for a while and was preparing what to do next, I suddenly heard something from below me. When I tilted my head to the side, I suddenly heard a group of people talking. Soon I saw people coming out from the bushes.

These people seem to be from a school or a college and they are on a trip. I thought of this due to their age and what they are wearing.

As they move forward some of them would check some of the plants and herbs in the surroundings. A short guy is leading the group and that short guy is holding a sharp-looking machete.

"That is what I needed." I thought as I observe the group.

Counting the people below me, I could see that there are around ten of them. Three of them are women and the rest are men. They are wearing hiking clothes and have mountaineering gears on them.

"Hey little man, we should stop in this place for a while. We are still a bit further from the cave. And this place is out of danger." A middle-aged man wearing silver-rimmed glasses said as he looks around the area.

"We can camp in this area and continue towards the cave tomorrow."

With his words, the people around him began to scatter and prepare the spot for camping. They then began to set up tents and some of them prepare their meal.

As I watch the whole group move together, I found everything seems new to me. Though I could remember doing such things before with my family. In my months of staying in the old house and in the forest, everything seems to be like a distant memory.

While I watch the group of people, I suddenly noticed their guide walking towards a certain spot a distance away from others. Meanwhile, the guide took out his phone which looks like a model that still uses keypads. I know that these types of phones are sturdy and this is the reason that the guide is maybe using such a phone in the forest.

From above, I curiously watch the guide type something on the phone.

With my sharp vision, I could read the supposedly barely visible text. This is maybe because of the shade from the trees but it turns out that the phone display is clear in my sight. And what I have read in that message made me feel suspicious and a bit alarmed.

'There are nine targets… students and a teacher. Three are fresh and young college girls.'

'We will be there… Nine in the evening. Prepare the stuff.'

'Okay.'

I didn't know what is happening, but from what I just read, I knew that the guide is planning something. I saw him immediately deleting the message and then stuff his phone in his pocket as then he takes a piss on the side of a tree.

I shifted my gaze to the group and nodded my head as I saw the 3 women. The guide is correct, the women do look exceptional. And I can tell that the men around them look strong on the outside, but most of them seem weak to me. Only one seems to have the ability to fight, but he is spending most of his time together with one of the women with short hair.

The two would usually flirt with each other, but it seems that the group did not bother with them.

At this time, my eyes are suddenly glued to the sharp weapons and tools that the group is keeping near the middle of the surrounding tents. The tools are surrounding a large backpack.

"If only I can have one of those, then maybe, I would not have feared that snake." I thought to myself.

Soon, it was already evening and the group has just finished their dinner. I then noticed that the people around the bonfire suddenly began to pass out. I knew that this is part of the plan of that guide.

I observe him checking the group and suddenly noticed him approaching one of the women. From what I can see, the woman is the most beautiful of the three. However, I also observed earlier that she has an icy attitude towards others especially the men in the group.

As the guide eyed her, I suddenly saw him slowly unbuckling his belt. Then with greedy hands, he began touching the woman's face.

"Hihi… What a beauty. You were too proud in front of me a while ago and think that you are above this daddy. Now you will end up in this daddy's hands. Hihihi… I will enjoy your beauty and body first before those bozos arrive." He said while he busied himself slowly taking off the woman's clothes.

I could not watch any longer and decided to intervene.

I suddenly jumps down from the tree and landed with a loud thud on the ground.

The guide who did not notice me was surprised by the sound and jumps in shock as he saw my figure landing not too far away from him.

"Who… who are you?" the guide shouted as he quickly grabs the machete which he drops to the ground a while ago.

I look at him and then sneered.

But suddenly, the guide shivers upon clearly seeing my figure and face.

"Gho… ghooost! You're a ghost!" the guide shouted as he slowly back away.

Then without a warning, he suddenly turns around and runs in horror while shouting "Ghost! There's a Ghost!"

I was confused as the reaction of the small man.

However, I soon discover that something is wrong. When I tilted my head up, I saw the giant snake suddenly appearing, and then the short man who was running away from me suddenly cried out in pain.

The snake has suddenly bit the man with its gigantic mouth. Then I saw it tossing the small body of the man high up in the air and directly slowed the man whole.

"Damn, how could this thing be here?" I muttered as my body was immediately covered in a cold sweat.