Stalking Mantis 2

Chapter 18 Stalking Mantis 2

(Have not been proofread)

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Swoosh!!!

The sound of something tearing through the air caught my attention and I quickly moved my head to the left.

At that instant, I could see the creature clearly.

Its long claws are very intimidating that they made my forehead drenched in cold sweat.

I quickly moved my body to the side to get away from the strange creature.

But it was very persistent as it chased after me.

Each swing of its claw creates air tearing sound and I know that if I am hit with those sharp talons I would surely suffer a painful death.

In my experience in the dark forest, I truly hated dying a painful death.

Though I know I would not truly die, I would not wish to die in pain.

I quickly jumped from side to side as I dodge every slash, strike, and stab of that beast.

Suddenly, I noticed that the creature is actually following a certain pattern. It was like those beasts in the forest.

If a creature has already found a certain effective way to hunt, then that would become their pattern in killing their prey.

As I observe the creature in front of me, that same principle can actually be applied.

Now that I have seen the pattern, my mind suddenly worked and an idea came to me.

But before I could act on it, I detected a presence entering the range of my Spirit Eyes, and behind that person follow two creatures that are just like the one I am facing.

I was alarmed at this and was distracted for a moment. At that instant, I felt a strong dangerous premonition within my mind as I quickly dodge to the right.

But I was a bit too late as the claw of the beast caught my side and tore against my clothes along with my flesh.

I did not feel the pain at an instant but I know that I am wounded.

My senses suddenly became sharper and when the creature was about to make its move again, I noticed that its movement has become twice slower than before.

I was a bit astonished at this event.

I could not help but look at my wound.

As soon as my eyes landed on my wound, I knew that I made a big mistake.

Seeing the wound, the pain suddenly assaulted me.

As I grimace, I curled my body subconsciously and that made me dodge the strike to my head.

I gritted my teeth and using the dagger on my side I suddenly stab upwards.

It seems that the creature has lowered its guard as it actually revealed itself after wounding me.

Maybe it is thinking that I am already at my death that's why it slashes in a relaxed manner as if I am already done for.

Maybe because of this, I was able to feel the sensation of my dagger entering soft flesh.

I quickly look up and noticed my dagger stabbing the creature's jaw.

Its body began twitching as I lifted it up in the air.

I slumped on the ground while trying to catch my breath.

Right at this moment, the door where I was in was kicked open.

Then a figure barges inside.

It was Senior Han and behind him are two more creatures following. It seems that he also suffered a sneak attack from those two beasts.

As he looks in my direction, a strange glint appears in his eyes.

I clearly saw it with my Spirit Eyes and deep within my heart I knew that this person is thinking something sinister.

He quickly runs in my direction.

"Sorry little fellow… You've outlived your usefulness… Please be bait for me for the last time…" he muttered while running as fast as he could.

Hearing his words, I could not help but frown.

I already have such a feeling that those two are just using me. I came with them to this place as I too am curious about what this place is that they were talking about.

And since he has already shown his true colors, then I also don't have to hide mine, right?

As he runs in my direction, I noticed those two creatures following behind him inside their dark mists.

As he passes by my direction, he extended his hand to slash his sword at my arm.

However, I have already seen his action and quickly parried his blade.

Clang!!!

The senior Han guy showed a surprised expression as he looks at me in disbelief.

He could clearly see the wound on my side. He also would tell that the wound is fatal. But he did not expect that I could still move.

Though I am in pain, the wound inside has already healed. Only the outer skin wound is still exposed.

Without hesitation, I quickly jump back up tumbling to the table behind me where I was resting a while ago.

Then I saw the two creatures splitting up.

One charged right at me while the other chased after that senior Han.

I already know the pattern of the attack of this creature, so I could easily dodge them. Plus, it seems that my reflexes have become faster at this time as their movement became sluggish.

As I tumble in the air and dodge to the ground easily. I quickly found a fatal weak point of the creature being exposed. Without hesitation, I swing my knife and stab the right ear of the creature.

Swick!!!

I could feel my knife entering a bony part of the creature's skull. Then it becomes softer as my knife hits deeper.

Without hesitation, I twisted the knife in my hand and then take it out from its skull.

As it slumped to the ground, I could not help but show a slight smile on my face. But before I could breathe a sigh of relief, I heard an ear-piercing sound coming from the other room where that Senior Han runs to along with the other creature.

I could not help but cover my ears because of that sound which almost disoriented me.

Within my Spirit Eyes, I saw the beast on the ground with a long blade on its chest.

However, it seems that this Senior Han guy did not do well in this fight against the creature as his body is not full of wounds.

But what made me curious this time is the strange Ether energy covering his body.

It seems like a protective invisible barrier. However, even with the protective barrier, he still got wounded this heavily.

I then recalled the effect of the black mist on Ether energy.

"I guess, the energy from those claws could nullify the barrier…" I muttered while observing the situation.

Thinking that my deduction might be right, I look at the creature in front of me and did not hesitate to quickly harvest its sharp claws.

After cutting it, I still could feel the dark mist lingering on it.

I've read from one of the books in this place that they have been doing some experimentation in the past on how to deal with those dangerous beasts covered with Ether energy. So I guess, this is the result of those experiments.

Suddenly, my heart jump in panic as a group of around ten creatures entered my Spirit Eyes range.

I knew that if I fight against that many, I would surely suffer.

Without hesitation, I quickly run out of the room.

I did not have time to check the condition of that person after hearing what he said back then.

He was actually going to sacrifice me just to escape. Plus, he was talking about my usefulness, even a fool could understand that they were actually planning to get rid of me sooner or later.

Since he has already acted, then he should not blame me for leaving him.

Running down the corridor, I could sense that the group is following the path that Senior Han has taken to get to where I was.

As I observe the movement of those creatures and Senior Han, I could deduce that even if he runs now, he would not be able to escape those creatures. Plus he is heavily wounded right now, so I did not have time to see what happens next as I quickly runs away from this place.

I soon went back to where that Senior Jong was.

As I run, I quickly jump and rolled on the ground as a sword suddenly appear slicing the air right towards my neck.

"Ha! You are a quick one… But this is not your lucky day little boy." That Senior Jong said as he showed a malevolent smile.

I just heaved a deep sigh as I actually have a good impression of this person. However, it turns out that he too as a despicable one just like that Senior Han.

He dashed towards me while wielding his sword.

But I could see that his movement is not as fast as those beasts. So I am able to dodge his strikes easily.

I quickly slashed his side using my blade, but I soon felt a strange sensation blocking my blade.

A dim golden glow actually covered his body as my blade passes through his torso.

"You are quick, I give you that… But you are fighting against a transcendent being… You are not my match little boy." He said with a smirk.

Then he suddenly did some hand signals which registered in my mind.

The hand signal was weird but what made it weirder is the Ether energy flowing inside his body. It was like, the hand signal activated something inside of him and a burst of energy travels from within the center of his body to his blade.

It was truly a magnificent scene that made me became curious about what truly are transcendent beings.

My question did not have any answers this time as Senior Jong quickly made his move.