Life and death (2)

Chapter 9

…

It is normal for some people to fear snakes and I for one am afraid of them. So even though I have my strength and my speed, I'm still scared of such a sight especially a giant one.

My fear and dread added to the fact that I saw it devour a human alive. I even subconsciously swallowed hard.

I could not help but feel my hand shaking while looking at that large black creature which suddenly turns its horrifying sharp gaze towards me. Its eyes seem to glow in the darkness just like an ominous light that spells doom to those that caught its sight.

Suddenly at the corner of my eyes, I saw the tools lying beside a large backpack. I knew that if I wanted to survive this ordeal, I need to get my hand on one of those tools.

As I glance at the snake who is still trying to swallow the man on its throat, I immediately decided to make my move.

I quickly dashed towards the tools but I did dare take my attention off the large snake in the corner of my eyes.

As soon as my figure moved, the snake suddenly jerked as if it was surprised seeing my running figure. Then it shook its head from side to side and the man it just swallowed was thrown out of its gigantic mouth.

The guide, who seems to have already died due to poisoning and suffocation, was slammed into a large tree.

I can even hear a loud cracking sound of bones breaking from that strong impact.

However, I did not dare stop and quickly extended my hand to grab on one of the handles of a multifunctional shovel. The shovel is short and foldable, but it has multifunctional use. It can be used as a saw, a pickaxe, or even a bottle opener.

I knew that this type of shovel is very useful for me.

As soon as I was able to grasp the handle, a smile appears on my face.

I feel a bit excited to finally get my hands on a weapon. At least now I will be able to easily defend myself and even harvesting and gathering food would be easier.

Yet my joy was short-lived, as I soon discover large jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth appearing on the right side of my sight.

It was my negligence and complacency that led me to this situation. I was confident of my speed and agility and look down on the animal that I did not expect it to arrive beside me this fast.

As the snake was about to chump down and maybe bite my body in half, I decided to gamble.

Clenching my right hand into a fist, I suddenly sent a punch towards the snake's head which is almost near my side.

Wham!

It feels like I'm punching a really hard stone as I feel a bit of stinging pain in my hand due to the strong impact.

The snake was startled for a bit but did not stop biting down its large maws. But due to the impact of my punch, its head was tilted to the side and its sharp fangs missed my body and grazed my side as it tore through my already tattered clothes.

I suddenly kicked the head of the snake to distance myself from it.

But the snake responded by swinging its head to meet my kick. My small figure was sent tumbling backward but I was able to gain my balance as I spring my body up in the air.

The snake did not let this chance and suddenly strike once again while my body is still in the air trying to catch me off-guard.

My eyes squinted and with the shovel in my left hand, I quickly transformed it into a pickaxe.

As soon as the large head of the snake drew closer to me, I positioned the pickaxe in the air and my other hand grabbing its handle. Now I am holding it high up with both hands while waiting for the snake's head to draw closer.

In this adrenaline-pumping action, I could see everything in slow motion. I could feel that my agility seem to have improved a lot at this time. And now I can really feel the result of my training.

As soon as the snake tilted its head sideways to take a bit at me, I immediately took the opportunity to smash the pickaxe-transformed-shovel towards one of its eyes.

The sharp end of the shovel easily penetrated the large yet soft eyeballs of the snake and I could feel some liquid splashing all over my face. I did not dare stop at that time as I knew this is my only chance at it is very crucial in defeating the snake.

This is because I knew that I will not be able to hold on for much longer in this strenuous battle. My body was already caught by the snake and I could feel its razor-sharp teeth penetrating my skin.

"Damn you, you monster! Die!" I shouted as I gritted my teeth through the pain.

With a quick move of my hand, I twisted the handle as it folded to the flat side of the shovel. Now I can insert the shovel fully in the snake's head.

The snake has already reacted by tilting its head and opening its mouth due to the pain I have inflicted. However, how could I waste this chance to kill it?

I did not hesitate as I suddenly pushed the shovel deeper into its brain. With my strength at almost 200 kg, the flesh of the snake was easily penetrated by the sharp edge of the folded shovel until the sharp point ended up in its brain. Half of my arm is even inserted inside its large head.

The snake's body suddenly began to convulse while I find myself suddenly flying in the air. Then I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my back as I seem to have hit a tree.

As I closed my eyes in pain, I suddenly saw large words in red.

'Warning toxic substance entering the system… start analyzing… analyzing will be completed in 10… 9… 8…'

'… 3… 2… 1… Analysis complete. Creating anti-venom in the blood… creation complete.'

I did not know what had happened, but I suddenly feel a warm current inside my body. Then those warm currents gradually increase in temperature and I seem to feel my body burning with a high fever. But it did not last long as I soon feel myself recovering from it.

With my eyes close, I could only feel my body slowly recovering. Then I noticed that the Qi I have gathered these past few days in my travel has begun to lessen from 100 to 80. I also saw my constitution becoming lesser from 100% to 90%.

I am glad that it only dropped 10%, this means that my body was not hurt that badly.

Suddenly, I noticed my constitution slowly increased by 1%, and with that my Qi stats was lessened by 1. As it continues, I knew that my Qi is being used to recover my wounds.

I did not further investigate what is happening in my body. As soon as I open my eyes, I directed my gaze at the huge snake which has already stopped twitching as it lies lifelessly on the ground.

"The… shovel…" I thought of getting the shovel, but I thought twice as I knew it would be more disgusting to reach inside that snake's giant head.

From the distance, I suddenly saw a slightly glimmering light. Then I realized that it was the machete that the guide was holding.

"Hmm… Since I saved them, it would not be that bad to get something as compensation, right?" I thought as immediately began to look around after taking the machete on the ground.

With the people passed out around the camp, I immediately decided to get what I needed from the tents. I rummaged through the bags of the men and got myself a pair of clothes my size. Then I also took another multifunctional shovel and also the machete.

"I will need these things…" I muttered as my eyes landed on some canned food on the side.

I felt my mouth suddenly drool as I saw those familiar things. I took two cans and put them on a small rucksack which I took from one of the tents.

I look around and my eyes once again landed on the snake.

"I need to remove this thing from here." I thought…

As soon as I was about to move, I suddenly hear a buzzing sound.

I look around and discover the phone in the pocket of the guide which is now lying dead on the ground beside a tree. I then remember that this person has actually given some people the direction of this place.

"Should I help them? Or…" I shifted my gaze at the young woman sitting on side of a log while her clothes were ruffled revealing a part of her snow-white skin.

"No… if I let those people in this place…" I thought as I suddenly recalled what happened to me and Lin Qiao.

I am not some saint, but I am also not someone who would turn a blind eye if I see something is wrong. I carefully covered the woman's partly exposed body.

My mind feels a bit complicated as I knew that if I help these people, my hands would be smeared with human blood for the first time.

"Those people are scum…" I tried to convince myself of a rational way to deal with those people coming to this place.

I suddenly took the phone and read the message.

'We will be there in 30 minutes, I hope that you would keep those 'merchandise' fresh or the boss will kill you.'

Reading the message, I shifted my gaze at the three women in the camp. Then I heaved a deep sigh and decided to act.

I didn't know if I can really kill a person, but if I wanted to get my revenge, then I need to get used to killing. I know that leaving these kinds of people alive would only spell more doom to others. I have known that ever since I was stabbed to death by my own schoolmates.

With a slightly determined gaze, I look at the possible direction where the people going to this place would take, then I ran as fast as I could.