SSS-Ranked Evolution: Worlds Unbound-Chapter 79: blooming lily (don’t buy)
How is that possible? We haven’t changed movement since—" his eyes were widened in horror, his words cut off the moment he felt a chill run down his spine, "we need to change direction." he urged Ren and without another word, they started moving West instead. It finally seemed they were on the right track and the tension was slowly dissipating. Until.
They meet the marked tree again.
"Shit. It is an illusion." he broke the news and drew out his shuriken, prompting Ren to draw his blade, anything could strike, and even he began to feel that chill. He could hear the rustling of the leaves and the sound of the earth being stepped upon. Then a grotesque laugh and coo, like a little demonic girl had found something to play with. Something to play with.
"Oh I’m gonna shit my pants." Ren muttered to himself, his teeth were knocking, but he tried to keep a serious face. Even Luna was seriously uncomfortable as they waited for whatever it could be to strike them.
But nothing came.
The chill in the air had died, and it felt like they were alone. The relaxed slightly, Ren putting his sword back, "why does this forest have to be so damn creepy? Why can’t we—" with a scream erupting from his throat, Ren was thrown down to the ground with a hideous creature trying to bite at his neck. Von moves fast enough, gripping his kunai and stabbing it straight into the eye socket of the monster.
It let out an ear-piercing screech, giving Ren enough time to roll away and while it bled and raged in pain, it called the rest of its sisters to teach the boys a lesson.
"It doesn’t get any better from here!" Ren rushed to his feet to put his back against Von, as the creatures surrounded them.
The creatures emerged from the shadows with a sickening gait, its twisted limbs jerking as though controlled by invisible strings. Its skin was pale and stretched tightly over its skeletal frame, veins pulsating underneath like worms writhing just beneath the surface. The faint glisten of moisture clung to its flesh, giving it an almost oily appearance.
Its head was grotesquely elongated, with clumps of dark, matted hair falling over its hollow eye sockets. One eye socket gushed black, tar-like blood where Von’s kunai had struck, but the other eye glowed a malevolent red, scanning the area with eerie precision. Its mouth was the worst of all—far too wide for its face, filled with rows of jagged, needle-like teeth that jutted out in every direction. Its jaw hung unnaturally low, twitching and snapping in anticipation, as though tasting the air for its next victim.
A laugh, high-pitched and warped, echoed from its throat. The sound was unnatural, like a chorus of children’s giggles distorted by madness. It sent chills racing down Ren’s spine. And then came more. From the shadows surrounding them, similar laughs rose in a cacophony of terror, each one slightly different yet all equally spine-chilling.
The creatures moved with a grotesque fluidity, their bodies contorting and twisting in ways that defied human anatomy. Long, clawed hands dragged along the ground as they advanced, their movements jerky yet disturbingly deliberate. They scuttled on all fours, their spindly legs bending at odd angles, and when they stopped, they rose onto their hind legs with a predator’s poise, their elongated torsos swaying slightly as though savouring the fear in the air.
Their scent was unbearable, a mix of decaying meat and sour sweat, and with every step, they exuded a sticky, black ichor that hissed faintly when it hit the ground.
Their behaviour was horrifyingly alien. One tilted its head sharply to the side, the motion so quick it was like a snap of bone. Its jaw trembled as it let out another burst of that deranged laughter, drool mixed with ichor dripping from its teeth. Another clawed at the earth, dragging deep furrows into the ground as if savouring the thought of tearing flesh apart.
As the circle tightened around Ren and Von, the largest of the creatures stepped forward, its claws clicking against the rocks with a deliberate, menacing rhythm. It opened its maw wide, wider than seemed possible, and from deep within its throat came a sound—a low, guttural growl that rose into a scream so sharp and piercing it made their ears ring.
The creatures lunged first, their grotesque forms jerking unnaturally as they swarmed forward. Ren swung his blade with precision, aiming for the nearest one’s limb, severing it with a wet crunch. But the creature retaliated, its claws slicing through the air, forcing Ren to shift back just in time. The wind from its swipe grazed his cheek, sharp and chilling.
Von, nimble as ever, dodged another creature’s attack with a fluid roll, springing up to deliver a backflip kick that connected with a sickening crack to the monster’s jaw. He landed beside Ren, their backs pressing together instinctively, each taking a defensive stance.
"Luna! Strike!" Ren commanded, his voice sharp and firm.
The wolf crouched low, her fur bristling as sparks of lightning crackled along her form. In one explosive leap, Ren and Von shot high into the air just as Luna unleashed a devastating wave of lightning that surged outward in a blinding flash. The electrified wave tore through the swarm, sending the monsters sprawling, their grotesque screams echoing through the forest.
Ren and Von landed on the ground with a thud, breathing hard but focused. The momentary reprieve was just that—momentary. The sisters were relentless, clawing back to their feet with unnatural speed. One rushed for Von, its limbs a blur of jagged motion.
Ren didn’t hesitate. He stepped in front of Von, intercepting the creature’s attack with his sword. Sparks flew as metal met claw, and with his free hand, Ren released a blast of raw energy that sent the creature flying backward into a tree, shattering its bark.
"They just won’t die." Von muttered, already activating his own power. His ninja stars gleamed with an otherworldly light, coming alive in his hands. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a flurry of stars that whirled through the air like tiny whirlwinds of death. They tore into the creatures, delaying their advance but never stopping them entirely.
"We need to move!" Ren shouted, his voice tight with urgency. They would be overpowered if they didn’t run.
They bolted. Luna took the lead, her sleek form cutting through the dense forest like a shadow, her glowing eyes scanning for the safest path. The creatures gave chase, their grotesque laughter and the sound of claws tearing into the earth growing louder behind them.
The race was pure adrenaline, the forest a blur of shadows and flickering moonlight. Occasionally, one of the monsters would dart ahead, intercepting their path. Ren would summon his energy force, blasting them back with devastating precision, while Von’s razor-sharp ninja stars found their targets with deadly accuracy.
But the creatures were relentless, coming in waves. Their shrieks and distorted laughter were deafening. Then, from above, one of them leaped down from the trees, its claws outstretched, aiming straight for them.
Luna didn’t falter. Her tail ignited with brilliant flashes of lightning, and with one powerful sweep, she roasted the creature mid-air. Its charred body crashed into the ground, but the victory was short-lived. More began to drop from the canopy like grotesque spiders, their claws clicking as they descended in terrifying synchronization.
"Split up!" Ren yelled. He didn’t wait for a response, veering off to the right as Von and Luna took another path.
The forest seemed darker now, the air thicker. Ren kept running, his senses sharp, every instinct screaming at him to stay alive. A monster suddenly emerged from the shadows, leaping in front of him with its razor-sharp limbs poised to skewer him. With a fluid motion, Ren slid under it, the creature’s claws missing him by inches.
It was in slow motion.
He didn’t stop, his boots pounding against the earth as he darted through the trees. But then he skidded to a halt.
They were everywhere. Surrounding him.
The sisters moved in unison, their distorted laughter echoing through the air, their glowing red eyes fixed on him. Ren tightened his grip on his sword, his chest heaving.
"Shit." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
The creatures lunged, their distorted forms hurtling toward him with inhuman speed. Ren was ready. His blade gleamed in the dim light as it intercepted their attacks, slashing through jagged limbs and tearing into their grotesque bodies. Their snarls and shrieks filled the air, but he pushed forward, his focus razor-sharp.
"You guys must be half brained if you think I’m going to let you kill me!" he growled, his voice tight with determination.
One of the monsters slammed into him with brute force, sending his sword flying from his grip. Ren stumbled but didn’t falter. His training with Hanabi kicked in, muscle memory guiding his movements. As another creature rushed him, claws slicing through the air, Ren sidestepped and countered with a powerful elbow strike to its face, the crunch of bone echoing in his ears.
