Chapter 202: Chapter 202 - The Tunnels(Part 4)

Point-of-View: Argent Stryker

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"Ugh, I hate fighting big Monsters like these...it’s so hard to avoid getting splattered with blood, or in this case, whatever this disgusting slimy goo is," I frowned apprehensively, as I slashed the neck of a Drill Worm and narrowly avoided its bodily fluids spilling onto me.

So gross...

"I have to agree, I’d have much rather preferred to fight those mole Monsters, or even the ant Monsters would’ve been better than this," Responded Howll in agreement, as he leapt up and evaded getting skewered by the head of one of Drill Worms, before slashing at the back of its head with his claws.

"I think we might have chosen the most difficult tunnel...there are holes everywhere in the ground, walls and ceiling, not to mention that the tunnel is all slimy and smells rancid," Sighed Oberr in disgust, as he fired a massive light blast into the open mouth of one of the Monsters, destroying its insides.

"Well, at least there aren’t that many of them," I replied, as I fired out a blast of flames at one of the Drill Worms.

Since their bodies are slimy, they’re not the most flammable creatures...but while they don’t burn easily, the slimy substance coating their bodies can be boiled.

And based on the way the one I targeted is writhing, it probably hurts like hell. And once the slime evaporates...their bodies then burn like any other.

"M-maybe you should stop using flames...it may be effective, b-but the stench...," Groaned Oberr, gagging as a foul odor wafted out of the burnt corpse.

"Y-yeah, I should’ve figured the smell would be more potent in a narrow space like this...my bad," I replied with a grimace, as the stench stung my eyes, which began watering.

"Well, that takes care of all the worms in this area, at least that we can see...do you sense any more of them?" Inquired Howll, as he shook his hands to try and get the sludge coating it off his fingers.

"Wait, let me check. It’s hard to focus on anything else when my Area Detect is at a high range, so I contracted it a bit," I responded, before concentrating and expanding my sensory Skill again, stiffening as I felt something I really should’ve expected, "Damn it..."

"What is it?" Frowned Oberr warily.

"Well, uh...I can sense Izzy shooting through the tunnel she went in at a rapid speed. She must have gotten bored and decided to go to the end as fast as possible...Larrk’s group is further ahead in their tunnel and almost at the end, since they didn’t have any Monsters to contend with, none that I can sense, anyway. Izzy will probably catch up to them in a few minutes Prysm’s group has made similar progress to ours. And I do sense a few more Drill Worms further up ahead," I surmised with a sigh.

"Then, we better hurry. We don’t want to be the last to reach the end," Grinned Howll, as he made his way forward.

"This isn’t a race, please don’t get careless," Oberr warned him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know!"

I really hope the others are all okay. Larrk’s group is really close to the end of their tunnel, they’re not far from the figure I’ve been sensing in that space at the end of these tunnels. Be safe, little brother, don’t take any unnecessary risks out there...

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Point-of-View: Larrk Stryker

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"This tunnel feels like it’s been stretching on endlessly," Sighed Amber wistfully, looking a bit winded.

"Your stamina is too low for you age...stop slacking off on your training just because you’re talented," Frowned Sinia in response.

"The end shouldn’t be too much farther ahead, just a little more distance and we should be-...," I began, before abruptly freezing in my tracks as a chill ran down my spine, my blood running cold as I felt my chest tighten in fear...

"Why’d you stop? Is something wrong?" Inquired Sinia, as the two of them came to a skidding halt ahead of me.

"W-we...we need to turn back. We can’t go any further...I-I don’t know what’s up ahead, but we don’t stand a chance. We...we have to go...," I stuttered in horror, cold beads of sweat running down my face as I took a step back.

My Thought Communication just picked something up, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before...the first time I sensed Izzy through it, I felt overwhelmed by her presence, but this is on another level entirely.

"Hey, quit kidding around, you’re kinda freaking me out here," Laughed Amber nervously.

"This isn’t a joke...we’ll die if we go any further. We have to-...," I began urgently, before trailing off in horror as I felt the presence I sensed noticing my Thought Communication...before forcibly linking to it...

"What is this...? Some form of telepathy? I know you can hear me...oh, but I don’t know if you can understand me. Well, it doesn’t matter...I’ll kill anyone or anything that bothers me." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"We have to go, NOW-...!" I began to exclaim in alarm, before a gust of wind from up ahead cut me off, and I sensed the terrifying presence right upon us.

"Oh, it’s the race with the cat ears...what were you called again? Hm, I suppose it doesn’t matter...," Came a chilling voice from ahead of us, as an ominous figure loomed over us, before narrowing his eyes at me, "Tch, a human...I had hoped to die in peace without ever laying my eyes on one of you foul creatures ever again. But perhaps getting the opportunity to kill one more human before my life comes to an end will give me some peace of mind. Ohh, how I thoroughly despise your kind. Now, then...die."

In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of me, his right fist drawn back with a sinister glow...

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