Chapter 129: Revealing True Colors

Chapter 129: Revealing True Colors

In the oppressive stillness of the night, the unexpected disappearance of companions was an unsettling realization that haunted everyone present.

An astounding thirty-seven individuals had vanished.

Without a trace, without a sound. The weight of their sudden absence hung heavy in the air. In the inky blackness of the forest, vision was limited to mere inches. The environment was eerily quiet, with the only audible sound being the frantic pulsing of heartbeats that seemed to echo menacingly.

"Even the night guards... all three of them have disappeared," a voice trembled amidst the silence.

Tension saturated the atmosphere. With each labored breath, dread thickened, as they pondered if, from the unseen depths, unseen eyes were surveying them, weighing their fates. Several newcomers were overtaken by uncontrollable shivers, the biting cold of fear racing up their backs, making their hairs stand on end. This real-life horror surpassed any fright from a cinematic thriller.

But this wasn't any scripted drama. This was a visceral terror unfolding in real-time.

Dreadful questions plagued their minds: What predatory entity was concealed in the shadows? Would it strike again?

They were no longer on familiar terrain. Whether on a distant planet in an alien galaxy or possibly trapped within a parallel universe, they were faced with unknown dangers.

Suddenly, a mournful sob shattered the oppressive quietude, its chilling timbre amplifying the group's terror. Who is it? What had they witnessed? Amid the rising panic, the group braced themselves, anticipating the unknown horrors that might follow.

The chilling cry echoed again from the forest's depths, pushing everyone to instinctively recoil.

"What's lurking nearby?" A rookie's voice trembled, her regret palpable. "Why did I ever venture into this cursed place?" Her body shook uncontrollably.

Another mournful wail pierced the stillness, even more haunting than before, its tone colder and more ethereal.

"It's merely a mourning bird," an experienced explorer calmly noted. His prior visits to the area equipped him with the knowledge that helped stabilize the group's mounting panic. "We're not being haunted by phantoms."

However, he silently acknowledged a grim reality: the mournful cries of such birds were often drawn to the scent of fresh blood. Given the unsettling disappearances, he dreaded imagining the possible fates of the vanished. The night, fraught with anxiety, allowed little rest. Everyone was on edge, acutely aware of their unfamiliar and perilous surroundings. But as the first light of dawn began to break, it heralded a much-needed respite from the enveloping darkness.

Several newcomers exhaled deeply. The night had tested their limits, mentally and emotionally, with the abrupt loss of so many of their peers. As daylight permeated their surroundings, the grip of fear and anxiety loosened.

"We need to search the area," Zhao Qinghan suggested, hoping to uncover any remnants or clues from the enigmatic events of the night. The lingering unknown was a pressing weight on everyone's minds.

New Arts Master Yang Lin finally stirred. Despite his unparalleled prowess, he had yet to exert his might in this bewildering situation. Eager to get to the bottom of the mysterious events, he made his move.

Wang Xuan, gripping his long blade, began heading towards the forest's edge.

"Wang Xuan!" Zhao Qinghan's voice held a note of concern. The incident had occurred in just one night, and it was under her leadership that everyone had come. She bore the weight of responsibility and was especially worried for her old classmate.

Around them, several people wore expressions of unease.

Uninterested in the drama, Wang Xuan simply lay down beside Zhao Qinghan and soon drifted into sleep. However, in the dead of night, Wang Xuan was jolted awake. Expanding his spiritual senses, he searched intently for the source of unease. To his astonishment, the threat emanated from the sky above.

Hovering about a hundred meters above were shadowy figures, grotesquely humanoid in appearance. Their prominent fangs, chilling gaze, and monstrous demeanor set them apart. With human faces, animalistic bodies, and leathery wings, these beings silently approached, their intent evident in their menacing countenance. Eventually, these creatures clung to the tree branches, exuding a green mist below. It was evident that this was a type of toxin meant to render humans unconscious.

Acting swiftly, Wang Xuan flicked stone after stone, hitting several people's faces as a silent warning. Many, as it turned out, were already on high alert, anticipating another encounter with these carnivorous creatures. The group's emotions teetered between fear and anger. These monsters had evidently followed them, viewing them as delectable prey. Even the repellent fruit juice hadn't deterred them. As the moonlight revealed the creatures more clearly, their horrifying features became evident: largely human faces with protruding fangs, sunken eyes, bat-like wings, feline bodies covered in black fur that allowed them to blend seamlessly into the darkness, and razor-sharp claws.

“Attack!”

As these silent predators descended, intending to snatch some of their group, the adventurers unleashed a barrage of strikes with their long blades. Splashes of crimson marked the night as several of these monsters were felled, their forms collapsing onto the forest floor.

The creatures' tactic of using the cover of darkness and toxins suggested they didn't have a clear advantage over the group. When their true nature was revealed, the group's fear lessened. They weren't confronting actual demons, so what was there to fear? A burning resolve to retaliate ignited among them.

Wang Xuan brandished his sword with deadly efficiency, cutting down four creatures in quick succession.

“Leader-level monsters are among them!” a voice shouted, moments before its owner was savagely torn apart.

Two formidable beasts, presumably a male and female, displayed unmatched brutality. Once their positions were disclosed, they launched a fierce onslaught.

“Circle them and strike!” commanded Zhao Qinghan, signaling the Master of the New Arts, Yang Lin, to lend his expertise. Other seasoned fighters were already clashing with these dominant foes.

Several from their ranks charged, aiming to subdue the monstrous duo. In the heat of the battle, Wang Xuan was relentless. The ground around him became a pool of crimson as he slew creature after creature. Yet amidst this chaos, he went unnoticed. Everyone was deeply engrossed in their personal duels, fending off their airborne adversaries. One of the pack leaders, seeing Wang Xuan's onslaught, made a swooping dive towards him. Evading Wang Xuan's strike at the last moment, it abruptly redirected its attention towards Zhao Qinghan, swiftly capturing her.

Fortuitously, Zhao was clad in elite protective armor, which shielded her from immediate harm.

Nearby, Zheng Rui's face was drained of color. Although he yearned to save Zhao Qinghan from the menacing beast, paralyzing fear held him back, prompting a hasty retreat.

The creature, unable to subdue Zhao instantly, spread its vast wings and ascended, silhouetted against the moon, its ascent so forceful that it splintered the surrounding treetops.

Under the shimmering moonlight, Zhao Qinghan's flowing hair framed a pallid face marked by vulnerability. She cast a despairing glance downward, her lips moving without uttering a scream, only a faint sigh escaping. Her poignant and ethereal beauty, as she was taken, left an indelible mark on all who watched.

Zheng Rui, overwhelmed with guilt, averted his gaze. The rest clutched their alloy blades, weighed down by a crushing sense of powerlessness.

Out of the blue, a silhouette darted upwards. Wang Xuan, who had been determinedly trying to bridge the distance, adeptly scaled a towering tree. Launching himself with remarkable agility, he managed to grasp onto Zhao Qinghan's ankle.

From the ground, a collective gasp rose. The audacity displayed at this crucial moment caught everyone off guard. Recognizing Wang Xuan, their previous perceptions of him shattered. In that selfless act of bravery, he had earned the respect and admiration of all.

The color drained from Zheng Rui's face, a mix of remorse and sorrow. He held little hope for Zhao Qinghan's return; history was a cruel reminder that none ever survived these monsters in the forbidden realm.

The creature, with its haunting speed, ascended into the night. Its eerie silhouette against the moon gave it a chilling, almost demonic aura. With its captives in tow, it vanished into the horizon.