Chapter 22: The Descends of the Monsters

The “Monsters” Descend

Luo Ling lay hidden on the old locust tree at the village entrance, his sharp gaze sweeping over the mountain road ahead.

The fog was thick, visibility was low.

This made keeping watch difficult, but it also provided excellent cover.

Time passed slowly, each second stretching into eternity.

Luo Ling’s heart was in his throat, his palms slick with sweat.

He gripped his hunting bow tightly, arrow nocked and ready to fire at any moment.

Suddenly, a faint sound—different from the wind—reached his ears.

Luo Ling tensed, holding his breath, carefully discerning the source.

The sound was light, like many people in soft-soled shoes moving swiftly along the slippery mountain path.

And there were many of them!

They’re here!

His heart pounded.

He cautiously poked his head out, peering through the fog.

Faint, shadowy figures appeared on the mountain road.

They moved fast, agile and silent, closing in on the village.

The shapes were varied—some stood upright like wolves, covered in black fur with eyes gleaming ghostly green.

Some resembled giant lizards, rough-skinned, crawling on all fours, hissing from their mouths.

Others were even stranger, as if formed from condensed shadows, flickering and unstable.

“Monsters…”

Luo Ling whispered, eyes grave.

Though he’d never seen a real Monster before, the cold, evil aura they exuded left him no doubt of their danger.

Samuel’s prophecy… had it really come true?

Had darkness truly descended?

But something felt off.

The “Monsters” moved swiftly, but with… discipline?

Not chaotic like wild beasts.

Their target was clear—Crescent Moon Village.

There was no time to think.

The “Monsters” had already reached the village entrance.

“Enemies! On guard!”

Luo Ling shouted sharply, trying to wake the sleeping villagers.

Yet his voice seemed partly swallowed by the fog, coming out weak.

The “Monsters” had noticed him.

A Wolf-shaped Monster let out a low roar and lunged at the old locust tree!

Luo Ling’s eyes turned cold.

Without hesitation, he released the bowstring.

“Whoosh!”

The arrow sliced through the air, flying straight for the Wolf-shaped Monster’s eye!

“Awwooo!”

The Wolf-shaped Monster howled, the arrow piercing its eye, and crashed to the ground, twitching before going still.

A perfect hit.

Luo Ling wasted no time.

He leapt from the tree, drawing the short knife at his waist.

More “Monsters” charged, surrounding him.

Luo Ling took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

He knew he had to hold these things back, to buy time for the villagers to escape—especially Eve!

He no longer concealed his strength.

Moving like a phantom among the Monsters, he alternated between bow and knife.

Each strike was met with a scream and a fallen Monster.

His actions were swift and deadly, carrying the ruthlessness of a battle-hardened warrior.

It was the instinct forged from countless brushes with death.

The power he had always hidden—despite being only eight years old.

But there were too many Monsters.

For every one he killed, two or three more closed in.

Their attacks varied—claws, fangs, even sprays of corrosive liquid.

Luo Ling began to tire.

Wounds appeared on his body.

A claw tore through his arm, deep enough to expose bone.

Blood gushed out instantly.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled a red Blood-stopping Potion from his cloth pouch, bit open the bottle, and poured it over the wound.

A fierce sting followed, but the bleeding stopped quickly.

“Roar!”

A particularly massive Giant Lizard Monster charged Luo Ling!

He couldn’t dodge in time.

He was sent flying, slamming into the ground and coughing up blood.

Damn it!

He struggled to rise, but the Giant Lizard Monster opened its bloody jaws, bearing down on him!