If one were to divide the inhabitants of this world into two groups, it would be humans and monsters.

Monsters, in general were viewed as a threat by humanity, thus prompting a conflict between them.

If one was to make a comparison, it was akin to an eternal struggle between predators and prey.

Though it is rare, some monsters simply wish to be left in peace….

….while others only want to satisfy their insatiable desire to consume.

The wandering monster with lower body of a serpent, the Naga, was no different.

The hunting grounds were vast, but until today, the monsters had to settle for animals and low quality meat. But now, a scent of a human being was within reach.

A certain female Naga saw this as a chance to prey upon this human.

Naga: ‘Finally, finally, the smell of a human!’

Naga: ‘Before anyone else gets to it, the prey must be mine!’

Her powerful poison would paralyze the human’s body while her tail would constrict around her prey, preparing the human to be swallowed whole.

Naga: ‘Taste of a human being…nothing else can compare! If I can smell it, I am sure the others would have noticed by now….I need to get to it before Naga Lords do….otherwise, I will not stand a chance’

The society of Naga was based upon how many arms they possessed.

This Naga, by the name of Yan, possessed only two arms, making her the lowest ranked among the Naga society.

Naga, as a rule, operated alone, but every now and then, they would gather in one spot for tribal gatherings.

Naga Lords were the ones who had the most influence in their society; the more arms the higher the rank. The one who sits at the top is said to have ten arms.

Naga: ‘If a Naga Lord gets there first….I will go hungry again’

Unlike a demon, Naga were immune to nearly all of their weaknesses and were generally considered physically stronger, but unlike demons, Naga did not possess regenerative ability. Instead, they relied mostly upon their brute strength and potent poison.

Naga: ‘I see him….my prey…sleeping out in the open…’

The people she chose to target were a sleeping human who resembled a samurai and another person who kept his head low and eyes closed.

Naga: ‘Finally, my prey, you will be mine!’

With her fangs extended and mouth wide open, Naga lunged towards her prey with the full intent to kill.

But at the moment she was only three meters away from sleeping Nagare, Naga felt a sensation of dread passing through its tail.

Her instincts were screaming ‘Run away or you will die!’

Naga: ‘What is this? This fear….I don’t see any other monster here…Then why do I feel like if I come any closer, I will perish?’

She slithered a little closer, but the cold sensation did not wane, it only intensified.

As a cold blooded creature, Naga was extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, but it was not the cold coming from the outside, but the cold that was spreading from within.

Suddenly, the man sleeping beside the samurai opened one of his charcoal black eyes, looking at the Naga with a bored expression, before closing it again.

As for Naga, she felt sweat dripping down her face.

Naga: ‘He should be just a human…but…’

At the moment when his black eye cast its gaze upon her, the Naga knew that if she tried to attack this samurai, she would be forfeiting her life.

Unlike humans, monsters have adapted their instincts to sense the presence of death, or more accurately the killing intent.

Killing intent emanated by other monsters usually carries a sensation that can be described as hot to the touch.

Naga: ‘But that thing’s killing intent…it was as cold as ice’

As a defense mechanism, monsters could feel each other’s killing intent to gauge each other’s strength and to avoid a scuffle that could potentially lead to their death.

And from that strange man’s killing intent, Naga knew that she had to retreat; otherwise, she would meet a true monster.

Naga: ‘That man is not a human. A human being could not have such massive killing intent’

Naga: ‘Rather than a human, it felt more like a monster marking his territory. Could it be…the samurai is that monster’s prey?’

Naga: ‘I need to get out of here! This monster….he is too dangerous for me!’

Unfortunately, she was not the only Naga that was hunting here. A male Naga, a foolish one at that, started to slither towards sleeping Nagare and Shoyo.

Male Naga: “A Prey! I can taste it, the aroma of your blood…I will have you now!”

What this foolish snake did not realize was just what kind of monster was right beside that human being.

And that monster was far scarier than any Naga Lord….

* * *

Nagare: “*Yawn* Hmm? This smell…*Turns around* What are you cooking, Shoyo?”

Shoyo: “Just a little fried snake, wanna have some?”

Nagare: “Don’t’ mind if I do”

Nagare: ‘Fried snake? There is no way that size of meat comes from a snake, he must be joking, right?’

If only Nagare witnessed the sheer carnage that occurred during the night while he slept….

Only thing left of the male Naga were countless patches of scattered scales and the meat that was fried and eaten.

Nagare: “Did something happen?”

Shoyo: “Nope, everything is good, partner. Have some snake rolls”

Nagare: “Thanks”