"Let's gut them..."

As he spoke, his silver eyes carried a strong desire to cut the little wriggling snake-humans into bits. There were hostility and resentment in that glowering gaze. An alarming aura could be sensed emanating from the slender figure. Delicate hands curled around the hilt of his sword.

The youth's words brought a smile from the lord's face. There was a slight satisfaction in them. Hadrian brought his sword before him and pointed it at the neck of the naga leader. His actions were a threatening act. Golden eyes coldly gleamed with viciousness. The smile on his face abruptly fell.

Enraged, the naga leader hissed loudly. His slit eyes glowed with ferocity and outrage. He clashed his spear on Hadrian's, the clashing metal resounded in the air. Hadrian withdrew his sword as he signaled Moulin and Ordan to prepare for battle.

No matter what, they were going to come out alive.

Moulin readied himself. His body positioning in a fighting stance. He eyed the leering gazes of the nagas around him. He internally sighed. It's a pity. If they weren't such jerks then perhaps they could come to an agreement. Honestly...

Spears at the ready, the nagas gradually slithered closer to them. Silver eyes narrowed dangerously as he braced himself for the incoming attack of the enemy.

Hiss!

A sudden hiss caught the attention of the nagas. Their heads turned towards the trees behind the naga leader. Hadrian and the others paused their movements as they wondered about the situation. There was a male naga warrior that hastily approached the bags leader. Shifting his attention from Hadrian's company to the young naga behind him, the naga leader listened to the report of the young naga. The young naga didn't appear fierce or terrifying at all. Instead, he looked like a young man, curious about the wonders of the world.

Moulin's eyes narrowed.

If one wouldn't look closer, they would miss the softness of the naga leader's gaze at the young naga. There was a hint of love and pride. Moulin couldn't mistake it. It was the same look his father would give him.

Blood-related. Father and son perhaps

Within the silence, only the sounds of hissing could be heard. Their conversation lasted shortly before the naga leader's expression turned confused. As if he had heard something unusual and surprising at the same time. Moulin could not determine the subject of their discussion.

As the young began to look hesitant and objected to the leader's order. The elder naga hissed at him because of his refusal. Left with no choice, the young naga lowered his head and only ordered three naga warriors to send them away to examine the site he saw as they disappeared within the trees.

When silence descended in the clearing once again, the leader returned his gaze to the three irksome maeruthans his man had surrounded. His glance shifted to the female maeruthan. Indeed, those eyes and those features were one of a kind. They shined like precious diamonds under the sun. She would be a wonderful bride for his son. Unknown to his father's thoughts, he remained sullen with a frown on his face.

"You are leading your men to their death..."

Everyone snapped their gazes to the golden-eyed man whose expression was exceptionally grave. Everyone was confused by his words. Everyone except one.

The young naga beside his father stopped. His eyes, wide in surprise. Truly, he didn't know that the man could understand them. Does he truly understand the tongue of his people?

Curious and cautious by the golden-haired man's words, the naga spoke briefly to his father before approaching the man.

"What do you mean by that?" The young naga spoke.

"!!!" Moulin's eyes widened in shock. He spoke the Auronian language? There was shock in his eyes as he glanced at Hadrian.

"Devil worm nest" It was Ordan who answered as he took a step closer behind the Hercullian lord. "Beyond those trees, is the best of the devil worms. If you dare to disturb the nest. Their mother will return all you will bring death to your people..."

The young naga widened his eyes. He quickly whipped his head and shouted orders to the men around him. Confusion filled the naga leader's expression as he watched his men confusingly questioning. Grasping the shoulders of his father, the young naga spoke few words about the explanation Ordan gave to him. His father froze once he learned of the creatures that nested not far from where they stood. Fear engulfed his being and he began to turn around and chase the men that went after the nest before shouting commands to the rest of his men to guard their captives.

Witnessing the unusual shift of the atmosphere and the strange expression of the nagas surrounding them, Moulin lowered his blade but not his awareness. Ordan's warning seemed to trouble them more than their captives. He glanced at the young naga who was sweating with a pale face.

"Ah..."

He truly was inexperienced in the field. The tremble of the grip of his spear was obvious. An idea emerged in Moulin's mind. If they could take that naga as a hostage, the leader would have no choice but to set them free. The strong love present in the father's eyes was proof of the possibility of turning the tables around. They could escape.

Moulin glanced at Hadrian who also met his eyes. Both their gazes squinted slightly as if in understanding. After a few seconds, there was amusement in the man's expression which made Moulin frowned.

Since only half of the group's men were around, Moulin felt a slight advantage. He was pretty confident of taking down ten of them. Although without his powers, perhaps it would be less.

Suddenly, the earth shook.

A strong earthquake erupted beneath their feet. It was as if there was something that was about to burst beneath them. Caution and surprise etched the naga's expressions. Although they spent their whole lives within these woods, anything that seemed suspicious was life-threatening. The forests were the land of their ancestors and the demons as well. Not a day had gone by without death.

Moulin's expression changed. His eyes shook. It couldn't be...

Feeling the sudden rise of the earthquake beneath him, Moulin and the other stepped away. It was at the center of the clearing?!

"Get back!"

Hadrian yelled as he leaped a couple of steps back.

The nagas retreated to the trees but still refuse to go any further for they had to keep their eyes on the captives. The moment the clearing was vacated, a bulge gradually appeared at the center. There was a web of cracks spreading outwards. Splitting the earth. Shouts of fear resounded in the air.

CRACK!

The earthquakes never ceased. They became stronger and stronger. Moulin's heart pounded as he watched everything unfold before him.

BOOM!

Rocks flew in the air. Rocks as big as boulders descended and crashed on the grounds of the forests. Numerous trees were destroyed by the impact. Dust filled the air like a fog. The destruction was loud.

Moulin shielded his face with his arm, only when he lowered them did he hear a noise akin to thunders and raging beasts. It penetrated through Moulin's bravery and triggered the fear in his heart.

As the dust vanished a terrifying creature rose in the air and roared.

A long creature bellowed. Its skin was scaled and solid. Like an impenetrable armor. Blood red rings decorated Its body like bracelets. Its eyes were unseen but its mouth could wake every bit of fear in one's heart. Rows of sharp teeth filled the insides of Its mouth. Arranged in rings. It filled even the darkest parts of its mouth as if anything alive that would be swallowed by that monster, would be shredded to death.

It was massive. Its height was enormous.

It emerged from the hole at the center of the clearing and when its extraordinarily long body left the hole, a bottomless crater was left on the earth.

The mother devil worm roared at them. The rings of teeth in its mouth were turning like how gears would. It shook Moulin's heart, however, it wasn't the time for that. In this situation, death was possible. Looking at the massive crater on the ground, he shook his head.

No, he will escape fate.

No one decides his fate but him.

"Moulin!"

At the sound of the voice, Moulin turned his head. His eyes met worried golden ones. They were several meters apart. Hadrian stood at the other side of the crater. He was staring at Moulin with concern molding his expression, ignoring the nagas behind him and even the giant worm before him.

"I'm alright!" Moulin responded.

All of a sudden, the worm dive to where Hadrian and the others were. Its open giant mouth chased the little morsels before it. The nagas were quick but the others were unfortunate. Watching their comrades being torn apart inside the monster's mouth, grief and fear gripped their hearts. They feared their death would come so soon.

Watching as the worm chased the others, worry filled his expression. Hadrian would never let something, no matter how large it was, defeat him. Comforting himself, he warily turned his head to his surroundings.

He spotted the trembling naga, the son of the naga leader, behind the trees. He looked as if he was shocked by the events transpiring before him.

Moulin found the right timing. He should capture him now...

His approached. Gradual steps became fast and hasty.

The young naga who was shocked with fear turned his head and watched as a blade came to slice off his neck. It was the silver-eyed female. Death grasped him by the shoulders when everything seems to slow down and the sword neared to cut his skin.

"Tsk!" Moulin narrowed his eyes.

Suddenly the naga, felt slender hands grab his nape and pulled him away. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

Slash!

Green blood splattered. Along with pungent-smelling fluids, strange viscera gruesomely scattered on the earth.

The naga froze. His eyes were staring as the youth cut down a small devil worm with ease. His clothes were drenched with green blood. Silver eyes were like the edge of a sharp knife.

The young naga exhaled.

He was saved by this female...

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