The voices around them were getting closer to Xiao and Iva as they continue running away from it.
While Iva was terrified by the mysterious and ominous unknown things that were chasing them, Xiao had seen through the identities of their pursuers with Gamer Eyes.
("Shadow Wisp, Wraith, Imp and even Lesser Banshee. Although their combat level is lower than mine, this numbers of them is seriously a pain in the ass.")
Xiao draws out one of his daggers and throws it with deadly accuracy to a Shadow Wisp nearest to them.
To Xiao surprise, the dagger passes through the Shadow Wisp instead of doing any damage to it.
Xiao waste no time on running an analysis of the Shadow Wisp and other monsters as well.
("Shit! Only magic can kill these things. Now, this is seriously bad!")
Magic was one of Xiao's weak spot. He can't cast anything other than Fire Seed and Ice Droplet, which wasn't considered the basis of magic.
The only weapon that can hurt the monsters around them in Xiao's disposable was the bomb dagger, as it was forged with Elemental Stone. Still, Xiao only crafted a handful of those because the daggers were hard to make.
With Iva by his side and his fighting ability got limited, the situation has turned dire in just a few minutes, right after they entered the forest.
As the duo continues to run, the monsters around them finally caught up to them. They have already got so close that Xiao can even see them without his Gamer Eyes.
Iva sees them as well. The smoke-like Shadow Wisp, a small yet malicious-looking Imp and many more-alike.
Ominous whispering from the Shadow Wisp and Wraith, malicious giggling from the Imp, and screeching from the Lesser Banshee, all of them chased the duo fanatically.
Iva complexion turns pale by the sudden appearance of the monsters altogether. She nearly gets frozen in place because of fear.
"Don't stop now! Keep running!" Xiao yelled as he forcefully pulled Iva forward.
Thanks to Xiao's action, Iva get back to her senses and continue to work on her leg.
Though the monsters still didn't manage to catch up to Xiao and Iva, they show no sign of stopping while Iva has already started gasping for air.
"Huff...Huff...Huff..."
Iva was already panting heavily. Compared to Xiao, who fights against monsters and beasts almost daily, this was her first time encountering monsters and running for her life.
Iva was gradually dropping speed. Her movement also becomes more and more sluggish. The monsters behind her become more aggressive with their pursuit after seeing their prey slowly getting tired.
("Iva can't keep running like this, and these bastards are going to catch up as soon as she stops.")
Xiao throws away the baggage that contains their rations and camping kit as there was no other choice.
"Sorry!"
Before Iva has time to react, Xiao picks Iva up and carry her while continue running.
Iva holds Xiao tightly in his arm. She has put all trust in him with her life.
Thanks to his days in the army and the weight loss from the baggage he had thrown, Xiao managed to pick up more speed as he didn't have to pace himself with Iva anymore.
("But even I will get tired out at this rate, gonna find a way to shake off these guys.")
Just when Xiao was still thinking of a way to break through the crisis, his Gamer Eyes detected a cave not far away from them.
Xiao made up his decision in split seconds to head towards there.
After they enter the cave, Xiao put Iva down and turns his back immediately while pulling out his bomb dagger to face off the monsters.
To his surprise, there was nothing at their back anymore. It appears that the monsters stopped chasing the duo right after they entered the parameter of the cave.
"What the hell? Why did they stop chasing all of a sudden?" Xiao speaks out his thought, confused by the monsters' behaviour.
After making sure there were no more monsters around them, Xiao finally relaxes his nerve and put back his dagger. He also switches off his Gamer Eyes as he almost went past his limit.
Xiao shifts his attention to Iva, who's still couldn't get herself out of anxiousness by the crisis they just had.
"Everything's okay now. Those disgusting things are already gone," says Xiao as he pats her head, trying to calm her down.
"The monsters...they didn't come in here?" asked Iva as she gradually regains her composure.
"Yeah, I think it has something to do with this cave," says Xiao as he looks around.
It was an average cave. Xiao didn't spot anything unusual about it at first until he smells something coming deeper inside.
"Stay behind me," says Xiao to Iva.
He then readies his weapon and starts to move deeper into the cave with full alertness.
As they venture deeper into the cave, the smell of something rotten and foul becomes stronger.
("This awful smell... and why the monsters stop chasing after we came in here. If I'm not wrong...")
"CRACK!"
A loud cracking sound breaks Xiao's concentration. It was heard beneath Xiao's boot.
Xiao reactively looks to the floor.
There were bones all over the floor. More can be seen further in the cave. What Xiao has stepped on was a bone that still has meat on it.
("Just as I thought, this cave is a monster's den.")
Although they were in a monster's home, Xiao remains calm as he senses that the owner of this cave was currently not around.
("It doesn't seem like the owner is at home now. Talk about luck.")
As Xiao continues to look around the cave, he saw something that makes his hair stand.
It was the mysterious footprint.
The freshness and the number of footprints in this cave have led Xiao to conclude that the mysterious monster he will tracking soon live in this cave.
"What's this?"
While checking at the footprint, Xiao comes across some red scales and rugged red furs.
"...Is that!?"
Iva, who was staying close to Xiao, suddenly shouted out loud upon seeing the red scales and furs.
"Whoa! You scare me. What's up?" Xiao asked, puzzled by Iva sudden outburst.
Iva has a fearful look. Her eyes were glued to the red scales Xiao was holding.
And finally, though still shuttering in fear, she speaks out.
"Th-the man-eater."