As we entered the forest once more towards Elizabeth. I glanced over my shoulder, and the three young butchers seem to have slowed down.
KWAARARARAKKK
Thick branches and large portions of dirt flew in the air in the distance behind the young butchers. The crazy mother had entered the plains, and it had its sights set on us. RUN!
Is it just me, or did that thing look bigger than usual? I'm imagining things, right?
"Kon, please tell me I'm imagining things. Did that creature just get larger?" I asked Kon with ragged breaths as we ran full tilt.
"Biiigggerrr...scarrieerrrr...stronggeerrr..." Kon replied in a monotone.
"Well, that's just great!" I replied sarcastically. I shouldn't be trying to have a conversation when we're running; it's hard to breathe.
"Raaat...not...greaaaat...butcher...eaaat...usss...thaat...noottt..greaaattt..." Kon replied, not understanding my sarcasm.
Of course, it is not great! We're going to die! I wanted to explain to Kon what sarcasm was, but the Butcher mother took priority. I simply nodded my head at his response.
SHWIP. SHWIP.
Stop that! Damned webs! I almost tripped, trying to dodge the last one. Why the hell are the spiders here capable of shooting their webs that far?! The only spider I knew from Earth that could pull off that feat existed only in the comics!
SHKWAAAHHHH!!
The young butchers behind us screeched in frustration as we successfully evaded their attempts to hinder us. Just focus and dodge. We're going to reach Elizabeth.
"Kon, how close are we?" I asked, minding my surroundings, so I don't bump or trip on anything.
"Faaarrr...very..." Kon replied, skittering over obstacles with ease.
That's not good. We have the speed to escape. The only problem we had was that we had limited stamina. If we manage to be exhausted before reaching Elizabeth, we will end up inside one of those cocoons.
Gulp. This is very bad. Can we reach her? If only I had a map function from my system, too, I could have known if we could reach or not. No, it's too early right now to decide if we should run or fight. I need more time to assess the situation.
Yes, the current situation is dire, but if I don't call the shots properly, the slim chances of us surviving will plummet to zero. I clicked my tongue in frustration.
A small clearing came up ahead of us with little to no obstacles. Good, I can safely look back without tripping over something.
I glanced over my shoulder and found that we had more company chasing us. The former three nestlings that were chasing us increased to eight. That would mean more webs to dodge. Shit.
I couldn't help but curse inwardly. More of them meant the higher the chances of them catching us. Our speed would be hindered, and that was our only edge against the mother. If we slowed down even by a small amount, then eventually, they'll catch up.
Think, Vaeden. Think. They're almost the same size as me. We can't try to go through tight spaces to slow them down. No, even if we do, the Butcher mother would just bulldoze through and open a path for her nestlings.
Next, should we try to lose them? With my anklets, I can temporarily blind them, and within that time span, we could change directions. There are two problems with this plan.
Kon can't cover his eyes, and he'll essentially be running blind. The second I don't have a clue on how to circulate mana into the damn anklet. The other nestlings behind the mother might also be shielded from the blinding light they would keep track of us, and we wouldn't be able to shake them off successfully.
We exited the small clearing and entered the dense forest once more. This is taking a toll on my brain. I need to focus on dodging obstacles constantly while thinking of a plan to properly escape. The highest success rate of the three plans is meeting up with Elizabeth, and we're not even sure if we can make it in time.
Jump. Move right. Move left. Jump again. Keep running. Duck. Move left. Left again. Don't bump into Kon. Fallen log up ahead, go under. Good. Keep moving. I couldn't form proper coherent thoughts to strategize due to the sheer amount of information I'm taking in.
If I lose focus for a moment, I will lose my speed. I need to slow things down so I could take things in properly. Oh, wait!
「You have Activated Quick Thinking」
「Quick Thinking: Your ability to create plans on the spot has hastened. Your perception of time has slowed down. 」
Better. Now I can think properly. Gauge my abilities. How long will my stamina last before I give in to exhaustion? 30 minutes? Maximum 45 minutes. 1 hour if I get a few minutes to rest, but that would be wishful thinking. Alright, let's focus on 30 minutes.
Dodge left. Dodge right. Go right again. Right again. Right again. Are they trying to separate us? Kon constantly slithered to the left while I went in the opposite direction. Shit.
I cursed again. I was going to ask Kon about the distance if we can tell me specifically, but that plan went to shreds. How do I gain information now? Think. Harder.
「Quick Thinking Proficiency Increased: Level 1 > Level 2」
「Your perception of time has become even slower.」
The world around me began to lose a bit of its color. Everything around me was passing by approximately 50% slower. What the? An unexpected blessing!
I have more time to think. Now, how do I get the information I need. I must get near Kon, but that would be dangerous. If I get hit by one of the webs, I'm dead. How many are there behind me?
Medium stone. Small log. Thorny bush. Webs incoming to my right. Before looking back, I quickly took into account the incoming obstacles that I needed to dodge so I can move my body beforehand. I glanced behind me, and the eighteen nestlings increased to thirty. A few remained behind the Butcher mother as she cleaved down trees left and right.
Alright, look in front. The situation becomes direr and direr as more time passes. Kon was a good distance away from me but not distant enough that he wouldn't hear me through the loud trampling of the forest behind us.
"Kon! How far!" I shouted. This would reduce the air I breathed in.
"F...a....r..." Kon replied. This damned centipede didn't even try to shout. Fortunately, my hearing was good, so I was able to hear it. The information he gave me was vague. I needed specific information.
"Exactly how far!" I asked again.
"Y.....e.....s...?" What do you mean, yes?! That's not an answer?! Kon was only adding more burden to my mind. It was almost impossible to ask for specific information. Why did I even expect that of Kon?
A nestling came close, and thankfully due to my hearing and its constant screeching, I was able to notice it amidst the loudness of the background. Before it could even strike, I quickly sent my tail in a stabbing motion and landed a clean hit on its head. Piercing it through its eyes and directly withering its brain.
「You have slain a Nestling Butcher Tarantis」
「You have earned experience.」
「You are on the verge of evolution.」
「Your body grows stronger.」
Its limp body rolled on the ground and hindered some of its siblings. Unlike last time, they didn't stop to feast on their dead brethren. They stepped over him like a fleshy obstacle that did nothing but hindered their path.
The sound of wet footsteps filled my ears as I continued to run. 19 minutes of stamina left. I steadied my rough breathing. I'll have less time if I don't stabilize my breathing.
I need to somehow find a way to know the distance between us and Elizabeth. Yes, it's far, but exactly how far? Far enough to reach within 19 minutes? I need an answer to that question.
The familiar rosy aroma that emanated from my blight tickled my nose. The air was moving with us, and it blew the smell towards me before blowing against us gently, leaving only a faint scent.
That's it! Smell! I have been trying to rely on Kon for information. Why didn't I try to track her myself?! I began to focus on the scent in the air. Elizabeth smelled exactly like the forest, but there was one thing that made her scent unique.
She was wearing the bracelets I gave her, and it gave off a faint metallic smell whenever it's used.
「Keen Senses Proficiency Increased: Level 2 > Level 3」
「Your senses have grown sharper.」
The earthy smell of the forest intermixed with the rosy aroma of my blight. The scent of ichor and putrid insect blood and the smell of unearthed soil that the dancing wind carried.
Focus more. Kon's musky slowing toxin, I could smell it vividly. The webs also had a subtle sweet smell to them.
Even more. The anklets I wore also gave off the familiar metallic scent. Find that scent hidden in the air. Like a rat trying to find cheese, find Elizabeth.
...
...
...
There you are.