I paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to approach that thing in front of me. But, thinking it over, was this really an anomaly? From my perspective, all I could see was an octopus head. However, given its structure, it was possible that this creature had some sort of humanoid body hidden deep within.
To be honest, my doubt stems from the simple fact that this place doesn't seem to be what it appears. For example, no matter how deep I go, I probably won't ever reach the bottom. In fact, maybe this place doesn't even have a bottom, since the space around me seems to expand the further I go down.
That's exactly why I can't tell if this giant monster is really close to me or not. Its tentacles reach where I am, but wouldn't that just be because its body is massive? Honestly, it's hard to be sure. Still, it's not like I don't have a plan.
I wasn't about to just stand there and wait for this thing to get tired after hours of trying to crush me. To be honest, I'm surprised by how resistant this bone armor is. Of course, it's not like the method I used to defeat that skeletal wolf was exactly conventional—after all, I just sliced it in half.
But, from any angle, this same technique didn't seem feasible against this thing. First, because I didn't even know its exact size. Also, I'd need to get it into the portal and then close it, and that probably wouldn't work. After all, this thing seems to have some level of intelligence.
Lost in thought for long enough, I didn't notice one of the creature's tentacles creeping up behind me. It wasn't until I felt something wrapping around my foot that I looked down. I blinked in surprise as I saw the smoking tentacle gripping tightly around my foot. Before I could react, it spun me through the air, leaving me upside down.
I didn't feel any pain since the bone armor still covered my body. However, I had to admit that position was far from comfortable... not that I could feel discomfort, but that's beside the point. Upside down, I was seriously confused, trying to figure out what this thing was trying to do.
I noticed another tentacle approaching and followed its movement with my sharp golden eyes, keeping track of its motion. It coiled around my neck and then started pulling me downward while the tentacles on my leg tried to pull me up.
(...Okay, this is when I start panicking)
Confirming my thoughts, I began to struggle, trying to break free from the tentacles that seemed determined to stretch me like a noodle. However, strength wasn't exactly my strong suit. Just look at my arms—they're as flimsy as jelly, and I'm far from looking muscular. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'd lose a strength contest to a rabbit.
That said, it wasn't like I had no tricks up my sleeve. The only question was whether they'd actually work. But, honestly, did I have any other choice? The creature kept watching me from a distance, its eyes glowing like headlights, slightly narrowed, probably waiting for the exact moment when my body would snap in half.
Honestly, even if it did split me in half, I doubt it would actually kill me. I've had my arm ripped off before, and despite the weird sight, I didn't feel any sign that I was about to meet my maker... Wait, do anomalies even have creators? Although scientists have tried to prove this theory, it seems kind of crazy. How strong would the entity that created anomalies have to be? Probably something on a completely unreal level.
To be honest, I think I've been rambling for too long. Also, it's not very comfortable thinking about other things when giant eyes are staring at you. And as if that wasn't enough, another tentacle was coming closer. If one more joined in, things could really get complicated. When the tentacle tried to latch onto my foot, I opened a portal right in front of it. The tentacle charged straight in, and the moment it did, I simply closed the portal, cutting it in half.
The thing that had been watching me until now finally showed some expression other than squinting... it looked absolutely furious. Well, honestly, I'm not sure which part of its body these tentacles come from. Maybe I cut something like its arm... but seriously, wouldn't that mean this thing has endless arms? Either way, now that I'd confirmed my theory, it was time to act.
I turned my gaze toward the creature, and our eyes met for a moment. The golden glow of my eyes contrasted with the deep blue that emanated from its eyes. I blinked briefly before letting my face break into a smile.
(Oh, somehow I managed to smile... it still feels a bit forced, but I guess it's the best I can do for myself right now)
This was a really rare occurrence. My expression usually stayed completely neutral—or rather, I didn't tend to make expressions. At most, I'd manipulate something with my fingers. But for now, the smile could be set aside. I briefly glanced at the tentacles still wrapped around my foot and neck. Following my command, two portals opened exactly where they were.
When I cut the tentacle earlier, I confirmed that my shadow movement power was working fine in this place. At first glance, the total darkness seemed perfect for using my ability, but there was one detail: originally, this creature was part of a lake. Honestly, I'd never tested my power in deep water before. In fact, they didn't even give us baths at the facility I was at.
To be honest, bathing would be totally useless for me. I don't exhale odors, nor do I do the things humans normally need, so I don't even need a bathroom in my room. Personally, I find it pretty convenient not needing to bathe or wear perfume since, besides not getting dirty, my scent never changes.
(No... why the hell did I start thinking about this all of a sudden?)
Luckily, I managed to push these intrusive thoughts away as quickly as they came. For some reason, it seems like getting lost in random daydreams in strange situations has become more frequent than I'd like. But putting that aside, getting rid of the smoking tentacles from this creature would be easy now. With a simple thought, two portals suddenly materialized, as if they had emerged directly from the darkness around us.
The next moment, when I closed the portals, both tentacles were cut in half. I watched with curiosity as they fell and dissipated like mist. Still, that didn't matter—I was free again. I briefly moved around the area before turning my gaze back toward the being.
Its eyes narrowed once more, and the bright blue gave way to a fiery, intense red. Moreover, the entire environment started to shake violently. It was a surreal sight, almost from another world—something that would certainly make anyone believe they were trapped in a nightmare.
On the other hand, I didn't feel anything at all. In fact, to be honest, I was more curious about what this creature actually was than afraid or anything like that. With a single thought, I created a portal in front of me and swam through it, entering the shadow world. However, something felt different this time—there was a strange change compared to the other times I had been there.
Normally, the feeling would be like looking inside a box—like I was outside, peering in. That was always the sensation I had when entering the world of shadows. However, this time it was different. There didn't seem to be a box, or whatever it was. It was as if the space around me was the box, and paradoxically, I was both inside and outside it at the same time.
Still, it didn't seem like the creature could see me. Although I wasn't entirely sure what was happening, my plan remained the same. I moved quietly through the shadows toward the creature, which appeared to be searching for me, its red eyes scanning the darkness around.
The closer I got, the more colossal it became in my eyes. For a moment, I wondered if it could even see anything in that absolute blackness. Anyway, I continued until I reached the spot where I'd previously seen the rainbow glow: right at the center of its forehead.
At that moment, I opened a portal and poked just my head through. Being upside down, I got an inverted view of the creature. It noticed me immediately as I stepped out of the shadow world, and its red eyes lit up the path to me. On the other hand, I blinked my eyes, which glowed like candle flames, and simply retreated back into the shadow world.
I kept swimming through the sea of darkness while my eyes shone with the colors of the rainbow. No matter how much I observed, it seemed this creature had only one weak spot. Still, I didn't have a clear way to eliminate it. In the end, I'd have to get close and improvise. With that thought, I opened another portal and threw myself through it, appearing directly above the creature.
Honestly, I hadn't noticed before, since I'd been at quite a distance. However, now that I was literally above its head, I can say with absolute certainty: this thing is definitely colossal. Also, its entire body is made of this dense, smoky substance, but curiously, when I touch it, it has the texture of scales. It's strange, but at the same time, fascinating.
Although it was obvious, I couldn't climb onto the creature's head without it noticing. I mean, it would definitely sense me as soon as I stepped onto its head. However, I honestly didn't expect it to start thrashing around, making a strange, deep sound.
It seemed like this thing didn't have a mouth, but it was still producing deafening noises. Then, the creature started rising at a terrifying speed. If you're wondering where I am now, I'm simply lying on top of it, blinking my eyes while a single thought runs through my mind.
(Oh, crap, I'm gonna get yelled at when I get back to the surface, aren't I?)
***
(POV - Emily Parker)
"Emily, Laura, this door isn't going to hold for much longer..."
Emily noticed the sweat dripping down Victor's face as he stared at the door. It was the entrance to the control room they were in, now jammed and broken. In theory, this could be a good sign—if not for the fact that this place didn't have another exit. With the door unusable, any chance, no matter how small, of escaping had vanished completely.
"Since I started this job, I've imagined all sorts of ways I could die, but none of them involved bizarre tentacles with mouths instead of suckers"
Laura also seemed desperate, and Emily couldn't blame her—anyone would be in the same position. However, Emily felt like she had already run out of fear. Now, all that remained was a blank stare as she watched the door.
After all, she knew exactly who was responsible for it all. Emily felt like a complete fool. Even though she had her suspicions, she believed she couldn't act without proof—after all, that's how society worked. However, her patience and resigned attitude had backfired, leading to the disaster she now faced. Silently, she vowed to herself that if she somehow managed to survive, she would make that person pay dearly, using every resource at her disposal.
Suddenly, a metallic crash reverberated through the area, interrupting the silence. Emily turned her gaze back to the door, which had now given way. Her eyes widened briefly as the tentacles began to invade the room, each one displaying mouths full of sharp rows of teeth.
One of the tentacles moved dangerously close to her face, secreting a viscous, slime-like substance. However, as soon as the substance touched Emily's lab coat, it started to corrode it, dissolving the fabric instantly.
Emily widened her eyes, waiting for the inevitable moment she would be devoured. However, something unexpected happened: the tentacles began to thrash violently and then quickly retreated down the hallway.
Now, the path revealed a terrifying sight—a multitude of mutilated, torn, and bloodied bodies scattered as if they were part of a horror movie scene. For a brief moment, Emily thought she might be dreaming, until she was jolted awake by Laura's voice echoing through the area.
"Lady Angel! I'm sure this is the work of Lady Angel!"