Chapter 8: Into the Serpent's Lair
Listening to Fury's assumptions, the other hunters fell silent, nodding in agreement. The first and second reasons seemed over the top. Grandmasters were not common, and there were only about eleven known in the entire Southern continent. The chance of a Grandmaster being in this tiny forest was less than a percentage.
The second reason was more plausible, but still unlikely. Why would a master of the Gu clan be in this forest? It wasn't their territory, and there was nothing extraordinary about the place. The strongest wild beast here was a Gold-rank Black Spotted Leopard. Killing it would go against the empire's rule that each forest must have at least one Gold-rank wild beast to maintain balance.
Dean, trying to lighten the mood, quipped, "Well, maybe the kid is not really a kid but an ancient master looking like a kid, and we're messed up."
Leon laughed. "Yeah, or maybe the forest just doesn't want us here. Ever thought of that?"
Fury, feeling a bit more relaxed, added, "Well, if the forest starts talking, I suppose we'll have to listen."
They all chuckled, their camaraderie easing the tension as they continued their pursuit, navigating the dense forest with cautious optimism. Along the way, they found some traces which surprised them with both joy and fear. These were the traces of the White Demon Python. They were happy because they had originally come to the forest to hunt this python. Finding it was truly good luck. But the sense of fear in them was greater than that of joy, after all, the python was a Silver-level beast.
Seeing those traces, Fury expression began to change, he started to remember painful memories he had sealed deep in his mind, memories he didn't want to recall. But he quickly controlled his emotions and sealed those memories back inside his heart. "This time is not like the previous one. I am stronger and no longer that ignorant and immature person."
After trudging through the dense forest, the hunters finally found themselves standing before the entrance of a large, ominous cave. This was no ordinary cave; it was the lair of the White Demon Python. They were sure of that because they were hunters.
Their hearts pounded with a mix of excitement and fear. They had set out on this journey with the goal of hunting the python, and now, unexpectedly, they were standing on the precipice of their mission.
"Captain, this must be it," Dean said, his voice barely hiding his apprehension. "The signs are unmistakable."
"Yes, Dean, it's definitely the White Demon Python's cave," Fury replied, a hint of both joy and caution in his tone. The hunters exchanged glances, their excitement mingling with trepidation. The python was a Silver-level beast, far from an easy target, but the prospect of the hunt was too enticing to resist.
Fury stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the dark entrance of the cave. "We are hunters, and this python is our prey. We've trained for this. We've survived the wild, and now it's time to prove our worth."
Despite the fear that gnawed at their resolve, they followed their captain into the cave, their weapons drawn and senses heightened. The cold air inside the cave sent shivers down their spines, and the echoes of their footsteps reverberated eerily through the dark, damp tunnels.
The further they ventured, the more evident it became that this was indeed the lair of a formidable beast. The walls were scratched and scarred, remnants of the python's immense power. Suddenly, they heard a distant, low hiss that sent chills down their spines.
"Stay alert," Fury whispered, his voice barely audible but full of authority. The hunters tightened their grip on their weapons, their eyes darting around in the dim light.
As they moved deeper into the cave, they came across a nest of broken and scattered eggshells. Fury crouched down, examining the fragments. "These are fresh. The python must be close. Be ready for anything."
Just then, a massive shadow moved in the darkness ahead. The hunters froze, their hearts racing. The White Demon Python slithered into view, its milky white scales glistening faintly in the cave's darkness. It was an awe-inspiring and terrifying sight.
"Form up!" Fury commanded, and the hunters quickly assumed their positions, forming a semi-circle around the beast. The python's eyes glowed menacingly, and it let out a deafening hiss that echoed through the cavern.
"How the heck is this Python so active in the day? It should be sleeping now. And where the hell is that kid?" Dean screamed with an ugly expression. The python swung its tail toward the hunters with great force, its speed making a loud swishing sound. The hunters sensed the attack and quickly dodged it.
"Dean, I thought you were just stupid, but you are utterly dumb. It's not that it isn't active during the day, but it can't expose its skin to the sunlight. The sunlight is like poison to it because of its white skin, so it is unable to hunt during the day and usually sleeps. Why is it awake during the day? It's probably because of that stupid kid. Observing the traces outside, the kid surely went inside but never came out. I am sure he provoked the python and got eaten," Leon explained.
"It's very dark here; we are at a disadvantage. Hey, you two, quickly use the ghost fire gu. Hurry up if you don't want to be eaten," Fury ordered the two silent hunters.
The two hunters nodded and took out a strange looking insect, it was a insect but not looked like a one, it didn't have any part that could be called a head, but it looked strangely beautiful, there was a very shiny gem embedded in its back.
They controlled theirs energy and quickly activated the gu. After being activated blue fire started to soar from the gem embedded in its back. The blue fire in the darkness looked quite scary, increasing and catalyzing the inner fear of the Hunters, but also increased the visibility of the hunters by several fold in that darkness.
Seeing that light, the python hissed loudly and moved towards the source of light. The two hunters were just about to report to Fury when they saw the python's head coming toward them at the speed of sound. They wanted to dodge but were too late. Due to extreme fear, they lost their senses, and when they regained them, they were already under the python's throat being swallowed by it.
"No, you damned demon!" Fury roared as his body's size increased rapidly.
After some time, his body stopped growing, reaching half the size of the python. He then rushed at the snake, embraced it with both arms, and slammed it against the cave wall with all his strength. The force was immense, shaking the cave and causing the sound of the slam to echo throughout. Stones, both small and large, fell from the ceiling.
But the battle was far from over. The python was a Silver-level beast for a reason. If it ended like this, it would surely bring shame to its ancestors. "Dean and Leon, quickly come here and assist me!" Fury commanded, his voice hoarse. Dean and Leon rushed to Fury's side, their expressions full of determination.
Leon's left hand grew bigger and larger, almost the size of Fury's, and he began to slam his fist into the python's belly and head repeatedly. Silvery blood started to pour out of the python's lower belly. The python struggled, but Fury held it down with all his strength. However, the python didn't give up; it slowly wrapped its tail around Fury and began to exert force.
"Hey Dean, what are you even doing? Come help us!" Leon screamed, full of anger.
"Alright, don't scream. I didn't want to do this again," Dean sighed. He jumped to the python's head and began to activate his talent. The size of his butt increased, almost as large as the python's tail if it were wrapped like a ball. Dean exerted all his weight on the python's head.
Fury also got the chance to free up both hands and started to fire his fists non-stop with great precision and strength, sitting on the snake's body. The python wanted to fight back, but it couldn't do anything.
While they were giving their all in fighting the python, all three of them began to feel a sense of emptiness from within. "Quick, get away from the snake and draw your swords! Our energy reservoir is ending. Quick, if you don't want to die," Fury said with a hoarse voice.
Dean and Leon followed the order and moved away from the snake. Dean was rolling on the ground while Leon ran, dragging his left hand.
The python finally regained its freedom. It hissed and rolled its body. After all those beatings, the python was wounded, but there were no severe injuries. The python stared at the three hunters with rage and anger in its eyes. This was the first time it had been beaten so badly by its prey.
The battle began with a flurry of motion and sound. The hunters attacked with precision, their weapons striking against the python's tough scales. The python retaliated, its powerful body whipping through the air with deadly force. The cave shook with the intensity of the conflict, dust and rocks falling from the ceiling.
Leon dodged a lashing tail, rolling to the side and swinging his sword at the python's underbelly. "Keep moving! Don't let it pin you down!" Fury shouted, his voice rising above the chaos.
Inside the cave, the hunters fought valiantly, their coordination and skill evident in every move. But the python was relentless, its massive body thrashing about with incredible strength. Fury managed to land a solid blow on the python's head, causing it to recoil in pain. "We've got it on the ropes! Keep pressing!" he encouraged, his eyes blazing with determination.
But then, the python's tail swung around with surprising speed, catching Leon off guard and sending him crashing into the cave wall. He groaned, struggling to get back on his feet. "I'm okay, just keep going!" he called out, trying to shake off the dizziness.
The battle raged on, both sides showing no signs of giving up. The cave was filled with the sounds of clashing metal, hissing, and the hunters' grunts of exertion. The White Demon Python, though wounded, continued to fight back fiercely.
Suddenly, Fury noticed an opportunity. "Aim for its eyes! It's vulnerable there!" he yelled, directing his team. The hunters adjusted their strategy, focusing their attacks on the python's head.
With a coordinated effort, they managed to distract the python long enough for Fury to deliver a powerful strike to one of its eyes. The python let out a blood-curdling roar, its movements becoming more erratic. Sensing their advantage, the hunters pressed on with renewed vigor.
Inside, the hunters finally managed to overwhelm the python. With a final, well-placed strike, Fury drove his sword into the python's skull, ending its life. The massive beast fell to the ground with a resounding thud, the cave falling silent except for the hunters' heavy breathing.
"We did it," Fury said, his voice filled with exhaustion and triumph. The hunters let out cheers of victory, their faces lit up with relief and joy.
The hunters gathered around the fallen python, their hearts swelling with pride. They had faced their fears, fought valiantly, and emerged victorious. The White Demon Python, once a symbol of terror, now lay defeated at their feet.
They won but Fury was not happy, it was a not a easy victory. Fury was feeling a strong sense of guilt under him, he didn't just kill the Python but also his two of those hunter teammates, "They followed my commands without any hesitation but I didn't protect them, it was because of my carelessness that they died".
As they began bisecting the Python's corpse to harvest the python's valuable parts, Fury turned to leave from there away from there, " Guys, you keep your work, I will go and see if there is any others dangers lurking in the cave". Leon and Dean nodded showing their full trust to their captain.
"I don't want to see the expression of those dead unlucky fellows", Fury thought to himself and started to roam around the cave. The cave was very large worthy of being home of that vicious Python. It was originally very dark inside the cave but due to the effect of Ghost fire gu, the darkness was not that much dominating. Fury moved deeper and deeper, when he was roaming his eyes here and there, a strange egg caught his eyes.