Luo Tianfan gripped the wooden stick tightly, his eyes fixed intently on the movements of the "creature."
The creature let out a cackling, eerie laugh, like sandpaper scraping against metal. Suddenly, it lunged towards Luo Tianfan's throat, as if intent on tearing him to shreds.
Though Luo Tianfan was thin as a reed, the rush of adrenaline made him anything but a soft target. His heart pounded, every fiber of his being consumed by the instinct to survive.
Relying on his lightning reflexes, he swiftly sidestepped the attack. He felt the creature's hand graze his skin, sending a chill of terror through him. Without hesitation, he swung the wooden stick, attempting a counterattack.
Thud!
Alas, the strike was easily deflected by the monster.
Luo Tianfan watched in dismay as the creature reacted with such speed, its outstretched arm snapping back in an instant to block the wooden stick with crossed arms. The force of the impact revealed the monster's incredible strength, leaving Luo Tianfan with a sense of dread, as if facing an impregnable wall.
'No, I can't beat it in a fight!' Luo Tianfan thought grimly, his gaze fixed on the creature.
Hehe hehe
The monster stared at Luo Tianfan with a twisted, malicious grin, as if reveling in his fear.
This sent a chill down Luo Tianfan's spine.
"Hey, buddy, you're a masochist, aren't you?" Luo Tianfan couldn't help but quip, trying to joke his way to a calmer state of mind.
His eyes remained locked on the monster's every move, while quickly surveying his surroundings, searching for the best avenue of escape.
In his mind, fear and tension coiled like a spring, but that wouldn't stop Luo Tianfan from thinking.
However, the creature clearly had no intention of giving Luo Tianfan a moment's respite.
Cunning as it was, it swiftly launched a counterattack.
Its eyes gleamed with a devious light, as if it had spotted the vulnerability of its prey and couldn't wait to end this.
Luo Tianfan's frail frame must have seemed like a helpless lamb before the physically superior monster, which would not easily let him go.
Before Luo Tianfan could react, the monster unleashed a sweeping kick, aiming for his midsection.
Faced with such a ferocious assault, Luo Tianfan had no chance to evade, and could only brace himself for the impact.
"Bam!" A thunderous sound echoed as Luo Tianfan was sent hurtling through the air. He crashed to the ground, his limbs leaving gouges in the dirt.
He squeezed his eyes shut in agony, his trembling hands clutching his waist, and inadvertently let out a curse.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Luo Tianfan shakily rose to his feet. Though his belongings were still on his back, the impact had caused him to drop the wooden stick, leaving him without a weapon, further intensifying his sense of desperation.
The monster sauntered towards him, as if savoring the slow descent of its prey into hopelessness, its contemptuous and arrogant smile betraying its true nature.
Luo Tianfan felt a surge of panic, realizing the full weight of the monster's oppression. Without hesitation, he turned and fled, his only goal being survival.
The monster's grin vanished, replaced by a look of astonishment. It had not expected Luo Tianfan to make such a decisive choice to flee, for it had never encountered a ordinary person daring to challenge it before.
Before the bewildered monster could react, it watched Luo Tianfan's determined footsteps rapidly disappear.
Seeing its coveted prey about to escape its reach, the monster's face darkened with fury, and an endless rage consumed it.
As the anger swelled, its features blackened, as if shrouded in a layer of shadow. Its body structure began to expand and contract, until it transformed into a muscular figure. It now wore sportswear and running shoes, becoming a formidable athlete.
The monster stretched its limbs, acclimating to its new physique, then twisted its face into a grotesque smile, its eyes gleaming with fanaticism and cruelty. Crouching down, it assumed a sprinter's stance, then pounced after Luo Tianfan like a fierce leopard.
Luo Tianfan's heartbeat gradually slowed, but the fear of the monster had not dissipated. Thinking he had outpaced the creature, he unconsciously began to slow down.
With his strength nearly depleted, his steps grew heavy, and he silently calculated: 'This might allow myself to conserve a bit of energy to handle any underhanded tricks the monster might have in store.'
Despite the tidal wave of terror, he forced himself to remain calm, mentally urging himself to persevere.
As Luo Tianfan ran, he fished out his phone from his shorts and opened the map app, checking the distance to his home.
"Hmm, not far, just gotta keep going." He encouraged himself, redoubling his efforts towards home.
Suddenly, a stone whizzed past his ear with a whistling sound.
This startled him, causing his heart to race, and he instinctively looked back. What he saw would be seared into his memory forever.
A black-skinned monster laughing eeriely, its elongated arm like a spring, grabbed another stone from the ground and hurled it at Luo Tianfan.
"You motherfucker--" Luo Tianfan cursed, evading the thrown stone, then defiantly flipped the middle finger at the monster.凸 (▀̿益▀̿ ̿)
The two engaged in a game of cat and mouse. Luo Tianfan had to be constantly on guard against the flying stones, which slows his pace.
While the monster is gradually adapting to its new form, and began to pick up speed. it chases its prey like a hungry leopard, filled with excitement and cruelty.
"This monster turned into a freaking athlete, running faster and faster, this is way too much!" Luo Tianfan lamented inwardly, the waves of anxiety urging him to push himself to the limit.
His heart pounded like a war drum, as if fighting for his very survival.
When he caught sight of the city streets, his spirits lifted, and he immediately quickened his steps, sensing the glimmer of hope.
However, the monster's expression grew increasingly grim. Its eyes narrowed, and a malicious grin spread across its face.
It had decided to change tactics - no more random stone throwing, but a focused attack on Luo Tianfan's midsection(waist), intent on delivering a debilitating blow.
Recalling Luo Tianfan's agonized expression, the monster's eerie laughter intensified.
It aimed carefully at Luo Tianfan's waist, like that of an baseball pitcher, it gathers all its strength, and then--
"Whoosh!" A piercing sound sliced through the air.
Luo Tianfan should have been able to react and evade, but the sight of the city streets had triggered his survival instinct, spurring him to pour on even more speed, desperately charging forward.
Upon seeing the rapidly approaching stone, he felt his heart tightened. Glancing at the monster wielding the projectile, he instinctively check the part of his body that would be struck, which is his waist.
Luo Tianfan's face went pale and panickily trying to dodge the attack, but sadly it was too late for him to react in time.
The approaching stone is too fast for him dodge in time!
"No, ahhh!" He cried out in agonizing despair, his voice echoing desperately in the empty street.
With an anguished wail, his footsteps suddenly became heavy. Tears gather in his eyes, he gritted his teeth in pain, as though his molars would be crushed.
Glancing down, he saw his waist began bleeding, the crimson stain stark against his athletic pants.
Gritting his teeth even harder, he glared furiously at the monster, his heart filled with hatred( ͡༎ຶ 益 ͡༎ຶ ), as if every one of its sinister smiles was mocking his helplessness and despair.
The pain slowed Luo Tianfan's pace, each movement accompanied by a stabbing ache. The monster, on the other hand, let out a mocking laugh, gleefully preparing another stone to aim at his waist.
This time however, Luo Tianfan was on high alert, unwilling to take any reckless hits.
Fortunately, he successfully evaded the projectile. But the monster's pursuit was relentless, the distance between them rapidly closing.
Seeing the prey drawing near, the monster eagerly extended its arm, ready to seize Luo Tianfan, drools began to drip from its mouth as it savored the anticipated victory.
Just as the eerie hand was about to make contact, Luo Tianfan made a sharp turn, ingeniously avoiding the attack.
This sudden move, bewildered the monster. caught off guard by such sudden turn of events, crashed heavily into an iron railing, with a dull thud echoing through the streets.
Luo Tianfan, with the use of map's to it's advantage, had devised an unexpected plan. This series of adaptations had led to the latest harrowing encounter.
The enraged monster howled loudly on the street, unable to vent its fury.
After a while, Luo Tianfan finally reached his long-awaited home. The once filled with resentment and resignation towards this dilapidated dwelling, now felt nothing but relief as he hastily locked the door behind him.
Once inside the room, his body went slack, and collapsed to the floor, while gulping heavy breaths. He carelessly dropped his backpack, then laid back.
Peeling off his shirt, he looked down at his waist, bruised and bloodied, the metallic scent permeating the air.
Looking at the wound that the creature had caused, He cursed the unknown creature's ancestors for a thousand times, regretting his decision to go fishing at night.
After venting his emotions, Luo Tianfan shakily rose from his feet, using his fishing rod as a makeshift crutch.
He made his way to his room, grateful to find a first-aid kit by the cabinet besides the bed. After tending to his wound, he took a shower and changed into fresh clothes.
Leaning on the fishing rod, he slowly walked to the living room. Opening the smelly backpack, he consoled himself that at least he didn't bring any books or assignments.
He took the fish out, walks toward the kitchen and washed his hands, then cooks it in the kitchen, the tantalizing aroma soon filled the air.
Time passed, and the sizzling fish had Luo Tianfan eagerly anticipating a taste.
"Hmm?" Looking at the messy kitchen, he decided to clean it up tomorrow. First thing to do now is to savor this meal.
Luo Tianfan's gaze returned to the cooked fish. He retrieved a plate and chopsticks from the kitchen cabinet, and carefully place the fish on the plate, then hurriedly left the kitchen.
Back at the table, he pulled out the rickety wooden chair, its creaking echoing the passage of time.
Rubbing his hands, Luo Tianfan picked up the chopsticks, ready to dig in, when a sudden knock at the door startled him.
"Damn, who the hell is that at this hour?" he grumbled, taking a small bite of the fish before going to the door.
The impatient knocking thundered through the silent night.
Approaching the door, he called out, "Who is it? It's late already!"
"Ah, I'm here to fix the house, the landlord sent me." The voice outside replied urgently.
Luo Tianfan's brow furrowed, thinking, 'Fixing the house at this hour? And without notifying me, the renter? Something is very wrong here.'
Cautiously peering through the peephole, he examined the stranger: a blue cap, blue overalls, and black work pants, with an unusually tall yet thin build.
But the twisted, sinister grin on it's face, which looming through the shadows at night, made Luo Tianfan's pupils contract for a moment, with chills running down his spine.
"The fuck do you want?!" he shouted defiantly, trying to mask his fear with anger.
The monster also realized that it had been seen through, it then let out a furious roar, and relentlessly pounds on the door, with the force that threatens to break it down.
However, the sturdy wooden door stood firm. The creature then tried to pry it open with its massive jaws, saliva dripping from the corners of its mouth in a nauseating display.
Seeing the door withstand the monster's onslaught through the peephole, Luo Tianfan felt somewhat reassured, while knowing that he was temporarily safe.
He covers his ears with both hands and mutters "I can't hear you, I can't hear you," while returning back to the table in order to continue eating his fish, which he tries to numb his senses through the delicious meal.
Halfway through finishing the fish, knocking sounds abruptly halted, plunging the house into a deafening silence. The stillness seemed to weigh on Luo Tianfan, with the air thick with tension, as if time itself had frozen.
"Huh? Did it give up?" he murmured softly while in between bites, his casual tone belying the anxiety churning within. The fear still lingered, as if the presence of the monster still haunted the vicinity.
He attentively stares at the door, in case the creature breaks in. But after a while, there are no more movements made from the creature.
Thinking that it is safe for now, Luo Tianfan's thoughts inevitably returned to the harrowing experience, the lingering dread refusing to subside.