Just as I was about to move, a faint rustle caught my ear. I froze, straining to listen. Soon, I recognized the sound—it was common enough, but honestly? It had no business being here.

That was the sound of chewing…

Something was eating right beside me. If so, it had to be those blind monsters.

My pulse quickened. I stood utterly still. Then came the rustling again—denser this time.

Followed by the crunch and crack of bones, the wet tear of flesh. The stench of rot thickened around me.

From the sound’s direction, I instantly knew what they were eating.

That spot was where I’d just killed a monster. Were they… feasting on their own kind?

Could these be the legendary ghouls?

My heart hammered. Judging by the overlapping noises, there were far more than just one or two…

***

If these creatures hunted by scent, then even smeared in their kin’s blood, I’d still be prey.

Because they ate their own dead.

Listening to them chew so close was pure torture. I gritted my teeth. I had to find a chance to slip away—

Or else I’d end up mistaken for another corpse.

***

Just then, something brushed my back—a light, scratching graze.

A clump of fur landed on my neck. The texture felt like dripping-wet hair pulled straight from a grease vat.

I flinched, jerking back several steps.

No doubt—only those monsters had such revolting fur!

What now? Just wait to die?

When had I become this recklessly brave? Maybe survival instinct had finally kicked in.

I sensed something crawling toward me from ahead.

I took a sharp breath, fumbling in my bag for a cold flare. I needed to see my surroundings to make a rational move.

I struck it against the ground. Light flared.

And right before me—loomed a massive, pale face framed by matted hair, inches from my own.

Same breed, but vastly larger and far more muscular than the last.

I stumbled back, legs turned to jelly.

On its pallid face, that absurdly wide mouth curled into an indescribable smirk.

Jagged black fangs filled its grin. Staring at it, I felt I was gazing upon a true demon.

All thought of fighting vanished. My eyes darted to where I’d killed the earlier monster—just as feared, several hulking figures were hunched over its corpse, gnawing.

All of them huge.

So the one I’d killed was the smallest, weakest. And even that had nearly drained me. Facing these giants now? Despair swallowed me whole.

The monster ignored the light. Only its hidden nostrils flared wildly, sniffing me.

I knew I stood zero chance. Without looking back, I spun and ran. Thank goodness—a passable tunnel lay behind me: the very path I’d stumbled through blind.

Low growls chased me, sharp as a dog ready to bite. I glanced back. They were right on my tail.

My resolve shattered.

Guess I’d successfully grabbed their attention.

While fleeing blindly, my foot kicked something—the flashlight I’d dropped earlier. In the chaos, I’d circled back to that spot.

To my shock, the kick flicked it back on.

Relief surged. I snatched it up, swung the beam around—and slammed it straight into the lead monster’s ghastly face.

Their pace instantly quickened.

The others closed in, unwilling to let me escape.

The cold flare in my hand dimmed. I hurled it at the monster’s face and scanned desperately for another exit.

Call it luck—but today might just be my lucky day.

I spotted a narrow crevice nearby. I rushed over, shone the light in—it didn’t reach the end. But I could just squeeze through.

No time to hesitate. I dove in, scrambling forward with everything I had. Scratches on my arms? No time to be squeamish now.

I didn’t know if they followed. Survival instinct drove me onward. Just picturing their grotesque faces and fangs sent chills down my spine.

After five or six minutes of crawling for my life, exhaustion hit hard. Sweat mixed with the foul blood on my face dripped into my mouth. I nearly vomited right there.

But I knew—if I did, I’d have to crawl through my own sick.

The thought alone was revolting.

When had Wei Shenji ever endured such humiliation?!

After a pause, the rustling behind me had vanished.

The tunnel was too tight to turn. To be safe, I kept crawling.

Minutes blurred. The passage gradually widened. I shifted from wriggling to crawling on all fours. The monsters seemed gone.

I glanced back at the dark, deep tunnel. Fear still gripped my mind.

Staying cautious, I pushed on.

About ten minutes later, the tunnel opened enough to walk bent over.

I pulled out my only small towel and scrubbed my face twice. That rancid stench—rotten sea fish mixed with filth—was unbearable.

Truly hard to stomach.

Another five or six minutes passed…

Finally, I emerged from the tunnel.

***

***