Chapter 20 – The Eyes of The Snake
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“Ughh”

When Bold opened his eyes he could see nothing but darkness. He could feel his cold body and his wet clothes, indicating that he hasn’t just died yet. The sound of water falls echoed in the background  He pushed the ground and sat on his butt to observe the surrounding.

Man, it sure is dark in here. What happened? Oh yeah, now I remember. I almost drowned, didn’t I?

He peered into the darkness silently. Not a single moving thing was caught in his eyes.  

Damn, what am I supposed to do in this darkness? Maybe, someone will save me if I shout? Actually, that’s kind of a bad idea. Those damn mousers, they would eat me alive if they know my location. But that’s assuming that those pesky folks don’t have night vision.

Just as he was starting to get irritated by his own confusion, a light sphere bubbled into being and it illuminated Emma’s being. She was standing right next to him.
 
“H-hey” sounded Bold while coughing.

Emma looked at his direction and moved the sphere towards him. Upon seeing his figure, she quickly pranced towards him.

“Thank god. I’m not alone” she said. 

Emma gently pulled Bold by his arm so that he could stand up.

“Where the hell are we?” inquired Bold.

“Dunno. I just woke up”.

“In that case, could you light our surroundings with that orb of yours”.

“Right”

As told, she moved her index finger and guided the sphere around. The sphere flew towards their right side and illuminated the mouth of a tunnel.

“Shall we go there?” asked Emma

“At least illuminate what’s on the other sides”.

The sphere went past them and this time illuminated Bold’s left side where the sound of the waterfall came. And when it reached the waterfall it illuminated a human figure who lay floating in the puddle of water beneath it.

“Mei!” yelled Emma. 

They quickly ran towards her. She grabbed ahold of Mei from her armpits while Bold held her legs and they quickly pulled her out of the water. After placing her on the ground gently Emma pushed her belly with her hands and gave her artificial breath.

“Come on…please”

At the end of hope, there was success. Mei coughed up water and opened her eyes. Her eyes slowly moved towards Emma whose face flushed from worry to warmness immediately. She jumped and grabbed hold of Mei around the neck.

“You…okay?” asked the dazed Mei and in response, Emma could only nod with teary eyes.

Relieved that Mei was alright Bold threw out a deep sigh and fell to the ground on his butt. But the reunion was not to be celebrated for long. They all got up and looked around their surroundings.

“I hope none of those ugly monsters are lurking around any of the corners” muttered Mei.

"Yeah, It's better to stay alert" said Bold.  

They all strolled and entered the previously discovered tunnel with heed. The tunnel was quite zigzagging. It arched to the left, to the right and ascended towards higher grounds. They silently walked along the way. Soon the tunnel curved to the left. They were walking along with it casually but a sound came from the path before them. Bold’s body tightened and hairs on his back flailed up.

“Who is there?” he asked.   

It took a few seconds but a man’s meek voice echoed from the darkness.

“I-Is that? H-hold up. I’m friendly! Please don’t leave”.

His voice. It doesn’t sound like any of our teammates

Emma moved the sphere forward and illuminated a young man with green hair and pale face. He was wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. A certain joy had appeared on the man’s face and his eyes became teary as soon as he saw them.

“Oh, thank goodness. I almost thought I was going to die alone”.

“Who are you?” inquired Mei.

“And how long have you been here?” added Bold.

“My name is Pak Chun Soul. Me and my friends took on this dungeon yesterday. My friends…they were all killed. I’m the only survivor. I was hiding here not having the courage to take any further step alone. I knew a miracle would finally arrive. Oh, thank the eternal Lord”.

He quickly ran up to them and shook each and every one of their hands with delight. His hands felt quite cold but his skin was soft and smooth.

“You really are lucky. If we hadn’t taken on this dungeon you could have died from starvation” said Emma enthusiastically.

“Or an attack from a random mouser. Never know when those schemers strike. But I don’t want to talk about bad stuff. You’re like an angel who descended from the heavens to save me. Thank you. Thank you for coming”

Saying those words with a shivering voice, Pak took a step forward and swiftly wrapped his arms around Emma’s back.

“H-hey now. That’s too close for someone who just met us” said Emma.

“Oh right right. I’m terribly sorry”

Pak took a step back and wiped his tears with his hand. Bold silently observed his new companion. But when his eyes met with Bold’s he cocked his head and gave him a cold look with his icy blue eyes and smiled.

What’s that supposed to mean? Strange guy.

They all absently looked at one another until Mei spoke: 

“We have to go fast. Maybe our teammates are waiting for us. Pak, don’t feel threatened. It’s good to have someone new on our side in times of tension”

“Oh, of course. If you feel that way I am more than happy to offer my assistance. And did you just say teammates?

“Yeah”

“So there are more people on your team? How many people?” asked Pak.  

“In total, we’re ten. We just got scattered by the current and now it’s just the three of us” said Mei.

“Oh, I see. Then if we can reach your teammates then our safety is guaranteed. Me and my friends were fools to think that we would beat this dungeon just the five of us. I had to stop them. Why am I so stupid?!”

Pak stomped the ground angrily and a somber look appeared on his face.

“Hey, don’t feel guilty. You just have to not repeat the same mistake that’s all” cheered Emma.

“Yeah, you’re right. Thank you”

They all strolled along the tunnel and soon enough they entered a dilated land.  Surrounding the little circle of light Emma’s sphere made was pitch black darkness looming over them from every side.

“We can’t see where we’re supposed to go like this” said Bold.

“Emma, light the surroundings with your sphere, will you?” said Mei.

“Okay”

She moved her finger and the sphere went ahead. It flew until it encountered a wall. Flying along the wall towards the left it soon revealed a mouth of a tunnel just nearby. But at that moment Mei’s scream was heard from behind.

“Sis! What’s going on?” yelled Emma in the pitch-black darkness.

“Someone’s touching - mmm” sounded her voice but it became muffled.

“Emma, RESUMMON THE SPHERE”

With Bold’s order Emma slammed the cancellation button on her shoulder and retyped on her wristboard which it’s digits still glowed in the darkness. And with the ray of the newly made sphere, a strange scene was shed light upon.

Pak was holding Mei around her waist and he was devilishly smooching her mouth and face.

“What the hell are you doing to my sister?” roared Emma.

Mei’s shaking hands barely tried to push him away. Her eyes were full of fear but her body seemed to have become frozen and weak. Suddenly a giant scorpion tail rose from Pak’s back into the air. Its length was almost twice as long as his body was. When Mei finally mustered the urge to release herself the scorpion tail slid down and stabbed its sting on her back. Immediately she fell to the ground. Her body seemed to have completely frozen and her eyes were drowning in fear and agitation.

“D-Don’t, look…his eyes” said Mei.  

The voice was low but it was enough to be heard.

“You heard that, right? Emma?”  yelled Bold.  

“Yeah. I won’t look into his eyes. No matter what”.

Bold bit his lips and looked at the man’s four limbs. All of this was simply crazy to comprehend but there was no time for confusion either. His goal was certain. He had to kick this guy’s ass and kick it really hard too.

“My my. You people are so trusting. But that’s fine. It makes you cuter” said Pak with a playful grin.  

“Won’t be so cute when I give you a beating” hissed Emma.

“Haha. I like that. Would be a little boring if my prey doesn’t show a little bit of resistance. Of course, I’m talking about the blonde angel. The fatty can go fuck himself or whatever he wants to do. But if he stays I can give him a one-way ticket to hell”

“Bring it on stone face” declared Bold.  

When he uttered those words he realized that his breathing had become chaotic. As his eyes fell upon the helpless body of Mei a familiar picture erupted from his memory.

Run, run away. NOW
.

No, not this time. I’m done running away. I’m sick of it. I’m gonna save Mei and survive with everyone else. I won’t accept any other option.    

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