325 Dragon 5

'Something's strange.'

A man became alert as he made his way through the forest. The forest was so dense that the surroundings were dark even in the daytime. The man in front bit his lip.

"Hmph."

'I don't see any danger…'

There was nothing visible that seemed to be dangerous, but his instincts told him something was wrong. That's when all the animals in the forest screamed.

The man stopped.

'I heard a Gering cry.'

Gerings were carnivorous two-horned deer-like animals that moved in packs. But the sounds the Gerings made were like death cries.

'What got it?'

Gerings were fast. If one was killed, then it was up against a faster and stronger animal. As they walked on, they came across an area with dead Gerings. The smell of blood filled the area, it was likely that the smell would attract all sorts of animals and monsters.

"We have to get away quickly…"

The man was shocked; there was no one behind him anymore. He quickly reached toward his waist, but something reached him faster.

"Argh!"

The man gasped, but his head was snapped sideways, breaking his neck and instantly killing him. When he fell, a furry hand moved over the man's face, pulling out two eyeballs that ended up in the monster's mouth.

Soon, weird-looking monsters appeared, each with a human body in their hands. It was terrifying to witness those monsters eating people, however, one of them seemed to be alive.

"P-please.."

Just then, an arrow whistled into the monster's eye. The human body was dropped as the monster died and fell with it. All the monsters who were eating became curious but returned to their food. Or tried to.

"Kaaaaaaaargh!"

A second arrow killed another monster and all the monsters began to scream. They then charged in the direction where the arrows were being shot at them. But each time, an arrow penetrated their necks or eye, killing them.

"Whoa!"

Graham gasped in amazement at Doral's rapid-fire of arrows. Tens of monsters were charging at them, but Doral didn't even flinch as he kept on firing arrow after arrow.

The monsters, called Gwandi, were humanoid and had fur all over. But their faces looked eerie, with two vertically long eyes that shone yellow. They were so strong that they could easily rip apart a human.

"I-it's dangerous…"

Just then, a Gwandi jumped towards Doral, who was shooting from up on a tree. Doral jumped back as he fired an arrow at the Gwandi that attacked him.

By the time Doral reached the ground, all the Gwandies around him were dead. Graham, who had been watching while hidden, was dumbfounded.

"Old man, are you surprised?"

"Of course! He's amazing! Killing Gwandies with arrows? I heard the Ainos are good at bows but… this is unbelievable."

Graham gushed as he glanced back and forth between the Gwandies and Doral.

"Hey, this one's alive."

Jinpok spoke, pointing at a man that had dropped in front of a dead Gwandi.

"Ug…kill… me…"

Both his arms were dangling like they were broken, and his chest and stomach had been bitten open, his internal organs could be seen. However, even in such a state, he was still alive, although it didn't seem like it would be long before he died; his face had turned pale from losing too much blood.

"Huh? He's…"

Graham was shocked after he saw the man's face. It was one of the men that spoke ill of him.

"It's them."

Jinpok mumbled as he checked the faces of each of the men. This didn't feel good.

"Huh? What are you…?"

Doral took out a knife from his bag.

"Hold him."

Doral spoke and Joonbum gave a short laugh and helped him. Doral then cut the armor off from the body and Joonbum pushed close the open wound. Doral quickly sewed it with a needle and thread. Jinpok shook his head.

"What are you trying to…"

Graham mumbled, but he knew the two were trying to heal him. Doral took out a small bottle after sewing it up and dripped it onto the wound. When the liquid covered the wound, it began to quickly heal at a visible rate.

"W-what?!"

The serious slash from the chest to stomach healed up almost instantly; the two broken arms also healed.

Graham was shocked.

'Is this the first time he's seen this?'

Top-quality potions were rare, but it was not something impossible to come by. The Empire had been creating them in mass quantities for healing. However, it seemed like Graham's first time witnessing it.

"Let's move. More will come."

Jinpok spoke and the other two nodded. He then took out another bottle and sprayed it over the man. A terrible odor wafted off him.

"Ugh…"

"This is Kong urine. Most monsters will not come near this smell."

Graham nodded.

"I guess you didn't need me at all."

Jinpok laughed. Graham was half right in his words.

"Yeah, but it's better with you. Since you can tell us what monsters exist here."

"Let's go!"

End of Chapte