Drifting through the hell of earth

Chapter 14: Luring the Tiger Away

Dan was laid down on the floor, and the crowd began to tend to his injuries. Dan's foot, chest, and arm were bleeding profusely, as though raked by iron thorns. Dan seemed to have suffered a severe shock and had fallen into a deep sleep.

A-Lai's condition was better, and Little Fly's grandfather had somehow fetched herbal medicine from the academy's infirmary to treat A-Lai's wounds and bandage them up.

He whispered to A-Lai,"Don't take risks. Follow me back to the classroom, seal the windows and doors, and endure the night. Tomorrow, help will arrive!"

The massive wolf king exceeded their understanding, a creature from comics or legends brought to life. But the wild wolves outside gave the villagers no time to catch their breath. Heavy blows on the school doors yanked them back to harsh reality.

"Secure the door! They're starting to attack again!" the principal shouted, alerting everyone.

The door trembled under the onslaught, while the villagers struggled to hold it with their bodies.

A thunderous crash echoed through the building as a classroom door behind them shattered from a monstrous attack. Swarms of frog-like creatures burst through, their mouths gaping wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth that snapped at people's necks and arms.

The survivors screamed and fled to the higher floors. But their speed couldn't match the creatures' agility, and some were quickly caught. In the darkness, the sounds of screams and eerie laughter blended into a nightmarish symphony.

The academy was breached from within, leaving those at the entrance surrounded by enemies. The villagers' hope dwindled as they realized the true extent of the terror closing in on them.

The old man had just entered the depths of the forest when he encountered an enchanting woman. She wore revealing clothes, her pale skin glowing under the moonlight, exuding an otherworldly, eerie beauty. Blood stains lingered at the corner of her mouth, her scarlet tongue flicking out as if savoring a sweet treat.

"To think the Red Skirt Demon would personally intervene—this is unexpected!"

The old man felt a hint of concern. He had thought the village was quiet and isolated, but it seemed to have drawn the attention of one of the top ten demon generals. The Red Skirt Demon was a confidante of the demon lord, her power exceeding that of typical demon generals, placing her among the lord's most trusted allies.

The old man understood the appearance of such a high-ranking figure signified the demon lord's intense interest in this place. This realization made him aware that his identity, hidden within the village, might have been exposed. A plan formed in his mind: capturing the Red Skirt Demon could delay the demon lord's plans to reclaim the mortal world, buying humanity more time.

"Old man, if you dare meddle in this matter, I'll summon all my brothers and sisters to see who's truly in control!" Her voice was icy and sinister.

"Nonsense! I can summon my own allies!" The old man responded fearlessly.

It was like watching two children arguing, threatening to call for reinforcements.

"Who are your so-called allies? You're just a lonely old man." The woman laughed mockingly, her eyes gleaming with cunning."How about a suggestion? Let's let the younger ones handle this while we step aside, shall we?"

The old man considered the situation. He knew reinforcements wouldn't arrive until dawn, so he had to compromise for now. He nodded slightly,"Fine, you don't call for reinforcements, and I won't either. But since we're here, let's have a little duel."

The woman cast a wistful glance at him,"You old codger, I'm not interested in dueling you!" She chuckled and turned away, her red skirt blazing like fire in the night, as brilliant as a peony in bloom. The next moment, she was ten steps away.

The old man seized the opportunity, attempting to capture the woman. Even if outnumbered, he could use her as leverage. He moved quickly, pointing his pipe toward the woman's back.

The woman transformed into a wisp of smoke, then reformed in another direction. One chased, the other fled, their movements soon leading them deep into the forest.

The woman led the way, her smile growing sly as she glanced back at the old man."Foolish old man, you've fallen for my diversion!"

The old man realized he might have walked into a trap. Just as he was about to change course, the woman's laughter echoed around him, like a ghost haunting his ears. Then, a wildflower stem nearby suddenly turned into a sharp spike, silently aiming for his back.

The old man seemed to have a sixth sense, turning quickly and catching the spike in his hand, crushing it to powder.

"Child's play!" he scoffed.

The old man darted in a new direction, grabbing at a dark tree trunk. His fingers, like eagle claws, tore away a large piece of bark, which transformed into a red cloth.

The woman let out a shriek,"Old man, if you wanted my stockings, just ask!" She then threw down a cloud of pink smoke and disappeared again, leaving only the sight of her pale legs behind.

Her distant voice echoed,"You think you can catch me? I'm the queen of this forest!"

The old man felt a surge of tension, keeping his gaze fixed on the woman's rapidly shifting form, like a whirlwind of red. Her speed made it difficult for him to track her, but he remained poised to strike again.

"You're old—you should be resting in the village, not running around!" The woman's voice grew more enchanting, as though mocking the old man's naive.

The old man loathed being called old, and the comment fueled his anger. He quickened his pace, pursuing the woman. Though he sensed no powerful monsters nearby, he knew he had to capture this woman, yet she always seemed just out of reach. Unknowingly, he was drawn further away from the academy.