As Kai listened intently to the hissing sound, a chilling realization washed over him. He recognized the kind of creature that could make that noise—a sound that sent shivers down his spine and stirred memories of ancient warnings. “Is that a—” he began, but before he could finish his thought, the glowing red eyes darted to the side, leaving behind streaks of crimson light that flickered in the mist.

  In an instant, the creature lunged toward him from his right side, moving with a speed that defied its massive size. Emerging from the swirling fog was a colossal white snake, its scales shimmering like polished ivory in the dim light. The creature was easily forty feet long, its body coiling and uncoiling with a fluid, almost hypnotic grace. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kai, filled with a malevolence and greed that made his heart race. This was no ordinary predator—it was a creature of nightmares, a being that seemed to embody the very essence of the Misty Forest’s danger.

  Kai barely had time to react. The snake surged forward with terrifying speed, its massive body a blur of motion. Its mouth gaped wide, revealing rows of glistening, needle-sharp fangs that dripped with venom. This time, the creature’s lunge was even quicker, a lightning-fast strike that left no room for evasion. Realizing he couldn’t dodge in time, Kai acted on instinct, twisting his body and swinging his sword in a desperate arc. The blade struck the side of the snake’s head with a resounding clang, the impact reverberating up his arm like a shockwave.

  The blow wasn’t enough to pierce the creature’s thick, armored scales, but the sheer force of the strike was sufficient to alter the trajectory of its lunge. The snake’s massive head veered slightly off course, its fangs snapping shut mere inches from Kai’s shoulder. The creature’s momentum carried it past him, its sleek, muscular body brushing against his side as it shot by. Kai’s sword scraped along its scaled hide, sending a shower of sparks into the air and leaving a faint, glowing streak where the blade had made contact.

  The force of the lunge knocked Kai off balance, and he stumbled backward, his boots slipping on the damp forest floor. He barely managed to keep his footing, his heart pounding as he spun to face the creature once more. The snake, undeterred, slithered into the mist with unnatural grace, its body disappearing into the swirling gray haze. Only its glowing red eyes remained visible, twin embers burning with predatory intent as they locked onto Kai from the shadows.

  Kai tightened his grip on his sword, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His arms ached from the impact, and his mind raced to process what had just happened. The creature was faster, stronger, and far more dangerous than he had anticipated. And the aura it emitted was unlike anything he had ever felt before—a suffocating, malevolent energy that seemed to warp the very air around it. Its scales were like armor, nearly impervious to his blade, and its movements were calculated, almost intelligent. This was no ordinary spirit beast—it was a creature on the verge of becoming a demonic beast, a being that thrived on fear and suffering.

  “Damn it!” Kai muttered under his breath, a wave of frustration washing over him as the gravity of the situation sank in. This creature was toying with him, savoring his fear, and he knew that brute force alone wouldn’t be enough to bring it down.

  The snake’s hiss echoed through the mist, a low, guttural sound that sent a chill down Kai’s spine. He could feel its presence, a malevolent force circling him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again. Kai knew he couldn’t afford to make another mistake. He adjusted his stance, planting his feet firmly on the ground, and raised his sword, the blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. His eyes never left the glowing red orbs that watched him from the fog.

  The forest seemed to hold its breath, the silence deepening as the tension between predator and prey reached its peak. Kai’s mind raced, searching for a strategy, a weakness he could exploit. He needed to think, to outmaneuver it. But the snake gave him no time to plan. With another ear-piercing screech, it lunged again, its massive body surging forward like a bolt of lightning, its fangs aimed straight for his throat.

  Kai ducked just in time as the serpent soared over him, its massive body slicing through the mist like a dark shadow. Without pausing to catch his breath, he bolted forward, driven by an instinctual need to escape the creature that hunted him. He had no clear destination in mind; all that mattered was putting distance between himself and the deadly predator.

  As he sprinted through the dense underbrush, he weaved between towering trees and jagged stone outcroppings, the mist swirling around him like a living entity, obscuring his surroundings and disorienting him further. Each step felt like a gamble, the ground uneven beneath his feet, but he pressed on, fueled by adrenaline and fear.

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  Suddenly, he felt a shift in the air, a chilling presence that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Before he could react, the serpent had somehow circled around him, its massive form lunging directly into his path. Panic surged through him as he realized he had nowhere to go; there was no time to dodge or block.

  In an instant, the giant snake's jaws clamped around his waist, its fangs poised to deliver a fatal bite. But Kai's instincts kicked in. In a desperate move, he thrust his sword into the creature's mouth, positioning the blade in such a way that it prevented the serpent from fully closing its jaws around him. The metal bent under the immense pressure, but it held firm, keeping the snake's maw partially open and buying him precious seconds.

  The giant snake thrashed violently, flinging Kai around like a ragdoll, its powerful jaws snapping dangerously close as it tried to bite down on him. Each twist and turn disoriented him further, the world around him becoming a blur of scales and shadows. Desperation surged within him as he struggled to free himself, but the creature's grip was relentless, and he felt himself losing the battle against nausea and confusion.

  With a sudden, forceful motion, the serpent whipped its head to the side, inadvertently releasing Kai from its grasp. He was propelled through the air, a helpless projectile, and smashed through a towering tree. The sound of splintering wood echoed through the misty forest, a cacophony of destruction that masked his cries.

  As he crashed to the ground, a cloud of dust erupted around him, momentarily obscuring the scene. When the dust finally settled, it revealed Kai sprawled atop a shattered tree trunk, gasping for breath. Pain radiated through his body, and he coughed violently, blood splattering onto the forest floor.

  His left shoulder throbbed with agony, a jagged branch protruding from it, dripping crimson onto the ground. Gritting his teeth, he struggled to push himself up, every movement sending fresh waves of pain coursing through him.

  Kai lay on the ground, engulfed in a haze of pain that rendered him nearly immobile. Every breath felt like a struggle, and all he could manage were pained grunts that echoed through the stillness of the forest. The world around him blurred, the mist swirling like a ghostly shroud, but he was acutely aware of the danger that loomed closer.

  As if sensing his vulnerability, the serpent began to approach him slowly, its massive body undulating with a predatory grace. The sound of its hissing filled the air, a chilling symphony of menace that sent shivers down Kai's spine. Each hiss seemed to taunt him, a reminder of his helplessness as the creature closed the distance.

  When the snake finally positioned itself directly in front of him, it raised its head high, towering over Kai like a dark omen. Its crimson eyes glowed with a malevolent intensity, piercing through the mist and locking onto Kai with a predatory gaze that felt sentient. In that moment, the creature's demeanor shifted; it began to smile—a grotesque, twisted expression that sent a wave of dread coursing through Kai.

  The sight of that sinister grin was enough to extinguish any lingering doubt about the nature of this beast. It was no ordinary serpent; it was a demonic entity, reveling in the suffering of its prey. Kai's heart raced as he realized that the creature was not just hunting him for sustenance; it was toying with him, savoring the fear and pain it inflicted.

  In that moment of despair, Kai closed his eyes, surrendering to the overwhelming sense of inevitability that surrounded him. The reality of his imminent death pressed down on him, and terror gripped his heart. But as he faced the darkness, a flicker of warmth broke through the cold grip of fear—memories began to surface, vivid and comforting.

  He found himself back in the stables, surrounded by the menagerie of spirit beasts that had been his only true family in this world. The gentle nuzzle of the majestic Snow, the soft purrs of a Igni, and the playful antics of the mischievous fox spirits filled his mind. Each creature was unique, and had a personality that brought joy and companionship to his otherwise lonely existence.

  In those fleeting moments, he could almost hear their soft calls and feel their warm presence beside him. The thought of them filled him with a bittersweet ache.

  As the serpent loomed ever closer, Kai's heart raced, bracing itself for the inevitable end. He hoped against hope that the demonic creature would grant him a swift demise, sparing him the torment of a drawn-out death. The air was thick with tension, and he could feel a sinister aura radiating from the snake's body, its malevolent gaze fixed on him.

  Just as despair threatened to consume him, a thunderous roar erupted from behind the giant serpent, reverberating through the forest like a clap of thunder. The sound was deafening, shaking the ground beneath Kai and sending a shockwave through the mist. The serpent’s head snapped around, its glowing red eyes narrowing as it turned to face the source of the disturbance.

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