Beauty and the Beasts

When the snake and human returned to the cave, the food was still there. Bai Qingqing held onto the food but had no appetite.

Cortis said, “Let’s go. We’ll leave the rice here in case it gets wet.”

“En.”

The moment they stepped out of the cave, a black shadow flashed past quickly on the ground.

Bai Qingqing immediately looked up toward the sky, facing the sun. A huge black eagle was circling in the sky, staring at them with its sharp gaze. Suddenly, the black eagle swooped down, letting out a high-pitched cry.

“Screech—!”

Cortis pushed Bai Qingqing into the cave and transformed his upper body into his snake form as well.

The black eagle came with strong and fast momentum, swooping toward the ground like a meteor. However, Cortis swiftly avoided the eagle’s attack. He swept out fiercely with his tail, sending the eagle flying out.

Bai Qingqing’s heart thumped very quickly as she kept close to the walls, wanting to sneak out. Cortis didn’t turn his head, but with a sweep of his tail, he blocked Bai Qingqing’s path, keeping her in the cave.

“Hiss~” He flashed out his scarlet tongue from his round snakehead, his blood-colored pupils staring at the black eagle with a cold gaze.

Moore flapped his wings and flew up. When he saw the female behind the snake beastman, he let out a high-pitched cry once again, charging forward.

Cortis naturally understood why the eagle beastman had let out a cry. The leopard beastmen were in the vicinity and should be rushing back.

He wasn’t afraid of this group of beastmen. He was only worried that he wouldn’t be able to guard over the female and that they’d snatch her away amidst the chaos.

Cortis wanted to end this battle quickly. He moved back slightly, secretly waiting for a chance to make a move. When his opponent flew within his attacking range, Cortis suddenly attacked at lightning speed, darting out quickly and biting onto the eagle.

“Screech!” The black eagle let out an agonizing cry, his voice so sharp that it felt as if a needle had been pierced through one’s brain.

Moore hadn’t expected that the four-stripped snake beastman could move at such a quick speed. He could almost be said to be invincible in close combat. The agility that the eagle beastmen were born with allowed him to instinctively avoid being attacked at his vital part, and he was only bitten in the chest.

Moore attacked the snake beastman with his sharp claws and finally broke free from the bite. He flew out in a sorry state, staggering until he eventually landed on a branch.

The domineering snake venom caused his head to feel giddy, and it was hard for him to stand upright. He then caught a glimpse of a bunch of yellow colors through his blurred vision.

“Howl!” The leopard beastmen had finally rushed back.

Cortis wrapped Bai Qingqing up with his tail and transformed his upper body into his human form. He then took her with him into the river.

The leopard beastmen in the water gave chase with all their might, but they could only watch as the snake beastman carried the female with him, getting further and further away from them. After the snake beastman made a turn, they completely lost track of him.

Night came again, and fire sparks rose somewhere in the forest.

Bai Qingqing curled her body as she stayed by the fire to get warm. She had felt very hot back in the village, but here, she always felt cold. It was as if it was a completely different season.

“Cortis.” Bai Qingqing called out softly.

Cortis looked at her and moved a little closer to the fire. The light illuminated his black and red tail, causing his skin to dry up and bringing him pain.

“Is that eagle alright?” Bai Qingqing asked, wrapping her arms around her legs even more tightly, feeling uneasy.

“He’ll die,” Cortis said very simply.

Bai Qingqing suddenly turned her head and looked at Cortis, asking, “Why? He was still fine earlier. He managed to fly off.”

Bai Qingqing’s countenance was very pale, and her eyes were feeling sore and heating up. She raised her head, forcing the tears back in.

Cortis patted Bai Qingqing’s head, thinking that females were really gentle and soft-hearted. This was something he couldn’t understand.

What was so strange about death? If there were no killings, how could they survive? Moreover, didn’t the female eat meat as well? Why would she still cry over the other party’s death?