My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 6)

The hour was at the end and the water showed the signs again that the monster was reaching on surface. "Linwin, when you throw the vine toward me, make sure it is reaching at the right spot. Quipu, you will have to bother yourself in guarding the path of the underground, I feel the previous team did not leave." Qiao instructed and then critically examined as to which part of the surface the monster would choose.

The monster had chosen a right one this time but it was wrong one for Qiao. If it had chosen this one before Qiao might have succeeded. Sighing Qiao shook his head as he cannot change his plan again. The monster was well aware about the specific hunter so it made sure to not wander on surface for long. Qiao strongly held his weapon and jumped directly toward the monster taking a deep breath in case he fell in the lake. 

The attack was simple and just at the moment Qiao felt that the monster won't be giving enough time, he was already riding on its back. Before it could bring the mouth up for breath, two straightaway weapon attacks fell on its back. This time the wounds were deep and just in a moment the monster was forced to return back on surface. Qiao shouted and Linwin threw the vine which reached right in his hand.

The water dragon havocked in the lake due to its severe wounds. Linwin was frightened to see this, as Qiao was also in the lake and trying to come out, he pulled the vine to make it hurry up and bring back brother Qiao. At that moment, the weakened vine made a sound of breaking apart from three parts. Linwin got more frightened and alarmed as well as he furiously looked toward the new member who was standing idly. There was no doubt that he tempered the strong vine. 

Qiao also got worried to see that the vine had broken up before he could come out of the lake. The monster also saw the hunter struggling in the water and it was already furious. It rushed toward the hunter to tear him apart. This way the others would get frighten and leave the surrounding. And this way the monster could come out of the lake until it's ripped skin could mend. 

Now the situation was a lot more dangerous for Qiao. If he kept his focus to leave the water, the monster would attack and kill him immediately and if he chose to fend off the attack of monster, he has to let go the vine. There was not a second of moment for him to decide when the monster was already approaching his head. 

He let go the vine and faced the monster, moving his legs to not get drowned. The monster saw the brutal hunter and its eyes glistened with more fury. The matter to leave water and stay on the dry ground was thrown back until this fatal hunter was chasing without delay. 

The monster made a whirlpool around Qiao and slowly its body captured the hunter in the grip. Qiao was not ready for this. He has read stories of monsters killing the human this way in the comic books. It was really surprising that he himself would face such a thing which was only imaginary in his own world. 

Thankfully he knew how the heroes managed to save themselves in such situations. Before the monster could squeeze him and make mince-meat he had to kill or attack at least. The weapon was also in his strong grip but Qiao was losing his breath too. He used up all his energy to pull the weapon and pierced through the skin. The monster loosened its grip but started to drag him down with it. 

Linwin was horrified when he saw brother Qiao beginning to fall into the depths of the lake. He combined many vines hastily and threw it in the lake shouting his name again and again.

At that moment, Qiao saw the pearl on the head of the monster but has no strength to get it. Then the pearl shined and broke in three and started floating upward. As Qiao saw this wonder happening, his mouth opened forgetting that he was in the water. 

He struggled with his legs and picked the pearls immediately. The pearls lost their shine as soon as he touched. These pearls could sense living and only shine when they were not in the possession of living being. And then the edge of the vine fell near him and he picked it and pulled to let Linwin know that he was there. 

Linwin was thrilled and happy that it worked, quickly he pulled the vine as fast as he could. The knots might not be as strong so he has lesser time. He turned around to ask Quipu to help too. They pulled him out of the water before he could lose senses. Qiao hid the pearls carefully as he knew he was not in a good condition anymore.

Both barely brought him out and he fell unconscious due to lack of breathing and also struggling in the lake. From his condition anyone could tell that he barely escaped death so there was no reason to believe that he has gotten anything from this hunt. 

Linwin and Quipu held him and brought him out of the underground forest lake. Outside the team who was waiting to snatch saw the condition of this beggar team and shook their heads. They went inside believing that monster was still alive. 

Since most of the battle took place in the depth, so the water was not much bloody. "It seems, that beggar was able to injure the dragon, I have a high tolerance in the water so I will take a look." Zura spoke and jumped. 

Meanwhile Qiao was taken back by his men towards the guild.