Chapter 46: End of the Journey

Su Yu hissed as he strode forward, his left arm swinging downward with force. A shrill cry, like that of a baby, echoed as his 'Rending Claw' brought up large amounts of minced meat and fresh blood mixed with river water. He lifted his hand and, with a resounding "Pa!", something was flung from the river and landed heavily on the shore.

The group looked over to see half of a monster that seemed to be a mix between a fish and a snake. Su Yu's 'Rending Claw' had mutilated one part of its body, but the rest of the creature was clear like the river water—an eerie and unsettling sight. As it lay on the shore, its color gradually changed to match the mud, making it nearly invisible.

In no time, Su Yu tossed the other half of its body onto the shore, which also transitioned from the color of the river to that of the mud.

The monster had chameleon-like abilities, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. When it was in the river, it was clear like the water, rendering it nearly undetectable.

Zhuang Xiao Hua, misled into thinking the water was safe, had leapt in and was viciously attacked by the hidden beast.

When Su Yu dragged Zhuang Xiao Hua back to the shore, it was already too late. His body was contorted, and he was dead.

Staring at Zhuang Xiao Hua's corpse, the group fell silent. Moments ago, he had been joking and full of life. Now, he lay lifeless by the shore, his eyes wide open, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

Qin Jia Gui was filled with self-loathing. If he hadn't hesitated and had jumped into the river with Su Yu, he might have been able to save Zhuang Xiao Hua. But no one else, aside from Su Yu, had dared to jump into the river.

Ashamed, Qin Jia Gui realized that he could never compare to Su Yu. In critical moments, Su Yu was decisive and fearless, qualities Qin Jia Gui lacked.

He glanced over at Su Yu, who was staring at Zhuang Xiao Hua's corpse, lost in thought. To Qin Jia Gui, Su Yu suddenly seemed mystifying and incomprehensible. On normal days, Su Yu appeared ordinary, but in crises, he showed extraordinary courage and insight, making quick and effective decisions.

Qin Jia Gui understood now that Su Yu's strength wasn't due to luck. It was a hidden strength, buried within him. This realization made Qin Jia Gui feel the distance between them.

Clenching his fists, Qin Jia Gui felt a pang of envy. He yearned for the innate qualities that Su Yu possessed.

The death of Zhuang Xiao Hua and the appearance of the strange monster cast a gloom over the group. The sky was growing darker, and their enthusiasm was waning.

Su Yu's 'Eye of Perception' had gathered information about the dead monster. It was called a 'River Boa Beast,' known for its baby-like cries and its ability to blend with its surroundings. It lacked teeth but was immensely strong, able to crush bones with its grip. It was a solitary creature, fearsome, and often found in rivers and mountains.

With Zhuang Xiao Hua's corpse and the darkening sky, the group lost interest in taking a bath.

Qin Jia Gui, feeling deeply indebted to Zhuang Xiao Hua, grabbed a metal spade from Wei Zhang Ming and began digging a hole. Li Dong, Zhou Hua Kang, and others quickly joined him, using the metal spades they had taken from gnomes.

In no time, a large hole was dug by the riverside. Qin Jia Gui gently lifted Zhuang Xiao Hua's body, apologizing softly: "Sorry, if I had been more courageous, maybe… maybe you wouldn't be dead now. I promise… I will never be weak again in the future. Just watch, if Su Yu can do it, Qin Jia Gui can do it too. I won't be inferior to him."

As they covered Zhuang Xiao Hua's body with earth, the group's mood was somber. Qin Jia Gui sighed, feeling a slight relief from his guilt. He looked up and murmured, "The sky will be dark soon."

The group understood his meaning. The journey seemed to end at this river. Following Zhuang Xiao Hua's death, their number had fallen to twelve.

As night fell, the forest grew darker and more ominous. The group ate silently, their nerves frayed by the occasional roars echoing through the forest. The sounds were bone-chilling, making it difficult to rest.

Ding Shan, eyes wide with fear, hid in Zhou Bi Rong's embrace, who covered her ears to shield her from the terrifying noises.

Finally, Qin Jia Gui broke the silence. Looking at a biscuit in his hand, he said, "According to our promise, two days have passed. But heading back in the night is too dangerous. Let's rest here tonight and return to the school in the morning. What do you think?"

Returning to the school meant facing a thousand students and teachers. They hadn't found a rescue team, a safe exit, or enough food. Their mission had failed.

Li Dong laughed coldly. "There are many monsters in the forest. Lesser Goblins or Gnomes, if we let them eat the meat from these monsters, they might survive."

Li Dong's suggestion disgusted the group. The idea of eating the flesh of Lesser Goblins, with their green blood and flesh, was repulsive. Even the thought made them shudder.

"Li Dong, can you not be so disgusting?" Zhang Zhong Mou said, almost choking on his sausage.

Li Dong replied coldly, "Disgusting? In desperate times, people have eaten tree bark, roots, mud, even human flesh. These are just monsters. If you don't want to eat them, then there's only one solution."