Odd Encounter (3)

Erik watched as the spikes protruding from his back disappeared, as if they had never been there. The heavy body of the Leylarhad collapsed onto him, its blood soaking his clothes in a deep crimson hue.

While struggling under the weight of the dead creature, Erik pushed the carcass off and dumped it to the side with a heavy thud. He stood there for a moment, studying the lifeless form. Then, almost instinctively, he dipped his fingers into one of the wounds and tasted the blood.

[LEYLARHAD'S BLOOD GAINED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]

[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]

[50 DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE DNA.]

[2360 DNA POINTS DETECTED. DO YOU WANT TO START THE EXTRACTION?]

Erik didn't hesitate. "No," he said.

He knew better than to begin such a process amid a thaid-infested forest. It was safer to wait until he was home.