Chapter 9: Just passing through

Lina felt somewhat revitalized after resting briefly beneath the leaves of the ancient tree. She proceeded to advance cautiously towards the Living Bridge utilizing her skill to seamlessly blend into the surroundings.

She encountered additional obstacles during her journey as similar traps to the ones she had previously encountered as well as pitfall traps equipped with wooden spikes angled upwards and trigger snares that compelled her to advance with more caution. Her movements were intentionally careful as she searched for subtle signs of energy exposing the locations of the hunters along with their traps, then with careful slow steps she avoided every single one of them.

She was nearing the Living Bridge then took cover behind the thick bushes observing her surroundings closely, after confirming it's safe. She looked ahead to see the bridge, it was constructed of complex interconnected tree roots spanning deep within the forest gorge. The natural beauty of the bridge was overshadowed by hazards and the presence of traps made it highly dangerous to cross.

She enhanced her vision significantly by utilizing her skill resulting in a much sharper perception of her surroundings. 

Upon inspecting the bridge she detected various hazards like hidden vines traps and weighted spears. Some Lizard men occasionally patrolled the vicinity with some positioned on bridge branches and others stationed hidden below.

Padtok the youthful tribal heir took center the stage in their ongoing activity. He appeared more formidable and commanding compared to the rest of Lizard men emitting distinct aura. Three Lizard men by his side projected authority displaying more fluid movements than the rest of their kin with quiet confidence surrounding them.

Lina tightened her hands into fists feeling unease intensify rapidly. 'He looks really dangerous … I must pass through them silently. Darkness will hide me until I see an opening.'

While planning for her next move, a rustling noise came behind her which caused her heart rate and senses to spike suddenly. 

A Lizard man emerged from the foliage merely a few steps away passing by her hiding place. 

She refrained from making any noise keeping her hands pressed firmly against her mouth. 

The Lizard man spoke "did you think I wouldn't find you?" he said while showing a horrific grin, he walked towards her position.

"There you are!" The Lizard man reached out and grabbed the spear on the ground, then as if sensing something, he looked around but after finding that there's nothing there he went away.

She saw this and her heart rate increased even more as the creature stopped momentarily sniffing the surrounding air before continuing on its way oblivious.

She let out a silent sigh of relief. 'That was close…''

Lina observed the direction of the bridge, she saw a group of deer approaching from the opposite side. Upon cautiously stepping onto the bridge, one of the deer activated the traps, resulting in nets and weighted spears descending, causing the other deers to flee in alarm.

'This is my chance!' she thought. With the Lizard men's attention focused on the deers, she ran towards the bridge, avoiding the traps and colliding against the herd onto the bridge.

"Let the others go!" Padtok shouted, gesturing to his hunters. "We'll let them breed and we shall hunt them again after a few moons. For now this is enough."

Lina darted through the chaos, narrowly avoiding the traps and the spears falling around her. Her heart pounded as she reached the other side, muttering to herself, "I'm finally near the other side— Kyaa!! oof"

But just as she thought she was safe, her foot slipped on a patch of moss, and she fell forward with a sharp cry.

One of the Lizard men guarding the bridge noticed and shouted pointing at her direction, "Young tribe chief! There's someone else on the bridge!"

Padtok's gaze snapped to her direction, his sharp eyes narrowing down as he focused on her figure. "What? A manling? How did it get past us? You fools! have i not said to guard our surroundings!" he growled at them.

Lina gasped, scrambling to her feet. "Oh no!" she whispered, panic gripping her body.

She clasped her trembling hands together, desperately chanting under her breath to activate her skill. But just as the light particles began to gather around her, she tripped again over a small protruding stub. Suddenly a spear whistled through the air and landed precisely where she would have been earlier if she had not fell.

Her blood ran cold and thought about what would've happened. "T-that could've killed me…"

Padtok snarled, grabbing another spear from a nearby Lizard man. "I'll handle this!" he barked. With precise aim, he hurled the weapon toward her, but this time Lina's chant was finally completed, and she disappeared from view, blending into the surroundings before he could throw another spear.

"What?!" Padtok roared. "How! It disappeared?!"

The other Lizard men looked at each other in confusion wondering as well.

"Could it be a curse? or a spirit?!" one of them asked.

Padtok gritted his teeth, gripping another spear as he ran forward. "Curse, Spirit or not, I won't let it escape!" He leapt into the air, aiming his spear as he searched for any trace of her. But by the time he landed on the bridge, she was already gone.

"Send word to the tribe chief!" he ordered, turning to his entourage. "Tell him what happened here. I'll remain and guard this spot, there might be more of those manlings lurking in the dark."

One of the hunters nodded and sprinted off toward their village and some followed behind, while the others stood watch, guarding the bridge.

Padtok glanced back at the forest, clicking his tongue in frustration. 'How did it slip past me? Tsk'

On the other side of the bridge, Lina crouched behind a large rock, gasping for air. Her body trembled as she tried to steady herself, her heart still racing.

"…I-I barely survived… Thank the sky…" she whispered, clutching her chest.

As her breathing slowly relaxed, her eyes turned towards the towering mountain ahead, its peak glowing faintly in the pale light of dawn. The crimson light that had drawn her here seemed closer than ever.

"I have to keep moving…" she murmured, pushing herself to her feet. Determined, she began her ascent toward the mountain, the memory of her near-death experience serving as fuel to her resolve.

End of chapter