Chapter 16 - No Way Back?

A figure could be seen sprinting as he weaved through the flat terrain cautiously. The figure kept observing the map on his wrist device as he moved.

Few minutes later, the figure stopped as he came upon a terrain which seemed different from the former. Checking the map again to be certain, he moved cautiously deep down into the terrain with precise caution.

A shockingly thing about the terrain was that as the figure ventured further, his figure started distorting like he was there and not at the same time. The figure's appearance continued to distort till it vanished from existence. From the start to the finish, the figure didn't know of what caused the death.

A blue mist seemed to envelope the terrain that thickened as one ventured deep into the terrain. It appeared seoarated from the other locations on the map.

A few hours later, a group of people could be seen heading towards the terrain. They also came upon the visible borderline separating the terrain form where they stood.

"This should be the place we are tasked to investigate." A gruff voice could be heard among the group. The voice belonged to a male who had an average stature as he he appeared to be studying the map.

"Tom, it's already a week. It's better to head in first, we can then deal with whatever comes out way." Another figure spoke up from the group. Compare to Tom, this figure appeared to lived a pleasurable life during the assessment.

The figure named Tom pretended not to hear him as he continued to study the terrain before them. He raised his head after he was done, "it seems we will have to go with Harry's suggestion."

A rustling sound was heard as they all turned their heads to look at the new comer. The person stopped few meters away from them then proceeded to observed what lay ahead of him.

Harry took a few steps in the person's direction. "Enemy or friend?"

The figure turned his head to them, scanning them all as if they were a delicacy.

"Perhaps friend. I'm Alex snd I just got here."

Harry had a confused look.

Did this Alex think they were blind?

"I'm Harry and these are my partners." He made an introductory gesture as he pointed at them.

Alex gave a simple nod as he looked ahead of him. The terrain looked nothing out of the ordinary save for the map that indicated it wasn't. He could have gotten here earlier, but he wad delayed by some people who thought they could rob him of his points. Guess he wasn't the only one collecting points any opportunity he got.

He managed to fend them off but not without him also suffering serious injuries. Those Frontline division were truly monsters! He would have gotten killed if not for his ability. This made him crush the slight arrogance he had— no one could defeat him among his generation.

Even standing before this group, he was tensed as he hasn't recovered entirely. Most of his injuries this time were internal. He doesn't know the reason he was taking longer to heal, seems like he will have to check into that later.

He noticed the group started moving into the next terrain cautiously. He didn't know why, but this place gave him a feeling almost identical to the place he had almost died.

How did the military get their hands on this kind of a place. This wasn't just them trying to advantage again, there were already other things at play. Unfortunately this doesn't concern him as long as it doesn't conflict with his interest.

He decided to follow the group as he trailed behind them. They didn't call him out for what he did so he thought everything was fine. They moved cautiously for almost half an hour but discover there was nothing out of the ordinary here. Harry checked the map again to be certain this was the right place. The dots indicating their presence in the blurred terrain confirmed it was the right place.

What none of them realized was that as they proceeded, a faint blue mist descended around them. Some started to feel tipsy like they were drunk, they had to be shaken by their partners before they could regain their bearings.

A scream rang out as they discovered the terrain around them had changed. Everywhere around them was filled with bones— humans and beasts alike. Ahead of them was a giant beast's head hanging on a long spine. The beast's expression was horrific like it had experienced a very painful death. Whatever could have caused this was not to be provoked.

They took a step back in retreat but they were surprised when they noticed that behind them was a thick blue mist that corroded anything that came into contact with it.

One of the group members couldn't hold it any longer as he said. "What kind of assessment is this? This is just sending us to our deaths," he paused as he checked his wrist device. "It isn't working! Guys our devices are disconnected." He said in shock. Everyone quickly checked and noticed it was true.

"It's better if we explore this place. That's the mission we were given. Anyone that's with me should follow me. It's better not to stay one place as we don't know the dangers that might exist in this place." Harry said as he observed his surroundings.

Alex didn't talk, he crouched to touch one of the bones before him. He quickly withdrew his finger as a sizzling sound was heard. He checked his finger and noticed the skin was corroding as whatever was on that bone was fighting against him healing. It seems it will take a while for him to heal.

"Everything here is contaminated. Be careful not to touch anything."

Tom whipped his head at him. "Thanks for the advice." Tom blood ran cold as he had thought of taking a bone before him that looked perfect for hunting. Good think Alex decided to warn them.

"Okay, let's move forward. I'm getting creeps just standing here." Harry said as he moved along a path between the bones. Before them was the unknown behind them was the known danger.

Somewhere far from the group was another group running with panic stricken faces as they ran through the forest they entered. Whatever was chasing them seemed to be toying with them.

A hand reached out from the air to grab a lady, but instead caught the male beside her as the lady quickly used him as a cover.

"No—!" A sharp scream rang out as crunching sounds could be heard.

"The taste of humans never ceases to satisfy me." A deep voice could be heard where the lady was previously.

"Lady Aurora was right. This place is good to feed." A second voice sounded.

"Remember to leave some alive. We wouldn't want them to be so afraid of coming here again." A feminine voice said.

Alex and his team had been moving for what felt like hours but they noticed they weren't getting anywhere.

Alex narrowed his eyes, scanning the mist-covered bones. Something felt wrong. The deeper they ventured, the more unnatural the silence became— as if the place itself was beast waiting to devor them.

Then, a distant scream echoed ahead of them. Not from their group. From somewhere else.

They weren't the only ones trapped here.

Somewhere else on the map.

John and his companions moved cautiously as they knew they had drawn the attention of danger.

A distant howl sent a shiver down Lena's spine. It wasn't just some wild animal— it was something unnatural, something that didn't belong in this forest.

John didn't hesitate. "We move. Now."

They kept low, weaving through the trees as they followed the river's course. Their map devices still worked, showing the general layout of the terrain, but there were no indicators of what might be ahead, or behind.

"We need higher ground," Ethan muttered. "If we're being hunted, I'd rather see it coming."

John nodded in agreement. "There's a ridge up ahead," Lena pointed out. "If we climb it, we'll have a better view."

As they pushed forward, the terrain began to shift subtly. The forest grew denser, the air heavier. The ground beneath their boots became damp, almost too soft. The trees twisted in unnatural shapes, their barks bearing claw marks.

Ethan frowned. "Something's off."

Lena glanced at her device again. "We're still in the designated zone, but…" She turned the screen toward them. Their position markers flickered.

"Damn it," John muttered.

A rustling noise came from their left.

Everyone froze.

Lena raised her rifle, scanning the treeline. Ethan readied his knife, tension in his stance. John slowly reached for another smoke capsule, preparing for a quick escape if needed.

The rustling grew louder.

Then it stopped.

Silence.

The three of them exchanged uneasy glances.

Then—

A figure burst from the undergrowth, sprinting toward them. Blood covered its uniform, its eyes wide with terror.

"Run!" the recruit screamed.

John didn't hesitate. "Move!"

The three of them bolted, the recruit barely keeping pace before suddenly—

He was gone.

One moment, he was right behind them. The next, a shadow lashed out from the trees, yanking him back with terrifying speed. His scream was cut short.

John skidded to a stop, turning just in time to see the flicker of movement— a grotesque, elongated limb dragging the recruit into the undergrowth.

Lena sucked in a sharp breath. "That wasn't the same thing we saw earlier."

Ethan took a step back. "We need to get out of here."

John clenched his jaw. He knew they had no choice. The deeper they went, the more unnatural this forest became. The assessment wasn't just a test of combat ability anymore; something far worse was at play.

And whatever it was, they weren't the hunters in this game.

They were the prey.