Mating Scent

A flash of vicious green bolted through her dim left eye, but Riize made sure to lower her head just enough to hide the killing intent roiling within. Her other red eye gleamed menacingly when she caught a sudden jerking movement from afar.

"They're coming."

Ethan distanced himself from her the instant he heard the signal. With him out of her personal space, Riize finally let out a breath of relief.

However, she knew it all too well. Now that things had come to this point, the man wouldn't let her off that easily. He would get what he wanted, one way or another.

She shifted her gaze, fixing it onto the current battleground where Pookie could be seen slithering through the uneven path of stones and pebbles, the massive four-legged Vernons tagging close behind.

The ground beneath their feet quaked as the earth-type spawns pushed forward on their fours, their movements so slow that the slime didn't seem rushed at all, despite its role as the living bait.

At a closer look, the Vernons resembled stone golems with dark brick-red skin coarse like gravels, their thick backs full of spike-like crystals so thin and sharp that they would easily pierce through flesh like paper.

Despite their terrifying appearance, the hunters didn't seem the least flustered. Instead, their wary eyes simultaneously lit up with excitement and anticipation.

At this moment, Ethan had long positioned himself behind one of the nearest traps, lying low against the tall stone boulder as he readied himself to lunge forward upon the catch.

Riize looked ahead. Similar to Ethan, the other hunters had each placed themselves on advantageous hidden positions, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

Everything seemed to be working well – that, if things were to go according to the plan. Sneakily shielding herself from Ethan's hawk-like watch, Riize's hand reached into her sling bag, fingers diving through to wrap around an inconspicuous flask.

No, it wasn't some potent poison that she planned to unleash, but something far sweeter – something that spelled nothing but trouble.

A sweet aroma slowly spread across the area, prompting the more sensitive hunters to pull back with a frown.

"What's that smell?" One hunter voiced out, shifting in his position with clear discomfort.

The aroma wasn't sickening in the least. Rather, it was delicious enough to rouse the hidden, dark desires within them. Wait– desire?

"It's the Abyssal Spawn's Mating Scent! Everyone, watch out!" This voice of wisdom naturally came from none other than Riize, who had suddenly jumped out of her hiding position.

Her shout wasn't low, and with her whole figure suddenly in full view, for a moment, all of the surrounding Vernons seemed to have locked their predatory gazes onto her, their saliva dripping incessantly.

"Damn it, Miss Guide! Are you out of your mind?"

She was soon dragged back into hiding by the panicked Ethan, who glowered at her with clenched teeth.

"What are you acting crazy there for?" He seemed to have suspected her for deliberately making a scene. If he hadn't been quick enough, the stupid demon would've long been razed clean by those flesh-eating savages.

Though it wasn't as if he was reluctant to watch her die on her own, Ethan thought that they would still need an intact guide to lead their way out.

"The Mating Scent," Riize said breathlessly. "We need to get out of here! Now!"

Ethan didn't bother to hide the ferocity in his voice. But, Riize seemed to have heard none of it as she struggled out of the man's grasp, her voice frantic.

"This is bad. Despite their mild nature, the Vernons are known to be the most fierce and brutal during their mating season. They will practically kill anyone who hinders their business! What's worse is, the mating scent doesn't work on only one species. The other Abyssal Spawns… it won't be long before they're all headed into this direction."

Ethan was struck dumb by the sudden surge of information. As the severity of her words dawned upon their minds, the other hunters didn't dare to move an inch either, afraid that they would accidentally be swept into the frenzy.

"What? What are we supposed to do then? The traps are already laid and they're almost here. Are we just going to retreat and abandon everything?"

Ethan pulled Riize by the collar of her cloak, demanding her for a definite answer.

"T-There's still time," Riize stuttered as if frightened, her pupils visibly dilating as she reverted her eyes away, "At most 10 minutes. Any longer and I can't guarantee we'll make it out in one piece."

"Fine." Ethan didn't dare to consider for long. Releasing his grip, he turned to the other men and made his command.

"Hunters, we're changing plans. Split into three groups and start with the extraction. Mark my words, quantity is our priority! Now move fast!"

He then turned to Riize, his fiery green eyes burning with oppressive intimidation, "Demon. Keep track of the time. Once the time is up, make a cry and we'll instantly pull back."

Riize nodded, a mocking scowl forming beneath the devil's mask as her cold eyes reflected the man's retreating back.

"I'll definitely… not let you down." She whispered under her breath.

…

A moment later, the hunters started to cry out positive results, their techniques getting smoother and better as they carve out one after another glowing ores with their knives.

"We've got one here! Axel, come here and retrieve the ore!"

"Sir, we've successfully extracted another one as well."

The extraction went better than their initial expectations. Still, a trace of doubt and anxiety continued to linger in their voice, their eyes darting left and right as they examined their surroundings with extra precaution.

Perhaps, due to the beckoning of the 'Mating Scent' – as what was told by their knowledgeable demon guide – the surrounding abyssal spawns had increased to close to three folds of the previous estimated numbers.

Fortunately, as far as the scouting team had reported, no other types of abyssal spawn had been spotted near the vicinity. It was only due to this that the hunters were willing to stay on spot.

"Ms Guide, how much time do we have left?" Pulling himself away, Ethan voiced out similar doubts in between his short hurried breaths.

Sweat had long drenched his whole back and forehead as his gloved hands pulled at the ropes tightly, securing the fiercely struggling Vernon in place before he signalled for the hunter to switch behind him and start with the extraction.

Riize took her time peeking on her pocket watch, answering with languidity, "2 Minutes left, there's still time."

Ethan nodded, his attention returning back to the abyssal spawn in front of him as he barked at the other men to move faster.

The air grew increasingly hot with each passing second. And with how intense their operation was, beads after beads of sweat had long drenched his entire back, causing the damp fabric to cling to his skin and further adding fuel to his irritation.

"Faster!" He growled, his heart beating wildly against his chest like drums. His two arms ached as his muscles twitched in distress. Slowly, he felt his vision spun as if the world was revolving around him.

Ethan could feel his four limbs slowly giving way. He had overexerted himself. It should be enough by now, he thought. But just as he was about to make his command, the cloudy veil over his eyes suddenly dispersed as he saw the nearly bloodless face of his partner.

"S-Sir…" The pale-faced man forced out a reply through his cracked lips, his voice weathered and trembling, "I-I can't feel… my legs…"

Ethan's enlarged eyes shifted downwards, pupils dilating in shock and confusion as he took in the sight of a massive maw gnawing at the man's legs.

The tight grip around the ropes unknowingly loosened as his stunned eyes stayed on the abyssal spawn feasting before him, a series of sharp crunching sounds echoing out as it grounded the man's bones against its razor-like teeth.

A stream of red flowed down the creature's jaws. Ethan's whole figure froze as if his feet were rooted to the ground, when a huge shadow suddenly loomed over from behind him.