Chapter 177: The Merfolk (4)
The creature, which had been feasting on the soft, defenseless prey from outside, suddenly realized something. Some of the prey had managed to escape.
It vaguely remembered that they shouldn’t have been able to leave, but now, as if some restriction had been lifted, the survivors had all fled at once.
Yet, it was unconcerned. The restrictions that had kept them penned in were gone now. It would finish off the remaining prey, and when the time came, it would track down the rest. This thought filled the beast with simple happiness.
***
Baker spoke, dismissing the earlier topic with a casual shake of his head. “Maybe you’re just imagining things. Animals that are scared out of their wits tend to thrash around even more wildly. That’s probably all it is.”
“Maybe you’re right. I’m still inexperienced. I probably misread what I sensed.” Aquaz nodded in agreement, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in her eyes. She let out a small sigh, then looked to Ketal. “Are you alright?”
Ketal nodded with a curious expression, as if lost in thought.
Without further delay, Aquaz raised her hand, conjured a spear of radiant light, and drove it through the ape’s chest.
A thick spurt of red blood floated in the water. The ape, its chest pierced, convulsed and fought, but its movements grew weaker and weaker until, at last, it went still.
Aquaz glanced down at the corpse and shook her hand to dry it. Then, she drew a short dagger. “I’ll begin the dissection. If any of you are squeamish, you might want to step out of the pillar of light.”
***
An hour later, Aquaz emerged from the pillar, wiping her hands.