Multiple Personalities

The centipede seemed to sense their presence, its slender antennae quivering slightly, like a sensitive detector in the dark. Suddenly, it let out a sharp screech, the sound echoing in the cave, like an alarm from Hell. It lunged toward them with a speed like lightning, instantly shattering the oppressive silence of the cave.

Shen Jingqi's reflexes were quick. His pupils contracted in an instant, his brain working rapidly, and his body reacted even faster than his consciousness. He swiftly pulled Lin Yue behind him, the movement crisp and decisive, as if rehearsed countless times. Then he quickly dodged to the side, his body agile like a leopard, narrowly avoiding the centipede's deadly strike at the last second. The centipede missed and crashed heavily against a nearby rock, sending fragments flying like bullets, the impact creating a cracking sound against the cave walls.

"That was close!" Lin Yue said with lingering fear, her hands gripping Shen Jingqi's arm tightly, knuckles whitening from the pressure. Her heart was pounding, breath becoming rapid, eyes filled with terror and the aftershock.

The centipede was not about to give up. Its twisted body writhed a few times on the ground before changing direction and lunging at them again. This time, its body drew a bizarre arc in the air, like a giant net enveloping them. The densely packed legs waved in the air, like countless sharp daggers, chilling to behold.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue quickly separated, each finding a place to hide. While evading the centipede's attacks, Shen Jingqi also observed its movements, his eyes showing calmness and focus. His brain was racing, thinking of countermeasures. The centipede lunged again and again, each time missing, the cave filled with tension, as if the air had solidified.

Seizing the opportunity when the centipede lunged again and its body lifted slightly, they charged forward. Shen Jingqi leapt high, his body tracing a graceful arc in the air like an eagle soaring. The stone in his hand thrust heavily toward the centipede, carrying his strength and determination, strikin directly at its body. The centipede let out a painful scream, sharp and shrill, echoing in the cave. Its body thrashed wildly, as if electrocuted, slowly collapsing into a heap on the ground, turning into a pool of pus and emitting a nauseating stench.

At this moment, a pungent smell began to permeate the cave, like the odor of decaying corpses mixed with chemical agents, revolting to the nose. Lin Yue couldn't help but wrinkle her nose, covering it with her hand, eyes full of disgust.

Soon, Shen Jingqi heard a buzzing sound. Initially faint, it seemed to come from a distance, but it soon grew louder, like muffled Thunder, as if countless bees were flying toward them. Shen Jingqi knew this was not good, his expression becoming serious, a hint of alertness in his eyes. He quickly pulled Lin Yue behind a large rock, pressing their bodies tightly against it, not daring to breathe.

Before long, a swarm of black flying insects emerged from the depths of the cave. These bugs were enormous, each the size of a fist, their wings flickering with eerie lights like the eyes of Ghosts, emitting a chilling aura in the darkness. Their mouths bore sharp teeth like pointed steel needles, terrifying to witness. The insects circled in the cave, buzzing as they searched for prey, then flew toward where they were hiding, the dense formation resembling a dark cloud blotting out the sky.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue held their breath, not daring to make a sound. Lin Yue's body trembled slightly, clinging closely to Shen Jingqi as if he were her only support. Shen Jingqi could feel her fear, gently patting her hand, signaling her not to be afraid. The insects flew around the rock, the sound of wings flapping like intense drumbeats, involuntarily quickening their heartbeats. The insects seemed to sense their presence, the circles around the rock closing in.

At that moment, a fly struck the rock, making it tremble slightly, emitting a dull thud. Shen Jingqi knew they would inevitably be discovered if this continued. A look of determination flashed in his eyes, silently contemplating a countermeasure. He quietly peeked from behind the rock, observing the movement of the insects, his eyes watching every detail. He noticed that the insects seemed sensitive to light, their eyes in the dark following moving lights.

Then, he had an idea, taking out a fire starter from his pocket. It seemed especially precious in his hand, like a beacon of hope in the dark. He lit it and threw it towards another direction of the cave. The fire starter traced an arc in the air like a meteor, landing in a corner of the cave. The fire lit up instantly, illuminating a small area. Attracted by the fire, the insects flew towards it, like moths to a flame, rushing desperately towards the faint light.

Seizing the chance, Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue dashed out from behind the rock, their footsteps swift like arrows leaving the string. They headed deeper into the cave, each step filled with tension and excitement. The cave floor was uneven, tripping them occasionally, but they quickly got back up, continuing to run forward.

Suddenly, the ground around the stone platform began to collapse, making a rumbling sound, like the earth roaring in anger. A giant spider emerged from the ground, causing the entire cave to tremble. The spider was the size of a millstone, its body black with green spots, like hideous tattoos, terrifying to see. Its eight legs were as sharp as steel needles, barbed, leaving deep marks on the ground with each step. It lunged at them with its gaping maw, lined with sharp teeth, as if to swallow them whole.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue quickly retreated, putting distance between them and the spider. Their hearts raced wildly, breath becoming haphazard. The spider incessantly spewed silk, threads like silver lines sparkling eerily in the dark. It aimed to entangle them, the silk flying through the air like an invisible net, leaving them nowhere to escape.