The Yuanrang Monster Hunter
2. Cave

Miaocai aimed and released an arrow at the target Yuanrang was aiming at. Arrows rippling. There was a short hiss and then it disappeared. The teenage warriors immediately ran towards the target. They had guessed before. It was just an ordinary snake.

            “If we burn ...” said Miaocai who plucked the arrow and put it back in place.

            “Jeez, not again, Miaocai,” said Mengde.

            “Now how do we find a cave that becomes a nest of centipedes? Bamboo tree said the father of craftsmen. The problem is we live in an area where bamboo trees are very endemic” Yuanrang said.

            “Hey, don't get angry first,” says Mengde, “We first describe what we know about centipedes. Example ..”

            Not finished thinking, Yuanrang's instincts screamed again. He gave the code again and pointed towards the north. Miaocai shot again and hit something. There was the sound of wild animals moaning from the bushes. That groan was enough to scare the hearts of these three teenagers. A little mental impact.  After recovering mentally again, the warriors immediately ran towards the target. But now I find nothing. Only Miaocai's arrow was lying on the ground. There were blood stains and black feathers stuck to the arrowhead.

            “There are other monsters here,” said Yuanrang, “Not just a giant centipede.”

            “Why did you say that?” ask Mengde.

            “Easy only. As powerful as animals, it is impossible to pull an arrow with a stab this deep.”

            Yuanrang pointed to the bloodstains that soaked the arrowhead. The bloodstain soaked a quarter long arrow. Mengde and Miaocai nodded in understanding. Yuanrang's argument is strong enough. But he had gone too far to conclude that there were other monsters here.

            “Do not rush to call monsters,” says Miaocai, “Who knows the animals are large?”

            Yuanrang shook his head, “What animal? The panda? A wolf? The bears? Ape? Nevermind, cousin. There's no way those animals I mentioned were able to pluck out all the arrows and disappear this fast.”

            “Or maybe he didn't disappear and is still here?” said Mengde who was staring at Yuanrang then glanced up.

            “Miaocai!” yuanrang said with a finger code pointing upwards.

            As soon as possible, Miaocai immediately shot up and saw something strange. Stout and black hairy. The creature was standing on a tree branch. Great also. Able to stand for a long time and remain silent. First shot failed to hit target. The black creature jumped north. No surrender Miaocai shoots again. But this time it failed again. Yuanrang uses metal control. The sword he was holding from earlier suddenly floated up. Then start chasing the furry animals. All of Yuanrang's punches and Miaocai's shots failed to injure the enemy.

            “Stop! We're far from the trail!” said Mengde.

            Yuanrang and Miaocai stopped the chase. They walked over and returned to the place where Mengde was currently still standing in the same place. Mengde's words were right, too. If they are far from the path and are lured deep into the forest, then they can potentially get lost. The three of them have been here. But I don't know the details of this area.

            “What the hell is going on in this forest?” said Mengde.

            “Lipan, hairy monster ... after that what? Horned fish?” said Yuanrang who started to lash out with an unexpected surprise.

            These teenage warriors are back on the trail. Mengde took out a sword and tore apart the body of the snake that had been harvested by Miaocai. Then, they walked again following the path to make it safer. While spreading the blood and flesh of snakes to provoke the arrival of centipedes. Who knew centipedes would come when they smelled blood and flesh.

            “By your tactics too,” said Yuanrang who then looked at Miaocai, “If there are any more animals, we should kill.”

            “Yes. But don't use Miaocai arrows,” says Mengde, “Miaocai land is special for monsters.”

            Indeed Yuanrang's idea sounds reasonable. Conceptually for centipede fishing. But reality says something else. During the path, they did not encounter any more animals such as snakes, rabbits and others. There are only a few different types of birds. As if, all the land-based animals were depleted here.

            “There are no land animals here,” Miaocai said.

            “It looks like it's been eaten up by centipedes and hairy monsters,” Mengde said.

            “What if we just burn this forest?” yuanrang said, “Use your fire control, Mengde!”

            Mengde grunting, “Your brain is starting to smoke?”

            “The times of people with intelligent brains like you don't understand what I mean? If this forest burns, the damned centipede will come out,” Yuanrang replied.

            “Iya. I understand you mean,” said Mengde, “But pity the villagers. Villagers still need this forest for their livelihood.”

            “Simple answer, Mengde,” said Miaocai, “If you want to burn this forest, it is likely that the centipede will come out because it is not strong with smoke and temperature. But that action also lured another monster out, Yuanrang. All we know is the centipede and the mysterious hairy monster. Not to mention other possibilities. My question is, are we strong enough if we have to face several monsters at once?”

            “Ah, jerk. Your logic sucks, Miaocai,” said Yuanrang, “But more simple explanation Mengde.”

            “And the possibility that we will face can be so,” said Miaocai.

            “Inchant so. Maybe we can try another way to fish centipedes.”

            “How was your idea?” ask Mioacai.

            “This is blood, right?” yuarang said, drawing out the sword.

            “My cousin this one is brutal also yes,” laughter Mengde, “Ya already. Just a small wound. Don't bleed out if centipedes or other monsters show up. Later you will drown.”

            Miaocai yawn, “Tak appears too, yes.”

            “Maybe the jerk centipede is sleeping or babysitting their babies,” Yuanrang said.

            It had been twenty minutes, Yuanrang's efforts were fruitless. Fortunately, they saw some damaged trees and bamboo. The three of them exited the path and checked for damage to both large and small plants. From their observations, the condition of grass-type plants dived to the northwest. While large plants such as trees and bamboo fall apart in all directions out of nowhere.

            “We follow the direction of the grass,” said Mengde, “Miaocai, do not forget to make markers and ice traps, yes. So we can get back to the trail. We're fishing for assholes out!”

            “Hmmm, northwest, yes?” yuanrang said, “Ayo!”

            These teenage warriors soon moved to the northwest. Following the grass. They keep walking. Keeps stamina intact. It will be difficult later if they are even tired first when they have to fish and face giant centipedes.

After ten minutes of walking, finally met the cave in question. The size of the cave mouth is quite large. Enough for a giant centipede in and out. The mouth of this cave was attached to the foot of a very high gorge and was surrounded by several tall bamboo tree formations. In the surrounding area, also found carcasses and pieces of animal bodies. Supported by this much fact, there were clearly centipedes inside the cave.

“How are you planning to lure centipedes out, Mengde?” ask Yuanrang.

“We collect grass and animal carcasses, put them in the cave, we burn everything and we close the door with ice made by Miaocai,” said Mengde, “Asap will disturb their breathing.”

“How much ice thickness do you need, Mengde?” ask Miaocai.

“Not need to be too thick,” says Mengde, “Quite the size of the index finger only.”

Work commences. Mengde and Yuanrang collected carcasses and plants. Miaocai meditated to gather energy. In lieu of the energy expended to create traps and trails to return to the trail. Once all is done, the operation begins. They entered the cave but were still close to the mouth of the cave. It is a little different from the initial plan so as not to enter the cave in the slightest. While waiting for Yuanrang and Mengde to finish the job, Miaocai began to sneakily seal the mouth of the cave.

“Set a little for us to come out and for me to burn these ingredients,” said Mengde.

“Yes, yes, I know. Bawel,” says Miaocai.

“Finally done too. Come out soon,” Yuanrang said.

“Wait, wait,” said Mengde who unsheathed the sword, “Let me add blood here.”

After all was done, Yuanrang and Mengde immediately exited the cave. Miaocai leaves a little hole. From the hole in the center of the ice door, Mengde used firebending to burn everything they had collected. Smoke has started to appear. As the fire grows, the smoke produced also increases.

“All the leaves you collect are in dry condition right?” ask Miaocai.

Yuanrang grumbled, “You think we are stupid.”

Miaocai laughs, “And I just asked.”

“We retreat first,” Mengde said, “We don't want the giant centipede to surprise us.”

The warriors hide behind the bushes. It didn't take long, there was a rumbling sound from inside the cave. At first it sounded slow. But for a long time it was getting closer. Just one impact, the big centipede came out. Creeping up the ravine. Yuanrang could not measure exactly how long it was. The body width of a centipede is approximately two to three times the size of a human foot. Along his body was decorated by pieces of spears, arrows, swords and axes.

“You see the jewelry on his body?” ask Yuanrang.

“Yes. Beautiful too. Means there was resistance from residents and local fighters to finish him off,” said Mengde, “Miaocai, please shoot right in the head.”

Miaocai took a bow, arrow and started aiming. But all stopped when they saw a disgusting phenomenon. The baby centipedes came out of the mouth of the cave. I don't know how many. If what came out of the cave alone was that much, I don't know how many there are in the cave. They're creeping in all directions. Like a confused human being. Even three of the tails crept closer to the warriors.

“Agrevoking!” Miaocai.

“Why are the babies here??” Yuanrang.

With metal handling, Yuanrang did not need to emerge from the bushes. The sword in his grasp suddenly flew up and stabbed into the head of the baby centipede. Yuanrang's sword eyes continued to target the eyes, mouth and brain of the baby centipede many times until it died. Metal control was so effective that it supported Yuanrang to kill two at a time.

Another with Mengde who from earlier was standing on a tree branch. With the control of the fire, he burned his sword. Then immediately plunge and thrust the sword into the head of the baby centipede. It is not enough to just tear the brain, Mengde directly tore all parts of his head apart. Three baby centipedes have been killed.

“Shoot the parent now!” commando Mengde while burning the tip of Miaocai's arrow.

Miaocai's arrow rippled through the air. Miaocailah was indeed the greatest in archery among the three of them. Miaocai's shot tore the head of the giant centipede. Even so, centipedes were still stuck to the ravine wall. Since it had still not fallen as well, Miaocai shot another arrow. This second arrow succeeded in dropping the mother centipede.

“Beautiful shot, cousin!” praise Mengde.

“Ugh!” yuanrang said, “Definitely hurt.”

“Clearly,” said Mengde, “The dozens of weapons all over his body are getting immersed.”

To lure the mother centipede, Miaocai shoots again with a fire arrow. Constantly targeting his head. It took three arrows to make the mother centipede aware of who was attacking. The mother centipede roared and chased three teenage warriors. Leaving her cute and disgusting babies.