Eroge: I can Travel To The Ancient World

266  Hunting Demonic Snake

" We are from an escort guild. We heard what happened here." Jia Hao cupped his fist.

" With my experience, I can tell that it's a snake type demonic beast.

" However, with the strength of villagers, they might get hurt by this beast. So, We would like to have your permission to join this hunt."

" This…" People pondered Jia Hao's words. However, his aura and eloquence reduced the vigilance of elderly villagers.

" Warriors from far away, We would be glad if you eradicate this evil from our village."

" Thank you, Elder."

Jia Hao's smile bloomed. A few women in the village blushed when they saw Jia Hao.

' Hah! Finally got the quest from the NPC. This is why charisma stat is important.' Jia Hao giggled inwardly.

Luo Qiang was stunned when he saw the development of the scene. When everyone dispersed to make preparation, Luo Qiang looked at Jia Hao.

" Brother Jia, Don't you feel it's a bit hasty decision?"

" Nope, I have taken this step with some calculation." Jia Hao shook his head. " Besides, What if we manage to get a beast core from this demonic beast?"

Beast cores from demonic beasts are very expensive after all. They used in both alchemy and array formations, making them a rare commodity.

" But how are we going to catch that beast?" Luo Qiang argued. " We don't even know the terrain of this place."

" Brother Luo, Just wait and watch." Jia Hao gave a mysterious grin.

When they returned to the inn, Jia Hao discussed the plan with everyone. " Brother Jia, I will also go with you." Sang Qiuliu spoke first. " I need to stretch my body after a week of long journey."

" This wasn't in our plan. What if we get delayed?" Ye Kong expressed his displeasure. After all, as a man of the military, he hated such unexpected variables.

" Brother Ye, the hunt will start tonight. So, If we don't find the demonic beast till dawn, we will return." Jia Hao made his point.

" Therefore, we can still leave the village tomorrow on time."

" Very well. But you better remain careful." Ye Kong warned them. " Don't get lost in the hills. Always follow the group of villagers."

" As you say, Brother Ye." Luo Qiang laughed. " Since I am going, I will take extra precautions."

When the sun fell, The villagers walked out with burning torches. Each of them held sickles and pitch forks. There were three village guards and two of them held spears while the other held a sword.

" That demonic beast has gained intelligence. Therefore, Those who are staying back in the village, remain careful." A burly man spoke.

Jia Hao, Luo Qiang, and Sang Qiuliu joined the group of villagers as they walked towards the hills.

There was an old man with them, who used to a seasoned hunter. Even in darkness, he managed to find the animal trails.

Jia Hao couldn't help but admire him. Despite his age, he managed to find a snake lair.

The first snake was down. But it was an ordinary snake.

" The snake that killed our livestock must be a giant snake." The old hunter spoke with a frown.

" But strange enough, There is no trail of it.:

" Without a trail, how are we going to find it?"

" If that's the case, look for the usual hideouts of a snake. We might get some clues there."

The villagers divided into groups as they decided to search a larger area.

Jia Hao rubbed his chin as he looked at the situation. " Brother Jia, What happened?"

" That old hunter is right. There are no snake trails." Jia Hao was bemused. " Strange, A Three Petal Serpent should be a giant serpent, yes?"

" That's right. But since it's a demonic beast, maybe its covering its track?" Luo Qiang probed.

" Let's follow them. If we are lucky, we might find some clues." Sang Qiuliu pointed at a group as they followed them.

However, after four hours, the villagers regrouped again.

" What happened?"

" We didn't find any trails. What about you?"

" Nothing here either." The other group replied with disappointment.

As they were discussing what to do next, a person shouted.

" Damn it! We have lost Hu Shin!"

" What? Didn't he go with you?"

" He was with me. But he said he was going for a piss. But then I called him out and didn't find him." The person replied with panic.

Ominous thoughts appeared in everyone's mind as they hurriedly got together.

" Let's go. Take us where you were."

" Hu Shin!"

" Hu Shin! Where are you?"

Villagers shouted, but they couldn't find him at all.

Suddenly, Jia Hao paused as his eyes shone. His Sage's Divine Eyes finally saw a clue.

" Everyone! Come here!"

Villagers surrounded Jia Hao when they heard Jia Hao. Jia Hao pointed at a tree and spoke, " That's where Hu Shin was pissing."

" This…There are marks of struggle!" The old hunter shouted as he pointed at the tree. As the villagers shone torches on it, t hey could see the claw marks on the bark.

" This… Could it be…"

" Something must have happened to him."

" Fuck! He gets abducted yet you didn't even notice?"

" I swear! I was just standing there." The person defended himself. " I barely heard some rustles. Nothing more. I didn't even hear him groan!"

" Impossible! Are you saying he vanished in thin air?"

" Everyone, Calm down!"

Jia Hao's voice boomed, making everyone silent.

" Brother Luo, What do you think? Any ideas?" Luo Qiang saw the light in Jia Hao's gaze and realized Jia Hao must have guessed something. But since he was testing him, Luo Qiang didn't back down.

He squatted down and looked around carefully. " There are also marks of struggles in the ground. There… It looks like a snake made a death roll with its prey."

" However, there is no clue after this. It is as if the snake and Hu Shin vanished in thin air. No… That's not possible."

" The soil…It feels very loose though?"

Jia Hao looked at the villagers and nodded. " Yes, I know what happened. The demonic snake is very cunning. But I have finally seen through its tricks."

" Follow me, I will lead you to its lair."

The villagers were excited when they heard Jia Hao. As they followed him, Jia Hao easily led him through the forest and reached a rocky dead end.

" There is nothing here, though?"

" There is no hole. A snake can't hide here, right?"

" Everyone, we need to start digging here. But dig slowly." Jia Ha instructed.

He himself picked a shovel and started to dig. With his strength, he managed to easily dig through the earth.

But to the villager's surprise, the earth went loose suddenly as Jia Hao asked them to back away. Gathering his strength, he punched the wall.

*BOOM! BOOOM!*

Cracks appeared in the rocky walls. To everyone's shock, a path appeared before them.

" This…"

" The wall is hollow?"

" The demonic beast somehow knows a way to travel under the earth. And it can do very fast." Jia Hao explained.

 " It used to get into this cave by traveling under the earth. So, even if you look around, you won't find its trail at all." " Let's go in and kill it."

" Everyone, Listen to me first." Jia Hao made every one pause. " The snake might have other tricks up to its sleeves. So, stay here and guard the entrance. We will go and kill it."

The villagers were already a bit scared when they realized the snake could utilize mystical arts. So, they agreed to Jia Hao.

Sang Qiuliu and Jia Hao walked in front while Luo Qiang guarded their back. As they moved in, they slowly came across an opening. It looked like the hill was open at the top, revealing faint moonlight inside the cave.

Jia Hao's eyes narrowed as he finally saw the serpent. It was an absurdly twenty feet long pale serpent, with red marks blooming over its skin.

Its belly was bulged as there was blood splattered around it, a severed arm lying far away.

Suddenly, it opened its eyes and glanced at them, making Jia Hao chuckle.

" Everyone, Prepare for the battle. It has found us."

Sang Qiuliu pulled out her sword. " Fine, I will show it my strength."

*HISSSSS!*

The serpent was enraged as it saw intruders in its home. Three horn like scales erupted between on top of its head as it slithered towards Jia Hao and his group.

" Crimson Wind Three Slashes!"

*BOOM! BOOM!*

The snake flickered its tail as it clashed against Sang Qiuliu's sword. Sang Qiuliu backed away with a strange expression. " The skin of this bastard is really thick. There are even spikes on its tail."

As the snake opened its mouth, Jia Hao's expression changed.

" Everyone! Be careful! It's venom!"

*PUFF! PUFF!*

Black orbs darted at the group like rain, However, With Jia Hao's timely warning, everyone dodged them.

" Crimson Killing Stab!"

Sang Qiuliu's crimson internal energy erupted as she stabbed her sword into the tail of the serpent, finally penetrating it.

*HHISSSS!*

The serpent hissed painfully as it tried to slam its body on Sang Qiuliu. But Luo Qiang drew his sword and blocked it.

Suddenly, The serpent felt a cold feeling as its eyes darted back. Alas, It was already too late.

Jia Hao used the metal elemental magic he gained from killing goblin shamans. His magical saber's sharpness glazed with the power of gold element.

" Blazing Flame Slash!"

Flames burst from Jia Hao's saber as he jumped at the serpent's neck. Seven inches below its neck, Jia Hao almost cleaved it in half.