Tale of The Cursed Island: Beauty in The Beast

There was a general understanding of Weak Spots that they had gained from their Final Year Monsterology class. 

For all the monsters that had been recorded in history, there were always similarities shared among the monsters. Especially those in the same taxonomic class. 

This knowledge was quite helpful in narrowing down potential Weak Spots whenever a new species of monster was discovered.

Rour was certain that all the Patrioteers here, especially the scientists in the central laboratory, had analyzed the monsters with precise calculations. 

Yet, seeing no progress at all, he couldn't help but feel an insatiable curiosity about what they might have missed.

His sharp eyes remained fixed on the ammunition that still embedded in the creature's grotesque body, as well as the traces of bullets it had managed to expel. 

His mind raced, sifting through memories of monsters that had similarities with the monster in front of him at the moment..

Walrus. 

Red eyes. 

Sniffing nose. 

Elephant-like feet. 

Barbels. 

Jet black, slimy, and glistening skin.

He shook his head. The information was too vague. 

There were tons of monsters that shared those characteristics like this monsters had. 

But Rour still forced himself to recall as many related species as possible, as quickly as possible. 

Still, the result was disappointing. The Weak Spots of similar creatures had already been targeted, yet none had brought this beast down.

Something had been missed. He was sure of it.

His gaze swept over the monster's massive form. Almost every inch of its body was riddled with bullet wounds. Some of the ammunition was still lodged deep in its flesh. While others had punctured through, causing thick and greenish liquid to leak out in slow, nauseating drips.

The blood was greenish.

Rour gritted his teeth. His forehead creased with eyebrows nearly interlocked in frustration. 

Around him, Patrioteers kept running backwards, with unrelenting chaos. 

He exhaled sharply. He was clearly very frustrated with this situation.

As the disgusting monster drew closer, Rour had no choice but to abandon his position.

He was forced to come out of hiding and join the other troops in running backwards.

He ran as fast as he could. With a sharp intake of breath, he surging ahead of the others, darting between the scrambling of the other Patrioteers.

A cluster of dense trees stood to the southeast, their shadows merging into what looked like a miniature forest. His instincts flared. Without hesitation, he turned in that direction.

As he passed Leo, his hand shot out, gripping his comrade's sleeve and pulling him along.

"Hide among the trees!"

Leo, still trapped in a haze of panic of being caught by a monster, was startled by Rour's sudden presence. Even so he understood. Something in his voice demanded obedience. 

So he followed him. Stumbling slightly as he tried to match Rour's speed.

"Nick! Into the forest!" Rour shouted when he caught sight of Slick Nick. "Nick!"

He kept calling, turning back repeatedly until Slick Nick finally noticed his shout and changed his direction.

Rour, followed by Leo, plunged deeper into the trees. His head did not stop tilted upwards, scanning his surroundings even as his feet carried him forward.

His eyes intently looked at the trees around there.

Then, he saw it and stopped.

In front of a tree that was the tallest among them.

Its massive trunk was cloaked in intertwining roots. Stretching from the highest branches down to the earth, resembling the ridged spine of a dragon. 

Without hesitation, Rour climbed up. He seized the roots, using them as footholds to ascend swiftly.

Until he found a place that allowed him to see the situation outside through the gaps in the branches, he making sure his feet were on solid branches.

From his perch, he could see beyond the canopy of leaves, the chaotic scene of the battlefield.

Leo followed, then Slick Nick. Both scrambling up and positioning themselves next to him.

"Watch your footing," Rour muttered, not bothering to turn around.

The relentless gunfire echoed from the hilly terrain, blending with the guttural roars and piercing howls of the monstrous creature that continued to move slowly.

Slick Nick exhaled shakily, trying to steady himself by repeatedly inhaling long and deep breaths. His throat felt parched. Make him difficult to swallow saliva that scraping against his dry mouth. 

Meanwhile, his chest still rose and fell erratically, betraying his attempt at composure.

His eyes narrowed at the sight of the rampaging monster in the distance.

"Looks like it doesn't have a Weak Spot, does it?" he murmured.

"Yeah. I guess so," Leo grimaced. "It's taken so many bullets, yet it's still standing that strong."

"They should send more missiles," Rour said, his voice edged with frustration. "And focus the attack through combat drones—if it's true that this one doesn't have a Weak Spot." he emphasized

Rour's eyes flickering with realization. "Then they need to reinforce the defenses at the Sector X border. Immediately."

Nick and Leo exchanged uneasy glances at each other.

"And evacuate the citizens to higher Sectors."

Both men stiffened. Breath seemed to catch in both of their throats, after hearing Rour's words.

They understood the implications.

If it came to that, the fate of the Patrioteers stationed in this war site was sealed. Death would claim them.

And Neo Schao might perish for the second time.

However, Rour wasn't done.

"But no," he muttered, more to himself than to them. "As they say, monsters always have a Weak Spot. I don't know how far their mutation has gone, but something that drives the mutation was the same thing. The scientists wouldn't make baseless claims."

Rour's explanation struck a chord. Relieved both of their hearts a little.

Even tough everything remained speculation.

But, at least, the fact that Rour had just clarified ignited a flicker of fire inside Slick Nick's head.

The corners of the man's lips twisted into a bitter grin.

"I'm not dying today. Or tomorrow," he declared. "I'm going home alive. Fuck! I'll unload every bullets I have if I have to."

"Yeah!" Leo unexpectedly joined in Slick Nick's enthusiasm, his voice firm with agreement.

"Yeah, yeah!" Slick Nick repeated, louder this time, as though reaffirming his own resolve.

Leo smirked. "That's the spirit! We'll take that damn thing down with our own hands. We're the guardians of Monstral Gate, after all. We're going to beat it, right?!"

"Damn right, we will!" Nick's passion burned like wildfire.

Then, as if recalling something, Leo's enthusiasm dimmed just slightly. He lowered his voice. "By the way… I brought a lot of extra ammunition."

He glancing back and forth between Slick Nick and Rour with a trace of caution.

Slick Nick turned to him, eyes widening. "You serious? Crazy. How if the Commander finds out?!"

Leo simply shrugged, his expression unreadable. "It might just save us."

Slick Nick let out a dry chuckle.

Leo shot him a glare.

"The Commander's not here," his voice wavered for a moment, then steadied, "Look, these anesthetic bullets could make a difference.

Leo insisted, trying to convince that what he was doing could contribute to their good.

"Whatever. I don't care about the rules right now. What matters is that I don't want to die today."

A sigh let out from Leo's mouth.

"I've been saving up to get married next year. I can't just die like this."

Silence.

Rour remained focused on the monster. While his comrades' conversation faded into background noise as he meticulously analyzed the creature's movements, its reactions, its injuries.

He took a shot—targeting untouched areas he suspected might be a possible Weak Spot location.

Meanwhile, Slick Nick cast Leo a sideways glance, an amused glint in his eye. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Damn. Poor guy."

His expression carried a hint of sympathy, but at the same time there were humorous streaks in his eyes and smile. 

"You know what. Actually..."

Slick Nick merely raised his eyebrows, then waggled them teasingly.

His intention was to provoke Leo to be curious about what he was going to say, but it looked more like he was mocking.

Leo's brows furrowed. "What?" he scowled. Annoyance prickled at his spine.

He had a bad feeling about whatever Nick was about to say next.