A bipedal dragon soared past the treetops, and the gusts of air it stirred up could be felt even in the tree hollows. These massive flying creatures held absolute dominion over the swamp at night, adding any cold-blooded animal to their menu, including the brutish oxen that were almost their size.

A scent wafted through the air that was similar to that of a lizard, causing the hunter to feel repulsed. He didn't care if there was a connection between these two creatures, he just found it distasteful. If it weren't for these creatures that appeared every night, he could easily break his prey's resolve in one day and one night without rest. If it weren't for the stench that almost numbed his sense of smell, he wouldn't have fallen for the trap that had almost eluded him and delayed him here, watching the distant firelight in confusion.

"Why build a campfire? Are you trying to eat and regain your strength? Do you think I don't see through your trap? Or is this another trap?" The hunter fumed, feeling provoked.

"Are you daring me?" he wondered. "Are you telling me to come and let you rip out my heart?"

But the hunter quickly reminded himself not to lose his composure. Losing his cool would only lead him into a trap when facing such a cunning prey. Without a doubt, this was definitely a trap, or the follow-up to the trap from earlier in the day.

The river is not far now. Tomorrow morning, the hunter will use all their strength to track and chase, and then end the hunt with a very satisfying method. The hunter let out an excited snort and gripped the powerful weapon in their hand. A thin layer of brain matter and blood, which had dried into a crust, was stuck to it, becoming a part of the weapon.

"Don't get too excited, stay calm, stay calm," the hunter reminded themselves. They had to carefully observe and consider all the traces they saw tomorrow, and not be deceived by any illusions. They must remember to be wary of and pay attention to any illusions.

"Do you think I'm easy to fool? Are you still proud of the mind that will soon be twisted off and savored by me?"

The hunter was pleased with their calm thoughts and let out another snort.

The blade cut through the skin, sliced through the muscles, severed the windpipe, cut the arteries, and then emerged from the other side of the woman's neck after cutting through the skin and muscles. The sensation was crystal clear, from the fingertips to the wrist, elbow, arm, and finally, it shook directly into the heart. The feeling was as vivid and profound as a magnificent poem. Then the bright red blood gushed out from the woman's body, allowing the hunter, Asa, to eagerly suck it up.

A few strands of black hair were tightly pressed against her thin lips, which pursed into a slightly tense curve. Her eyes, which hung low, were squinting through her long eyelashes, containing a hazy smile. Only when he approached did he realize that she was an extremely beautiful woman.

Asa suddenly felt very scared. He was afraid of the gentleness contained in her squinting eyes and the stubbornness of her thin lips. The woman still had the same expression, but Asa was completely trapped in the fear created by this sudden gentleness and beauty.

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Then he realized that he had not only cut the woman's throat just now, but also his own. As he rubbed the wound on his neck, the clear and distinct sensation of cutting through it echoed in his chest. He wanted to use this feeling to fill the wound, but he couldn't. Asa groaned in pain.

Looking at the beautiful and gentle face of the woman and the bleak wound on her neck, feeling his own wound with his hand, the grief, sorrow, fear, and pain surrounded Asa tightly like the darkness around him. Asa suddenly woke up in shock.

The fish belly white of early morning had already emerged in the east, and the calls of the bipedal dragons were gradually fading away. These creatures were hovering from the edge of the swamp and flying back to their nests deep in the swamp. The hunter's position was closer to the depths of the swamp, so this could give Asa an advantage to leave early.

But Asa didn't show much interest in this precious time. Instead, he squatted beside the dying campfire and watched the woman crush water mint and insect-repellent chrysanthemums with a stone before applying them to her clothes and skin, his mind still ringing with the feeling left by the nightmare, like trying to flick off sticky snot that won't go away, still feeling confused. Fortunately, he could also feel that his physical strength had almost fully recovered.

The woman seemed to have slept well. After applying the mixture, she began to pack up her things quickly and chatted with him at the same time, "You had a terrible nightmare last night. You woke me up. I was going to wake you up."

Asa stared at the woman, her calm and radiant face. Her beautiful, hazy eyes, straight nose, thin lips, and slender neck were barely visible under her clothes. Asa suddenly had the illusion that she was bleeding miserably, and he shuddered.

The woman finished packing and said goodbye to him, "Goodbye. If you have the chance, you can come find me at the Duke of Mlak's mansion in the capital city." She smiled softly, infecting the morning mist with tenderness. "My name is Eve."

No chance. Either you die or I die. Asa didn't dare face this smile, and he nodded his head to the ground in response.

After watching the woman disappear into the misty morning fog, Asa ran in the direction of the river. He didn't jump into the river to hide his scent, nor did he mind leaving footprints that even the worst-sighted mice could see in the soft mud. He ran at a pace that would allow him to use his energy most efficiently. He knew that any kind of disguise would be futile under the hunter's gaze. Clearly visible traces would only confuse him.

Of course, the hunter could still follow the real footprints, but after passing through the previous trap, he would be more cautious and less likely to do so. Asa suddenly found himself hoping to hear the footsteps of the hunter behind him.

But confusion was useless. This was indeed the most efficient way, as once the hunter spent his energy and time chasing the woman, Asa's chance of escape would increase significantly. Even if the hunter killed the woman and tracked Asa again, Asa's advantage in stamina would increase his chances of victory. Asa shook his head and focused all his energy on running step by step.

But after running for less than half an hour, he saw a river in front of him. He felt both amused and frustrated. Everyone, even the hunter, had made the wrong estimate. Perhaps due to the rainy season, the river water flowed directly through the swampy lowlands.

At that moment, a faint scream came from deep in the swamp.

After traveling such a long distance, the sound was already very weak, but it hit Asa's heart like a huge hammer. The image of the woman's throat with a desperate wound from last night's dream immediately appeared before his eyes. He stood still, unable to move.