Chapter Fourteen: The Water Monster

As the captain of the First Squadron of the Huaxia Space Force, Wang Yinlong was far from being a reckless man. His decision was based on solid reasoning.

First, over three thousand members of the exploration team had gradually returned, with only a few injured and not a single fatality so far. Second, according to the information gathered from the returning teams, no excessively bizarre creatures had been found.

These two facts suggested that the forest was relatively safe.

Moreover, Ye Qiang had said it himself—the small beast managed to escape. This implied that whatever was in the water was still within the bounds of human comprehension.

“Then let our Special Operations Team handle it. I’ll call the rest of the brothers—one hundred should be enough,” Ye Qiang volunteered.

The Special Operations Team totaled one hundred men, and when he went out to search for water earlier, he had only taken nine.

Wang Yinlong waved his hand. “No rush. We’re going to establish a base nearby anyway. Let’s go over together with the main force later.”

“Alright.”

…

The exploration teams returned in succession, but in the end, one team suffered casualties. Their losses were due to an ambush by a venomous mutant beast. The poisoned team member collapsed en route, and the remaining two stopped exploring, bringing the body back and reporting the incident.

Apart from this group, several others were injured. Some teams brought back the bodies of strange animals—not because they provoked them, but because they were attacked and forced to fight back, succeeding in killing the aggressors.

As for any teams that had vanished entirely—not a single one.

“Coordinates 952.38, 635.56 are temporarily designated as a restricted area. Our primary mission remains establishing a base. Everyone, bring all tools you’ve made. We’re heading now to coordinates 952.42, 635.33,” Wang Yinlong announced, then looked towards the elderly among the crowd and added, “Those Space Force members who didn’t go out exploring, come with me to the destination. The rest protect the main force and advance slowly.”

With that order, the main force quickly split in two—the four thousand Space Force members who hadn’t joined the exploration sped up, leading the way to the destination.

…

On the way, Wang Yinlong gathered the hundred members of the Special Operations Team around him. They were now fully armed, wielding stone spears, axes, or hammers—entitled to priority access to weapons as the elite unit of the advance party.

As they marched, they discussed tactics.

…

“The thing in the lake probably preys on land animals. We’ll use the small beast’s carcass as bait…”

“Liu Yun, your squad has sharp eyes. Grab a few stone spears each and form a ‘strike-the-eyes’ sub-team. Whatever it is, once it comes ashore, stab its eyes with all you’ve got.”

“If it’s huge, throw your spears. I trust you can do it. Blind it, and it’ll be half-crippled.”

“Yes!”

“Ye Qiang, find a group of strong men. Each take a stone hammer. After Liu Yun’s team hits the eyes, you go up and smash its head—hard!”

“Understood.”

“Wang Chun, take the wooden shields and cut off its retreat. Don’t let it escape back into the water.”

“Got it.”

…

The advance party covered the ten-plus kilometers in two hours. Gradually, a small lake appeared before them, shrouded in a faint mist and framed by the forest like a scene from a fairy tale.

But no one was in the mood to admire the scenery—after a long day’s march, everyone’s throats were parched. Seeing the lake, all they wanted was to rush over for a drink.

When they were only three or four hundred meters from the lake, Wang Yinlong ordered, “Everyone stand by here. Special Operations Team, follow me.”

“Captain…” Ye Qiang hesitated.

Wang Yinlong interrupted, “I know my limits. I’m just here to command—the action is up to you.”

Reassured, Ye Qiang relaxed.

…

The Special Operations Team approached the lakeshore, each member hiding behind a sturdy tree nearby. Wang Yinlong climbed a tall tree dozens of meters away, overlooking the lake from above.

Once preparations were complete, Ye Qiang carefully dragged the small beast’s carcass toward the lake. At the water’s edge, he soaked the body, ensuring its blood seeped into the lake, then dragged it back to a spot about ten meters from the shore, leaving a trail of blood and water. Afterward, he quickly retreated, hiding behind a tree some distance away.

…

Minutes ticked by. After about ten minutes, Wang Yinlong noticed subtle ripples on the distant lake surface, moving toward them. He immediately signaled Ye Qiang, who nodded and passed the signal to the rest.

Everyone gripped their weapons and held their breath.

A light breeze stirred the leaves by the lake.

The next moment—a sudden, massive wave split the lake surface in two!

Wang Yinlong’s pupils contracted.

Good heavens!

Judging by that wave, whatever was in the water had to be over ten meters long!

He was shocked, but not panicked.

…

No matter how large the creature in the water, it might not be as formidable on land.

He calmed his breathing, eyes wide.

The wave moved rapidly, crossing over a hundred meters in seven or eight seconds to reach the lakeshore.

Bang!

Before Wang Yinlong could react, a thunderous roar erupted, and the lake surged with a towering wave over ten meters high!

A pitch-black beast, crocodilian in shape, burst from the water like a speeding armored truck, lunging at the carcass by the shore.

The beast, as large as a calf, seized the carcass with one swipe of its paw, instantly reducing it to bloody pulp, then opened its jaws and swallowed it whole.

In the sunlight, every tooth in its mouth was over half a meter long, dozens of them aligned like a massive serrated blade.

After devouring the carcass, the giant crocodile turned its head toward the tree ten meters away where the Special Operations Team was hiding.

“Damn it! Retreat!” Wang Yinlong shouted abruptly.

“Retreat!”

“Everyone, fall back!”

Ye Qiang echoed, turning to flee into the woods.

The others reacted instantly, dropping their weapons and sprinting for the forest.

Roar!

Simultaneously, a deafening bellow shook the air. The beast launched itself at the tree where Ye Qiang had hidden, jaws snapping like a saw.

Crack!

The sturdy tree splintered into pieces beneath its serrated teeth.

Failing to catch its target, the giant crocodile whipped its massive head, flinging the tree trunk over ten meters away.

Hearing the tumult behind them, the Special Operations Team didn’t dare look back, scrambling and tumbling through the woods.

“Run! Hurry! Don’t look back! It’s still chasing us!” Wang Yinlong called out, descending from his tree and retreating into the forest while warning everyone.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds of collisions echoed behind them as trees toppled, the chaos resembling a tank rolling through.

The air was thick with a nauseating stench, forcing the men to cover their noses as they fled.

…

After running seven or eight hundred meters, the noise faded. Wang Yinlong stopped and glanced back.

In the distance, a massive tail slowly sank into the lake, while the surrounding forest lay in ruins, trees felled everywhere.

He looked down at his stone spear, its tip lost, leaving only a bare wooden shaft.

Furious, he flung the stick aside.

“So there really are monsters like that. Damn it—if only I had a proper rifle, I wouldn’t have to put up with this!”