Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 69: Predator Becomes the Prey

 After partaking of the sweet nectar from a flower, a lone butterfly gracefully takes flight, soaring into a nearby tree. Its wings, adorned with colors that seamlessly blend with the foliage, conceal it within the branches.

Suddenly, the unforgiving laws of nature bore its fangs and the innocent creature unwittingly fell prey to a silky prison—a perfectly woven spider web.

Zephyr let out a contented yawn, comfortably sprawled out on his stomach in the lush grass. In addition to the canine's reassuring presence, the Beastfolk community, overjoyed by the survival of Rexar, Elena, and Milo, exuded a renewed sense of enthusiasm and confidence.

Temporarily forsaking their mound-like dwellings, they embraced the beauty of nature within the embrace of the barrier. As children frolicked in play, the adults were busy using ingredients that Daisuke left behind to make a celebratory feast in preparation for the heroes' return from the mountain.

While her people reveled in the absence of fear, Timartha shifted her attention to the lounging wolf pup with little faith. However, it was Sylvia who voiced her concerns.

"Is it really wise to entrust our lives to this wolf?" she muttered anxiously as the canine playfully rolled over, exposing its furry underbelly. "It's obviously an infant."

Feng, Timartha, and her two female aides were visibly perturbed by the question.

"Why do you think Haxks and the others went to the mountain?" asked Mia.

"...To put a stop to the demons once and for all," responded Aldric as he joined the scene.

"But to what end?" Mia continued.

"To protect the village," one of Timartha's aides replied.

"I've known Haxks since we were kids," admitted Mia, reminiscing. "But now that I think about it, he never behaved like a child—he was always calm and calculating, like an adult. It was his leadership that ensured a lot of children could eat."

Mia shifted her gaze from the eager group to the sunbathing pup. "Exterminating the demons would be pointless if the village is destroyed in the process. Haxks knows this, which is why I'm sure Zephyr may be some sort of secret weapon."

"For your sake, child... and all of ours," Timartha began as the pup chased his tail, "I really hope that you're right."

"Will Big Brother and the others really be okay?" April asked in a melancholic tone, looking toward the distant mountain.

"I'm sure they'll be fine," reassured Feng with a smile. "After what they went through in the dungeon, it's clear that they're leagues above your average adventurer."

April turned her gaze toward Mia questioningly, and the girl nodded in agreement. "He's right—I'm sure our Big Brother is more than capable of handling a bunch of demons," she said while stroking the girl's hair.

All of a sudden, Zephyr pushed to his feet with an urgency that caught everyone's attention. Raising his nose skyward, the canine sniffed the air with a grunt, his fur bristling as he noted the stench of something sinister and fast approaching.

"Ruff!" the pup barked, a warning that needed no translation.

Without hesitation, Feng sprinted toward the adults, vigorously waving his arms. "It's the demons!" he roared. "Get back to your houses! Hurry!"

Sylvia and Mia hastily herded the kids back to their families who were reluctant to retreat otherwise. Then they hurried back to Timartha and her aides who were frozen in place.

"Grandma!" Sylvia called breathlessly, clutching the woman's arm. "What're you doing? We need to get away!"

"Do you all have a death wish?!" Feng snapped. "We don't have much time! We need to get back to the mound!"