Chapter 80 - Poison Fields (1/2)
On the west of the Sacred Serpent Valley of the Nar realm, was a huge gray swamp cloaked in poisonous fog. As the fog swirled and warped, a rancid stench spread out, chasing away any curious beasts that ventured too close to the region.
Rotten flesh, putrefying bones, and decomposed beast bodies littered the bubbling swamp, turning the area into a land of death and decay.
This miasma enveloped region is the Poison Fields of the Nar realm.
At this moment, within the depths of the gray swamp, a swarm of poisonous scorpions were surrounding a lone figure with flaming red-gold hair. The figure flashed in and out of the scorpion encirclement, slashing a fire-covered arrow like a sword, leaving blood and the stench of burning meat in the air.
Swiftly dodging the sharp stinger of a black scorpion, the figure jumped in the air and landed on the back of a gray scorpion, controlling the creature to attack its companions.
Soon, a clash of stingers and pincers took place, the figure leaping back and forth between the arachnids as they rapidly grasped their pincers at each other and curved their tail up and down to pin the figure down.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
At this moment, a giant red scorpion with a human head crawled into the area of the scuffle, its giant eight legs leaving deep imprints onto the damp, poisonous ground. Upon sensing the giant scorpion, the little scorpions immediately stopped their attacks and backed off, making way for it.
This was the Scorpion King.
”You little creature have a lot of courage, daring to enter my territory and attack my underlings. For that, I respect you and give you the right to decide how you want to die. Speak, how do you wish to die?” Filled with disdain and disregard, the giant human-scorpions' voice sounded hoarse and rough, as if not used in ages.
Its head slumped on the giant scorpion's body, appeared tiny, giving the otherwise frightening beast, a funny look.
”Hmph! Just a hideous creature!” The figure exclaimed, the same disdain in its voice.
”What did you say?” The Scorpion King roared, enraged.
Other beasts talking about his appearance was one of the things he hated the most. That's why even though he was the King of the scorpions, he never showed up for any gathering of the beasts.
Because he knew.
The moment he appeared, he would become the focus of every beast's scorn and disdain.
In this realm where survival was the most important, the beasts paid more attention to power than appearances. However, there were exceptions.
Only the appearances of powerful beasts were ignored. For lesser creatures that lacked power, the matter was completely different. If they did not have the power to bust the heads and split the bodies of stronger creatures, they became the center of entertainment and joke for the rest of the races.
This was the Scorpion King's case. As a lesser race and one with only wild scorpions to commend, he lacked the power to shut up any creature above his rank. As such, enduring the scorn and mockery of the higher-ranking races became his everyday routine.
Until he stopped attending beast gatherings and confined himself to the poisonous swamp. After a long period of time not hearing being addressed as hideous, he had almost forgotten what he looked like in others' eyes.
”Hideous creature!” The figure fearlessly replied, not the least bit daunted by the Scorpion King's strong front.
”You! You! You wait for me!” The Scorpion King shouted angrily.
”I'm waiting. Come on.” Beckoning with its hand, the figure gestured for the scorpion to attack.
”You! I am coming!” The Scorpion King shouted again, but took no action, remaining in his same spot.
'What is up with this female? Why is she so fearless and daring? Could she have figured out my weakness? No way! I did not attack once since arriving, so how could she have figured out about my weakness?'
The Scorpion King confusedly roared inwardly.
”Hmph! Coward!” The figure coldly snorted.
”You dared to call me a coward? Good. Very Good. Since you dare to call me a coward, do you dare to give your name, then?” The loud howl was unlike any other, seemingly furious enough to burn down the whole swamp.
”Dare? Hmph! Why wouldn't I dare? Cowardly Scorpion King, listen carefully. My name is Versailles Skyler, Gold Serpentine of the Snake Clan and the Werewolf King's mate! Now that you know who I am, what can you do to me?” Arms crossed, she playfully looked at the Scorpion King.
After declaring her intention to clear the Poison Fields on her own, Versailles immediately set out from the Flaming Forests of the Pink Goblins. Half a day of travel later, she arrived at the Poison Fields and immediately sought out the scorpions' territory.
That's right.
She purposely sought out the scorpions, because she wanted to draw out the Scorpion King. From her previous life as a serpentine, she incidentally came to know about the Scorpion King's strong front and weak character.
His roars and rage meant nothing, because he was nothing but talk.